Epermeniidae

Definition

A family of small moths in the order Lepidoptera, commonly known as fringe-tufted moths, characterized by distinctive tufted scales along the wing fringes, spiny legs, and often open-network cocoons. The family comprises approximately 14 genera, including Epermenia, Ochromolopis, and Gnathifera. Formerly divided into subfamilies Epermeniinae and Ochromolopinae, current classification treats these as nested within a single subfamily. Systematic placement within the apoditrysian group Obtectomera remains uncertain; the family has been assigned to its own superfamily Epermenioidea, though historically associated with Yponomeutoidea or Copromorphoidea due to shared morphological traits. The genus Thambotricha, endemic to New Zealand, may represent the sister group to all other extant members.

Etymology

From the type genus Epermenia + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Adults of Epermenia chaerophyllella, the garden lance-wing, display the family's characteristic fringed wing margins with scale tufts, while larvae feed on umbelliferous plants and pupate in open-mesh cocoons attached to host stems.

Synonyms

• Fringe-tufted moths

Related Terms

• Lepidoptera
• Yponomeutoidea
• Copromorphoidea
• Schreckensteinioidea
• Obtectomera
• Epermenia
• Ochromolopis
• wing fringe
• scale tuft
• open-network cocoon

Usage Notes

Formerly treated as two subfamilies; current taxonomy recognizes nested structure without formal subfamily division. Morphological convergence with plume moths (Pterophoridae) in wing fringe structure can cause field confusion. The family's unstable higher-level placement reflects ongoing phylogenetic uncertainty in Obtectomera rather than taxonomic instability at family rank.