Pyralid
Guides
Aglossa caprealis
Stored grain moth
Aglossa caprealis, commonly known as the stored grain moth, is a pyralid moth of presumably western Palearctic origin that has achieved global distribution through human commerce. Adults are small moths with a wingspan of 23–27 mm, flying during summer months. The species is notable for its remarkably broad larval diet, which extends beyond typical stored products to include decaying organic matter and fatty animal materials.
Amyelois transitella
Navel Orangeworm, Navel Orangeworm Moth
The navel orangeworm moth (Amyelois transitella) is a pyralid moth native to the tropical western Hemisphere and southwestern United States. First described from Arizona in 1899, its abundance in California increased dramatically during the first half of the 20th century. It is now the most serious insect pest of almonds and pistachios in California, with larvae feeding directly on nuts and adults capable of introducing fungi that produce aflatoxins. The species has been extensively studied for its chemical ecology, particularly its sex pheromone system, which has enabled practical mating disruption programs in agricultural fields.
Anemosella viridalis
Green Anemosella
Anemosella viridalis is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 16 mm. The species is recognized by its greenish coloration, reflected in both its specific epithet and common name.
Anerastia lotella
Sandhill Knot-horn, Sandhill Knot-horn moth
Anerastia lotella, commonly known as the Sandhill Knot-horn moth, is a small pyralid moth with a chromosome-level genome assembly available. Adults are active in July and are single-brooded. The species shows phenotypic variation between coastal and inland populations, with coastal individuals typically larger and paler.
Apomyelois bistriatella
Heath Knot-horn
A small pyralid moth (wingspan 15–25 mm) with a circumpolar distribution across North America and northern Eurasia. Adults are active from May to September, with peak flight in June–July. Larvae are specialized fungivores that develop within Daldinia and Hypoxylon fungi growing on burnt or dead woody plants, particularly gorse and birch. Colonies are ephemeral and shift location based on the availability of suitable host fungi.
Baphala pallida
Baphala pallida is a small snout moth species in the family Pyralidae, first described by John Henry Comstock in 1880. It is distributed across multiple U.S. states in the southern and western regions. The species has a wingspan of 15–19 mm and exhibits distinctive pale gray forewings with strongly contrasted blackish discal dots and transverse markings. Notably, its larvae are specialized predators of scale insects, a relatively uncommon feeding strategy among pyralid moths.
Ephestiodes gilvescentella
Dusky Raisin Moth
A small pyralid moth native to western North America, commonly encountered at blacklighting stations. The species has been introduced to Hawaii through commercial activity. Its larvae feed on dried fruits and nuts, earning the common name 'dusky raisin moth.' The species is considered the most common moth in Davis, California, based on long-term blacklighting records.
Goya stictella
Goya stictella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Hampson in 1918. It is known from the southeastern United States and the Bahamas. The species was originally described under the genus Saluria before being transferred to Goya. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized moths.
Laetilia myersella
Laetilia myersella is a species of snout moth (family Pyralidae) described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1910. It occurs in eastern North America, with records from Florida, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and West Virginia. The species has a wingspan of 11–17 mm. Its larvae are specialized predators of scale insects on pine trees.
Phycitodes mucidella
White-edged Phycitodes Moth
Phycitodes mucidella is a small pyralid moth known as the White-edged Phycitodes Moth. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae, a group commonly referred to as knot-horn moths due to their elongated labial palps. The species is widespread across Europe and has been introduced to North America. It is frequently recorded and relatively well-documented for a pyralid moth of its size.
Pococera scortealis
Lespedeza Webworm Moth
Pococera scortealis, known as the Lespedeza Webworm Moth, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Lederer in 1863. The species belongs to the subfamily Epipaschiinae, a group of pyralid moths whose larvae are often associated with webbing on host plants. The specific epithet and common name suggest an association with Lespedeza, a genus of leguminous plants.
Pococera subcanalis
Cloaked Pococera Moth
Pococera subcanalis, known as the Cloaked Pococera Moth, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1863. It belongs to a genus whose larvae include leaf-rolling caterpillars, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented. The common name suggests a cryptic or concealing wing pattern.
Rostrolaetilia texanella
Rostrolaetilia texanella is a species of pyralid moth in the subfamily Phycitinae, first described by Blanchard and Ferguson in 1975. The species is endemic to Texas and surrounding regions of the southern United States. It is a small moth with limited documented observations, reflecting its restricted range and possibly specialized habitat requirements. The genus Rostrolaetilia contains few described species, and this taxon represents one of the better-documented members of this poorly known group.
Salebriaria grandidentalis
Salebriaria grandidentalis is a species of moth in the family Pyralidae. The genus Salebriaria is a small group of snout moths primarily distributed in North America. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, indicating it is either genuinely rare or underreported. The specific epithet 'grandidentalis' refers to large teeth, likely describing a diagnostic feature of the male genitalia or wing markings.
Sciota levigatella
Sciota levigatella is a species of moth in the family Pyralidae, genus Sciota. Little specific information is documented about this species. The genus Sciota includes leafroller moths, and based on the ecology of related species, S. levigatella likely has larvae that feed within rolled or folded leaves of host plants. The species has been recorded in iNaturalist with 7 observations, indicating it is documented but not well-studied.
Sciota rubrisparsella
Sciota rubrisparsella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The genus Sciota includes several leafroller moths whose larvae feed on various hardwood trees. This species is known to be preyed upon by the mason wasp Monobia quadridens, which hunts its caterpillars as food for its own larvae.
Sciota subcaesiella
Locust Leafroller Moth
Sciota subcaesiella, commonly known as the locust leafroller moth, is a species of pyralid moth found across eastern and central North America. The larvae feed on various Robinia species, particularly black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and related locust trees. The species is recognized as a leafroller, with larvae that roll or fold leaves to create sheltered feeding sites.