Eyecap-moths
Guides
Nepticulidae
Pygmy Eye-capped Moths, pigmy moths, midget moths
Nepticulidae is a family of extremely small moths distributed worldwide except Antarctica. Adults are characterized by distinctive eyecaps covering the eyes and narrow, lanceolate wings with simplified venation. Wingspans range from 3 mm to 10 mm, making them among the smallest living moths. Larvae are predominantly leaf miners, though some species mine seeds or bark. The family contains over 1,000 described species with significant undescribed diversity, particularly in tropical regions. Two subfamilies are recognized: Pectinivalvinae, endemic to Australia, and Nepticulinae, distributed globally.
Opostegidae
white eyecap moths, white eye-capped moths
A family of minute moths distinguished by exceptionally large eyecaps covering the compound eyes. The family comprises approximately 200 described species across two subfamilies (Oposteginae with 87 species, Opostegoidinae with 15 species), with highest diversity in the New World tropics where 83 species represent 42% of global diversity. Larval biology remains poorly documented, though stem-mining habits have been suggested for some species.