actinilla

Actinilla is a genus of small, often minute, moths belonging to the family Micropterigidae. The genus was first described by the German entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1825. Actinilla species are characterized by their small size, typically ranging from 2 to 5 millimeters in wingspan, and their distinctive wing venation. The genus is found worldwide, with the highest diversity in the tropics. Actinilla moths are often associated with decaying plant material and are known to feed on fungi and other microorganisms. They play a role in the decomposition process of organic matter, contributing to nutrient cycling in ecosystems. The genus includes over 100 described species, with new species continuing to be discovered. Actinilla moths are of interest to entomologists and ecologists due to their ecological significance and the challenges they present in identification and classification.