Chaperonidae

Chaperonidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera. These moths are generally small to medium-sized, with a wingspan typically ranging from 10 to 30 millimeters. The family is characterized by specific wing venation patterns and the structure of their antennae, which are often filiform or slightly bipectinate in males.

The larvae of Chaperonidae are leaf miners, meaning they feed on the internal tissues of plant leaves, creating characteristic tunnels or blotches. This feeding behavior can sometimes cause damage to host plants, though it is rarely significant on a large scale. The host plants vary depending on the species, but include a range of herbaceous plants and some woody species.

Chaperonidae is a relatively small family, with fewer than 100 described species. They are distributed globally, with the highest diversity found in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite their widespread distribution, many species are not commonly encountered due to their small size and cryptic larval stage. Research on this family is ongoing, with new species still being discovered and described.