Stigmella (moth)
genus of moths
Stigmella is a genus of moths of the family Nepticulidae. The genus was erected by Franz von Paula Schrank in 1802.
Stigmella is a species-rich genus of tiny moths belonging to the family Nepticulidae, which contains the smallest moths, with a wingspan of only 2.5 mm. Approximately 320 species have been described, but it is likely that there are many more undescribed. Most of the dwarf moths have larvae that mine (eat the contents of the plant without breaking the surface) in the leaves of various plants, but there are also some that live in seeds or bark.
They are difficult to identify. Adults must be reared and/or determined by microscopic examination of the genitalia. Many records are based on the form of the leafmine only.
Species found in Africa
Species found in the Palearctic ecozone
The following species are found in Europe:
The following species are found in the Palearctic ecozone, but not in Europe:
Species found in the Indo-Malayan ecozone
Species found in Australia and New Zealand
The following species are found in Australia:
Stigmella leucargyra (Meyrick, 1906)
Stigmella phyllanthina (Meyrick, 1906)
Stigmella symmora (Meyrick, 1906)
The following species are found in New Zealand:
Species found in North and South America
The following species are found in North America:
The following species are found in South and Central America, but not in North America:
References
External links
Fauna Europaea
"Taxonomy Browser: Stigmella". Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD).
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Stigmella (moth)” is genus of moths. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Stigmella, moth and genus, not as a finished interpretation.
Why this record matters
The phrase “genus of moths” supplies a clear boundary for inquiry. It also exposes the unanswered questions: who defined that boundary, when it became stable and which sources sit outside it.
The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated Mar 31, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q2566619. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1802 and 1906.
Scientific names, classifications and consensus can change while older terminology persists in catalogues and historical literature. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Stigmella (moth)”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Stigmella (moth) primary sources, Stigmella (moth) archive and Stigmella research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Stigmella (moth)”?
- Is the terminology current, historical or disputed?
- Which observation, specimen, dataset or publication supports the account?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Stigmella (moth)” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.