Microlepidoptera

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Microlepidoptera is an artificial (i.e., unranked and not monophyletic) grouping of moth and butterfly families, commonly known as the 'smaller moths' (Micro, lepidoptera). In essence, it is any lepidopteran that is not in the Macrolepidoptera. Efforts have been made to stabilize the validity of the term however have proven inadequate. The vernacular usage of the term microlepidoptera divides the lepidoptera into more-primitive and less-primitive groups using microlepidoptera and macrolepidoptera respectively. Using the term to represent any non Ditrysia lepidopterans is faulty because there are indeed many large non-ditrysian moths. A good example is the Hepialidae, or swift moths. These (sometimes impressively large and colorful) moths are considered basal in the lepidoptera tree of life and are more closely related to many small bodied families of moths. Attempts to use the term scientifically only creates confusion and conveys little information about the taxonomy of the insect. Therefore the only true valid application of the term microlepidoptera is in it’s obviously apparent definition.

Microlepidoptera include

Microlepidoptera can be found in a broad variety of habitats worldwide. The microlepidoptera are for the most part endophagous (internal) plant feeders that tunnel, or “mine”, leaves. Many smaller moths are considered pests or parasites, causing damage to plants as well as fabrics and other man-made goods. Common varieties include the plume moth and the clothes moth or tineid moth.

Image:Atlas moth transparent.png

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