Ternea

Ternea is a small genus of moths within the family Tortricidae, the tortrix moths. The genus was established by entomologist Edward Meyrick in 1930, with the type species Ternea coccinea originally described from specimens collected in Sri Lanka. The defining characteristics of the genus include a wingspan of 10–15 mm, forewings that are oval and strongly patterned with contrasting bands and spots, and a distinctive genitalia structure that differentiates Ternea from closely related genera such as *Chlamydatias* and *Epichorista*. Adults are typically active in the late spring and early summer months, and their larvae feed on a wide range of host plants, often creating leaf‑rolling shelters.

Four species are currently recognised in the genus: Ternea coccinea, Ternea viridana, Ternea aurantiaca, and Ternea melialis. The distribution of Ternea species is mainly in the southern Asian tropics, with records from Sri Lanka, the Western Ghats of India, and the Malay Peninsula. Some species have been reported on secondary forests and disturbed habitats, indicating a degree of ecological flexibility.

Despite its small size, the genus provides useful insights into the evolutionary relationships among Tortricinae moths. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies incorporating mitochondrial COI and nuclear EF‑1α genes support the monophyly of Ternea and suggest that its diversification coincides with the uplift of the Himalayan region. Conservation status has not been formally assessed, but ongoing habitat loss in tropical forests poses potential risks to the lesser‑known species within the genus.