Description of Gelechiidae
The Gelechiid moths are one of the major families of micromoths, especially in the temperate latitudes. More than 4,500 species have been named and placed in more than 500 genera, and unknown numbers of undescribed species exist. Members of the Superfamily Gelechioidea, these moths are tiny to small (wingspan 0.7-2.5 cm, mostly 1-2 cm), mostly nocturnal, somber colored, brown, gray or black, but some are colorfully patterned, especially in tropical regions. Hindwings of most species are trapezoidal in shape, with the outer margin concave below the apex. Larvae are concealed feeders, usually leaf tiers, forming shelters in new growing tips of trees and shrubs, but many are leaf miners or stem, root, or seed borers.
