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)

Monochroa tenebrella

Wingspan about 11 mm. A uniformly brown species. The female has white tipped antennae. Determination by genitalia examination (gen. det.) required. It frequents open grassy areas and heathland. Adult moths can be found in June and July, when they fly

Naera nr. fuscocristatella - Hodges#1767.01

Naera nr-fuscocristatella

The type locality of Naera fuscocristatella is "Waco and Basque Co.” BOLD BIN group BOLD:AAI3303 contains one MEM specimen from MS, identified as fuscocristatella presumably by Sangmi Lee, and one CNC specimen from FL, identified only to genus. The n

Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909

Neodactylota snellenella

Identification: Original and revised descriptions are online in the print references.

Neofaculta ericetella

The adults fly in a single generation from late April to June. These are attracted to light at night but can also be disturbed from the foodplant during the day. This species lays its eggs on Heather. The larvae emerge to feed on the flowers, later f

Neopalpa neonata - Hodges#2030.1

Neopalpa neonata

Identification: Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Neotelphusa on-myricaceae - Hodges#1865.1

Neotelphusa on-myricaceae

Identification: Genitalia: Leaftier of bayberry, probably undescribed

Neotelphusa querciella - Hodges#1866

Neotelphusa querciella

Based on the maculation of the holotype, I (ASH) believe this species is not a Neotelphusa ; it may be a Pseudotelphusa or Xenolechia .

Numata bipunctella - Hodges#1765

Numata bipunctella

Identification: "Antennae yellowish fuscous. Labial palpi straw yellow, second joint blackish on the exterior side. Face, head, and thorax light straw-yellow. Forewings whitish straw-yellow, slightly darker toward apex, sparsely sprinkled with dark b

Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1

Ornativalva erubescens

Identification: Forewing pattern distinct in our area. Can be extremely abundant at times. A single bucket trap in Willcox, Arizona yielded an estimated 10,000+ specimens of this species (Kyhl Austin).

Oxypteryx atrella

This species inhabits woodland and dry grassy areas. The nocturnal adults fly in July and August. The larvae feed internally in the stems and shoots of St. John's-wort (Hypericum spp.) and pupate in a case usually made from part of a leaf. Distribute

Parachronistis albiceps

Wingspan 10 mm. Although this small moth is marked only in black and white it is quite a distinctive species. Where the larval foodplant Hazel is present. The adult moths fly in June and July, and are sometimes attracted to light. The larvae have not

Hollyhock Seed Moth

Pexicopia malvella

A rare species. The specimen should be retained and the County Recorder informed. The moth is on the wing from early June to mid-August. The larvae feed inside the seeds of Marsh Mallow ( Althaea officinalis ) and Hollyhock ( Althaea rosea ) overwint

Potato Moth - Hodges#2011

Phthorimaea operculella

Identification: Adult: forewing slender, brownish-gray with scattered dark markings, especially along inner margin near base and along outer margin; hindwing slender, gray with long hairlike scales along inner and outer margins Larva: body pale pinki

Platyedra subcinerea

Wingspan 16 to18 mm. Although a rather plain looking pale brown species, this moth can be recognised by the blackish spot at the very base of the forewing, and the small black dot close to the centre of the wing, ringed paler. Please provide good pho

Polyhymno Moth

Polyhymno luteostrigella

Polyhymno luteostrigella, the polyhymno moth, is a moth of the Gelechiidae family. It is found in the United States, where it has been recorded from Texas to Florida, north to Connecticut and Kentucky. It is also found in Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Prolita princeps - Hodges#1894

Prolita princeps

Identification: Adult : The scales on the costal half at the base and the costal margin on the forewings are buff white with brown tips, while the scales on the area costad and distad of the medial brown streak are white to buff white with pale brown

Prolita puertella - Hodges#1895

Prolita puertella

Identification: The original description is available online as Gelechia puertella Busck.

Prolita recens - Hodges#1896

Prolita recens

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

Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898

Prolita sexpunctella

Identification: Photo by Libby & Rick Avis of a specimen identified by DNA. A day flying species.

Prolita variabilis - Hodges#1902

Prolita variabilis

Identification: Forewing has variable color and markings.

Pseudochelaria manzanitae - Hodges#1861

Pseudochelaria manzanitae

Identification: Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Pseudotelphusa basifasciella - Hodges#1868

Pseudotelphusa basifasciella

Identification: Adult: forewing slender, white with two black spots along costa and several smaller spots and speckling near outer margin; thick black oblique band in basal area angles backward from costa almost to inner margin; hindwing whitish basa

Pseudotelphusa quercinigracella - Hodges#1874

Pseudotelphusa quercinigracella

Identification: Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Pseudotelphusa scalella

Wingspan 11 to 13 mm. A distinctive 'pied' appearance makes this moth one of the less difficult to identify. The moths fly in May and June and are attracted to light. The larval stages are yet to be fully described in this country although on the Con

Psoricoptera gibbosella

Wingspan 15 to17 mm. A shaggy looking moth with raised tufts and various colours of russet, brown and grey. The adult moths are on the wing from July to October, when they can be found resting on tree trunks. They are also attracted to light. The lar

Ptocheuusa paupella

The wingspan is 10 to 12 mm. A small but rather attractive species, having a buff ground colour streaked whitish and with darker speckling. This is a very uncommon moth in VC55 and all records must be supported by a clear photograph or a specimen. It

Ptycerata busckella - Hodges#2044

Ptycerata busckella

Identification: From the original description of Ptycerata , of which P. busckella is the type species: "Palpi with second joint with Yposolophus-like brush, rough above." Genitalia:

White-banded Pubitelphusa Moth

Pubitelphusa latifasciella

Pubitelphusa latifasciella, the white-banded telphusa moth, is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryla

Recurvaria leucatella

Wingspan 14 to 15 mm. A distinctive pied species. Areas where the larval foodplants are plentiful. Flying in June and July, the adults can be attracted to light, and can also be obtained by beating the foodplant in suitable localities. The larva feed

Rifseria fuscotaeniaella - Hodges#1918

Rifseria fuscotaeniaella

Identification: Adult: forewing white with broad brown basal band in some individuals; three dark patches along costa, increasing in size from first to third patch; top of head and anterior thorax white; top of posterior thorax brown; markings are va

Scrobipalpa acuminatella

A variable moth with an overall brown appearance but this colour is flecked with chestnut and darker specks. This species occupies rough and open ground where thistles abound. Generally there are two generations, with adults on the wing in April to J

Scrobipalpa artemisiella - Hodges#2025.1

Scrobipalpa artemisiella

Identification: Genitalia: According to Vazrick Nazari, " Scrobipalpa artemisiella " is actually a complex of species that has yet to be worked out taxonomically.

Scrobipalpa costella

The colouration of this species varies a great deal but there is often a darker (sometimes triangular) mark midway along each wing. The larva mines the leaves of Bittersweet, starting in the midrib and then causing dark blotches in the leaf blade bes

Scrobipalpa obsoletella - Hodges#2029

Scrobipalpa obsoletella

Scrobipalpa obsoletella is a European species that was first reported in Washington in 1932 and has spread throughout the western states.

Beet Moth

Scrobipalpa ocellatella

There are similar Scrobipalpa spp. that may occur in VC55, therefore confirmation by dissection will be necessary for worn individuals and isolated records. Should there be evidence of either colonisation or a repeat dispersal event, then records may

Scrobipalpopsis petrella - Hodges#2045

Scrobipalpopsis petrella

Identification: Busck (1915) original description as Gnorimoschema petrella is available in the print references.

Scrobipalpula lycii - Hodges#2017.1

Scrobipalpula lycii

Identification: "A small, uniformly gray species lacking any distinctive forewing pattern" . For full description, see Powell & Povolný .

Scrobipalpula sacculicola - Hodges#2022

Scrobipalpula sacculicola

Identification: Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Angoumois Grain Moth - Hodges#2260

Sitotroga cerealella

Larvae drill mines in grain, causing as much as 50% of weight loss. They break the skin of seed creating the opportunity for other infestations.

Sophronia roseicrinella - Hodges#2214

Sophronia roseicrinella

Identification: The white face, second joint of palpi rosy white, well developed dusky brush of the labial palpi, forewings with the rosy-white ground color strongly overlaid with brown and fuscous scales, especially on dorsal half and towards apex,

Sophronia semicostella

Wingspan about 18 mm. A rather attractive and distinctive-looking Gelechiid, having a strong white costal streak, tufted labial palps and noticeably banded cilia in fresh specimens. The adult moths fly in June and July in the afternoon, but are also

Red-necked Peanutworm Moth

Stegasta bosqueella

Stegasta bosqueella (red-necked peanutworm moth) is a species of moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found in North America, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1

Stegasta capitella

Identification: The head and thorax of the adult is white. The very similar Stegasta bosquella has only the front of the head white with the rest of the head and thorax dark brown/blackish.

Stenolechia gemmella

Wingspan 10 to 11 mm. A fairly distinctive Gelechiid moth. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have obs

Stereomita andropogonis - Hodges#1725

Stereomita andropogonis

Identification: The original description of Stereomita andropogonis Braun, is available online in the print references below. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 ) Genitalia: Adults fly at dawn and dusk. ( 4 )

Strobisia iridipennella - Hodges#2253

Strobisia iridipennella

Identification: Adult: forewing slender, dark brown to blackish with three iridescent blue streaks evenly-spaced along costa (and projecting at right-angles toward middle of wing); another blue steak in basal area, and three blue spots in median area

Strobisia proserpinella - Hodges#2254

Strobisia proserpinella

The BIN at Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) for this species may be BOLD:AAJ4626 . The examples in that BIN are shown on the Strobisia iridipennella species page.

Symmetrischema costaricanum - Hodges#2038

Symmetrischema costaricanum

Identification: Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033

Symmetrischema fercularia

Identification: Meyrick original description is online in the print references. Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Symmetrischema pallidochrella - Hodges#2037

Symmetrischema pallidochrella

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

Teleiodes luculella

Wingspan about 11mm. A rather distinctive speis. It is dark grey or almost black with a large, semi circular pale costal blotch, often with an orangey tinge, and a pale bar across the wing at about two thirds. Oak woods and areas where oak is present

Teleiodes vulgella

A fairly distinctive moth in the adult stage, this species has small blackish patches bordered by raised whitish scale-tufts, giving it a noticeably 'rough' appearance. Various habitats including gardens and well wooded areas. The adults fly at night

Teleiopsis baldiana - Hodges#1882

Teleiopsis baldiana

Rare in collections even though the species has a vary large range in California.

Teleiopsis diffinis

The species has two or more probable overlapping broods and can be found on the wing any time between May and October. Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is the larval foodplant, the larvae feeding amongst the roots or at the base of the stems in a silke

Telphusa perspicua - Hodges#1858.2

Telphusa perspicua

Identification: (Adapted loosely from Walsingham’s original 1897 description .) Long upturned palpi dark with some pale banding; top of head typically pale gray; fresh specimens have four to five dorsal scale tufts on the thorax and forewings, these

Telphusa sedulitella - Hodges#1859

Telphusa sedulitella

Identification: Slender moths that wrap their wings around the body with rows of upraised scales giving a roughened appearance. Forewing blackish with some rust tones. There are variations the have more whitish coloration on parts of the wings.

Theisoa constrictella - Hodges#1722

Theisoa constrictella

Identification: Adult: forewing slender, lance-shaped; basal third brown, edged in black distally; remainder of wing paler brown with yellowish AM line and blackish triangle half-way along costa, bordered distally by a yellowish wedge; black discal d

Theisoa multifasciella - Hodges#1723

Theisoa multifasciella

Identification: Head : Brownish yellow, becoming paler on the face around the mouth. Palpi externally brown, internal surface white. Antennae alternately brown and silvery white. Thorax : Upper surface brownish red. Wings : Basal area brownish red. T

Tuta absoluta

This small moth is generally brown with scattered black and orange patches. Native to South America where it is a pest of tomato cultivation. In the UK it is currently rare but is expanding. Tomato cultivation, particularly in greenhouses.