Pyralinae

snout moths

Tribe Guides

2

Pyralinae is the typical of snout moths within the Pyralidae, comprising approximately 900 described with a worldwide distribution. The subfamily is characterized by mid-sized to relatively large with cryptic brownish coloration. Several species have become pests of stored food products through human-mediated transport. The remains provisional, with only three generally accepted tribes and many of uncertain placement.

Pyralini by (c) lugachev_vitaly, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by lugachev_vitaly. Used under a CC-BY license.Aglossa pinguinalis by (c) Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd., some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Aglossa by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pyralinae: /ˌpaɪrəˈlaɪniː/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Pyralidae by the combination of forewing 7 present and hindwing veins 7 and 8 unjoined in . Adult females can be identified by the short genital ductus bursae with corpus bursae not extending beyond abdominal segment 7 (except in Cardamyla and Embryoglossa). The subfamily is placed among the advanced snout moths in phylogenetic studies, sharing this lineage with Epipaschiinae and Phycitinae.

Images

Appearance

Mid-sized to smallish with cryptic coloration, predominantly various hues of brown. females (except in Cardamyla and Embryoglossa) possess a short genital ductus bursae with the corpus bursae barely extending forward beyond abdominal segment 7. Forewing 7 is present; hindwing veins 7 and 8 are unjoined in adults. Large by Pyralidae standards but otherwise undistinguished in general appearance.

Habitat

Occurs in diverse terrestrial environments; specific associations vary by . Many species associated with stored food products in human-modified environments.

Distribution

Essentially worldwide, with notable gaps: rare in the Americas and limited diversity in the Australian region. distribution of some (e.g., Pyralis farinalis, Aglossa pinguinalis) aided by involuntary human introduction through transport of stored goods.

Diet

Larvae of most are leaf feeders. Some species utilize unusual food sources: Pyralis farinalis larvae feed on stored grain products; Aglossa pinguinalis larvae and feed on fats and greasy materials; Pyralis manihotalis larvae have been reared from bat guano, showing extreme polyphagy.

Life Cycle

Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Larvae are the primary feeding stage; specific developmental details vary by .

Ecological Role

Leaf-feeding larvae contribute to nutrient cycling in natural . Some function as decomposers of organic matter including guano. Pest species impact human food storage systems.

Human Relevance

Pyralis farinalis (meal moth) and Aglossa pinguinalis (grease moth) are significant pests of stored food products, including grains and fats. These have been inadvertently spread almost worldwide through commercial transport. of Aglossa pinguinalis also consume fats, extending damage beyond larval feeding.

Similar Taxa

  • EpipaschiinaeShares the advanced snout moth lineage with Pyralinae; distinguished by more autapomorphic features.
  • PhycitinaeAlso placed in the advanced snout moth lineage; Pyralinae can be differentiated by wing venation characters (forewing 7 present, hindwing veins 7 and 8 unjoined).
  • CrambidaeFormerly treated as within Pyralidae; some historically misplaced in Pyralinae (e.g., Micronix) actually belong to Crambidae.

More Details

Taxonomic Status

and remain provisional. No quantitative phylogenetic analysis had been completed as of 2007. Only three tribes are generally accepted, with many considered incertae sedis. Some previously proposed tribes are now treated as junior synonyms of Pyralini.

Sources and further reading