The Adelidae are members of the Superfamily Incurvarioidea. There are more than 300 species in this family distributed worldwide (except for New Zealand), with 13 species in Canada and the United States. Adelids are best known for their enormously long antennae, often 2.5 to 3 times the forewing length. Antennae are usually much longer in the male. Adults of some groups are small, diurnal, and brightly colored, while adults of other groups are crepuscular or nocturnal and dull colored. Both sexes have a well-developed proboscis for nectar. Females insert eggs into the base of the ovaries of unopened flowers or into leaves. Little is known about the larval biology of these relatively conspicuous moths. Larvae of some species construct flat, portable cases of silk covered by debris and feed on fallen or lower leaves of host plants.
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Description of Adelidae
The Adelidae are members of the Superfamily Incurvarioidea. There are more than 300 species in this family distributed worldwide (except for New Zealand), with 13 species in Canada and the United States. Adelids are best known for their enormously long antennae, often 2.5 to 3 times the forewing length. Antennae are usually much longer in the male. Adults of some groups are small, diurnal, and brightly colored, while adults of other groups are crepuscular or nocturnal and dull colored. Both sexes have a well-developed proboscis for nectar. Females insert eggs into the base of the ovaries of unopened flowers or into leaves. Little is known about the larval biology of these relatively conspicuous moths. Larvae of some species construct flat, portable cases of silk covered by debris and feed on fallen or lower leaves of host plants.
