Pyraloidea
Encyclopedia
The Pyraloidea are a moth
superfamily
containing about 16,000 described species
worldwide (Munroe & Solis 1998), and probably at least as many more remain to be described. They are generally fairly small moths.
This superfamily used to contain the Hyblaeidae
, Thyrididae
, Alucitidae (plus Tineodidae
), Pterophoridae, and Pyralidae
. Currently, the Crambidae
are usually separated from the Pyralidae, but the first four families are now each split off as a distinct superfamily. Some genera (e.g. Micronix
and Tanaobela
) still defy easy classification and have been variously assigned to the Crambidae or the Pyralidae.
Among all Lepidoptera
, pyraloids show the most diverse life history adaptations. The larvae of most species feed on living plants either internally or externally as leaf rollers, leaf webbers leaf miners, borers, root feeders, and seed feeders. Some species live parasitically in ant
nests (Wurthiinae), predate upon scale insect
s (certain Phycitinae
), or live in the nests of bee
s (Galleriinae
). The larva
e of the Acentropinae are adapted to life under water, and certain Phycitinae
and Pyralinae
are adapted to very dry environments and their larvae feed on stored food products. Others feed on animal detritus
such as carrion
and feces
.
With such a variety of living habits, pyraloids are an ideal group for biodiversity studies (Schulze & Fiedler 2003). Some species are of economic importance, e.g.:
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
superfamily
Taxonomic rank
In biological classification, rank is the level in a taxonomic hierarchy. Examples of taxonomic ranks are species, genus, family, and class. Each rank subsumes under it a number of less general categories...
containing about 16,000 described species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
worldwide (Munroe & Solis 1998), and probably at least as many more remain to be described. They are generally fairly small moths.
This superfamily used to contain the Hyblaeidae
Hyblaeidae
Hyblaeidae are the "teak moths", a family of insects in the Lepidopteran order. The two genera with about 18 species make up the Hyblaeoidea superfamily, which has sometimes been included in the Pyraloidea. However, the position of this family is currently uncertain within the group Obtectomera...
, Thyrididae
Thyrididae
Thyrididae is the picture-winged leaf moths family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. They alone make up the Thyridoidea superfamily, which is sometimes included in the Pyraloidea Thyrididae is the picture-winged leaf moths family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. They alone make up the...
, Alucitidae (plus Tineodidae
Tineodidae
| name = False plume moths| image =| image_width =| image_caption =| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta| ordo = Lepidoptera| subordo = Glossata| infraordo = Heteroneura| unranked_superfamilia = Ditrysia...
), Pterophoridae, and Pyralidae
Pyralidae
The Pyralidae or snout moths are a family of Lepidoptera in the ditrysian superfamily Pyraloidea. In many classifications, the grass moths are included in the Pyralidae as a subfamily, making the combined group one of the largest families in the Lepidoptera...
. Currently, the Crambidae
Crambidae
The Crambidae are the grass moth family of Lepidoptera . They are quite variable in appearance, the nominal subfamily Crambinae taking up closely folded postures on grass-stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies include brightly coloured and patterned insects which rest in...
are usually separated from the Pyralidae, but the first four families are now each split off as a distinct superfamily. Some genera (e.g. Micronix
Micronix
Micronix is a genus of moths of the Crambidae family. Some authors have assigned it to the Pyralinae, but this seems to be incorrect....
and Tanaobela
Tanaobela
Tanaobela is a genus of moths in the superfamily Pyraloidea. Its affiliations are disputed.Historically it was placed in subfamily Pyraustinae of the grass moth family ; more recent authors have alternatively assigned it to the tribe Pyralini of subfamily Pyralinae; these belong to the snout moth...
) still defy easy classification and have been variously assigned to the Crambidae or the Pyralidae.
Among all Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
, pyraloids show the most diverse life history adaptations. The larvae of most species feed on living plants either internally or externally as leaf rollers, leaf webbers leaf miners, borers, root feeders, and seed feeders. Some species live parasitically in ant
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
nests (Wurthiinae), predate upon scale insect
Scale insect
The scale insects are small insects of the order Hemiptera, generally classified as the superfamily Coccoidea. There are about 8,000 species of scale insects.-Ecology:...
s (certain Phycitinae
Phycitinae
The Phycitinae are a subfamily of snout moths . Even though the Pyralidae subfamilies are all quite diverse, Phycitinae stand out even by standards of their family: with over 600 genera considered valid and more than 4000 species placed here at present, they unite up more than three-quarters of...
), or live in the nests of bee
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
s (Galleriinae
Galleriinae
The Galleriinae are a subfamily of snout moths and occur essentially world-wide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans...
). The larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e of the Acentropinae are adapted to life under water, and certain Phycitinae
Phycitinae
The Phycitinae are a subfamily of snout moths . Even though the Pyralidae subfamilies are all quite diverse, Phycitinae stand out even by standards of their family: with over 600 genera considered valid and more than 4000 species placed here at present, they unite up more than three-quarters of...
and Pyralinae
Pyralinae
The Pyralinae are the typical subfamily of snout moths and occur essentially world-wide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. They are rather rare in the Americas however, and their diversity in the Australian region is also limited. Altogether, this subfamily includes about...
are adapted to very dry environments and their larvae feed on stored food products. Others feed on animal detritus
Detritus
Detritus is a biological term used to describe dead or waste organic material.Detritus may also refer to:* Detritus , a geological term used to describe the particles of rock produced by weathering...
such as carrion
Carrion
Carrion refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters include vultures, hawks, eagles, hyenas, Virginia Opossum, Tasmanian Devils, coyotes, Komodo dragons, and burying beetles...
and feces
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
.
With such a variety of living habits, pyraloids are an ideal group for biodiversity studies (Schulze & Fiedler 2003). Some species are of economic importance, e.g.:
- rice stem borers (Chilo spp.; ScirpophagaScirpophagaScirpophaga is a genus of moths of the Crambidae family.-Species:*Scirpophaga adunctella Chen, Song & Wu, 2006*Scirpophaga auristrigellus *Scirpophaga aurivena *Scirpophaga bradleyi Lewvanich, 1981...
spp.) - sod grass webworms (different species of CrambinaeCrambinaeCrambinae is a large subfamily of the lepidopteran family Crambidae, the crambid snout moths. It currently includes over 1,800 species worldwide. The larvae are root feeders or stem borers, mostly on grasses. A few species are pests of sod grasses, maize, sugar cane, rice, and other Poaceae...
) - Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella)
- European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)
- Indo-Australian coconut spike moth (Tirathaba rufivenaTirathaba rufivenaThe Coconut Spike Moth, Greater Coconut Spike Moth or Oil Palm Bunch Moth is a moth of the Pyralidae family...
) - Cacao moth (Ephestia elutellaEphestia elutellaThe Cacao Moth, Tobacco Moth or Warehouse Moth is a small moth of the family Pyralidae. It is probably native to in Europe, but has been transported widely, even to Australia. A subspecies is E. e. pterogrisella....
) - Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella)
- wax moths (Achroia grisella, Galleria mellonellaGalleria mellonellaThe Greater Wax Moth or Honeycomb Moth is a moth of the family Pyralidae. It is the only member of the genus Galleria. It is found in most of the world, including Europe and adjacent Eurasia , and as an introduced species e.g...
) - rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica).
External links
- Global Information System on Pyraloidea (GlobIZ)
- Scielo Solis, M. Alma. Phylogenetic studies and modern classification of the Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera ). Rev. Colomb. Entomol., Jan./June 2007, vol.33, no.1, p. 1-8. ISSN 0120-0488. Free download pdf