Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
formerly considered a separate family (Blastobasidae); treated as a subfamily of Coleophoridae by Hodges in Kristensen, 1999
BugGuide currently follows the moth classification and nomenclature used at
All-Leps.
Numbers
68 species in 8 genera in 2 tribes in North America listed at
All-Leps; there are also many undescribed species
Identification
Adult: labial palps long and curving upward; adults at rest hold wings together over abdomen; forewing narrow (about 4-5 times as long as wide); apex blunt, and outer margin convexly curved; ground colour dark, dull, and often unmarked; underside of forewing not eye-spotted
hindwing narrow-elongate and very long-fringed (fringe 2 times width of membrane); lanceolate with rounded apex; width varies from much narrower than forewing to about same width as forewing; color plain with no spots or lines
Food
larvae are mostly scavengers (hence the common name, Scavenger Moths), feeding on fallen fruits & seeds, dry detritus, decaying wood, and stored food products; some feed in acorns, others are phytophagous (plant-feeding)
Remarks
See photo 255354 for comments on difficulty of identification.
Print References
Scoble, M.J. 1992. The Lepidoptera. The Natural History Museum
Internet References
family description plus illustration of wing venation, and other info (L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz, British Insects: the Families of Lepidoptera)
common name reference [Scavenger Moths] (Tree of Life, tolweb.org)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 1 March, 2006 - 8:53pm
Additional contributions by
Vox SciurorumLast updated 7 September, 2009 - 6:22am
