Lithocolletinae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lithocolletinae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Phyllonorycter issikii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Gracillariidae |
| Subfamily: | Lithocolletinae Stainton, 1854 |
| Genera | |
|
11 | |
Lithocolletinae is a subfamily of insects in the moth family Gracillariidae. It is distributed worldwide, with most species in temperate regions.[1]
As of 2012, the subfamily contains over 540 species divided into ten genera.[2] About half are native to the Palearctic realm, and over 100 occur in the Nearctic realm.[1] About 66 species occur in the Afrotropical realm, 41 of which were described in the year 2012.[2]
Description
Moths of the subfamily are small, with wingspans under 10 millimeters. They are often colorful, with forewings in shades of orange or red-brown with white or silvery streaks,[1] and a metallic, shiny ground color.[2] Another trait sometimes used to distinguish species is the style of frass distribution. Species may leave their frass scattered about, deposited neatly along leaf veins or gathered at the feeding area, knit into a pile with silk threads, or spun into the cocoon.[2]