Trumpet Leafminer Moths (Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae)

Trumpet leafminer moths, family Tischeriidae, total 81 known species from all regions except Australia, but the Nearctic has most of the known species (48 sp.). The family forms a monobasic superfamily, Tischerioidea, in the section Nepticulina, of the division Monotrysia, infraorder Heteroneura. Adults small (6–11 mm wingspan), with head rough-scaled, with very large head tuft (no eye-caps on the antennal bases); haustellum is short, scaled basally; labial palpi 3-segmented, short and porrect; maxillary palpi minute and 1-segmented. Wing venation is very reduced, with frenular bristles as the wing coupling. Maculation is generally somber but often with iridescences. Adults are diurnally active. The few larvae known are leafminers, usually trumpet-shaped mines or blotch mines, on a variety of host plants.