Pyralini
Latreille, 1809
snout moths
Genus Guides
3- Aglossa(Tabby Moths)
- Hypsopygia(Hayworms)
- Pyralis(Meal Moths)
Pyralini is a tribe of snout moths within the Pyralinae, described by Latreille in 1809. The tribe centers around the type Pyralis farinalis, the meal moth, a significant pest of stored cereals. Members are generally larger-bodied snout moths, often displaying bright brown to yellow coloration. The tribal boundaries remain provisional, with ongoing discoveries and taxonomic revisions expected to alter the current circumscription.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pyralini: //ˌpaɪ.rəˈlaɪ.naɪ//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Pyralini are generally larger-bodied snout moths compared to other pyralid groups. Many exhibit bold coloration in bright brown to yellow hues, which is distinctive within the . The tribe is characterized by the lineage around Pyralis farinalis, though precise diagnostic features distinguishing all members from other Pyralinae tribes are not yet established due to the provisional nature of the classification.
Images
Distribution
Old World and some other regions; specific range boundaries are not well documented for the tribe as a whole.
Human Relevance
The type Pyralis farinalis (meal moth) is a somewhat notorious pest of stored cereals and similar goods. This economic importance is specific to that species; the broader significance of other Pyralini species to human activities is not well documented.
Similar Taxa
- Other Pyralinae tribesNumerous Pyralinae remain unassigned to any tribe, and the requires thorough revision. Pyralini may be confused with these unplaced , and definitive separation often requires detailed morphological or molecular analysis.
- Crambidae (grass moths)Some , such as Tanaobela, have been variously assigned to Crambidae or Pyralini, reflecting historical taxonomic uncertainty and similar morphological features between these groups.
More Details
Taxonomic Status
The tribal delimitation is highly provisional. The list is subject to revision, with more genera likely to be added and the possibility of future splitting if phylogenetic analysis reveals inconsistency.
Included Genera
currently placed in Pyralini include Loryma, Scotomera, Tegulifera, Zitha (including Tamraca), and others. The status of Tanaobela remains complicated and unresolved.
Historical Synonymy
Formerly distinct lineages around Aglossa, Mapeta (= Homalochroa), and Synaphe (= Cledeobia) were once treated as separate but are now included in Pyralini, though their precise status awaits future analysis.