Gondwanaland Moths (Lepidoptera: Palaephatidae)

Gondwanaland moths, family Palaephatidae, total only 31 known species, with 28 from Chile and Argentina and three from Australia. The family forms a monobasic superfamily, Palaephatoidea, in the section Nepticulina, of the division Monotrysia, infraorder Heteroneura. Adults small to medium (8–36 mm wingspan), with head roughened; haustellum is average length and naked (unscaled); labial palpi short and porrect, and 3-segmented; maxillary palpi 5- segmented (rarely 4-segmented and short), long and folded; antennae rather short. Wing venation is heteroneurous, with frenulate wing coupling, and usually with somewhat falcate forewing tips. Maculation is variable, usually with various spots; without large fringes (Fig. 29). Adults are thought to be diurnally active. Biologies are little known and the single known species has larvae that tie twigs together on its host plants (Verbenaceae and Proteaceae).

Gondwanaland Moths (Lepidoptera: Palaephatidae), Figure 29

Example of Gondwanaland moths...