Review of Nepticulidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) occurring in the Curonian Spit (Baltic Coast of Lithuania)

A comprehensive review identifies 24 species of Nepticulidae (leaf-mining moths) from the Curonian Spit, Lithuania, associated with host plants across eight families. Notably, over half of these species are linked to Betulaceae and Rosaceae plants, reflecting their ecological significance. The study categorizes their distribution into nine chorological groups, revealing a mix of broad Palaearctic and European ranges alongside more restricted Sub-Baltic distributions. Rare species, such as Stigmella zelleriella, were documented in sand dunes, with illustrations provided for adults and male genitalia. This taxonomic list, supplemented by host-plant data and leaf-mine photographs, advances our understanding of nepticulid biodiversity in this UNESCO-listed coastal ecosystem.

Navickaitė, A., Diškus, A., & Stonis, J. R. (2011). Review of Nepticulidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) occurring in the Curonian Spit (Baltic Coast of Lithuania). Acta Zoologica Lituanica, 21(3), 221–231. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10043-011-0023-1