The term micro-moths is used to describe the smaller moths that feature at the start of British List, with wing-spans ranging from 3mm to 41 mm, there is great variance in size, some being larger than macro-moths.

 

There are two popular micro families, the Tortricidae and Pyralidae, probably due to the fact that they were the first families to be covered in modern books, the former by the Ray Society in two volumes, with the latter covered by B. Goater.

Other interesting families are the Pterophoridae, or plume moths which rest like a letter T, the Micropterigidae, tiny moths that can be found eating pollen in the day, the Gracillariidae who rest on the forelegs with the body at 45 degrees, the Yponomeutidae, containing the well known migrant, the Diamond-back Moth.

 

Other large families are the Oecophoridae who generally rest with flat overlapping wings containing the house-moths, Coleophoridae, Gelechiidae and Elachistidae. Smaller families of interest are Adelidae, with some members having extremely long antennae, the colourful Momphidae and Blastobasidae.

 

Unfortunately, most families are covered in separate books which necessitates many books to assist identification and knowledge. However, a complete book of British micro-moths with natural resting posture is currently underway (2011).