moth in the family Alucitidae

5819   This moth is about 1 cm wide. They are new to our farmhouse and are small enough to wiggle into the house past the edges of the screens on the windows.  They are attracted to the nightlight so I have counted 10 in our bathroom in the morning.  When I kill them they are fragile and leave a dust smear on the wall.  They are quite lively if you don’t grab them quickly and they will fly away.  I live in northeastern Alberta Canada.  As I mentioned, I have never seen these before this summer and I have been unable to identify them on any website.  Can you tell me what they are and what their source might be so I can deal with them?   Catherine

This is a moth in the family Alucitidae (many-plumed moths); likely Alucita montana – see http://tinyurl.com/h8fz34q for more detailed information. These are not pests, their larvae likely are leaf and flower miners of snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.). Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.