Cosmet Moths

About 1650 species of the Cosmet Moths (Cosmopterigidae) have been described worldwide, divided over 10o genera. It is a diverse group of micro-moths that are small to very small with a wingspan of 0.4-2.6mm. They are small and slender with lancet-like or somewhat broad wings, not determined by any uniquely derived characteristic. Long fringes can be seen at the inner edge corner, creating a striking angle between the termen and the costa. The head is smooth and the antennae are filamentous, 3/4 to 4/5 the length of the forewing. The palps are long, thin, and sharply curved upwards. The feeding habits of larvae are diverse; most are internal feeders, leaf miners or bud, stem, bark, or root borers.

 

Subfamily: Cosmopteriginae
Genus: Limnaecia

Bulrush Cosmet – 2020 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 687102)

The forewing of the Bulrush Cosmet (Limnaecia phragmitella) is pale yellow-brown with an indistinct brown line from about 1/3 to 2/3 of the wing. In that dark line, two black spots can be seen with a white border. There is a row of dark spots along the termen. The flying period in one generation is from June to August and the wingspan is 22mm. Host plant: Lesser Bulrush and Bulrush. Dutch name: Lisdoddeveertje. Frisian name:

Flying period: