Case 3842 – Gelechioidea Stainton, 1854 (Lepidoptera): proposed conservation of the superfamily name by conditional reversal of precedence with three family-group names proposed by Bruand, 1851

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve at superfamily level the usage of the family-group name Gelechioidea Stainton, 1854. The name is threatened by three senior family-group names described by Bruand, 1850 [1851], currently considered as valid families in the same superfamily as Gelechiidae: Oecophoridae, Elachistidae and Coleophoridae, which are thus subjective senior synonyms at the superfamily level. Strict application of the Principle of Priority would result in confusion as the superfamily name Gelechioidea has been almost universally used for this very diverse and economically important group of Lepidoptera.