Herlinda is a genus of cosmet moths. These moths were only discovered in 1968 and the genus was not described until 1986; its affiliations within the family are presently unknown. This genus, as far as is known, is endemic to the MarquesasIslands of Polynesia, with each species confined to a single island. They are small moths and resemble Microzestis, a possible close relative. However, the forewing vein 1b of Herlinda is not forked like in Microzestis, and the forewing 1c is missing in Herlinda. They also resemble Iressa of subfamilyCosmopteriginae in some anatomical details, but unlike in that genus, the forewing veins 2 and 3 are united in Herlinda. The genitals are convergent in structure with those of the Agonoxenidae genus Asymphorodes, which was mistakenly placed in the Cosmopterigidae.
The head is covered with a smooth layer of scales; the antennae are about 80% of the forewing length and serrated in males but smooth in females; the scape is combed. The labial palps are upturned and diverge, but do not reach the vertex; their second and third segments are of roughlyequal length, the former being somewhat rough at the distal end and the latter pointed. They lack ocelli. The thorax is smooth, while the hindlegtibia has a rough surface formed by hair-like scales. The genitals of the males are asymmetric, in those of the females the signum is missing. The forewing is likewise smooth; it has 11 veins, with veins 1c and 5 missing and 2 and 3 united. Vein 1b is not forked, and vein 4 not connected to 2/3; veins 6/7arise from vein 8 with a stalk, the seventh reaching the leading edge of the wing slightly before the wingtip. Vein 8 either approaches vein 9 at the base or tapers out. Vein 10 originates significantly before 9, and vein 11 starts at the middle of the wing cell. The hindwings have 8 veins, but 2-5 are very weak. Hindwing veins 6/7 are stalked, and the latter reaches the leading edge. On the underside of the males' hindwings, there is a brush of elongated hairs, which fits into a fold along the wing cell. The ecology of these moths remains almost completely unknown. They seem to be primarily found in the lowlands, where the vegetation is heavily influenced by human activity. Notable plants from these moths' habitat include Artocarpus species, Papaya, Coconut, Sea Hibiscus, Indian Mango, Musa, Thatch Screwpine, the paspalum grass Paspalum paniculatum, Apple Guava, Tamarind, Portia Tree, as well as Cyperaceae sedges, lichens and mosses. It is unlikely, however, that these moths use the non-native species as foodplants.
