FAMILY PTEROPHORIDAE

The Pterophoridae or plume moths are a family of Lepidoptera with unusually modified wings.
Though they belong to the Apoditrysia like the larger moths and the butterflies,
unlike these they are tiny and were formerly included among the assemblage called "Microlepidoptera".

The forewings of plume moths usually consist of two curved spars with more or less
bedraggled bristles trailing behind. This resembles the closely related Alucitidae (many-plumed moths)
at first glance, but the latter have a greater number of symmetrical plumes.
The hindwings are similarly constructed, but have three spars.

The usual resting posture is with the wings extended laterally and narrowly rolled up.
Often they resemble a piece of dried grass, and may pass unnoticed by potential predators
even when resting in exposed situations in daylight. Some species have larvae
which are stem or root borers while others are leaf-browsers.

The text above is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and is licensed under the GFDL.

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