Gracilariidae

/ɡræsɪlɛərɪˈɪdiː/ noun

Definition

A large family of small moths whose larvae feed on leaves and create distinctive leaf-rolling or leaf-folding shelters.

Etymology

From Gracilaria plus the Linnaean family suffix '-idae'. Scientific taxonomy uses Latin suffixes to show family relationships, with '-idae' standardized for animal families since the 1800s.

Kelly Says

There are over 2,000 species in this one family, and scientists are still discovering new ones—yet most people have never heard of them, even though they're everywhere in nature!

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