Pyralidae
Guides
Dioryctria pentictonella
Dioryctria pentictonella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described in 1969 from specimens collected in western North America. The species is associated with pine trees, with larvae feeding specifically on the buds of Pinus ponderosa and Pinus contorta. Adults are active in spring, with flight records from mid-April to early June.
Dioryctria pseudotsugella
Douglas-fir coneworm moth
A small coneworm moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1959. The species is associated with coniferous forests across western North America, where its larvae develop in the cones and cambium of Douglas-fir and related host trees. The specific epithet references its primary host genus Pseudotsuga.
Dioryctria pygmaeella
baldcypress coneworm moth, cypress coneworm moth
Dioryctria pygmaeella is a snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. The species is restricted to the coastal plains of the eastern United States and eastern Texas. Larvae feed within the cones of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) and pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens). The species completes up to three generations annually.
Dioryctria reniculelloides
spruce coneworm, Spruce Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria reniculelloides, the spruce coneworm, is a small pyralid moth first described in 1973. Its populations frequently coincide with spruce budworm outbreaks across North American spruce forests. The species is occasionally abundant and can become a serious pest, particularly on white spruce, where larvae feed on new foliage and cones.
Dioryctria resinosella
red pine shoot moth
Dioryctria resinosella is a conifer-feeding moth in the family Pyralidae, described in 1982. The larvae are specialized shoot borers of red pine (Pinus resinosa), attacking new shoots and cones. This species exhibits localized infestation patterns within plantations and has a univoltine life cycle with discrete seasonal activity. It is known from Ontario and the northern United States, with detailed bionomics studied in Wisconsin sand plain plantations.
Dioryctria sierra
Dioryctria sierra is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Herbert H. Neunzig in 2003 and is known from the Sierra Nevada region of California. Like other members of the genus Dioryctria, it is associated with coniferous forests. The species is relatively poorly known, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Dioryctria subtracta
Dioryctria subtracta is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. It is known only from New Mexico in the southwestern United States. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are commonly called coneworm moths due to their habit of feeding within conifer cones. Adult moths are attracted to lights at night.
Dioryctria taedivorella
Lesser Loblolly Pine Coneworm Moth, Lesser Loblolly Pineconeworm Moth
Dioryctria taedivorella is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described in 1989 from specimens in the southeastern United States. The species is a specialist feeder on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), with larvae developing within pine cones. It represents one of approximately 40 North American species in the genus Dioryctria, most of which are conifer cone or shoot feeders.
Dioryctria westerlandi
Westerland's Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria westerlandi is a small coneworm moth species described in 2002 from California. Adults are pale with strongly contrasting dark transverse bands and reddish patches on the wings. The species is active in late summer and fall, with adults flying from July through October. Larvae are suspected to feed on Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi).
Dioryctria yatesi
Mountain Pine Coneworm, Mountain Pine Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria yatesi, commonly known as the mountain pine coneworm, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Mutuura and Munroe in 1979 and is restricted to the mountains of the coastal southeastern United States and Tennessee. The larvae are specialized cone borers that feed on Pinus pungens (Table Mountain pine).
Elasmopalpus
lesser cornstalk borer (for E. lignosellus)
Elasmopalpus is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, described by Émile Blanchard in 1852. The genus is restricted to the Americas and currently comprises three species. The type species E. angustellus was described with the genus, while E. corrientellus was added in 1888 and E. lignosellus in 1848. The genus is considered closely related to Ufa. The most well-known species, E. lignosellus (lesser cornstalk borer), is a significant agricultural pest of Poaceae and Fabaceae crops throughout the Americas.
Ephestia
Flour-moths, cacao moth, Mediterranean flour moth
Ephestia is a genus of small moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. Several species are economically significant pests of stored dry plant products, particularly seeds and cereals. The genus includes the well-known cacao moth (E. elutella) and Mediterranean flour moth (E. kuehniella). Ephestia kuehniella was historically important in early developmental genetics research, contributing to the formulation of the one gene-one enzyme hypothesis. The genus Cadra is closely related and may be a junior synonym, with some species variously assigned to either genus.
Ephestiodes
snout moths
Ephestiodes is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. The genus includes approximately eight described species, with Ephestiodes gilvescentella (dusky raisin moth) being the most frequently encountered and well-documented. Species in this genus are primarily found in North America and are commonly attracted to ultraviolet light during nocturnal surveys.
Ephestiodes monticolus
Ephestiodes monticolus is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Herbert H. Neunzig in 1990. It is currently known only from the US state of Arizona. As a member of the genus Ephestiodes, it belongs to a group of small moths commonly associated with dried plant materials, though specific biological details for this species remain undocumented.
Epipaschia
Epipaschia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. The genus was established by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. It contains at least three described species: Epipaschia mesoleucalis, Epipaschia ochrotalis, and the type species Epipaschia superatalis. The caterpillars of Epipaschia superatalis, known as the Dimorphic Macalla Moth, serve as prey for the mason wasp Monobia quadridens.
Epipaschia superatalis
Dimorphic Macalla Moth
Epipaschia superatalis, commonly known as the Dimorphic Macalla Moth, is a small pyralid moth native to eastern North America. The species is named for the sexual dimorphism observed in adult wing patterns. Adults are active from late spring through summer, with a flight period spanning May to August. The species has been documented as prey for the mason wasp Monobia quadridens, which hunts its caterpillars to provision nests.
Epipaschiinae
snout moths
Epipaschiinae is a subfamily of Pyralidae (snout moths) containing over 720 described species. The group is predominantly tropical and subtropical in distribution, with notable absence from Europe as native fauna. Adult males exhibit distinctive morphological traits including an upturned third segment of the labial palpi, a ventrally curved phallobase extending beyond the ductus ejaculatorius, weakly sclerotized tegumen, and often a conspicuous scaled projection from the scape of the antennae. Larvae are leaf rollers, leaf tiers, and leaf miners; some species are minor crop pests on avocado, mahogany, and corn.
Eremberga
Eremberga is a genus of snout moths described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. Its taxonomic status is disputed: some sources treat it as a valid genus within Phycitinae, while others synonymize it with Zophodia. The genus contains three described species: E. creabates, E. insignis, and E. leuconips.
Eremberga insignis
Eremberga insignis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. It is known from Texas and Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 35 mm. The forewings show distinctive coloration with faint white dusting on the costal half and dull luteous ocherous shading on the lower half.
Etiella
snout moths, pod borers, limabean pod borers
Etiella is a genus of snout moths (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839. The genus contains approximately seven described species, with Etiella zinckenella being the most economically significant as a major pest of legume crops worldwide. Species in this genus are characterized by their larval habit of boring into pods of leguminous plants, causing substantial agricultural damage. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution spanning tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions across multiple continents.
Eulogia ochrifrontella
Broad-banded Eulogia Moth
Eulogia ochrifrontella is a small snout moth and the sole member of its genus. It is commonly known as the broad-banded eulogia moth. The species occurs across much of North America and has been documented from Canada through the eastern and central United States. It is associated with hardwood trees including pecan, oak, and apple.
Eumysia
snout moths
Eumysia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1925 and contains six recognized species distributed in North America. The genus is characterized by small to medium-sized moths with relatively narrow wings.
Eumysia idahoensis
Eumysia idahoensis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Mackie in 1958 based on specimens from California. The species is known from a limited geographic range in the western United States. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a group of small moths commonly associated with dried plant materials.
Eumysia mysiella
Eumysia mysiella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1905. It is known from California. The species belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group of small moths often associated with dried plant material.
Eumysia pallidipennella
Eumysia pallidipennella is a species of snout moth described by George Duryea Hulst in 1895. It belongs to the family Pyralidae and subfamily Phycitinae. The species is known from California, though it remains poorly documented with limited observational records.
Eurythmia furnella
Eurythmia furnella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Charles Russell Ely in 1910. The species is poorly documented in modern literature, with minimal available information on its biology and ecology.
Eurythmia hospitella
Eurythmia hospitella is a small snout moth (family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae) described by Zeller in 1875. The species has been documented from five US states in the southeastern and southwestern regions. Like other phycitine moths, it possesses elongated labial palps that form a characteristic 'snout' projection. Published records are sparse, with only ten observations documented on iNaturalist.
Eurythmidia
Eurythmidia is a monotypic genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was established by George Hampson in 1901. The genus contains a single species, Eurythmidia ignidorsella, described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. Records indicate presence in the southwestern United States and Central America.
Euzophera
snout moths
Euzophera is a genus of snout moths (Pyralidae) established by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1867. The genus comprises approximately 70 described species distributed across multiple continents, with larvae that typically bore into plant tissues. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, including stem borers of solanaceous crops and fruit borers of pomegranate. The genus exhibits considerable diversity in host plant associations, ranging from monophagous specialists to oligophagous generalists within particular plant families.
Euzophera magnolialis
magnolia root borer
Euzophera magnolialis is a snout moth described by Capps in 1964, restricted to the southern United States. Its common name, magnolia root borer, reflects its specialized larval habit of boring into the roots of Magnolia grandiflora. The species has a wingspan of 34–41 mm. It is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Euzophera, a group of small moths whose larvae typically feed internally in plant tissues.
Euzophera vinnulella
Euzophera vinnulella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Herbert H. Neunzig in 1990. The species is known only from California, with limited available information about its biology and ecology.
Fundella argentina
Fundella argentina is a species of snout moth (family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae) described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1919. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through the Caribbean and into South America. Larvae feed on leguminous plants including Cassia species, Caesalpinia gilliessii, and Canavalia gladiata.
Galasa nigrinodis
Boxwood Leaftier Moth, Boxwood Webworm
A small pyralid moth native to eastern North America, commonly known as the boxwood leaftier moth or boxwood webworm. The species is specialized on Buxus (boxwood) as a larval host. Larvae construct shelters by tying together dead leaves with silk, feeding within these protective webs. Adults are active from early summer through early autumn.
Galleria
greater wax moth, honeycomb moth
Galleria is a monotypic genus of snout moths (Pyralidae) containing only Galleria mellonella, commonly known as the greater wax moth or honeycomb moth. The species is globally distributed and notorious as a pest of honey bee colonies, where larvae tunnel through combs consuming wax, pollen, and honey. Adults are nocturnal; females enter hives after dark to lay eggs in cracks and crevices. The larvae have gained scientific prominence as an alternative model organism for studying host-pathogen interactions, immunology, and antimicrobial therapies, and have shown remarkable ability to degrade polyethylene and polystyrene plastics.
Galleriinae
wax moths, snout moths
The Galleriinae are a subfamily of snout moths (Pyralidae) with approximately 306 described species distributed worldwide. This subfamily includes the commercially significant wax moths, whose larvae (waxworms) are mass-produced as pet food and fishing bait. Several species are economically important pests: wax moths (Achroia and Galleria) damage honeybee colonies, while others such as the rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica) infest stored food products. The subfamily exhibits notable morphological diversity, with five recognized tribes including the recently described Joelminetiini (2007).
Galleriini
Galleriini is a tribe of snout moths within the subfamily Galleriinae of the family Pyralidae. The tribe contains approximately eight recognized genera, including the economically significant genus Galleria, whose larvae are known as waxworms. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with stored products, honeycombs, and detritus-based habitats.
Glyphocystis
Glyphocystis is a monotypic genus of snout moths (Pyralidae) described by André Blanchard in 1973. The genus contains a single species, Glyphocystis viridivallis, which is endemic to Texas. Adults are small moths with a wingspan of 21–24 mm.
Glyphocystis viridivallis
Glyphocystis viridivallis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Glyphocystis. The species was described by André Blanchard in 1973 and is known only from Texas. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
Glyptocera consobrinella
Viburnum Glyptocera Moth
A small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, native to eastern North America. The common name references its association with Viburnum plants. Adults are active during summer months. The species was originally described as Nephopterix consobrinella by Zeller in 1872 before being transferred to Glyptocera.
Goya
Goya is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was established by Émile Ragonot in 1888. The genus contains multiple species of small to medium-sized moths distributed primarily in the Americas. Members of this genus are part of the diverse phycitine moth fauna, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Heliades lindae
Heliades lindae is a small pyralid moth endemic to Arizona, described by Cashatt in 2012. The species is known from limited observations and has a wingspan of 15–17 mm. It is distinguished by brownish red forewings with white dentate antemedial and postmedial lines and light greyish brown hindwings.
Homoeosoma
sunflower moth
Homoeosoma is a genus of pyralid moths (family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae) containing multiple species associated with plants in the Asteraceae family. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, particularly of sunflower (Helianthus annuus), as well as species feeding on weedy composites such as ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and thistles. Several species have been studied extensively for their host plant relationships, chemical ecology, and potential for biological control of invasive weeds.
Homoeosoma albescentella
Homoeosoma albescentella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. It is found in western North America, with records from California, Nevada, and Washington. The species belongs to a genus containing several sunflower-associated moths, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Homoeosoma asylonnastes
Homoeosoma asylonnastes is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Goodson and Neunzig in 1993. It is known from limited observations in eastern North America, specifically Tennessee and West Virginia. The species belongs to a genus containing several sunflower-associated moths, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Homoeosoma deceptorium
Black-banded Homoeosoma Moth
Homoeosoma deceptorium is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. It is found in eastern North America, with records from Florida to Ontario. The species is part of a genus that includes several sunflower-associated moths, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited. Its common name references the black-banded pattern on the wings.
Homoeosoma electellum
American sunflower moth, sunflower moth, head moth
Homoeosoma electellum, commonly called the American sunflower moth or sunflower moth, is a small pyralid moth native to North America and also present in South America. It is the most economically significant pest of cultivated sunflowers in major production regions including Texas, Nebraska, California, and the Canadian Prairie Provinces. The species does not overwinter in Canada; adults migrate northward annually from southern populations. Females are strongly attracted to blooming sunflower heads, where they deposit eggs on or near the florets.
Homoeosoma impressalis
Homoeosoma impressalis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886. It belongs to the genus Homoeosoma, which contains several species associated with sunflower and other composite plants. The species is found in western North America, specifically in Arizona and California. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with plants in the Asteraceae family, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Homoeosoma parvalbum
Homoeosoma parvalbum is a species of snout moth (family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae) described in 1985 by André Blanchard and Ed Knudson. It is currently known only from Texas, United States. No ecological or biological details have been documented for this species in published literature.
Homoeosoma stypticella
A species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878. It is a North American species with records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Homoeosoma, it likely has associations with flowering plants, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species is distinguished from the economically important sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electellum) by its different geographic range and lack of documented agricultural pest status.
Homosassa ella
snout moth
Homosassa ella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1887. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group of small moths often associated with dried plant material and seeds. The species is documented from several states in the southeastern and south-central United States.