Yponomeutoidea
- Pronunciation
- /ip-oh-NOM-yoo-TOY-dee-uh/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Yponomeutoidea
- Plural
- Yponomeutoidea
Definition
A superfamily of small () comprising about 1,800 described , including the (), (), and relatives. Members are characterized by early evolutionary transitions to external leaf-feeding and of herbaceous plants beyond woody shrubs and trees, making them significant in the radiation of phytophagous Lepidoptera.
Full guide
Read the full Yponomeutoidea guide for identification, examples, and taxonomy.
Etymology
From Yponomeuta (type , from Greek hypo- 'under' + nomeutēs 'grazer') + -oidea (superfamily suffix)
Example
The (, ), a globally important agricultural pest of cruciferous crops, belongs to Yponomeutoidea and exemplifies the superfamily's ecological shift to herb-feeding.
Synonyms
- ermine moths and relatives
Related Terms
- Yponomeutidae
- Plutellidae
- Acrolepiidae
- Lepidoptera
- superfamily
- Phytophagy
- external feeding
Usage Notes
Often called ' and relatives' in field contexts, though this properly applies only to . The superfamily's early adoption of external feeding distinguishes it from internally feeding relatives such as many Gracillarioidea.