Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
All-Leps and others consider Argyresthiinae to be a subfamily. Others consider it to be a family.
Explanation of Names
argyr is Greek for silver
(1)Numbers
All 52 spp in the family, north of Mexico, are in the genus Argyresthia per Arnett (1985)
(2)Food
Larvae are miners of woody plants, mainly conifers, although a few angiosperms also are recorded, e.g., apple, Malus (Rosaceae). Larvae of some argyresthiid species occur in large enough numbers that they are considered pests.
Print References
Busck, A. 1907. Revision of the American moths of the genus Argyresthia. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 32: 5-24.
Contributed by
Anita Gould on 17 February, 2006 - 12:31pm
Additional contributions by
Mike QuinnLast updated 6 February, 2009 - 2:39pm