Microlepidoptera, or micro moths, represent the smaller and often more intricate members of the order Lepidoptera. Like the macrolepidoptera, the term is informal and does not correspond to a single evolutionary lineage, but it remains a useful distinction for practical identification and study. Micro moths are generally characterized by their small size, many species having wingspans of less than 10 millimeters, and by their remarkable diversity in form, behavior, and ecology.

Families commonly regarded as microlepidoptera include Tortricidae (leaf-roller moths), Tineidae (clothes and fungus moths), Gelechiidae (twirler moths), Gracillariidae (leaf-miner moths), and Pyralidae (snout moths). The larvae of these species display a wide range of feeding habits, from leaf-mining and seed-boring to feeding on fungi, detritus, or stored organic materials.

Because of their diminutive size and often subtle markings, micro moths are challenging to study and identify—many require microscopic examination or DNA analysis for accurate classification. Despite this, they make up the majority of moth species worldwide and play essential ecological roles as herbivores, decomposers, and prey for many other animals.

Though less conspicuous than their larger counterparts, micro moths embody extraordinary evolutionary innovation. Their specialized life histories and delicate adaptations reveal the hidden complexity of the Lepidoptera, underscoring that even the smallest moths are integral parts of natural ecosystems.