The Gelechiids

Coleotechnites coniferella Cream-edged Dichomeris Black-smudged Chionodes

What are they?

Tiny moths, some of which may require a hand lens to aid identification. A common feature in this family is found in the palps, which tend to be large, protrude in front of the head and curve upwards - not unlike inverted handlebars on a racing bicycle! Wings are tent-folded.

Identification

The small size of these moths and their often rather dingy colors can make identification to species difficult and fresh, unworn individuals are likely to be easier to work with. When fresh, wing markings on most species tend to be fairly distinctive.



01761     Pink-washed Aristotelia      Aristotelia roseosuffusella

Wingspan: 7mm.       Flight Time: June-October       Larval Food: Clover (Trifolium spp.)
Pink-washed Aristotelia Pink-washed Aristotelia Pink-washed Aristotelia

01803          Coleotechnites coniferella

Wingspan:       Flight Time:       Larval Food:
Coleotechnites coniferella Coleotechnites coniferella

01809          Coleotechnites florae

Wingspan:       Flight Time:       Larval Food:
Coleotechnites florae Coleotechnites florae Coleotechnites florae

01828          Coleotechnites quercivorella

Wingspan:       Flight Time:       Larval Food:
Coleotechnites quercivorella Coleotechnites quercivorella Coleotechnites quercivorella

01986     Goldenrod Gall Moth      Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis

Length: 12-14mm       Flight Time: August-October       Larval Food: Goldenrod.
Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis

02093     Black-smudged Chionodes      Chionodes mediofuscella

Length: 10-15mm.       Flight Time: May-August.       Larval Food: Members of the aster family (Asteraceae).
Black-smudged Chionodes Black-smudged Chionodes Black-smudged Chionodes

02268     Lanceolate Moth      Helcystogramma hystricella

Wingspan: 6-9mm.       Flight Time: June-August.       Larval Food: Grasses.
Lanceolate Moth Lanceolate Moth Lanceolate Moth

02295     Cream-edged Dichomeris      Dichomeris flavocostella

Wingspan: 8-9mm.       Flight Time: June-August.       Larval Food: Goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and asters (Aster spp.)
Cream-edged Dichomeris Cream-edged Dichomeris

02298          Dichomeris juncidella

Wingspan:       Flight Time:       Larval Food:
Dichomeris juncidella

02310          Dichomeris inversella

Wingspan:       Flight Time:       Larval Food:
Dichomeris inversella Dichomeris inversella Dichomeris inversella