Lecithoceridae

Lecithoceridae are a family of small moths belonging to the order Lepidoptera and the superfamily Gelechioidea. The family contains over 1,800 described species spread across more than 140 genera, with a cosmopolitan distribution that is most diverse in the Old World tropics and subtropics. They are predominantly found in forested regions, especially in tropical and temperate Asia, but species also occur in Africa, Australia, and parts of the western Pacific. The family was originally described by Swinhoe in 1894, and its taxonomy has been refined by subsequent revisions that incorporated both morphological and molecular data.

The characteristic features of Lecithoceridae include a narrow, often long forewing that bears a distinctive pattern of spots or lines, a wingspan typically ranging between 8 and 25 millimetres, and a well-developed labial palpus with a scaled tip. The hindwings are usually narrower and may have a fringe of long scales. Many species possess a scaled proboscis and tympanal organs located on the second sternite. The male genitalia frequently exhibit a unique vesica with cornuti, which is useful for species identification.

Life history traits show a larval stage that feeds on detritus, leaf litter, or fungal material, and some species have larvae that roll leaves or construct shelters from silk. Adults are usually nocturnal, attracted to light, and are rarely encountered in large numbers. Due to their cryptic habits and small size, they are considered of low economic importance, but they serve as ecological indicators of forest health. Current research focuses on phylogenetic relationships within Lecithoceridae and the exploration of their diversity in understudied tropical habitats.