Incurvarioidea
Encyclopedia
Incurvarioidea is a superfamily of primitive monotrysia
n moths in the order Lepidoptera
which consists of Leafcutters, yucca moths
and relatives. This superfamily is characterised by a piercing, extensible ovipositor
used for laying eggs in plants (Davis, 1999). Many species are day-flying with metallic patterns.
Monotrysia
The Monotrysia is a group of insects in the Lepidopteran order which is not currently considered to be a natural group or clade. The group contains only moths and most of these are small and are relatively understudied in many regions of the world...
n moths in the order Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
which consists of Leafcutters, yucca moths
Prodoxidae
Prodoxidae is a family of primitive monotrysian Lepidoptera. Some of these small-to-medium sized moths are day flying, like Lampronia capitella, known to European gardeners as the "Currant Shoot Borer". Others occur in Africa and Asia.Tetragma gei feeds on Mountain Avens Geum triflorum in USA....
and relatives. This superfamily is characterised by a piercing, extensible ovipositor
Ovipositor
The ovipositor is an organ used by some animals for oviposition, i.e., the laying of eggs. It consists of a maximum of three pairs of appendages formed to transmit the egg, to prepare a place for it, and to place it properly...
used for laying eggs in plants (Davis, 1999). Many species are day-flying with metallic patterns.
Sources
- Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders, edited by Christopher O'Toole, ISBN 1-55297-612-2, 2002