Tymidiini

Tymidiini is a tribe of moths in the order Lepidoptera. In many classifications it is placed within the family Tortricidae, a large group commonly known as tortricid moths, and in some schemes it falls under the subfamily Olethreutinae. The exact circumscription of Tymidiini has varied as tortricid taxonomy has evolved, particularly with the growth of molecular phylogenetics that have redefined relationships among tribes.

The composition of Tymidiini—namely which genera and species it includes—has differed among taxonomic authorities. As a result, the tribe is described in some sources as containing multiple genera, while others treat certain genera as belonging to related tribes. This fluidity reflects broader changes in tortricid systematics rather than a single, universally agreed set of genera.

Morphological characters used to identify tymidiine taxa typically involve forewing patterns and venation as well as genitalia structures, which are essential for distinguishing closely related genera in Tortricidae. Like other tortricids, many tymidiine moths are small in size and exhibit the characteristic folded-wing posture when at rest.

Ecology and life history vary among species within Tymidiini. Larval habits include leaf-rolling, fruit feeding, and other plant-associated behaviors, with some species reaching agricultural significance as pests and others having a more restricted, regionally limited distribution. The tribe is generally associated with tropical and subtropical faunas, though representatives can occur in temperate regions depending on the lineage.

Further reading in tortricid taxonomy and regional faunas provides details on the tribe’s approximate composition and its phylogenetic status within Tortricidae.