This study is a preliminary revision of the tineoid family Psychidae of North and South America (including the West Indies). A treat ment of such scope has been attempted only once (gaede, and it was at best a very superficial study. Other published accounts consist mostly of original descriptions, taxonomic notes, and works treating restricted areas. As a result, the interpretations of previous authors have been erroneous in several instances; furthermore, a comprehensive key for the genera and species has never been attempted; thus, reliable identification of many of these insects has been virtually impossible.