Stigmella (moth)

Stigmella
Stigmella speciosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nepticulidae
Subfamily: Nepticulinae
Genus: Stigmella
Schrank, 1802
Type species
Phalaena (Tinea) anomalella
Goze, 1783
Synonyms
  • Nepticula Heyden, von 1843
  • Dysnepticula Börner, 1925
  • Astigmella Puplesis, 1984

Stigmella is a genus of moths of the family Nepticulidae. The genus was erected by Franz von Paula Schrank in 1802.

Stigmella is a species-rich genus of tiny moths belonging to the family Nepticulidae, which contains the smallest moths, with a wingspan of only 2.5 mm. Approximately 320 species have been described, but it is likely that there are many more undescribed. Most of the dwarf moths have larvae that mine (eat the contents of the plant without breaking the surface) in the leaves of various plants, but there are also some that live in seeds or bark.

They are difficult to identify. Adults must be reared and/or determined by microscopic examination of the genitalia.Many records are based on the form of the leafmine only.