Scardiinae
Scardiinae is a of within the . Members are characterized by larval morphological features and the absence of a gnathos in the male . The subfamily was formerly split to include Tinissinae, now synonymized with Scardiinae. The group contains approximately 20 distributed across tropical and subtropical regions.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Scardiinae: /ˌskɑr.diˈi.naɪ/
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Identification
Distinguished from other by the lack of gnathos in male . Larval features provide additional diagnostic characters. Some , such as Tinissa, exhibit elongate with purple sheen and elongate hind legs with large tibial tufts; male genitalia with bilobate uncus.
Images
Distribution
Primarily distributed in Afrotropical, Oriental, and Australian regions. Records include China (Hainan, Yunnan, Taiwan, Guangxi), India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Queensland, Australia.
Diet
; feed on . Tinissa have been observed associated with fungus on bamboo.
Host Associations
- fungus on bamboo - food source association explicitly documented for Tinissa per Robinson 1976
Behavior
attracted to light; specimens frequently collected using light traps. varies by ; in Tinissa, is not pronounced.
Ecological Role
Fungivores; likely contribute to through consumption of fungal material.
Similar Taxa
- other Tineidae subfamiliesScardiinae distinguished by lack of gnathos and specific larval features; other such as Tineinae and Perissomasticinae possess gnathos and differ in genital
More Details
Taxonomic History
The Tinissa and related were formerly placed in the separate Tinissinae, which has been synonymized with Scardiinae based on shared morphological characteristics.
Research Gaps
associations documented for few ; larval biology and complete details remain poorly known for most .