The Bucculatricidae belong to the Superfamily Gracillarioidea. They are a small family of about 250 described species distributed worldwide, most numerous in northern temperate regions. There are about 100 named species in America north of Mexico. Adults are tiny to small moths with lancelike wings and short appendages. Bucculatricidae are known as the "ribbed cocoon makers," because larvae of nearly all species construct elaborate, elongate-oval cocoons with parallel, longitudinal ridges. Each species is a host-plant specialist.
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Description of Bucculatricidae
The Bucculatricidae belong to the Superfamily Gracillarioidea. They are a small family of about 250 described species distributed worldwide, most numerous in northern temperate regions. There are about 100 named species in America north of Mexico. Adults are tiny to small moths with lancelike wings and short appendages. Bucculatricidae are known as the "ribbed cocoon makers," because larvae of nearly all species construct elaborate, elongate-oval cocoons with parallel, longitudinal ridges. Each species is a host-plant specialist.