A Key to the superfamilies of the Lepidoptera
with special reference to North and South Dakota
Family Autostichidae
are rectangular winged moths having a transverse band of setae on most
abdominal segments. On the hindwing, Rs and M1
are long-stalked. At least 300 species worldwide and 44 in North America. |
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Family Batrachedridae are lanceolate winged
moths similar to the following group, the dorsal abdomen with spiniform setae in
two patches. There are about 100 species worldwide and 21 in North America.
Family
Cosmopterigidae are usually
dark colored linear to lanceolate winged moths having the forewings crossed by a gold
or at least a pale fascia. The fore-tibial epiphysis is large and leaf-like.
There are 1,600 species worldwide and 180 in North America. |
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Family Elachistidae
are mostly rectangular-winged moths in which Rs4
runs to the costa or less often, apex. Abdomen without spiniform setae. Many
species have either an expanded anal angle on the hindwing or an
orange/yellow tipped abdomen. Worldwide there are about 3,200 species, 220
in North America. |
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Family Gelechiidae
are most easily recognized by the trapezoidal shaped hindwings. At least
4,500 species are known worldwide, of which 750 have been described from in
North America. |
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Family Glyphidoceridae are lanceolate
winged moths similar to broad winged elachistids but with CuA1 and CuA2 stalked
and downcurved from angle of discal cell. About 50 species are known, eight in
North America.
Family Oecophoridae in our area, most are
lanceolate winged moths with a contrasting wing pattern, often with annulate
antennae and usually lacking tergal setae on the abdomen. There are about 3,000
species worldwide and 40 in North America.
Family Xyloryctidae are lanceolate winged
moths with a convex hw margin and an antennal pectin. 1,200 species worldwide
and 40 from North America. |
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