Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Anaphora Clemens, 1859
Derchis Walker, 1863
Hibita Walker, 1863
Tirasia Walker, 1863
Eddara Walker, 1863 (preocc. Walker, 1858)
Bazira Walker, 1864
Phlongia Walker, 1864
Urbara Walker, 1864
Tachasara Walker, 1865
Eutheca Grote, 1881 (preocc. Kiesenwetter, 1877)
Eulepiste Walsingham, 1882
Pseudoconchylis Walsingham, 1884
Homonymus Walsingham, 1887
Neolophus Walsingham, 1887
Hypoclopus Walsingham, 1887
Thysanoscelis Walsingham, 1887
Ankistrophorus Walsingham, 1887
Caenogenes Walsingham, 1887
Felderia Walsingham, 1887
Ortholophus Walsingham, 1887
Pseudanaphora Walsingham, 1887
Sapinella Kirby, 1892
Atopocera Walsingham, 1897
Pilanophora Walsingham, 1897
Apoclisis Walsingham, 1914
Anaphorina Strand, 1932
formerly placed in the family
Tineidae
All of Walker's and Waslingham's numerous genera were subsequently synonymized under Acrolophus. See Hasbrouck's discussion in his 1964 revision (link below).
Acrolophus was included within the family Acrolophidae by Davis & Robinson in 1999 (
Butterflies and Moths of the World)
Explanation of Names
Generic epithet from Greek άχρόλοφος signifying "that which carries a plume to the extremity." Poey explains that he "made use of it to show that the palpi are covered with elongated scales up to the extremity; it is in this that they differ from ordinary Tineids."
(1)Numbers
53 species in North America
(2)Identification
Adult: at rest, wings held roof-like over the abdomen; head and thorax usually hairy, and hairy labial palps often held over the head, giving an overall furry-headed appearance
Larva: gray or dirty white with a brown head
A post on iNaturalist describes how to distinguish the 16 described eastern species
here.
Range
southwestern and eastern United States as far north as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
Food
larvae feed on soil detritus and the roots of grasses and other plants
Life Cycle
larvae typically create silken tubes in the soil and feed at the surface on grass thatch or roots
(3)Print References
Covell, pp. 451-452, plate 62--under Tineidae
(4)
Hasbrouck, F.F. 1964. (checklist, descriptions, key)
(1)Internet References
classification of genus
Acrolophus in Acrolophidae (Butterflies and Moths of the World)