Many Oecophorids feed on dead plant material and play a useful part in nutrient recycling. However, the family includes the Whiteshouldered House MothEndrosis sarcitrella, a widely distributed species whose larvae infest stored grain, and the Brown House MothHofmannophila pseudospretella, which feeds on textiles and carpets as well as stored foodstuffs. Other pest species include the blackheaded caterpillarOpisina arenosella on coconut palms in India, and Peleopoda arcanella on oil-palms in Central America.
