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 superfamily Gelechioidea, and the family's taxonomy has been subject to considerable dispute. These are generally very small moths with narrow, fringed wings. The larvae of most species feed internally on various parts of their host plants, sometimes causing galls. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga) is a host plant common to many species of the family, particularly of the genus Chionodes, which as a result is more diverse in North America than usual for Gelechioidea.
Ephysteris is a genus of the twirler moth family (Gelechiidae). Among these, it is assigned to tribe Gnorimoschemini of the subfamily Gelechiinae. Even though it is a rather diverse and widespread group, most of these small and inconspicuous moths were overlooked by scientists until the early 20th century. Almost 90 species are known today but new ones are still being discovered.
Neopalpa is a genus of moths in the family Gelechiidae. They are found in California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. Neopalpa is classified in the tribe Gnorimoschemini and is most closely related to the genera Ochrodia and Ephysteris.
Nevadopalpa is a genus of moth in the family Gelechiidae.
Trychnopalpa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Gelechiidae. The only member of the genus was described by Edward Meyrick in 1913, and it was separated by Anthonie Johannes Theodorus Janse in his 1958 The Moths of South Africa. Dalibor F. Povolný gave the same member of this genus the now synonymised generic name Synthesiopalpa. The genus contains only one species, Trychnopalpa fornacaria, which is found in South Africa.
Eriocrania chrysolepidella is a moth of the family Eriocraniidae found in Europe. It was first described by the German entomologist, Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1851. The larvae mine the leaves of hazel and hornbeam.
Stigmella aliena is a moth of the family Nepticulidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has only been observed at Mount Arthur in the north western area of the South Island. This species is known only from the male holotype specimen. The larvae of this species are likely leaf miners, however the biology of this species is currently unknown, as is the female of this species. The adults are on the wing in December.
Amblyptilia epotis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the South and Stewart Islands. It inhabits mountainous terrain covered in alpine vegetation or alternatively alpine wetland habitat. The adults of this species are on the wing from February to March. In appearance the adults of this species are variable in colour however this species can be distinguished from similar species by the oblique apical streak on its forewings as well as the patch of white on the costa cilia towards the apex of the forewing.
Mnesarchaea fusca is a species of primitive moths in the family Mnesarchaeidae. This species was first described by Alfred Philpott in 1922, and is endemic to New Zealand. The larvae of the species is bright green when young but turns a brownish green when mature. Adults of this species are small and dark brown with patches of reddish yellow on its forewings. This species is found in Nelson and Marlborough Sounds. It inhabits poorly lit forest ravines and gullies or areas near shaded waterways. Adults are on the wing between December and February.
Mesophleps bifidella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found on the island of Kyushu in Japan and the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
Anisoplaca ptyoptera is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout the North and South Islands and prefers habitat where its host plants are common. The larval hosts of this moth are species in the genus Carmichaelia and the larvae stem mine the host plant. However larvae have also been observed feeding on gorse species and as a result their potential as a biological control for gorse has been researched. This behaviour has only been recorded in the Canterbury and Otago regions. A. ptyoptera overwinters as larvae and while in that life stage can be parasitised by species of wasp in the genera Zealachertus and Diadegma. Pupation begins in October. Adult moths are on the wing from October until May with peak emergence occurring in January. The adult moths come in two size classes and should the size of the female be in the larger class fecundity is improved. It is likely that this species has only one brood a year.
Neopalpa neonata is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is found in southwest of North America, where it has been recorded throughout most of California, Arizona and the most western regions of Northern Mexico.
Prolita puertella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It was described by August Busck in 1916. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Montana, California and Arizona. It has also been reported from Baja California.
Kiwaia hippeis is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. This species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1901. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been collected in Christchurch. Adults of this species are on the wing in December and are attracted to light.
Kiwaia pumila is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation.
Kiwaia jeanae, also known as the Kaitorete jumper or mat daisy jumper, is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. Both the males and females of this species are brachypterous.
Symmetrischema capsica, the pepper flowerbud moth, is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by John David Bradley and Dalibor F. Povolný in 1965. It is found Mexico, the West Indies, the Caribbean and the south-eastern United States, where it has been recorded Florida and Texas.
Tingena horaea is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and have been observed in both the North and South Islands. The adults are on the wing in January.
Tingena idiogama is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has been observed on the slopes of Mount Taranaki. Its preferred habitat is native subalpine scrub and adults are on the wing in January.
