Lepidoptera529 species

Family Twirler Moths (Gelechiidae)

Gelechiidae is a family in the order Lepidoptera. Browse 529 named species recorded in this family, or open an individual profile for its available identification and natural-history information.

Species in Gelechiidae (529)

Acompsia cinerella

Wingspan 16 to19 mm. An unmarked brownish moth with long upwardly-curved labial palps. A variety of habitats, usually areas with rich vegetation or plenty of trees and bushes. Flying in June and July, it can be attracted to light. The larva is unknow

Agnippe laudatella - Hodges#1769

Agnippe laudatella

Identification: Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 ) Genitalia:

Agnippe prunifoliella - Hodges#1771

Agnippe prunifoliella

Identification: Prunifoliella is Latin meaning "plum leaf", where Chambers found the caterpillars feeding. The larvae are known to be parisitized by the Ichneumon wasp Orgilus gelechiae ( 278 ).

Anacampsis agrimoniella - Hodges#2230

Anacampsis agrimoniella

Identification: Adult - forewing slender with pointed tip, basal half medium gray, apical half dark gray to blackish; thick white band crosses wing about two-thirds from base (inner margin of band straight-edged, outer margin broadens at costa). Larv

Anacampsis blattariella

Wingspan 16 to 19mm. Very similar to the closely related A. populella and examination of the genitalia may be needed to be certain in differentiating between these two species. They rest on large birch trunks during the day. Adults fly at night from

Anacampsis consonella - Hodges#2233.1

Anacampsis consonella

Identification: The adult is externally very similar to A. rhoifructella but can be differentiated from it on basis of phenology, appearance of mature larva, and genital morphology of both genders. Genitalia:

Coverdale's Anacampsis - Hodges#2234

Anacampsis coverdalella

Identification: Adult - forewing light brownish-orange or yellow except for apical one-third and small area at base which are blackish; hindwing gray; head and anterior part of thorax blackish.

Anacampsis fullonella - Hodges#2236

Anacampsis fullonella

Anacampsis fullonella is a moth of the Gelechiidae family. It was described by Zeller in 1873. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

Anacampsis levipedella - Hodges#2241

Anacampsis levipedella

Identification: There is an undescribed species closely resembing levipedella A. levipedella A. nr. levipedella Watch Victor Engel video of "dancing" behavior of Anacampsis levipedella . Kawahara, Nishida & Rubinoff, 2011 ( JoLS 65 ) postulate that d

Anacampsis lupinella - Hodges#2242

Anacampsis lupinella

Identification: Larva - Caterpillar dull green; head testaceous with a black spot on each side near eyes, cervical shield of the same color, partly edged below with black; tubercles black; in a slight web between leaves of lupine.

Pale-headed Aspen Leafroller Moth - Hodges#2243

Anacampsis niveopulvella

Identification: Chambers (1875) original description as Gelechia niveopulvella available in the print refernces .

Anacampsis nonstrigella - Hodges#2244

Anacampsis nonstrigella

Identification: Adult - basal two-thirds of fore wings dark olive, apical part deep blackish brown, with a few golden-brown scales just before apex.

Anacampsis paltodoriella - Hodges#2245

Anacampsis paltodoriella

Identification: See original description in print reference below.

Anacampsis populella

A very plain grey species. It is difficult to tell from A. blattariella but that has a different foodplant. Areas containing Willows, Poplars, Aspen etc. It flies in July and August and can sometimes be found at rest on leaves and trunks of the foodp

Anacampsis rhoifructella - Hodges#2248

Anacampsis rhoifructella

Identification: The adult is externally very similar to A. consonella but can be differentiated on basis of phenology, appearance of the mature larva, and genital morphology in both genders.

Anacampsis undescribed-nr-levipedella

This page is for an apparently undescribed species of Anacampsis near levipedella . In my (ASH) opinion, the balance of the evidence based on the description would suggest that the species described by Clemens is that seen on the page for levipedella

Anacampsis wikeri - Hodges# 2251.1

Anacampsis wikeri

The larva of a tortricid, Hystrichophora taleana , occupies the same feeding mode on leadplant at the same time as A. wikeri ; the tortricid larva is somewhat heavier, and has more prominent setal pinacula, than A. wikeri .

Anarsia innoxiella

Wingspan 11 to 14 mm. The long black streak in the centre of the forewing is said to be diagnostic of innoxiella , supported by the more contrasting pattern overall. Anarsia lineatella is similar but has a less-contrasting, duller pattern and the cen

Peach Twig Borer - Hodges#2257

Anarsia lineatella

Identification: Adult steel gray; larva reddish brown Probably introduced in the 1880s. A pest of fruit trees, especially peach.

Anarsia spartiella

Wingspan 12 to 15 mm. The wings may be relatively plain, or have darker and paler mottling. The long, upwardly curved, labial palps of the female protrude from a large tuft of scales, but the shorter palps of the male are concealed in the tuft. In Ma

$Apodia bifractella$

Apodia bifractella

Wingspan 9-12 mm. Mainly brown with a broad orange stripe across the rear of its wings and an orange head. As is typical of the Gelechiidae, it rests with its palps turned back over its head. Secretive but is sometimes found in late afternoon on flow

Aproaerema adversa - Hodges#2218

Aproaerema adversa

Identification: Braun (1930) original description is available online from link in print references.

Aproaerema anthyllidella

Wingspan about 11mm. The intensity and extent of the creamy markings on the forewing can be variable, and they are sometimes absent altogether. This species mainly inhabits dunes, dry grassland and rough pasture where kidney vetch occurs. There are t

Aproaerema cinctella

Wingspan about 13 mm. Very similar to Syncopacma larseniella , from which it can only be reliably distinguished by dissection of the genitalia. Areas that are rich in Birds'-foot-trefoil. Flying in late June and July, the adult moths can be attracted

Aproaerema larseniella

The genus contains several species which are virtually impossible to distinguish except by genitalia dissection, and Aproaerema larseniella is one of these. Easily confused with Aproaerema cinctella among others. Determination by genitalia examinatio

Aproaerema nigrella - Hodges#2221

Aproaerema nigrella

Identification: The original description as Gelechia nigrella Chambers, is available online in the print references below. Some of the specimens examined lack the white transverse band.

Argyrolacia bifida - Hodges#1779

Argyrolacia bifida

Identification: Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )

Aristotelia adceanotha - Hodges#1726

Aristotelia adceanotha

Aristotelia adceanotha - Hodges#1726 (Aristotelia adceanotha) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Anomologinae, sup

Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727

Aristotelia adenostomae

Identification: Adult - dark gray to black, dorsal half tinged with dark reddish.

Aristotelia amelanchierella - Hodges#1728

Aristotelia amelanchierella

Identification: Adult : Head brown, pinkish on the face. FW ground color whitish, densely dusted with fuscous. Apical fourth and below the fold, suffused with pink. Markings nearly as in roseosuffusella , with a dark brown oblique acute triangle from

Aristotelia argentifera - Hodges#1730

Aristotelia argentifera

Identification: Original description is online in PDF.

Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1

Aristotelia corallina

Identification: Larva - anterior body ringed in black and white, posterior striped in black and white (Janzen, 1967). These were very common spring visitors (Mar-May) at my lights in Tucson. [Randy Hardy]

Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736

Aristotelia elegantella

Adults come to lights, but typically only one at a time. ( 4 )

Aristotelia ericinella

Flying in July and August, the adults are on the wing from the afternoon onwards but can be quite elusive. The larva feeds in June and July on heather (Calluna) forming a silken tube among the leaves. Occurring throughout much of England and Wales in

Aristotelia eumeris - Hodges#1737

Aristotelia eumeris

Identification: See illustration of type specimen in Clarke (1969).

Aristotelia fungivorella - Hodges#1738

Aristotelia fungivorella

Identification: Adult: forewing light to medium brown with dark patches in basal, AM, and PM areas along the costa, and a fourth dark patch at the apex; the bottom of the AM patch has an S-shaped edge that continues across to the bottom of the PM pat

Aristotelia pudibundella - Hodges#1756

Aristotelia pudibundella

Identification: Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 4 )

Pink-washed Aristotelia Moth

Aristotelia roseosuffusella

The pink-washed aristotelia, clover aristotelia moth or garden webworm (Aristotelia roseosuffusella) is a moth in the Gelechiidae family. It is found in North America, including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,

Aristotelia rubidella - Hodges#1762

Aristotelia rubidella

Identification: "The interstices between the black markings in the costal half of the FW need to be contrastingly white (or whitish) for it to be roseosuffusella ." Terry Harrison

Aroga camptogramma - Hodges#2185

Aroga camptogramma

Identification: Mostly blackish with a longitudinal dorsal white stripe from head to 3/4 length of forewings, turning sharply and crossing obliquely to the costal margin. Similar to Aroga unifasciella of the western U.S. but barely half the size. (

Aroga paraplutella - Hodges#2193

Aroga paraplutella

Identification: The original description as Gelechia paraplutella Busck, is available online at the link in the print references below.

Aroga paulella - Hodges#2194

Aroga paulella

Identification: Adult : FW are shining dark blackish brown with white markings. The entire dorsal edge is white, reaching up the fold except right at the base and slightly crossing the fold with an upward projection at the apical third of the wing. B

Red-striped Fireworm Moth - Hodges#2198

Aroga trialbamaculella

Identification: Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )

Aroga websteri - Hodges#2201

Aroga websteri

Identification: Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD). The larvae are a major defoliator of Great Basin Sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ), which covers vast areas of the intermountain west between the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade/Sierra Neva

White Stripe-backed Moth

Arogalea cristifasciella

Arogalea cristifasciella, the stripe-backed moth, is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mai

Athrips mouffetella

Wingspan about 15mm. A small, but distinctively marked moth. The adult flies at night during July to September, and is attracted to light. The larvae feed mainly on honeysuckle during May and June, spinning together terminal shoots. Found throughout

Battaristis concinnusella - Hodges#2225

Battaristis concinnusella

Identification: V shaped subterminal line with black dot at the apex. (This mark shared with Battaristis nigratomella .) Genitalia: ♂

Battaristis cyclella - Hodges#2226

Battaristis cyclella

Identification: The original description is available online in PDF.

Orange Stripe-backed Moth

Battaristis vittella

Battaristis vittella, the stripe-backed moth, is a species of moth in the Gelechiidae family. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from the eastern United States and southern Canada.

Brachmia blandella

Wingspan 11 mm. A very tiny drab brown moth, with a slightly 'tent like' posture. This species occupies habitats where its food plant, Gorse, occurs. Adults are on the wing in July and early August when they can be disturbed from large old Gorse bush

Brachmia inornatella

Please provide a photograph and retain specimen determination by genitalia examination (gen. det.) may be required. Fens, marshes and on river-banks, especially in areas where Common Reed is present. There is a single generation, flying in June and J

Bryotropha affinis

Wingspan 11-12 mm. This moth has a variable paler band, sometimes broken, across the forewing about three quarters of the way toward the tip. The moths are on the wing in June and July. The larvae feed on mosses, often on walls during the early part

Bryotropha basaltinella

Adult moths are on the wing between late May and August. The larvae feed on mosses during the spring. Having a somewhat disjunct distribution in Britain, this moth occurs in many of the southern English counties, and then is rather scattered northwar

Bryotropha domestica

Wingspan 12 to 13 mm. The pale buff wings are marked with dark brown blotches. The adult moths fly in a single generation from mid-May to late August, and are readily attracted to light. The larvae feed on mosses growing on walls, in a silken gallery

Bryotropha politella

Wingspan 12 to 16 mm. The adult males are brownish-grey with several darker spots, and females are similar, though paler. Both sexes often show a sheen to the forewings. There are similar species, and care must be taken with identification; dissectio

Bryotropha senectella

The wingspan is 9 to 13 mm. One of several rather similar Bryotropha species. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. The specimen should be retained as determination by genitalia examination (gen. det.) may be required to conf

Bryotropha terrella

Wingspan 14-16 mm. The relatively nondescript adults have two indistinct darker dots on the forewing. Often encountered wherever long grass grows and easily flushed in the daytime. The larvae feed at the base of grasses, on the stems. Common and wide

Carpatolechia alburnella

Wingspan about13 mm. A pale silvery species effectively camouflaged against birch - its larval host. In the Scottish Highlands area the population has a rather darker colouration. The adults of this species may be found resting in crevices on the tru

Carpatolechia belangerella - Hodges#1869

Carpatolechia belangerella

Includes as a synonym Carpatolechia proximella of authors (not Hübner, 1796)

Carpatolechia decorella

Wingspan about 14mm. Although quite variable in intensity of markings and depth of ground colour, this species generally shows a distinctive black bar at the base of the forewing leading edge, a good identification pointer. In areas where the larval

Carpatolechia fugitivella

The adult moths are on the wing in June and July. They can be found during the day by searching tree trunks but are more often encountered at light. The larva feeds in a spinning on a leaf of Elm from which it is easily beaten. Pupa undescribed. Foun

Carpatolechia notatella

Wingspan about 14mm. There are a number of rather similar species, and care must be taken in the identification. Occupying woods, heaths and fenland especially damper areas where willow is present. Moths are on the wing in May and June when they can

Carpatolechia proximella

Wingspan 13 to17 mm. The species is variable in appearance, depending on the amount of brownish scale on the forewing. This moth is found on the wing during May and June. It is widespread and commonly found throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conser

Chionodes abdominella - Hodges#2054

Chionodes abdominella

Identification: Detailed description available in MONA Fascicle 7.6 at link in citations below.

Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055

Chionodes abella

Identification: Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at link in citations below. In June, larvae feed in the newly developing foliage of Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii .

Chionodes abitus - Hodges#2061.2

Chionodes abitus

"Three specimens from Ottawa, Ontario area are excluded from the type series because they are highly disjunct from other populations... The pattern of dark spots on the forewing is reduced but present." This statement seems to imply that the Northeas

Chionodes arenella - Hodges#2060

Chionodes arenella

Identification: From Forbes's description: "Clay color…. Fore wing with darker grayish shading between the veins, leaving the veins contrastingly pale."

Chionodes bicostomaculella - Hodges#2064

Chionodes bicostomaculella

Identification: In the East, this species can be separated from other members of the C. formosella complex by the lack of yellow scaling. This species has a slate-gray appearance, with no yellow or orange. Note that according to Hodges' fascicle, gen

Chionodes chrysopyla - Hodges#2068

Chionodes chrysopyla

Identification: Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at the link in citations below.

Eyeringed Chionodes Moth - Hodges#2072

Chionodes discoocellella

Identification: Adult : FW brown, tinged with roseate or purple, and faintly streaked with ocherous within the inner margin, and with a yellowish-white spot containing a black central dot at the end of the disc, a small black spot on the fold, and on

Chionodes emptor - Hodges#2072.3

Chionodes emptor

Identification: Adult : Usually the scales on the head are tipped with dark gray/black and the transition is relatively abrupt. Males of have sex scales on the dorsolateral surface of HW.

Chionodes figurella - Hodges#2073

Chionodes figurella

Identification: Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Chionodes formosella - Hodges#2077

Chionodes formosella

Identification: Chionodes formosella and Chionodes fuscomaculella can be distinguished from Chionodes bicostomaculella by the presence of yellow scaling ( Chionodes bicostomaculella is entirely grayscale). Chionodes formosella and Chionodes fuscomacu

Chionodes fuscomaculella - Hodges#2079

Chionodes fuscomaculella

Chionodes gilvomaculella - Hodges#2080

Chionodes gilvomaculella

Identification: The forewings are dark brownish, with an indistinct yellowish spot on the costa near the base of the wing and one of the same color on the middle of the costa, extended indistinctly or diffusely to the fold, where there is a blackish-

Chionodes kincaidella - Hodges#2086

Chionodes kincaidella

Identification: A highly variable species . See original description in the print references below. "The wide distribution and variation in FW color, from dark chocolate brown to rust and pattern especially in the extent of the ochreous, to nearly ob

Chionodes lactans - Hodges#2095.6

Chionodes lactans

Identification: Dark-gray/gray-brown forewings with pair of whitish spots at 3/4 wing length, one on anterior margin and one on posterior margin; is some specimens the spots fuse to form fascia bar. More detailed description found in MONA Fascicle 7.

Chionodes lictor - Hodges#2094.4

Chionodes lictor

Identification: "One of the few externally distinct species of Chionodes : the forewings are nearly shining white with black/dark-gray marks extending posteriorly from the costa just beyond base, at 1/3 length, at 2/3 length, and on the outer margin"

Chionodes lophosella - Hodges#2089

Chionodes lophosella

Chionodes lophosella - Hodges#2089 (Chionodes lophosella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Gelechiinae, tribe Ge

Chionodes luror - Hodges#2112.2

Chionodes luror

Identification: The only Chionodes with a clear yellow forewing.

Chionodes mariona - Hodges#2092

Chionodes mariona

Identification: Adult - forewings glossy black with two conspicuous cream-colored spots; one, a short triangular dash on outer third of costa; the other, an irregular spot of about the same size on dorsum just beyond middle. Larva - long; slender bo

Chionodes meddix - Hodges#2095.5

Chionodes meddix

Identification: Dark-gray/gray-brown forewings whitish spots at 3/4 wing length, typically only single spots on each wing near the costal margin. More detailed description found in MONA Fascicle 7.

Black-smudged Chionodes Moth

Chionodes mediofuscella

Chionodes mediofuscella, the black-smudged chionodes moth, is a moth of the Gelechiidae family. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Nova Scotia to Florida and from British Columbia to Colorado, Arizona and northern Californi

Chionodes near-bicostomaculella - Hodges#2064.1

Chionodes near-bicostomaculella

Identification: This undescribed species of the Northeast looks like a contrastingly black-and-white variation of Chionodes bicostomaculella . Images can be see on iNaturalist

Chionodes notandella - Hodges#2098

Chionodes notandella

Identification: Busck description "Second joint of labial palpi with large divided brush, which become gradually shorter towards apex; white strongly mottled with black and brown scales; terminal joint white with black apex. Face light fuscous, iride

Chionodes occlusa - Hodges#2101

Chionodes occlusa

Some females in the lugubrella -group have slightly more narrow wings than do males. Sattler (1991: 268) notes ". . . some Chionodes species ... , slight sexual differences in wing shape are observed, with the females having distally narrower fore wi

Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2

Chionodes oecus

Identification: Detailed description available from MONA Fascicle 7-6 linked in citations below.

Chionodes pereyra - Hodges#2104

Chionodes pereyra

Identification: The original description is available online in the print references below. Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD) Genitalia:

Chionodes petalumensis - Hodges#2107

Chionodes petalumensis

Identification: Detailed description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 which can be accessed at the link below under citations. Genitalia:

Chionodes pinguicula - Hodges#2109

Chionodes pinguicula

Identification: Detailed description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at the link in citations below.

Chionodes plutor - Hodges#2109.2

Chionodes plutor

Identification: Detailed description available in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at link in citations below.

Chionodes rabula - Hodges#2111.1

Chionodes rabula

Identification: " Chionodes rabula can be recognized by the combination of small size and vaguely striate forewing color pattern, particularly the faint, oblique gray fascia at 1/3 the wing length immediately preceded by a pale-yellow area" .

Chionodes rector - Hodges#2118.1

Chionodes rector

Identification: Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at link in citations below.

Chionodes repertor - Hodges#2086.3

Chionodes repertor

Identification: Detailed description in MONA Fascicle 7-6 found at link in citations below.

Chionodes retiniella - Hodges#2112

Chionodes retiniella

Identification: "Differs from all other gelechiine species in North America by having pale rust orange FW crossed by four evenly-spaced white bands, a convergence in pattern to conifer-feeding Tortricidae" .

Chionodes salicella - Hodges#2114

Chionodes salicella

Identification: Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at link in citations below.

Chionodes thoraceochrella - Hodges#2119

Chionodes thoraceochrella

Chionodes thoraceochrella is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Nova Scotia and southern Quebec to Georgia, North Dakota, Mississippi, Texas and Washington, east to California, Utah and Ari

Chionodes thyotes - Hodges#2071.2

Chionodes thyotes

Identification: The color pattern of the forewing (plate 2, figure 1) of thyotes is distinctive within the sistrella -complex: the posterior margin is pale yellow from the base to 3/5 the length, then extended obliquely to the anterior margin at 4/5

Chionodes trichostola - Hodges#2120

Chionodes trichostola

Identification: See Meyrick Hodge places this species in the trichostola complex with C. parens and C. sevir .

Chionodes trophella - Hodges#2121

Chionodes trophella

Identification: Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at link in citations below.