Pyraloidea

Definition

A superfamily of moths (Lepidoptera) comprising roughly 16,000 described species worldwide, with many more likely undescribed. Members are generally small-bodied and were historically grouped with other 'microlepidopteran' lineages. The superfamily includes the families Crambidae (snout moths), Pyralidae (pyralid moths), Hyblaeidae, and Thyrididae.

Etymology

From Pyralis (type genus of Pyralidae) + -oidea (superfamily suffix).

Example

The rice stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas), a major pest of rice in Asia, belongs to the family Crambidae within Pyraloidea.

Related Terms

• Crambidae
• Pyralidae
• Microlepidoptera
• Lepidoptera
• superfamily
• snout moth

Usage Notes

Pyraloidea is treated as a monophyletic superfamily in modern phylogenetic studies, though historically its constituent families were variously classified. The term 'microlepidoptera' is now recognized as paraphyletic and avoided in formal taxonomy, but persists in field and collection contexts for small moths including many pyraloids. Contrast with Noctuoidea and Bombycoidea, which contain generally larger moth species.