Family Schreckensteiniidae (Bristle-legged Moths)

The Schreckensteiniidae are the only family in the superfamily Schreckensteinioidea. This very small group of moths has only three species in North America. Adults are tiny, with a wingspan of only 10-12mm, and characteristic stout spines on the hindlegs. They raise their legs in repose while resting. Larvae are skeletonizers on plants in the Anacardiacea and Rosaceae families. This family of moths is named after German lepidopterist Baron Friedrich Roth von Schreckenstein (1753-1808).