Day-flying-moths
Guides
Heliozelidae
Shield-bearing Moths, Shield Bearer Moths
Heliozelidae are a family of small, primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera. Adults are typically metallic, day-flying moths with shiny smooth heads and wingspans of 4–5 mm. Larvae are specialized leaf miners that feed between leaf epidermises, creating distinctive blotch or serpentine mines. A defining family trait is the larval habit of cutting oval shield-like cases from the mined leaf tissue, which are used for pupation; these shields are attached by silk to bark, leaves, twigs, or other substrates. The family has gained attention due to several invasive species that have expanded their ranges, particularly in Europe.
Pennisetia
raspberry clearwing moths
Pennisetia is a genus of clearwing moths in the family Sesiidae, commonly known as raspberry clearwing moths. The genus contains approximately 14 described species distributed across the Palearctic region and North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their wasp-mimicking appearance, with transparent wings and narrow dark borders. Pennisetia hylaeiformis, the type species, has been extensively studied for its pheromone biology and serves as a model for understanding sesiid chemical ecology.
Stiriini
owlet moths (tribe)
Stiriini is a tribe of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, containing approximately 16 genera and over 90 described species. The tribe underwent significant taxonomic revision in 2019 when phylogenetic research revealed it was polyphyletic, resulting in the elevation of former subtribes Grotellinae and Stiriinae to subfamily rank. Stiriini is now placed within the subfamily Stiriinae and comprises primarily the former subtribe Stiriina plus additional genera. Members of this tribe occur in North America, with some representation in Central America and the Caribbean.
Tyria
cinnabar moths
Tyria is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, best known for Tyria jacobaeae (the cinnabar moth), a specialist herbivore that has been extensively studied for its role in biological control of toxic ragwort plants. The genus contains day-flying moths with aposematic coloration warning predators of their chemical defenses. Larvae sequester pyrrolizidine alkaloids from host plants in the genus Senecio.
Urania
Urania is a genus of day-flying moths in the family Uraniidae, established by Fabricius in 1807. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, meaning 'heavenly' or 'of heaven,' referencing the muse of astronomy. These moths are notable for their exceptionally bright, iridescent coloration that rivals or exceeds that of butterflies. The genus includes species that exhibit distinctive behaviors such as puddling along riverbanks to obtain mineral salts.