|
| Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Lepidoptera |
Adults small; relatively long-bodied; medium built (wingspan more than 8 and less than 15 times the thoracic width); wings in repose packed with the forewings directed backwards to cover hindwings and abdomen.
Head smooth (usually), or rough (e.g., Nothris). Antennae of medium length to long; extending to about 0.75–0.8 times the length of the forewing. Antennae of males simple; shortly simply-ciliate, or non-ciliate. The antennal scape with a pecten (rarely), or without a pecten; not forming an ‘eye cap’. Ocelli present (often), or absent. Chaetosemata absent (?). Maxillary palps well developed, or much reduced (short, appressed); 4 segmented; folded. Labial palps ascending (long, recurved, with a slender, pointed terminal segment); 3 segmented. Proboscis fully developed; scaly towards the base.
Wingspan 8–20 mm; about 11–14 times the thoracic width. Forewings narrow; 2.9–5.5 times as long as wide. Tornus weakly defined to undetectable. The outer margin convexly curved; forewings apically blunt; forewings predominantly shining-metallic (e.g., bronzy), or exhibiting shining-metallic markings (e.g., sometimes with silvery or leaden spots), or neither shining-metallic nor with shining metallic markings. Hindwings narrow-elongate and very long-fringed to neither unusually narrow-elongate nor especially long-fringed; trapezoidal; quite markedly narrower than the forewings to markedly broader than the forewings; with a pointed apex to with a rounded apex. The fringe of the hindwings (0.5–)1–3 times the width of the membrane. The upper surfaces plain; with neither discal spot nor transverse lines; hindwings with a frenulum.
Neuration of forewings and hindwings dissimilar. Forewings 12 veined (often), or 10–11 veined (veins 3 and 4, and 7 and 8 sometimes coincident, veins 2, 4 and 7 sometimes absent); with 1 anal vein. The anal veins of the forewings representing 1b only. Forewings lacking a tubular vein 1c. Vein 1b of the forewings furcate proximally. Forewings with a discal cell, or without a discal cell (e.g., Stenolechia). The transverse vein complete, or incomplete, or lacking. Discal cell of the forewings without a tubular media (M) vein. Hindwings (9–)10 veined; with 1 anal vein to with 3 anal veins. The anal veins of the hindwings representing 1b only, or comprising 1a and 1b, or comprising 1a, 1b and 1c. Hindwings exhibiting vein 1a, or lacking vein 1a; exhibiting a tubular vein 1c, or lacking a tubular vein 1c. Vein 1b of the hindwings obsoletely furcate, or simple. The transverse vein complete. The hindwing cell bearing a pecten of hairs on its cubital margin, or without a cubital pecten of hairs. 6 veins arising from the hindwing cell. The cell-derived hindwing veins all arising independently of one another, or 3+4 proximally joined and 6+7 proximally joined (with connation or stalking). Veins 6 and 7 of the hindwings not parallel. Vein 8 of the hindwings completely independent of the cell, or joined to the cell only by a bar, or anastomosing with the upper margin of the cell; not approximating to vein 7.
Fore-legs with a tibial epiphysis. Tibiae of middle legs 2-spurred. Posterior tibiae 4-spurred; hairy.
Eggs, larvae and pupae. Eggs smooth or minutely pitted (?). Larval prolegs 10 (rarely all much reduced). Larvae case-bearing, or not case-bearing; concealed feeders (mostly in spun leaves, fruiting infloresences, flowers or shoots); subterranean (rarely), or not subterranean; leaf-mining (rarely), or not leaf-mining. One in bracken stems, a few associated with conifers. Otherwise mainly associated with divers Dicot trees, shrubs and herbs; seemingly avoiding Monocots, except Sitotroga cerealella, which is a destructive pest in stored cereal grain.
Pupae concealed; on the surface of the ground, or above the ground. Empty pupae not becoming protruded.
British representation. Genera 54 (4 adventive only); about 150 species (8 adventive). Gelechia rhombella, Hypatima rhomboidella (Lobster-clawed Moth), Prolita sexpunctella (Long-horned Flat-back, Groundling), etc.
Classification. Microlepidoptera. Suborder Ditrysia. Superfamily Gelechioidea.
Illustrations. • Anacampsis scintillella, A. temerella, Mirificarma lentiginosella: Stainton 9, II (1865). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Anacampsis scintillella; larva (1a), and a sprig of Helianthemum vulgare eaten by it (1b). 2, Anacampsis temerella; larva (2a), and a sprig of Salix eaten by it (2b). 3, Mirificarma lentiginosella; larva (3a), and a sprig of Genista tinctoria eaten by it (3b). Stainton 9, II (1865). • Stainton 9, II (1865): original legend.. • Gelechia hippophaëlla, Helcystogramma rufescens, Monopis ferruginella (or obviella? - mainland-European): Stainton 9, I (1865). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Monopis ferruginella or M. obviella?; young (1a) and adult (1a*) larvae; leaves of Campanula persicifolia mined by the young larva (1b, 1b*); and leaves rolled up by the adult larva (1b**). 2, Helcystogramma rufescens; larva (2a), and grass leaf blades rolled up and discoloured by it (2b). 3, Gelechia hippophaëlla; larva (3a), and a shoot of Hippophaë rhamnoides eaten by it (3b). Stainton 9, I (1865). • Stainton 9, I (1865): original legend.. • Aroga flavicomella (mainland-European), Neofaculta ericetella, Mirificarma mulinella: Stainton 9, III (1865). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Aroga flavicomella; larva (1a), and leaves of sloe fastened together and eaten by it (1b). 2, Neofaculta ericetella; larva (2a), and a sprig of Erica with a larva protruding from a flower (2b). 3, Mirificarma mulinella; larva (3a), and a sprig of broom with a flower attacked by it (3b). Stainton 9, III (1865). • Stainton 9, III (1865): original legend.. • Neofriseria peliella, Scrobipalpa acuminatella, Anthrips mouffetella: Stainton 9, IV (1865). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Neofriseria peliella; larva (1a), and a sprig of Rumex acetosella eaten by it (1b). 2, Scrobipalpa acuminatella; male imago, with detail of female forewing (2m); larva (2a), and a mined thistle leaf (2b). 3, Athrips mouffetella; larva (3a), and a sprig of honeysuckle eaten by it (3b). Stainton 9, IV (1865). • Stainton 9, IV (1865): original legend.. • Bryotropha domestica, Bryotropha affinis, Teleiodes vulgella: Stainton 9, V (1865). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Bryotropha domestica; 1, larva (1a), and moss being eaten by it (1b). 2, Bryotropha affinis; larva (2a), and a piece of moss showing frass thrown out by the larva (2b). 3, Teleiodes vulgella; larva (3a), and hawthorn leaves fastened together and eaten by it (3b). Stainton 9, V (1865). • Stainton 9, V (1865): original legend.. • Altenia scriptella, Pseudotelphusa paripunctella (as triparella), Recurvaria leucatella: Stainton 9, VI (1865). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Altenia scriptella; larva (1a), and a folded maple leaf (1b). 2, Pseudotelphusa (Teleiodes) paripunctella; larva (2a), and oak leaves spun together and eaten by it (2b). 3, Recurvaria leucatella; larva (3a), and a sprig of hawthorn eaten by it (3b). Stainton 9, VI (1865). • Stainton 9, VI (1865): original legend.. • Scrobipalpa artemisiella, Xenolechia aethiops, (mainland-European) Mirificarma maculatella: Stainton 9, VII (1865). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Scrobipalpa artemisiella; larva (1a), and a sprig of Thymus serpyllum eaten by it (1b). 2, Xenolechia aethiops; larva (2a), and a sprig of "heath" eaten by it (2b). 3, Mirificarma maculatella; larva (3a), and a leaf of Coronilla varia eaten by it (3b). Stainton 9, VII (1865). • Stainton 9, VII (1865): original legend.. • Athrips tetrapunctella (as nigricostella), Chrysoesthia sexguttella (as naeviferella), Chrysoesthia drurella (as hernannella): Stainton 9, VIII (1865). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Athrips (Rhynchopacha) tetrapunctella; larva (1a), and sprigs of Medicago sativa eaten by it (1b and 1b*). 2, Chrysoesthia sexguttella; larva (2a), and a mined Atriplex leaf (2b). 3, Chrysoesthia drurella; young larva (3a), adult larva (3a*), and mined leaves of Chenopodium (3b, 3b*). Stainton 9, VIII (1865). • Stainton 9, VIII (1865): original legend.. • Caryocolum vicinella (as leucomelanella), C. cauliginella (mainland-European), Scrobipalpa costella: Stainton 10, IX (1867). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Caryocolum vicinella; larva (1a), and sprig of Silene uniflora eaten by it (1b). 2, Caryocolum cauliginella; larva (2a), and a swollen stem of Silene nutans (2b); swollen stem sectioned, showing the larva within (2b*). 3, Scrobipalpa costella; larva (3a), with mined and discoloured leaves of Solanum dulcamara (3b, 3b*). Stainton 10, IX (1867). • Stainton Stainton 10, IX (1867): original legend.. • Caryocolum marmorea (as maculea), C. tricolorella, C. viscariella: Stainton 10, X (1867). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Caryocolum marmorea; larva (1a), and a sprig of Stellaria holostea exhibiting a capsule attacked by it (1b). 2, Caryocolum tricolorella; larva (2a), and a sprig of Stellaria holostea with a young shoot attacked by it (2b). 3, Caryocolum viscariella; larva (3a), a shoot of Silene dioica attacked by it (3b*), and a section of the shoot (3b). Stainton 10, X (1867). • Stainton 10, X (1867): original legend.. • Caryocolum fraternella, C. fischerella,, C. marmorea: Stainton 10, XI (1867). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Caryocolum fraternella; larva (1a), and a sprig of Stellaria uliginosa with the terminal shoot spun together (1b). 2, Caryocolum fischerella; larva (2a), with a shoot of Saponaria officinalis with leaves spun together (2b). 3, Caryocolum marmorea; larva (3a), and a sprig of Cerastium vulgatum with sand-tubes formed by it (3b). Stainton 10, XI (1867). • Stainton 10, XI (1867): original legend.. • Caryocolum proxima (as maculiferella), Monochroa servella (as farinosae), Teleiodes sequax: Stainton 10, XII (1867). GELCHIIDAE. 1, Caryocolum proxima; larva (1a), and a sprig of Cerastium semidecandrum with a shoot spun together (1b). 2, Monochroa servella; larva (2a), with a discoloured leaf of Primula farinosa (2b). 3, Teleiodes sequax; larva (3a), and a shoot of Helianthemum vulgare spun together by it (3b). Stainton 10, XII (1867). • Stainton 10, XII (1867): original legend.. • Syncopacma taeniolella, S. coronillella (mainland-European), S. albipalpella: Stainton 10, XIII (1867). GELECHIIDAE. 1, imago of Syncopacma taeniolella, upper (m) and undersides (m*); larva (1a), and a sprig of Trifolium micranthum with leaves united by it (1b). 2, Syncopacma coronillella; larva (2a), and a sprig of Coronilla varia with leaves united by it (2b). 3, Syncopacma albipalpella; larva (3a), and a sprig of Genista anglica with leaves spun together and discoloured by it (3b). Stainton 10, XIII (1867). • Stainton 10, XIII (1867): original legend.. • Aproaerema anthyllidella, Monochroa arundinetella, Epithectis lathyri: Stainton 10, XIV (1867). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Aproaerema anthyllidella; larva (1a), and leaves of Anthyllis vulneraria eaten and discoloured by it (1b). 2, Monochroa arundinetella; larva (2a), and mined leaves of Carex riparia (2b, 2b*). 3, Epithectis lathri Stainton (cf. Meyrick, omitted from European and British Check Lists); larva (3a), and a sprig of Lathyrus palustris with a larval web (3b). Stainton 10, XIV (1867). • Stainton 10, XIV (1867): original legend.. • Apodia bifractella, Ptocheuusa inopella), Aristotelia brizella: Stainton 10, XV (1867). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Apodia bifractella; larva (1a), a sprig of Inula conyza (1b), and seeds fastened together and bored by the larva (1b*). 2, Ptocheuusa inopella; larva (2a), and a flower of Pulicaria dysenterica with some florets disturbd by it (2b). 3, Aristotelia brizella; larva (3a), and a flower head of Armeria maritima attacked by it (3b). Stainton 10, XV (1867). • Stainton 10, XV (1867): original legend.. • Eulamprotes wilkella (as pictella), Aristotelia ericinella, Thiotricha subocellea: Stainton 10, XVI (1867). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Eulamprotes wilkella; larva (1a), and a sprig of Cerastium holosteoides eaten by it (1b). 2, Aristotelia ericinella; larva (2a), and a sprig of Calluna bearing a web formed by it (2b). 3, Thiotricha subocellea; larva (3a), a sprig of Origanum vulgare bearing larva cases (3b), and a larva case (3b*). Stainton 10, XVI (1867). • Stainton 10, XVI (1867): original legend.. • Carpotolechia decorella (as Laverna), with Mompha and Sorhagenia: Stainton 11, VI (1870). GELECHIIDAE. 1, Carpotolechia decorella. Larva (1a), and stems of Epilobium with gall-like swellings caused by the larvae ( 1b, 1b*). MOMPHIDAE. 2, Mompha substrigella. Larva (2a) and a seed pod of Epilobium eaten by it (2b). COSMOPTERIGIDAE. 3, Sorhagenia rhamniella. Larva (3a), and a shoot of buckthorn drooping from its attentions (3b). Stainton 11, VI (1870). • Stainton 11, VI (1870): original legend.. • Dichomeris derasella and Dichomeris limosellus (as Ypsolophus, with Y. ustella): Stainton 13, II (1873).. YPONOMEUTIDAE. 1, Ypsolopha ustella. Larva (1a), and two leaves of hornbeam fastened together by it (1b). GELECHIIDAE. 2, Dichomeris derasella. Larva (2a), and a sprig of sloe with leaves rolled up by it (2b). 3, Dichomeris limosellus. Larva (3a), and clover leaves united by it (3b). Stainton 13, II (1873). • Stainton 13, II (1873): original legend.. • Hypatima, Pseudotelphusa, Recurvaria, Teleiodes: Stainton (1859). GELECHIOIDEA. Elachistidae: 1, Elachista gangabella; 2, Elachista maculicerusella; 3, Elachista gleichenella. Gelechiidae: 4, Teleiodes luculella; 5, Pseudotelphusa scalella; 6, Hypatima rhomboidella; 7, Recurvaria leucatella. From Stainton (1859, with approximate wingspans added). • Monochroa cytisella (Curtis), Broom Tinea: B. Ent. 671. • Monochroa cytisella (Curtis): B. Ent. 671, legend+text. • Monochroa cytisella (Curtis): B. Ent. 671, text cont.. • Prolita sexpunctella (Long-horned Flat-back, Groundling: B. Ent. 189). • Prolita sexpunctella (detail: B. Ent. 189). • Prolita sexpunctella (legend+text: B. Ent. 189). • Prolita sexpunctella (text, cont.: B. Ent. 189). • Hypatima rhomboidella (Lobster-clawed Moth: B. Ent. 368). • Hypatima rhomboidella: B. Ent. 368, legend+text. • Hypatima rhomboidella: B. Ent. 368, text cont.. • 8 genera (from Stainton). 4c, Psoricoptera gibbosella, head. 5a-5c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Helcystogramma rufescens. 5'a-5'c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Anacampsis populella. 5''c, head of Syncopacma taeniolella. 5'''c, head of Chrysoesthia sexguttella. 5''''a-5''''c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Chrysoesthia sexguttella. 6a and 6b, fore- and hindwings of Metzneria aestivella. 6c, head of Metzneria lappella. 7a-7c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Monochroa cytisella. 8c, head of Hypatima rhomboidella. 9a-e, Anarsia spartiella: fore- and hindwings (9a and 9b); head of female (9c); and palp of male (9e). 10, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Dichomeris marginella. 12a-12c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Nothris verbascella. From Stainton (1854, Plate IV). • Larvae of 'Tineina' (Stainton). 1, OECOPHORIDAE: Diurnea fagella larva, and (1a) shown between united birch leaves. 2, PSYCHIDIDAE: Taleporia(?) larva, showing cases attached to lichen (2a), and a single case enlarged. 3, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Ochsenheimeria taurella, and (3a) a section of grass stem showing the larva in situ. 4, TINEIDAE: Tineola bisselliella, with a gallery formed in feathers (4a); 4b, a case of Tinea pellionella on a feather. 5, INCURVARIIDAE: Incurvaria praelatella, with a partially devoured wild strawberry leaf (5a), and a case from the underside. 6, Incurvaria pectinea, and (6a) the larva in its case feeding on a fallen oak leaf. 7, Lampronia capitella, with (7a) a currant shoot withering from the effects of the larva feeding in the stem. 8, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Swammerdamia pyrella, with (8a) the larva in its web between united cherry leaves. 9, Yponomeutidae-Plutellinae: Plutella porrectella, and (9a) feeding on a Hesperis leaf. 10, GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE: Orthotelia sparganella, with (10a) an eaten stem of Sparganium. 11. OECOPHORIDAE: Depressaria sp., with (11a) a leaf of Centaurea nigra distorted by its attentions. 12, GELECHIIDAE: Anacampsis temerella, with (12a) a sallow leaf tenanted by it. 13, Metzneria aestivella, with (13a) a sectioned fruiting head of Carlina showing the feeding larva in situ. 14, OECOPHORIDAE: Crassa unitella, and (14a) a piece of decayed wood burrowed by the larvae. 15, GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE: Glyphipteryx equitella, with (15a) shoots of Sedum acre showing the middle one bleached by excavations of the larva. 16, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Argyresthia bonnetella, with (16a) hawthorn shoots eaten by the larva. 17, GRACILLARIIDAE: Caloptilia alchimiella, with (17a) an oak lead exhibiting a cone formed by the larva. 18, OECOPHORIDAE: Agonopterix angelicella, with (18a) its cone on a hawthorn leaf. 19, COLEOPHORIDAE: Coleophora follicularis, with (19a) a mined leaf of Eupatorium, and (19b) the case enlarged. 20, LYONETIIDAE: Bedellia somnulentella, with (20a) a mined Convolvulus arvensis leaf. 21, EPERMENIIDAE: Epermenia chaerophyllellus, with (21a) a portion of Anthriscus sylvestris leaf eaten half through by it. 22, MOMPHIDAE: Chrysoclista linneella, with (22a) a piece of inner bark of lime burrowed by it. 23, ELACHISTIDAE: Elachista maculicerusella. with (23a) a mined Phragmites leaf blade. 24, TISCHERIIDAE: Emmetia marginea, and (24a) a mined bramble leaf. 25, GRACILLARIIDAE: Phyllonorycter quinnata, with (25a) a mined Carpinus leaf. 26, LYONETIIDAE: Leucoptera laburnella, with (26a) a mined Laburnum leaf. 27, Bucculatrix bechsteinella (Bucculatricidae), and a hawthorn leaf eaten half through. 28, NEPTICULIDAE: Nepticula sp., with (28a) a mined Potentilla leaf. From Stainton (1854, Plate X). • 6 genera: neuration.
We advise against extracting comparative information from the descriptions. This is much more easily achieved using the DELTA data files or the interactive key, which allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, and distributions of character states within any set of taxa. See also Guidelines for using data taken from Web publications.
Cite this publication as: ‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2003 onwards. Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Lepidoptera. Version: 14th April 2022. delta-intkey.com’.
