taxon wish list: Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera)
Image of Ectoedemia festivitatis, a nepticulid moth described by Erik J. van Nieukerken (Zoologische Mededelingen, 82-1; January 2008)
Micromoths (Lepidoptera), as a whole, are probably one the most poorly represented groups in our teaching collection, and I am sure that has something to do with the difficulty of their preparation. The specimens are almost always teeny-tiny and need to be double mounted immediately after they are collected - before they desiccate. Inserting the minuten pin through the right spot on the thorax and spreading their wee wings requires a level patience and experience few students have at this stage in their careers.
These insects are incredibly important to learn, though, given that numerous pest species and ecological models are classified amongst the microlepidopteran families. One family we need desperately is Nepticulidae; we have one specimen with a missing abdomen. These monotrysian leafmining moths can be as small as 3 mm (in wingspan), ranking as the tiniest insects in the order. Adults are relatively easy to recognize by their conspicuous eye caps (look at the bases of their antennae) and their narrow, lanceolate wigs with relatively simple venation. You might be able to rear some from leaf mines (this U.K. leaf mine site has some great info that might be relevant), and I have certainly collected them at UV lights.
Stigmella prunetorum mine, photographed by Gyorgy Csoka.
