The subfamily includes the sloth moths (genera Cryptoses, Bradypodicola and Bradypophila).

But usually, their larvae feed on plants, boring into seed, fruits, stems and roots, or rolling and spinning leaves together to form a hideout.

While the adults are fairly nondescript, Chrysauginae larvae can usually be recognized unequivocally by the sclerotised ring around seta SD1 of the metathorax.

In 1995, Solis et al. compiled a checklist of Chrysauginae for the Western Hemisphere.

Shaffer et al. tentatively placed four Australian genera in the subfamily in 1996; research on the adults failed to support this, and larvae are unknown.