Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
several genera formerly included in Oecophoridae were transferred to family Elachistidae by Hodges in Kristensen (1999); this is the classification followed by All-Leps and BugGuide
Explanation of Names
Concealer Moths: larvae usually feed concealed in webs or in rolled or tied leaves of food plant
Numbers
42 species in 23 genera in 2 subfamilies in North America listed at
All-LepsSize
wingspan 3-30 mm (usually closer to 30 mm)
Identification
Head smooth scaled; labial palps usually upturned; forewing rather broad, often squarish as in some tortricid moths, and with the apex and outer margin rounded.
Food
larvae of many species feed on leaves of a great variety of deciduous trees; some species feed on herbaceous plants; larvae usually feed concealed in webs or in rolled or tied leaves of food plant; some species feed on dead leaves or animal carcasses, or on decaying fungi
Internet References
image thumbnails and links to images of adults and larvae of Australian species (Oecophoridae of Australia, U. of Sydney)
common name reference [Concealer Moths] (Tree of Life, tolweb.org)
