Key to genera of Depressariidae
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General features of Family: Depressariidae
Head with frons smooth-scaled and lateral tufts; ocelli present (except Luquetia); antenna shorter than forewing, simple or shortly ciliate, scape with pecten (except Semioscopis); labial palps long, recurved (S2 subporrect in Luquetia); proboscis fully developed; Forewing elongate-ovate up to 4x as long as broad; hindwing more or less ovate, expanded at anal angle (except Semioscopis and Luquetia); abdomen flattened dorsally (except Semioscopis and Luquetia)
Male genitalia: uncus vestigial; socii present; gnathos a spined single knob (doubled in Depressaria badiella); valva variable in shape; sacculus (usually) with a free process directed posteriorly; saccus weakly developed; aedeagus variable, usually with cornuti.
Female genitalia: signum (usually) stellate or subquadrate, with thorn-like projections
Head with frons smooth-scaled and lateral tufts; ocelli present (except Luquetia); antenna shorter than forewing, simple or shortly ciliate, scape with pecten (except Semioscopis); labial palps long, recurved (S2 subporrect in Luquetia); proboscis fully developed; Forewing elongate-ovate up to 4x as long as broad; hindwing more or less ovate, expanded at anal angle (except Semioscopis and Luquetia); abdomen flattened dorsally (except Semioscopis and Luquetia)
Male genitalia: uncus vestigial; socii present; gnathos a spined single knob (doubled in Depressaria badiella); valva variable in shape; sacculus (usually) with a free process directed posteriorly; saccus weakly developed; aedeagus variable, usually with cornuti.
Female genitalia: signum (usually) stellate or subquadrate, with thorn-like projections
Telechrysis was considered in Oecophoridae: Oecophorinae in MBGBI4.1; and has previously been considered within genera Schiffermuelleria and Borkhausenia (both in Family Oecophoridae). I have not yet discovered which features have resulted in its placement in Depressariidae
Key to genera
Forewing black with 3 pale spots |
Telechrysis |
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Forewing with distinct tuft of raised scales |
Ocelli absent |
Luquetia |
Antennal scape without pecten |
Semioscopis |
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Labial palp S2 2-3x length of S3 |
Forewing brown |
Levipalpus |
Forewing grey |
Exaeretia |
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Labial palp S2 <2x length of S3 |
Forewing V2&3 stalked |
Agonopterix |
Forewing V2&3 arising from cell separately |
Depressaria |
Agonopterix vs Depressaria
The main difficulty in generic identification within the Depressariidae is in deciding between Agonopterix and Depressaria. Formal distinction is based on forewing venation (as described above) - and with practice this is achievable by looking at the underside with a binocular microscope. MBGBI4.1 mentions that Depressaria species show a short pale dash, edged dark fuscous on its costal side, at the extreme base of the forewing dorsum; this being absent in Agonopterix - but this feature is difficult to see in a live moth and sometimes difficult to be sure of even on a detached wing. Generally any individual that is either Agonopterix or Depressaria and has a fairly well-defined forewing apex and a fairly straight termen will be Agonopterix and with a rounded ill-defined apex and a well-rounded termen is likely to be Depressaria - but this distinction is by no means absolute.
Telechrysis, Luquetia and Semioscopis are unlikely to be confused with Agonopterix/Depressaria, but Levipalpus and Exaeretia could be, and are separable on features of the labial palp (as in the key above - though I have no experience of these last two genera as yet)
The main difficulty in generic identification within the Depressariidae is in deciding between Agonopterix and Depressaria. Formal distinction is based on forewing venation (as described above) - and with practice this is achievable by looking at the underside with a binocular microscope. MBGBI4.1 mentions that Depressaria species show a short pale dash, edged dark fuscous on its costal side, at the extreme base of the forewing dorsum; this being absent in Agonopterix - but this feature is difficult to see in a live moth and sometimes difficult to be sure of even on a detached wing. Generally any individual that is either Agonopterix or Depressaria and has a fairly well-defined forewing apex and a fairly straight termen will be Agonopterix and with a rounded ill-defined apex and a well-rounded termen is likely to be Depressaria - but this distinction is by no means absolute.
Telechrysis, Luquetia and Semioscopis are unlikely to be confused with Agonopterix/Depressaria, but Levipalpus and Exaeretia could be, and are separable on features of the labial palp (as in the key above - though I have no experience of these last two genera as yet)