Taxon Description (Wikipedia)
The
Oecophoridae are a family of Lepidoptera (moths).
Many Oecophorids feed on dead plant material and play a useful part in nutrient recycling. However, the family includes the Whiteshouldered House Moth
Endrosis sarcitrella, a widely distributed species whose larvae infest stored grain, and the Brown House Moth
Hofmannophila pseudospretella, which feeds on textiles and carpets as well as stored foodstuffs. Other pest species include the blackheaded caterpillar
Opisina arenosella on coconut palms in India, and
Peleopoda arcanella on oil-palms in Central America.
Oecophorids have also been put to useful service -
control the European poison hemlock Conium maculatum in the USA.
Category:Moths
... full article at Wikipedia
