Momphidae
Mompha epilobiella
The Frans moths ( Momphidae ) are a family of butterflies (Lepidoptera ).
Features
The moths reach a wingspan 7-22 mm. The head is covered with tight -fitting scales. The sensor base member ( scape ) has a bristled comb. The eyes are of medium size, lack ocelli. The labial palps are bent quite long and upwards. You have no scales at the front tuft. The third segment is shorter than the second. The forewings are narrow lanceolate to lanceolate and are normally provided with tufts protruding scales. There are three media created veins, M1 is sometimes stalked with R4 5. The hind wings are narrow lanceolate or lanceolate -linear. The vein M1 is stalked with vein M2 or separated. The median spur pair of tibiae of the hind legs is located in the middle or something behind it. The Abdominaltergite II to VII are provided with special lanceolate scales, which are deeply rooted and laterally in two large roundish groups. The longitudinal Sklerotisierungen second Tergits are short.
In the male the uncus is long and narrow and connected to the well-developed triangular Tegumen. The Gnathos is reduced to a slightly rough or membranous tuber. He is slightly moved forward and is connected to the antero-dorsal extension of the blades. The Vinculum is narrow. The sac is short and has in the middle of a pronounced overhang. The Valven are divided symmetrically and in a delicate petal-like dorsal lobe ( cucullus ) and a heavily sclerotized ventral lobe ( saccule ) with clear apical supernatant. Two medium-sized finger-shaped, hairy Anellus Rag ( Valvellae ) are located at the apical part of the aedeagus lateroventral. The aedeagus is considerably shorter than the Valven. He is smooth, not sclerotized and provided with groups of Cornuti.
In females, the ovipositor is medium or rather short. The ductus seminalis merges in the central part of the broad and sclerotized ductus bursae more or less. The bursa copulatrix is medium sized or small. It is provided with a pair of oval and characteristic crescent Signa.
The caterpillars are quite short and thick. They are spindle- shaped and move slowly. They are colorless and discolored before pupation pink. Secondary bristles are not created.
The dolls are moderately sclerotized. The labial palps and the femurs of the front legs are visible. The segments four to six of the abdomen are movable. The cremaster is unpaired and hook-shaped. The cocoon is spindle-shaped and double-walled.
Dissemination
The distribution area of the family is in North and South America. In the Palearctic about 30 species are native. From the Afrotropical and Indo -Australian region only a few species are known. In Europe, 20 species are native.
Biology
The species of the family inhabit forests, where they can be commonly found along forest edges, clearings and along roadsides. The caterpillars nate in leaves, stems, roots or seed capsules. Some species elicit plant galls or living together between spun leaves or flowers. Most species in which the biology is known to live on evening primrose family ( Onagraceae ). The caterpillars have specialized in certain host plants, and even to certain parts of the plant, so that the knowledge of the caterpillar habitat is an important aid in the identification of species. During the day the moths resting on the leaves of their host plants. The whole body is pressed to the substrate. They often fly in dull weather or before sunset. They are particularly active early in the morning. Most species overwinter in the litter layer in the bark of old trees and other hiding places. Sometimes they may be encountered in winter.
System
The external morphological characteristics and of the genital armature are within the Frans moths, at least in the Palaearctic species, quite uniform. Most species belong to the species-rich genus Mompha. Some features of Flügeladerung, genital morphology and life speak for a subdivision of the genus. The Frans moths are close relatives of Blastobasidae and other groups that have a weak sclerotized aedeagus and a more or less well-developed saccule. These include the Stathmopodidae and decaying wood moths ( Oecophoridae ).
The Frans moths are divided into 13 genera, of which two in Europe are represented. A total of about 115 species belong to the family.
- Anchimompha Clarke, 1965
- Desertidacna Sinev, 1988
- Gracilosia Sinev, 1989
- Isorrhoa Meyrick, 1913
- Lacciferophaga Zagulyaev, 1959
- Licmocera Walsingham, 1891
- Lienigia winder, 1910
- Mompha Hübner, 1825
- Moriloma Busck, 1912
- Urodeta Stainton, 1869
- Patanotis Meyrick, 1913
- Phalaritica Meyrick, 1913
- Synallagma Busck, 1907