PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



issued v.m*v\^^ Q^^S ^y '^* 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 



U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Vol.90 Washington: 1941 No. 3107 



REVISION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MOTHS OF THE 

 FAMILY OECOPHORIDAE, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF 

 NEW GENERA AND SPECIES 



By J. F. Gates Clarke 



INTRODUCTION 



This study of the North American Oecophoridae was begun several 

 years ago at the suggestion of August Busck, of the United States Bu- 

 reau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. In the beginning I had 

 intended to do only a specific revision of the genera Agonopterix and 

 Depressaria. It soon became apparent, however, that it would be nec- 

 essary to study carefully all the species known from North America 

 together with many from other parts of the world. Hence this paper 

 has become a revision of the entire family. 



In North America the family Oecophoridae comprises a large group 

 of small to medium-sized moths most of which are inconspicuously 

 colored. A few, however, are brilliantly marked. The moths are 

 chiefly nocturnal, but some may be seen flying about in the bright sun- 

 light. Because of their retiring habits they are seldom seen and are 

 best secured by rearing the larvae. 



The majority of the Oecophoridae are leaf and flower feeders in the 

 larval stage. Those that feed in the inflorescence usually attack plants 

 of the family Umbelliferae, while the leaf feeders attack a large variety 

 of plants in many families. Some are forest insects. 



Besides the leaf and flower feeders there are others that feed on 

 stored products, such as dried foods, bulbs, and tubers. Some are 

 scavengers and feed in the refuse occurring in the nests of mice and 

 birds. Some live in the cracks of bark, others beneath the bark where 



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