Tineoidea

Definition

A superfamily of ditrysian Lepidoptera encompassing clothes moths, bagworm moths, and related groups. The six constituent families—Eriocottidae, Arrhenophanidae, Lypusidae, Acrolophidae, Tineidae, and Psychidae—exhibit diverse larval habits including case construction, silk webbing, and feeding on keratinaceous materials, wool, or plant detritus. Relationships among these families remain phylogenetically unresolved.

Etymology

From Tinea (type genus of Tineidae, from Latin tinea 'moth, bookworm') + -oidea (superfamily suffix).

Example

The larvae of Psychidae (bagworm moths) within Tineoidea construct portable cases from silk and environmental debris, whereas Tineidae larvae such as Tineola bisselliella (webbing clothes moth) feed directly on wool and other keratin sources without case-building.

Related Terms

• Ditrysia
• Tineidae
• Psychidae
• Gelechioidea
• Lepidoptera
• clothes moth
• bagworm

Usage Notes

Tineoidea is one of several superfamilies historically grouped as 'Tineoidea sensu lato,' a paraphyletic assemblage that has been split in modern classifications; current molecular studies continue to refine its limits. The superfamily is distinguished from the more species-rich Gelechioidea by reduced wing venation and larval habits, though definitive synapomorphies remain elusive. The family-level composition varies slightly among authorities, with some treatments excluding Lypusidae or Acrolophidae.