Oecophoridae

Definition

A family of small moths in the order Lepidoptera, commonly called concealer moths, placed in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The family is characterized by larvae that typically feed on concealed substrates—leaf litter, dead wood, seeds, or detritus—often constructing silken shelters or portable cases. Circumscription remains unsettled due to ongoing phylogenetic revision of the Gelechioidea; several subfamilies (including Amphisbatinae, Depressariinae, Oecophorinae, and Stathmopodinae) have been variously treated as families or subfamilies depending on classification system.

Etymology

From Oecophora (type genus, from Greek oikos 'house' + phoros 'bearing') + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Larvae of the oecophorid genus Hofmannophila pseudospretella, the brown house moth, are significant pests of stored natural history specimens, feeding on dried insects, wool, and leather in museum collections.

Synonyms

• concealer moths

Related Terms

• Gelechioidea
• Lepidoptera
• Depressariidae
• Autostichidae
• leaf-litter moth
• case-bearer
• Detritivore

Usage Notes

The family boundaries of Oecophoridae are actively debated; some systems split the group into smaller families (e.g., elevating Depressariinae to Depressariidae) while others maintain a broad circumscription. The common name 'concealer moth' refers to larval habit rather than adult crypsis. Not to be confused with Tineidae (clothes moths), though both include museum pests.