| Batrachedra | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Batrachedra praeangusta | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Batrachedridae |
| Genus: | Batrachedra Herrich-Schäffer, 1853 [1] |
| Species | |
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Batrachedra is the largest genus in the moth family Batrachedridae, with representatives all over the world. The early stages of most species are unknown. [2] The genus name is derived from the Greek words batrachos, 'frog', and edra, 'seat', referring to the frog-like resting posture of the adult moths. [3] [4] As of 2018 at least some 114 species are known to belong to the genus. [5]
The genus was first described in 1853 by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer. [6] [7]
There are only three species found in Europe. [8] There is especially high biodiversity in the Indomalayan realm.[ citation needed ]
Little is known about the ecology for most species, but for those for which it is known, the caterpillars across the genus use a large variety of host plants. At least two mine within pine or spruce needles, one is found respectively on Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, Salix and Populus , one is a pest of pineapples, another a pest of Agave , one feeds on the fruit of Smilax china and another on types of palms from Brazil. [5] [9]
The genus contains the following species: [10]