Family Tischeriidae (Tischeriid Moths)

The Tischeriid Moths are very small moths with a wingspan of 0.6-1.1 cm. About 47 North American species exist, and all are from the genus <i>Tischeria</i>. Members of this family have a tuft of rough scales on top of the head and smooth scales on the frons. Maxillary palps are small and labial palps are short. Their wings are narrow, drawn out to sharp points. The forewing costa bulges slightly outward. The frenulum in males is normal, and two small bristles form the frenulum in females. Larvae of these species mine leaves of plants in the composite, beech, mallow, and rose families. Leaf mines are characteristically shaped like trumpets or blotches, often at leaf margins. Pupation occurs in the leaf mine.