Dryadaulidae

Distinguished from Tineidae and other Tineoidea by strongly asymmetrical male genitalia with aedeagus fused to right valva and absence of gnathos. The reduced female oviscapt with rudimentary anterior apophyses is diagnostic. Small size (wingspan under 20 mm) and minute forewing length (under 3.2 mm) separate Dryadaula from most Tineidae. Brachydoxa, the second genus, is restricted to the Oriental Region and differs in genital structure.

Adults are extremely small moths with wingspans no more than 20 mm. Forewing length ranges 2.7–3.0 mm in males and 2.8–3.2 mm in females. Some species exhibit orange forewings with brown and white patterning. Male genitalia are highly modified and asymmetrical, incorporating parts of sternum VII and VIII, with the aedeagus fused to the right valva; gnathos is absent. Females possess a reduced oviscapt with rudimentary or absent anterior apophyses.

Worldwide across all zoogeographical regions: 14 species in Palearctic, 16 in Neotropics, 1 in Nearctic, 2 in Afrotropics, 4 in Indomalaya, 12 in Australia, and 2 in Oceania. Specific country records include China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, numerous European countries, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Guyana, Grenada, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, United States (including Hawaii), and Fiji.

Adults of at least some species are active from July to September. Collection records indicate both daytime and nocturnal activity.

Adults have been collected by sweep netting during daytime and at light sources (250-W high-pressure mercury lamps, LED UV lamps) at night. Malaise traps have also captured adults. These collection methods suggest both diurnal and nocturnal flight activity.

• TineidaeDryadaulidae was historically classified within Tineidae; distinguished by asymmetrical male genitalia with fused aedeagus-right valva complex and reduced female oviscapt
• PsychidaeBoth are small Tineoidea; Dryadaulidae lacks case-building behavior and has distinct genital asymmetry

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• A new species of the genus Dryadaula Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Dryadaulidae) from Japan, with a redescription of D.epischista (Meyrick, 1936).
• The genus Dryadaula Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Tineoidea, Dryadaulidae) in China, with descriptions of four new species and a world checklist.