Overview

The family was associated with the Coleophoridae by Hodges (1978). The best-known genus is Batrachedra (35 spp.). The larvae of B . arenosella prey on scale insects, feed beneath a silk webbing, and pupate in a flat, elliptical cocoon. They have also been reported feeding on the seeds of Juncus and other plants, but these records probably refer to other species.

Description

Very small; head smooth-scaled; ocelli absent; antennae filiform; maxillary palps very small, sometimes folded over base of proboscis; labial palps recurved or drooping; epiphysis present, hind tibiae with piliform scales above; fore wing lanceolate, without pterostigma, 1 or 2 veins usually absent, CuP vestigial; hind wing linear, cell open, 1 branch of M absent, CuA a simple vein close to inner margin; frenulum in female with 2 bristles; T1-7 or 2-7 each with 2 elongate patches of spines; usually partly or wholly covered by scales; male genitalia symmetrical, uncus tapering, gnathos arms uniting medially, valva elongate, narrow, juxta with anellar lobes. Larva without secondary setae, crochets uniordinal in a circle. Pupa with maxillary palps, labial palps and fore femora exposed, abdomen with long dorsal setae.