Incurvariodea

Families of Incurvarioidea in Indiana

Adelidae
(2 Indiana Species)

Superfamily Incurvarioidea — Fairy Moths and Kin

Spuler, 1898

Etymology

Incurvari: From the Latin word incurvat meaning “bent into a curve.”

The suffix oidea is standard taxonomic nomenclature to indicate that word pertains to a zoological superfamily.

Pronunciation

in-cur-vair-ee-oi-dee-uh

Synonyms

Adeloidea

Overview

The superfamily Incurvarioidea is one of approximate 46 such superfamilies within the insect order of Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths, and skippers). Adeloidea moths are found worldwide, and the superfamily continues to grow with new discoveries. Most taxonomists no longer recognize the name Adeloidea for this superfamily.

Taxonomic Level	Worldwide	North America	Midwestern USA	Indiana
Distribution of Superfamily Incurvariodea
Families	4-7	4-5	4	2-4
Subfamilies	3-4	3	3	1-3
Genera	~47	~14	~10	~3
Species	~600	~119	~10	~4

Widespread families of superfamily Incurvarioidea include Adelidae, Heliozelidae, Incurvariidae, and Prodoxidae. Of these four families, Adeloidea and Heliozelidae have been relatively well documented in Indiana. Families Incurvariidae and Prodoxidae have been reported in the Midwest, but very rarely in Indiana.
Family Cecidosidae is a small family of under 20 gall-forming moths that are endemic to the Southern Hemisphere.
Recent molecular studies have led some taxonomists to recognize the creation of a sixth family (Tridentaformidae), whose members were formerly included as part of family Incurvarioidea (Regier et al). Members of family Tridentaformidae are native to the western United States.
Some taxonomists recognize an additional family (Crinopterygidae), a monotypic family from the Mediterranean, as part of this superfamily. Others place it as (Crinopteryginae), a subfamily of Incurvariidae.

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the superfamily Incurvarioidea in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

GAIN LP
documented
in county.

Photo Credits

Image courtesy of Brian Lowry.

Additional Sources

Regier JC, Mitter C, Kristensen NP, Davis DR, Van Nieukerken EJ, Rota J, Simonsen TJ, Mitter KT, Kawahara AY, Yen S, Cummings, MP, Zwick A. (2015). A molecular phylogeny for the oldest (nonditrysian) lineages of extant Lepidoptera, with implications for classification, comparative morphology and life‐history evolution. Syst Entomol, 40: 671-704. doi:10.1111/syen.12129.