microlepidoptera
Microlepidoptera is an informal, non-monophyletic grouping of the smaller moths within the order Lepidoptera. The term does not denote a natural evolutionary clade, but rather a size-based category used by collectors and taxonomists. Members are typically small, with wingspans often under 20 millimeters, and characteristically slender wings and narrow bodies, though there is wide variation.
The group encompasses many superfamilies and families, including Gracillarioidea (leaf-miners), Yponomeutoidea (ermine moths and relatives), Coleophoridae
Larvae have diverse lifestyles: leaf mining, stem boring, seed feeding, casebearing in shelters, detritivory, feeding inside
Because microlepidoptera are diverse and many species are small, identification relies on detailed examination of genitalia;
They are globally distributed in a wide range of habitats, from deserts to tropical forests; many regions