Parametriotidae
Submitted by walwyn
The Parametriotidae are a small family of about 50 species of tiny moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. They occur mainly in the Holarctic region, with highest diversity in Europe and North America. The family was established by László Anthony Gozmány in 1978, often treated as a subfamily (Parametriotinae) of Elachistidae or Coleophoridae in older classifications.
Adults have wingspans of 6–12 mm, with narrow, pointed wings showing subtle grayish or brownish patterns, and are held roof-like at rest. Most are nocturnal or crepuscular. Larvae are leaf miners or case-makers, feeding on a variety of herbaceous plants and shrubs, particularly in the families Rosaceae and Betulaceae.
The family includes genera such as Parametriotes (type genus, with ~10 species) and Blastodacna (e.g., B. hellerella, a birch feeder). Many species remain poorly known, with recent studies focusing on molecular phylogeny to clarify relationships within Gelechioidea.
