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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.

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 Coleophoridae, Case-bearers, include 1,400 species worldwide and 300 in North America. These linear to lance-olate winged moths are often white or metallic green. The protibial epiphysis is usually small and placed distally. Paired patches of spiniform setae or less often, transverse bands are present on abdominal terga.

         

 

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.

    

 

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.          

 

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.           

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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Last updated: 06/20/07

Dr. Gerald M. Fauske
collection manager, NDSIRC
research specialist, NDSU
216 Hultz Hall
Fargo, ND 58105
E-Mail: Gerald.Fauske@ndsu.nodak.edu

 
Published by the Department of Entomology 


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