Ectoedemidae

Ectoedemidae is a family of very small moths within the superfamily Nepticuloidea. Members are commonly known as pigmy or leaf-mining moths and are among the smallest Lepidoptera. The group has historically been treated as a subfamily (Ectoedemininae) within Nepticulidae, but many classifications now recognize Ectoedemidae as a distinct family. The family comprises numerous genera, with Ectoedemia as the type genus and other related genera represented in various regions.

Description and biology: Adults are minute, with wingspans typically in the range of about 3 to 6 millimeters. They have narrow wings and slender bodies; forewings are often dark or intricately patterned, while hindwings are narrow and fringed. The larvae are leaf miners on woody plants, creating distinctive mine patterns such as galleries or blotches in leaves. Mines and larval feeding are often highly host-specific, with many species tied to particular tree or shrub taxa. Pupation usually occurs inside the mine or in a detached leaf, depending on the species. The life cycle can include multiple generations per year in warm climates or a single generation in cooler regions.

Distribution and ecology: Ectoedemidae have a worldwide distribution, with greatest diversity in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are an important component of leaf-mining communities and are frequently used in studies of host–plant relationships and micro-moth biodiversity.

Pest status: Most species have limited direct economic impact, though a few can affect ornamental or forestry plants in localized situations.