Tineinae

Tineinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Tineidae. The name "Tineinae" comes from the scientific name for a type of textile made from flax or hemp, which relates to the subfamily's affinity for feeding on materials that involve fiber.

The subfamily consists of several genera, which are found in various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. These moths are typically small, ranging from 1-3 cm in length, and their bodies are usually white, gray, or brown in color. The wings of the moths are generally slender and narrow, with a relatively short tail.

Tineinae moths are known to feed on an array of materials, including fabric, paper, and various types of plant matter. Some species within the subfamily are notable for their ability to feed on more unusual items such as loofahs and scamps (a type of low-pile Moroccan wool). These moths are also known for their tendency to infest fibers in various stages of processing.

The Tineinae subfamily contains several species that are insects of minor economic importance, although some species in the genus Nemapogon have been reported to cause economic losses to the textile industry. For the most part, moths in the Tineinae subfamily are considered pests because of their ability to degrade fibers and incorporate themselves into materials as larvae.