Lepidoptera18 species

Family Eriocraniid Moths (Eriocraniidae)

Eriocraniidae is a family in the order Lepidoptera. Browse 18 named species recorded in this family, or open an individual profile for its available identification and natural-history information.

Species in Eriocraniidae (18)

Dyseriocrania auricyanea - Hodges#0004

Dyseriocrania auricyanea

Identification: Adult - mottled golden, distinctly marked by shining purplish, most conspicuously by three regular, transverse bands slanted outward from the dorsal margin. Larva - head dark brown, abdomen appearing whitish except for a minute pair o

Chinquapin Leaf-miner Moth - Hodges#0003

Dyseriocrania griseocapitella

Identification: Genitalia: Larva - head pale brown to yellow, thorax dark brown, abdomen whitish except for a pair of minute, longitudinal, brownish spots on the anal segment

Dyseriocrania subpurpurella

Wingspan 9-14 mm. The moths have metallic golden wings, lightly speckled with purplish or blue tiny spots. The relatively uncommon form fastuosella is much more richly marked with purple spots or striations. The larva mines the leaves of Oak. The lea

Eriocrania cicatricella

Wingspan 11mm. This is a tiny but quite beautiful little moth, its wings being a mix of metallic golds and purples when seen in the right light. All Eriocraniidae leafmines have spaghetti-like frass, in long threads. The larvae usually feed communall

Eriocrania salopiella

Wingspan about 10 mm. The adults are golden, marked with purplish, with a distinct pale tornal triangular spot, and a smaller costal spot. The head is covered with yellowish hairs. All Eriocraniidae leafmines have spaghetti-like frass, in long thread

Eriocrania sangii

Wingspan 9 to 14 mm. A small purple and gold moth, there are similar species and detailed examination is required for a safe id. All Eriocraniidae leafmines have spaghetti-like frass, in long threads. The larva of Eriocrania sangii is unusual in bein

Eriocrania semipurpurella

Wingspan 10 to 16 mm. The adults are difficult to distinguish from Eriocrania sangii without reference to the genitalia structure. All Eriocraniidae mines have spaghetti-like frass in long threads. The larvae live a blotch mine at the leaf margin whi

Eriocrania sparrmannella

Wingspan 10 to 13 mm. The adult moths are very attractive when viewed closely, having a metallic golden ground colour, intensely speckled with purple and blue. There is also a golden tornal spot. Like related species, the larva mines a leaf of the fo

Eriocrania unimaculella

Wingspan 10mm. This species has a silvery, rather than golden, tornal spot which can help distinguish it from similar species; however the adults can be very difficult to tell apart and it is best to rear from larvae or to refer to genitalia for iden

Eriocraniella aurosparsella - Hodges#0007

Eriocraniella aurosparsella

Identification: Davis (1978) revised description of the adult and larva available in PDF. ( 3 ) Forewings have a light purplish iridescence.

Eriocraniella mediabulla - Hodges#0013.1

Eriocraniella mediabulla

Identification: Adult : Antennae approximately 0.5 the length of FW (29-34 segmented) ● Pronotum shiny black to dark fuscous. Venter sparsely covered with buff to grayish white scales ● FW uniformly black with a distinct golden to sometimes bluish lu

Eriocraniella platyptera - Hodges#0010

Eriocraniella platyptera

Identification: Adult : FW relatively broad and immaculate dark fuscous with a prominent golden brassy to blue green iridescence. HW much paler, grayish fuscous with a slight purplish luster. The scales are moderately broad. Genitalia:

Paracrania chrysolepidella

Wingspan about 11 mm. A small moth with a mottled purple wing pattern. The larvae feed on Hazel creating fairly large blotch mines. See links below under 'Further Information' Adult very similar to E. cicatricella - they can only be separated by diss

Small Hazel Purple

Eriocrania chrysolepidella

Eriocraniella falcata

Eriocraniella variegata - Hodges#0011

Eriocraniella variegata

Eriocraniella xanthocara - Hodges#0008

Eriocraniella xanthocara

Neocrania bifasciata - Hodges#0014

Neocrania bifasciata