Nepticuloidea
Encyclopedia
A superfamily of usually very small monotrysia
n moths
that are characterised by small or large eyecaps over the compound eyes. Nepticuloidea comprises two families, the "pigmy moths" (Nepticulidae
), with 12 genera
which are very diverse worldwide and are usually leaf miners, and the "white eyecap moths" (Opostegidae
), also worldwide but with five genera and about a ninth as many species
, whose biology is less well known (Davis, 1999).
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
Moths
Moths may refer to:* Gustav Moths , German rower* The Moths!, an English indie rock band* MOTHS, members of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats...
that are characterised by small or large eyecaps over the compound eyes. Nepticuloidea comprises two families, the "pigmy moths" (Nepticulidae
Nepticulidae
Nepticulidae is a family of very small moths with a worldwide distribution. They are characterised by eyecaps over the eyes . These pigmy moths or midget moths, as they are commonly known, include the smallest of all living moths, with a wingspan that can be as little as 3 mm...
), with 12 genera
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
which are very diverse worldwide and are usually leaf miners, and the "white eyecap moths" (Opostegidae
Opostegidae
Opostegidae or "white eyecap moths" is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order that is characterised by particularly large eyecaps over the compound eyes...
), also worldwide but with five genera and about a ninth as many species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, whose biology is less well known (Davis, 1999).
Sources
- Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders, edited by Christopher O'Toole, ISBN 1-55297-612-2, 2002