Clarkeophlebia argentea

C. argentea is a tiny "micromoth" with a generally hairless and smooth body and a wingspan of only 5 mm in the only known specimen (a male). It is, however, rather colorful and boldly marked by gelechioid moth standards. In its overall coloration it is blackish, with some bright and metallic marks; in the holotype, the underside of each hindwing bears a peculiar spine near the base, and there is a smaller spine at the trailing edge of each forewing; the function of these spines is unknown and they are possibly absent in females. The hindwing spines are large enough to be discernible with a high-quality magnifying glass already, despite the moth's diminutive size. The medium grey head is covered with a smooth layer of scales and bears a well-developed and very scaly proboscis; ocelli are absent, and a white stripe runs along the side of the head. The labial palps are slim and curve backwards; they reach far beyond the vertex in length, with the third segment being somewhat longer than the second. The latter is grey like the head on the outside, with a white spot near the tip, and silvery towards the midline; the third palp segment is black and bears a white lengthwise stripe. Its black serrated antennae have grey rings and bear fine hairs, with a comb of short hairs on the scape as is typical for cosmet moths and some relatives; the scape is shorter than the head. …

Essentially nothing is known about this species' ecology. The holotype (USNM 100828) was collected on March 11, 1968 at the coastal village of Omo'a on Fatu Hiva (10°30′45″S 138°40′56″W). There, the habitat is heavily influenced by human activity, and includes plants such as Artocarpus species, Papaya (Carica papaya), Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus), Indian Mango (Mangifera indica), Musa (bananas), Thatch Screwpine (Pandanus tectorius), the paspalum grass Paspalum paniculatum, Apple Guava (Psidium guajava), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Portia Tree (Thespesia populnea), as well as Cyperaceae sedges, lichens and mosses. It is unlikely, however, that these moths use the non-native species as foodplants, and the only known specimen may have been a vagrant from less disturbed habitat higher up Omo'a Valley. There, native plants such as Bidens henryi, Cheirodendron bastardianum, Pandanus, and East Polynesian Blueberry (Vaccinium cereum) are still more plentiful, and it may be that the species' larval foodplants are found among these.