__NOTOC__ Gelechioidea (from the type genus ''

Gelechia ''Gelechia'' is a genus of moths in the family Gelechiidae. The type species is ''Gelechia rhombella''. Species *Subgenus ''Gelechia'' **''Gelechia asinella'' (Hubner, 1796) **''Gelechia aspoecki'' Huemer, 1992 **''Gelechia atlanticella'' (Amse ...

'', "keeping to the ground") is the

superfamily SUPERFAMILY is a database and search platform of structural and functional annotation for all proteins and genomes. It classifies amino acid sequences into known structural domains, especially into SCOP superfamilies. Domains are functional, str ...

moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (s ...

s that contains the case-bearers, twirler moths, and relatives, also simply called curved-horn moths or gelechioid moths. It is a large and poorly understood '"

micromoth Microlepidoptera (micromoths) is an artificial (i.e., unranked and not monophyletic) grouping of moth families, commonly known as the "smaller moths" ( micro, Lepidoptera). These generally have wingspans of under 20 mm, so are harder to iden ...

" superfamily, constituting one of the basal lineages of the

Ditrysia Ditrysia is a clade of lepidopterans that contains both butterflies and a majority of moth species. They are named for the fact that the female has two distinct sexual openings: one for mating, and the other for laying eggs. About 98% of know ...

.Robinson ''et al.'' (1994), Hodges (1999), O'Toole (2002) As of the 1990s, this superfamily was composed of about 1,425

genera Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family as used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial s ...

and 16,250

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

. It was estimated that only 25% of the species diversity of Gelechioidea had been described. If this estimate is accurate, Gelechioidea will be one of the largest superfamilies of

Lepidoptera Lepidoptera ( ) or lepidopterans is an order (biology), order of winged insects which includes butterflies and moths. About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera have been described, representing 10% of the total described species of living organ ...

. The name "curved-horn moths" refers to one of the few conspicuous features found in (almost) all Gelechioidea, and, at least in the more extreme developments, unique to them: the labial palps are well-developed (though not thickened), and form more or less gently curved protrusions whose end has a drawn-out, pointed tip. Their

proboscis A proboscis () is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal, either a vertebrate or an invertebrate. In invertebrates, the term usually refers to tubular arthropod mouthparts, mouthparts used for feeding and sucking. In vertebrates, a pr ...

is generally well-developed, allowing for long-lived imagines (adults); the

proximal Standard anatomical terms of location are used to describe unambiguously the anatomy of humans and other animals. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position prov ...

part of the proboscis is scaly. Otherwise, the Gelechioidea vary extensively in habitus; most have small hind-wings with long, hairy fringes, though these are not easily seen in the living animal as they are tucked under the fore-wings at rest. The body is usually quite compressed, either

dorsoventral Standard anatomical terms of location are used to describe unambiguously the anatomy of humans and other animals. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position pro ...

ly or

lateral Lateral is a geometric term of location which may also refer to: Biology and healthcare * Lateral (anatomy), a term of location meaning "towards the side" * Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, an intrinsic muscle of the larynx * Lateral release ( ...

ly.

Families

The

phylogeny A phylogenetic tree or phylogeny is a graphical representation which shows the evolutionary history between a set of species or Taxon, taxa during a specific time.Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, M ...

and classification of the Gelechioidea remains a subject of considerable dispute. For example, the

Elachistidae The Elachistidae (grass-miner moths) are a family of small moths in the Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea. Some authors lumpers and splitters, lump about 3,300 species in eight subfamilies here, but this arrangement almost certainly result ...

were at one time used as a sort of "

wastebin taxon Wastebasket taxon (also called a wastebin taxon, dustbin taxon or catch-all taxon) is a term used by some taxonomists to refer to a taxon that has the purpose of classifying organisms that do not fit anywhere else. They are typically defined by e ...

" to unite as

subfamilies In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zool ...

a variety of

plesiomorphic In phylogenetics, a plesiomorphy ("near form") and symplesiomorphy are synonyms for an ancestral character shared by all members of a clade, which does not distinguish the clade from other clades. Plesiomorphy, symplesiomorphy, apomorphy, an ...

members of this superfamily, which do not actually seem to form a

monophyletic In biological cladistics for the classification of organisms, monophyly is the condition of a taxonomic grouping being a clade – that is, a grouping of organisms which meets these criteria: # the grouping contains its own most recent co ...

group. Many of these have now been moved to the

Oecophoridae Oecophoridae (concealer moths) is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The phylogeny and systematics of gelechoid moths are still not fully resolved, and the circumscription of the Oecophoridae is strongly affected by this. ...

, but others are almost certainly likely families in their own right, while additional ones may well be so. In 2011 the superfamily was divided into 21 families, based mainly on morphological studies, with adjustments made for some molecular studies. The number of genera and an estimate of the species number are given in parentheses. *

Autostichidae Autostichidae is a family of moths in the moth superfamily Gelechioidea. Subfamilies * Autostichinae Le Marchand, 1947 * Deocloninae Hodges, 1998 * Glyphidocerinae Hodges, 1998 *Holcopogoninae __NOTOC__ The Holcopogoninae are a subfamily of m ...

Le Marchand, 1947 (72 genera, 638 species) – includes

Deocloninae Deocloninae is a subfamily of moths in the family Autostichidae Autostichidae is a family of moths in the moth superfamily Gelechioidea. Subfamilies * Autostichinae Le Marchand, 1947 * Deocloninae Hodges, 1998 * Glyphidocerinae Hodges, 1998 * ...

Glyphidocerinae Glyphidocerinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Autostichidae. Taxonomy and systematics * '' Glyphidocera'' Walsingham, 892 Year 892 (Roman numerals, DCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar, the 892nd ye ...

Holcopogoninae __NOTOC__ The Holcopogoninae are a subfamily of moths. They belong to the huge the superfamily Gelechioidea, of which they represent a minor but apparently quite distinct lineage.Fauna Europaea (2009)Holcopogoninae Version 2.1, 2009-DEC-22. Retri ...

Symmocinae The Symmocinae are a subfamily of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. These small moths are found mainly in the Palearctic and Africa. In modern treatments, they are usually united with the concealer moth family Autostichidae. History of c ...

and Metachandini, which have sometimes been treated as families. *

Batrachedridae The Batrachedridae are a small family (biology), family of tiny moths. These are small, slender moths which rest with their wings wrapped tightly around their bodies. Taxonomy The taxonomy of this and related groups is often disputed. This grou ...

Heinemann & Wocke, 1876 (10 genera, 99 species) *

Blastobasidae The Blastobasidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. Its species can be found almost anywhere in the world, though in some places they are not native but introduced by humans. In some arrangements, these moths are included in ...

Meyrick, 1894 (24 genera, 377 species) – previously considered a subfamily of Coleophoridae. * Chimabachidae Heinemann, 1870 (2 genera, 6 species) * Coelopoetidae Hodges, 1978 (1 genus, 3 species) *

Coleophoridae The Coleophoridae are a family of small moths, belonging to the huge superfamily Gelechioidea. Collectively known as case-bearers, casebearing moths or case moths, this family is represented on all continents, but the majority are found in temp ...

Bruand, 1850 (case-bearers, case moths; 5 genera, 1,386 species) *

Cosmopterigidae The Cosmopterigidae are a family of insects (cosmet moths) in the order Lepidoptera. These are small moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previ ...

Heinemann & Wocke, 1876 (cosmet moths; 135 genera, 1,792 species) *

Bruand, 1850 (grass-miner moths; 161 genera, 3,201 species) – includes

Agonoxeninae The Agonoxeninae are a subfamily of moths. History of classification Formerly, the subfamily only contained four named species – all in the type genus '' Agonoxena'' – if (e.g. following Nielsen ''et al.'', 1996). Such a monotypic ar ...

(palm moths) and

Ethmiinae The Ethmiinae are a subfamily of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea sometimes included in the Elachistidae or the Oecophoridae, but mostly in the Depressariidae as a subfamily Ethmiinae.Wikispecies (2009-JUN-29), and see references in S ...

, which have sometimes been treated as families. *

Epimarptidae Epimarptidae is a family of moths in the Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea. Depending on source publication, it was previously monotypic. The lineage was previously seen as either a synonym of the family Batrachedridae, or a unique valid m ...

Meyrick, 1914 (1 genus, 4 species) – previously considered a subfamily of Batrachedridae. *

Gelechiidae The Gelechiidae are a family of moths commonly referred to as twirler moths or gelechiid moths. They are the namesake family of the huge and little-studied Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea, and the family's taxonomy (biology), taxonomy ...

Stainton, 1854 (twirler moths; 500 genera, 4,700 species) *

Lecithoceridae The Lecithoceridae, or long-horned moths, are a family of small moths described by Simon Le Marchand in 1947. Although lecithocerids are found throughout the world, the great majority are found in the Indomalayan realm and the southern part of the ...

Le Marchand, 1947 (long-horned moths; 100 genera, 1,200 species) *

Lypusidae Lypusidae is an obscure family of moths placed in the superfamily Gelechioidea. History of classification The group was traditionally considered monotypic (containing only the genus '' Lypusa'' with two species) and belonging in the primitive m ...

Herrich-Schäffer, 1857 (3 genera, 21 species) *

Momphidae The Momphidae, or mompha moths, is a family of moths with some 115 described species. It was described by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1857. These moths tend to be rather small with a wingspan of up to 21 mm. The wings are he ...

Herrich-Schäffer, 1857 (mompha moths; 6 genera, 115 species) – previously considered a subfamily of Coleophoridae. *

Bruand, 1850 (concealer moths; 313 genera, 3,308 species) * Peleopodidae Hodges, 1974 (7 genera, 28 species) * Pterolonchidae Meyrick, 1918 (2 genera, 8 species) – previously considered a subfamily of Coleophoridae. * Schistonoeidae Hodges, 1998 (scavenger moth; 1 genus, 1 species) *

Scythrididae Scythrididae (flower moths) is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The family is sometimes included in the Xyloryctidae as a subfamily Scythridinae, but the Xyloryctidae themselves have sometimes been included in the Oecopho ...

Rebel, 1901 (flower moths; 30 genera, 669 species) – previously considered a subfamily of Xyloryctidae. *

Stathmopodidae Stathmopodidae is a family of moths in the moth Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea described by Edward Meyrick in 1913. Taxonomy and systematics *''Actinoscelis'' Meyrick, 1912 *''Aeoloscelis'' Meyrick, 1897 *''Arauzona'' Walker,

865 __NOTOC__ Year 865 ( DCCCLXV) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * King Louis the German divides the East Frankish Kingdom among his three sons. Carloman receives Bavaria (with more l ...

*' ...

Janse, 1917 (44 genera, 408 species) – previously considered a subfamily of Oecophoridae. * Syringopaidae Hodges, 1998 (1 genus, 1 species) – previously considered a subfamily of Deoclonidae. *

Xyloryctidae Xyloryctidae is a family of moths contained within the superfamily Gelechioidea described by Edward Meyrick in 1890. Most genera are found in the Indo-Australian region. While many of these moths are tiny, some members of the family grow to a wing ...

Meyrick, 1890 (60 genera, 524 species) However, a later phylogenetic analysis of the Gelechioidea, using a morphological and molecular dataset, proposed a revision into 16 families, with the status of two further families, Schistonoeidae and

, unclear.Heikkilä ''et al'', 2014 *

Le Marchand, 1947 **

Autostichinae __NOTOC__ The Autostichinae are a subfamily of moths in the Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea. Like their relatives therein, their exact relationships are not yet very well resolved. The present lineage was often included in the concealer m ...

Le Marchand, 1947 **

Hodges, 1999 **

Gozmány, 1967 ** Oegoconiinae Leraut, 1992 **

Gozmány, 1957 *

Heinemann & Wocke, 1876 *

Meyrick, 1894 ** Blastobasinae Meyrick, 1894 ** Holcocerinae Adamski, 1989 *

Bruand, 1850 *

Heinemann in Heinemann & Wocke, 1876 **

Antequerinae The Antequerinae are a subfamily of the Cosmopterigidae. In the Nearctic, the subfamily consists of eight species in four genera, found in North America and England.Niels P. Kristensen: Lepidoptera, moths and butterflies. In: Maximilian Fischer ( ...

Hodges, 1978 **

Chrysopeleiinae The Chrysopeleiinae are a subfamily of the Cosmopterigidae, although some authors treat it as a full family, the Chrysopeleiidae.Niels P. Kristensen: Lepidoptera, moths and butterflies. In: Maximilian Fischer (Hrsg.): Handbook of Zoology. 1. Aufl ...

Mosher, 1916 ** Cosmopteriginae Heinemann and Wocke, 1876 **

Scaeosophinae The Scaeosophinae are a subfamily of the Cosmopterigidae. Genera *''Allotalanta'' *''Archisopha'' *''Cyphothyris'' *''Helicacma'' *''Hyalochna'' *''Isostreptis'' *''Protogrypa'' *''Scaeosopha'' *''Scalideutis'' *''Streptothyris'' *''Syntomaula'' ...

Meyrick, 1922 *

Depressariidae Depressariidae is a family of moths. It was formerly treated as a subfamily of Gelechiidae, but is now recognised as a separate family, comprising about 2,300 species worldwide. Subfamilies Depressariidae consists of ten subfamilies: * Acriinae ...

Meyrick, 1883 ** Acriinae Kuznetsov and Stekolnikov, 1984 **

Aeolanthinae ''Aeolanthes'' is a genus of small moths in the Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea. Its relationships are enigmatic – many authors separate it in a monotypic subfamily Aeolanthinae, but there is disagreement over whether to place them ...

Kuznetsov and Stekolnikov, 1984 **

Cryptolechiinae The Cryptolechiinae are a subfamily of small moths in the family Depressariidae. Taxonomy and systematics *''Acryptolechia'' Lvovsky, 2010 *'' Cryptolechia'' Zeller, 1852 *''Orophia'' Hübner, 825/small> *''Cacochroa ''Cacochroa'' is a moth gen ...

Meyrick, 1883 **

Depressariinae The Depressariinae – sometimes spelled "Depressiinae" in error – are a subfamily of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. Like their relatives therein, their exact relationships are not yet very well resolved. It has been considered ...

Meyrick, 1883 **

Busck, 1909 **

Hypercalliinae The Hypercalliinae are a subfamily of small moths in the family Depressariidae. Genera *''Anchinia'' Hübner, 825/small> *'' Coptotelia'' Zeller, 1863 *''Gonionota'' Zeller, 1877 *''Hypercallia ''Hypercallia'' is a genus of gelechioid moths. ...

Leraut, 1993 **

Hypertrophinae The Hypertrophinae are a subfamily of small moths in the family Depressariidae. The subfamily was described by Thomas Bainbrigge Fletcher in 1929. Taxonomy and systematics *''Acraephnes'' Turner, 1947 *''Allotropha'' Diakonoff, 1954 *''Callizyga' ...

Fletcher, 1929 **

Oditinae The Oditinae are a subfamily of small moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly ...

Lvovsky, 1996 **

Peleopodinae Peleopodinae is a subfamily of small moths in the family Depressariidae. Taxonomy and systematics *'' Antoloea'' Meyrick, 1914 *'' Carcina'' Hübner, 825/small> *''Durrantia ''Durrantia'' is a moth genus of the family Depressariidae.

Hodges, 1974 **

Stenomatinae The Stenomatinae are a subfamily of small moths in the family Depressariidae. Taxonomy and systematics * '' Agriophara'' Rosenstock, 1885 * '' Amontes'' Viette, 1958 * '' Anadasmus'' Walsingham, 1897 * '' Anapatris'' Meyrick, 1932 * ''Antaeotri ...

Meyrick, 1906 *

Bruand, 1850 – substantially reduced with movement of five subfamilies to Depressariidae. **

Meyrick, 1926 ** Elachistinae Bruand, 1850 **

Parametriotinae Parametriotinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Elachistidae. Genera *''Araucarivora'' Hodges, 1997 *''Auxotricha'' Meyrick, 1931 *''Blastodacna'' Wocke in Heinemann & Wocke, 1876 *''Chrysoclista'' Stainton, 1854 *''Coracistis'' Meyrick, 1 ...

Capuse, 1971 *

Stainton, 1854 **

Anacampsinae Anacampsinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Gelechiidae. Taxonomy and systematics *Anacampsini Bruand, 1850 **''Anacampsis'' Curtis, 1827 **''Aproaerema'' Durrant, 1897 **''Battaristis'' Meyrick, 1914 **''Chaliniastis'' Meyrick, 1904 **' ...

Bruand, 1850 **

Anomologinae Anomologinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Gelechiidae. Taxonomy and systematics *Tribe Anomologini **''Anomologa'' Meyrick, 1926 **''Aristotelia (moth), Aristotelia'' Hübner,

825 __NOTOC__ Year 825 (Roman numerals, DCCCXXV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. Events By place India * A group of Persio-Assyrian adherents of the Church of the East, under the leadership of two Persian bis ...

**''Atremaea'' Staudinger, 1871 **''Bryotropha'' Hein ...

Meyrick, 1926 **

Apatetrinae Apatetrinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Gelechiidae. The subfamily was described by Edward Meyrick in 1947. Taxonomy and systematics *Tribe Apatetrini **'' Apatetris'' Staudinger, 1880 **'' Dactylotula'' Cockerell, 1888 **'' Catatinagma ...

Meyrick, 1947 **

Dichomeridinae Dichomeridinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Gelechiidae. Distribution Almost worldwide, except the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Diversity The subfamily formerly included three tribes, about 29 genera and about 900 species. However, a ...

Hampson, 1918 **

Gelechiinae Gelechiinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Henry Tibbats Stainton in 1854. Taxonomy The subfamily includes the following tribes and genera: *Litini Bruand, 1859 **'' Agnippe'' Chambers, 1872 **'' Altenia ...

Stainton, 1854 ** Physoptilinae Meyrick, 1914 **

Thiotrichinae Thiotrichinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Gelechiidae. Genera *'' Macrenches'' Meyrick, 1904 *''Palumbina'' Rondani, 1876 *''Polyhymno ''Polyhymno'' is a genus of moths in the family Gelechiidae. Species Some species of this genus ...

Karsholt ''et al''., 2013 *

Le Marchand, 1947 ** Ceuthomadarinae Gozmány, 1978 **

Lecithocerinae The Lecithocerinae are a subfamily of small moths in the family Lecithoceridae. They are found worldwide, but most species occur in South Asia. The subfamily is characterized by the male genitalia with a bridge-like structure connecting the tegu ...

Le Marchand, 1947 **

Torodorinae The Torodorinae are a subfamily of small moths in the family Lecithoceridae. Taxonomy and systematics *'' Anaxyrina'' Meyrick, 1918 *'' Antiochtha'' Meyrick, 1905 *'' Athymoris'' Meyrick, 1935 *'' Caveana'' Park, 2010 *'' Chrysonasma'' Park in Pa ...

Gozmány, 1978 *

Herrich-Schäffer, 1857 **

Chimabachinae Chimabachinae, the chimabachid moths, is a subfamily of moths in the family Lypusidae. The subfamily used to be classified as a subfamily of Oecophoridae, but current phylogenetic research classifies it as a subfamily of Lypusidae. Some authors p ...

Heinemann, 1870 **

Lypusinae Lypusinae is a subfamily of moths in the Lypusidae family. Taxonomy and systematics * ''Lypusa'' Zeller, 1852 * ''Paralypusa'' Lvovsky, 2012 The following genera are alternatively placed elsewhere: * ''Paratemelia'' Lvovsky, 2007 * ''Amphisbati ...

Herrich-Schäffer, 1857 *

Bruand, 1850 **

Oecophorinae __NOTOC__ The Oecophorinae are the nominate subfamily of moths in the concealer moth family (biology), family (Oecophoridae). They are part of the insufficiently studied Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea, and like their relatives, the Circu ...

Bruand, 1850 **

Pleurotinae Pleurotinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Oecophoridae. Genera * '' Minetia'' Leraut, 1991 * '' Pleurota'' Hübner, 825/small> * '' Holoscolia'' Zeller, 1839 * ''Aplota ''Aplota'' is a genus of moths in the concealer moth family Oecoph ...

Toll, 1956 * Pterolonchidae Meyrick, 1918 ** Coelopoetinae Hodges, 1978 ** Pterolonchinae Meyrick, 1918 **

Syringopainae Pterolonchidae is a small family (biology), family of very small moths in the Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea.Wikispecies (2008-NOV-06) There are species native to every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Taxonomy and systematic ...

Hodges, 1999 *

Rebel, 1901 *

*' ...

Meyrick, 1913 *

Meyrick Meyrick is a surname and a masculine given name. Meyricke is a variant form. Surname * Denzil Meyrick (1965–2025), Scottish novelist * Edmund Meyrick (1636–1713), Welsh cleric * Edward Meyrick (1854–1938), English schoolmaster and amateu ...

, 1890

Footnotes

References

See also associated Talk page for comparison of some approaches to gelechioid systematics and taxonomy. * (1999): The Gelechioidea. ''In:'' : ''Handbuch der Zoologie/Handbook of Zoology'' (Volume IV – Arthropoda: Insecta. Part 35: Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies 1): 131–158. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin & New York. * (2002): ''Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders''. * (1994): ''The smaller moths of South-East Asia''. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. * (2009)
Gelechioidea
Version of 2009-APR-02. Retrieved 2010-APR-22. * *

External links

{{taxonbar, from=Q135051 Lepidoptera superfamilies