Phycitinae
Phycitinae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Pyraloidea
- Family: Pyralidae
- Subfamily: Phycitinae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phycitinae: /faɪˈsɪtɪniː/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Phycitinae is a large, diverse subfamily of snout moths, comprising over 600 genera and more than 4000 species, occupying various ecological niches and exhibiting a wide range of feeding behaviors.
Physical Characteristics
Smallish and slender-bodied moths, resembling fungus moths; well-developed proboscis; elongated and straight labial palps creating a distinct 'snout'; forewings often nondescript greyish-brown; some species brightly coloured, e.g., Oncocera semirubella, white forewings with black spots in Myelois.
Identification Tips
Adults may lack one or more veins in their forewings; caterpillars' mesothorax has a hardened ring around the base of seta SD1; simultaneously possess identical frenula in male and female wings.
Habitat
Diverse habitats including leaf rolls, galls, seed feeders; some aquatic forms.
Distribution
Global occurrence except completely inhospitable areas; majority tropical, with some species found on remote oceanic islands.
Diet
Larvae are leaf rollers and borers on various plant parts; few are predators on Homoptera (e.g., Laetilia).
Life Cycle
The larvae have distinct feeding habits including leaf rolling and boring; some species are inquilines in plant galls or seed feeders.
Reproduction
Morphologically recognizable reproductive organs in species like Dioryctria abietella, with complex structures to facilitate sperm transfer.
Predators
Some larvae are beneficial predators of Hemiptera; specific species may be targeted by other insects or natural predators.
Ecosystem Role
Include predators in agricultural pest control; some species are pests of stored products or live plants.
Economic Impact
Includes significant pests of stored products (Plodia, Cadra, Ectomyelois, Etiella); the cactus moth Cactoblastis cactorum has become invasive beyond its native range, impacting crops.
Evolution
Considered monophyletic with ongoing research into phylogeny; some genera might be misplaced and require further study.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Often confused with caddisflies; differences in antennae orientation (Phycitinae antennae curve backwards).
Tags
- snout moths
- Ecology
- Diversity
- Pest Control
- Invasive Species