Snout-moths
Guides
Alpheias
Alpheias is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Galleriinae. The genus was established by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1891 and contains species found in North America and the Caribbean. Members are small to medium-sized moths with the characteristic snout-like labial palps typical of pyralid moths. The genus is relatively poorly documented compared to many other pyralid genera.
Anerastia
snout moths
Anerastia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1825 and contains approximately 12 described species. The best-known member is Anerastia lotella, the Sandhill Knot-horn moth, which has been the subject of genomic research. Species occur across parts of Europe, Africa, and North America.
Apogeshna
Apogeshna is a genus of snout moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. It was established by Munroe in 1956 and contains two described species: A. infirmalis and A. stenialis. The genus is known from North America, with records primarily from the eastern United States including Vermont.
Argyria
Argyria is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Crambinae. The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1818. Members of this genus are part of the diverse snout moth fauna, with nearly 6,000 observations recorded on iNaturalist. The genus name derives from Greek 'argyros' (silver), likely referencing the silvery or pale coloration typical of many crambid moths.
Asciodes
Asciodes is a genus of snout moths (Crambidae: Spilomelinae) containing five described species. The genus was established by Guenée in 1854 with Asciodes gordialis as the type species. Species are distributed across the Americas from the southern United States through the Caribbean to South America. Larvae of at least some species feed on plants in the order Caryophyllales.
Atascosa
Atascosa is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was established by George Duryea Hulst in 1890. The genus is known from the United States (Texas) and Colombia. As a genus of Phycitinae, it belongs to a diverse group of pyralid moths commonly known as snout moths due to their prominent labial palps.
Atheloca
Atheloca is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, containing two species: A. subrufella and A. bondari. Both species are associated with palms, particularly coconut (Cocos nucifera). A. subrufella occurs in the Americas from the southern United States through the Caribbean to Brazil, while A. bondari is found in South America and parts of Central America and the Caribbean. The genus was established by Carl Heinrich in 1956.
Bonchis
snout moths
Bonchis is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Chrysauginae. It was established by Francis Walker in 1862. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across the Neotropical region, including Trinidad, Brazil, and Panama. The type species is Bonchis scoparioides Walker, 1862, described from Pará, Brazil.
Cacozelia
snout moths
Cacozelia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. It was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878 based on specimens from Venezuela. The genus contains at least five described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Members of this genus are characterized by features typical of the subfamily Epipaschiinae, which includes many tropical pyralid moths with relatively broad wings and distinctive genitalia.
Caphys
snout moths
Caphys is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Chrysauginae. It was established by Francis Walker in 1863 with Caphys bilinea (now a junior synonym of C. bilineata) as the type species. The genus contains eight described species distributed primarily in the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States through Central America.
Caristanius
Caristanius is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. The genus contains six described species distributed in the Neotropical region, with records from Guatemala, Mexico, and Central America.
Caudellia
A genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. Described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1904, the genus name honors entomologist Andrew Nelson Caudell. The genus contains seven described species distributed across North America and the Galápagos Islands.
Chararica
snout moths
Chararica is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was established by Carl Heinrich in 1956 and contains four described species distributed in North America. The genus is characterized by features typical of Phycitinae, including elongated labial palps that form a snout-like projection.
Clydonopteron
snout moths
Clydonopteron is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Chrysauginae. It was established by N.D. Riley in 1880 and currently contains two recognized species. The genus is primarily known from studies of C. sacculana in eastern North America.
Condylolomia
snout moths
Condylolomia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Chrysauginae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. The genus contains two described species: Condylolomia participalis (the type species) and Condylolomia metapachys. As members of the Chrysauginae, these moths likely share characteristics with other subfamily members, though specific traits for the genus remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Cornifrons
Cornifrons is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Evergestinae. The genus was established by Lederer in 1858. Four species are currently recognized: Cornifrons actualis, C. albidiscalis, C. phasma, and the type species C. ulceratalis. The genus belongs to the snout moth family Crambidae, a large group of lepidopterans characterized by their elongated labial palps.
Crambinae
Grass-veneers and Allies, snout moth grass borers, sod webworms
Crambinae is a large subfamily of Crambidae moths comprising over 1,800 species worldwide. Members are commonly known as snout moths, grass-veneers, or sod webworms. The subfamily is characterized by specialized morphological features including tympanal organs and a phallus attached medially to the juxta. Larvae are primarily root feeders or stem borers on grasses, with several species recognized as significant agricultural pests of maize, sugarcane, rice, and turfgrasses.
Deuterollyta
Deuterollyta is a genus of snout moths (family Pyralidae) in the subfamily Epipaschiinae, established by Lederer in 1863. It belongs to the diverse pyraloid moth fauna, with approximately 161 iNaturalist observations indicating moderate documentation. The genus is currently accepted in taxonomic databases.
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.
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.
Eurrhyparodes
Eurrhyparodes is a genus of snout moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Snellen in 1880 and contains approximately 12 recognized species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Species in this genus are characterized by their relatively broad wings and often exhibit bold patterning. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with at least one species transferred to the genus Gonocausta.
Fundella
Fundella is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was established by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1848. The genus contains five described species distributed in the Americas. Little is known about the biology of most species in this genus.
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.
Honora
snout moths
Honora is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878. The genus belongs to the diverse pyralid moth assemblage, commonly known as snout moths due to their prominent elongated labial palps. As a genus within Phycitinae, Honora species are likely small to medium-sized moths with relatively narrow wings, though specific diagnostic features distinguishing the genus from related taxa require detailed morphological examination.
Hypargyria
snout moths
Hypargyria is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1888. The genus contains four described species with a wide geographic distribution spanning Africa, southern Asia, Australia, the Americas, and the Caribbean.
Hypeninae
Hypenine Snout Moths
Hypeninae is a subfamily of moths within the family Erebidae, first described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1851. Members are commonly known as snout moths due to their elongated labial palps that project forward like a snout. The subfamily was previously classified within Noctuidae but has been reclassified to Erebidae following taxonomic revisions. A notable species, Mecistoptera griseifusa, has been documented feeding exclusively on tears using its proboscis.
Hypotiini
The Hypotiini are a tribe of snout moths within the family Pyralidae, established by Thomas Algernon Chapman in 1902. The tribe contains at least two recognized genera: Hypotia and Arsenaria. These moths are part of the diverse Pyralidae family, commonly known as snout moths due to the elongated labial palps that project forward from the head. The tribe has been documented in over 940 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate representation in citizen science records.
Lasiocampidae
Lappet Moths, Eggars, Tent Caterpillars, Snout Moths
Lasiocampidae is a family of moths comprising over 2,000 species worldwide, representing approximately 5% of global moth diversity. The family is characterized by large, hairy caterpillars with distinctive skin flaps on their prolegs, and adults that are typically large-bodied with broad wings. Many species are notable for their social larval behavior, including tent caterpillars that construct communal silk nests. The family is the sole member of the superfamily Lasiocampoidea and includes several economically significant forest pests.
Lepidopteramothstent-caterpillarsforest-pestsgregarious-larvaesilken-nestsdefoliatorsbipectinate-antennaelappet-mothseggarssnout-mothsMalacosomaDendrolimusEriogasterTolypePhyllodesmasocial-caterpillarsthermoregulationpheromone-trailscocoonfolivoryconifer-pestsdeciduous-forestintegrated-pest-managementMcMorran-dietMacrorrhinia
snout moths
Macrorrhinia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The genus was established by Ragonot in 1887, though some sources cite Barnes and McDunnough in 1913. It contains six recognized species distributed in North America. The genus is characterized by relatively small size and specific wing pattern elements, though detailed morphological studies remain limited.
Meroptera
Meroptera is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. The genus contains six described species distributed in North America, including the southwestern United States and Cuba. Species in this genus are small moths with characteristic pyralid morphology.
Munroeodes
Munroeodes is a genus of snout moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Pyraustinae. It was erected by Amsel in 1957 and contains four described species distributed across the Neotropical region. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing patterns and transparent areas in some species.
Parachma
Parachma is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Chrysauginae. The genus was established by Walker in 1866 and is allied to the genera Caphys, Acallis, and Zabobar. Species in this genus are characterized by their association with the snout moth morphology typical of Pyralidae. The genus contains multiple species distributed across various regions, with over 2,500 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Passadenoides
Passadenoides is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, erected by Neunzig in 2003. The genus is known from very few observations and remains poorly documented. Little is known about its species diversity, biology, or ecology.
Phycitinae
Knot-horn Moths
Phycitinae is a subfamily of snout moths (Pyralidae) representing the most diverse lineage within its family, encompassing over 600 genera and more than 4,000 species—more than three-quarters of living snout moth diversity. Together with Epipaschiinae, they form the most advanced lineage of snout moths. Adults are typically small, slender-bodied moths with well-developed proboscises and often elongated labial palps forming a 'snout.' The subfamily exhibits remarkable ecological diversity, with larvae occupying roles as leaf rollers, seed feeders, gall inquilines, aquatic predators, and agricultural pests.
Phycitini
Phycitini is a tribe of small moths within the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. Members are commonly known as snout moths due to their prominent labial palps. The tribe contains numerous genera and is one of the most species-rich groups within the Pyralidae. Many species are associated with dried plant material and stored products.
Phycitodes
Phycitodes is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, established by George Hampson in 1917. The genus contains approximately 18 described species distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. At least one species, Phycitodes subcretacella, has been documented feeding on the invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed), suggesting potential ecological significance in biological control contexts.
Pococera
snout moths
Pococera is a genus of snout moths in the subfamily Epipaschiinae, described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1848. The genus contains approximately 86 species distributed primarily in North and Central America. Members of this genus are associated with forested habitats and include species that are defoliators of coniferous trees, such as the pine webworm (Pococera robustella), which feeds on pine foliage and can cause significant damage to pine seedlings and plantations.
Pyla
snout moths
Pyla is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, described by Grote in 1882. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. These moths belong to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group within the pyralid moths.
Pyralidae
pyralid moths, snout moths, grass moths
Pyralidae is a diverse family of Lepidoptera in the superfamily Pyraloidea, comprising over 6,000 described species worldwide. The family is commonly known as snout moths due to the prominent elongated labial palps that project forward from the head. Historically, the Crambidae (grass moths) were included within Pyralidae as a subfamily, but modern classifications treat them as a separate family. Pyralidae includes numerous economically important pest species affecting stored products, agriculture, and forestry.
Pyralini
snout moths
Pyralini is a tribe of snout moths within the subfamily Pyralinae, described by Latreille in 1809. The tribe centers around the type species 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.
Pyralis
Meal Moths
Pyralis is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is one of the older lepidopteran genera established in modern taxonomy. The genus is commonly referred to as 'Meal Moths' in English. As a member of the subfamily Pyralinae, species in this genus possess the characteristic elongated labial palps that project forward from the head, giving snout moths their common name. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision over time, with at least one former species (Pyralis preciosalis) reassigned.
Rumatha
snout moths
Rumatha is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was established by Carl Heinrich in 1939. The genus contains four described species distributed in North America. Little is known about the biology of most species.
Salebriaria
snout moths
Salebriaria is a genus of small snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The genus was established by Carl Heinrich in 1956 and contains approximately 24 described species, most of which were described by Neunzig in 1988 and 2003. Species are distributed primarily in North America, with records from the United States including Vermont and other regions. The genus belongs to a diverse group of pyralid moths characterized by elongated labial palps forming a snout-like projection.
Sosipatra
Sosipatra is a genus of snout moths (Pyralidae) in the subfamily Phycitinae, established by Carl Heinrich in 1956. The genus belongs to the diverse Pyraloidea superfamily and contains multiple species distributed primarily in the Americas. These moths are part of the large and economically significant family Pyralidae, though specific ecological roles and detailed biology of Sosipatra species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Tallula
Tallula is a genus of pyralid moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. The genus was established by George D. Hulst in 1888 and contains approximately 11 described species. These moths belong to the diverse snout moth family Pyralidae, a large group of small to medium-sized moths characterized by their prominent labial palps that extend forward like a snout.
Terastia
Terastia is a genus of snout moths (Crambidae) comprising eight species distributed across tropical regions worldwide. First described by Achille Guenée in 1854 with Terastia meticulosalis as the type species, the genus is currently classified within the tribe Margaroniini. Species occur in the Neotropical, Afrotropical, and Oriental realms as well as Australasia. Caterpillars are known to feed exclusively on Erythrina species (Fabaceae), a trait shared with related genera Agathodes and Liopasia.
Tulsa
Tulsa is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. The genus belongs to the diverse Pyraloidea superfamily, which includes many economically important moth species. Very little specific information is available about the biology or ecology of Tulsa species.
Udea
celery leaftier moth (U. rubigalis), snout moths
Udea is a genus of snout moths in the subfamily Spilomelinae of the family Crambidae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1845. The genus comprises approximately 216 known species distributed across all continents except Antarctica, with notable diversity in Hawaii where about 41 species are native. Udea is placed in the tribe Udeini and is closely related to the genera Mnesictena, Deana, and Udeoides. The genus has been the subject of taxonomic revision, with former species transferred to other genera including Evergestis, Lirabotys, Achyra, Pyrausta, and Metasia.
Ufa
Ufa is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, described by Francis Walker in 1863. The genus is distributed in the Americas and contains multiple species. Phylogenetic relationships suggest Ufa is most closely related to Elasmopalpus, though it shares certain morphological characters in female genitalia with Adelphia.
Zophodia
Zophodia is a genus of snout moths in the subfamily Phycitinae, family Pyralidae. The genus was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1825. At least one species, Zophodia convolutella (Gooseberry Fruitworm), is known to be an agricultural pest. Larvae of this genus develop inside host plant tissues, with documented cases of fruit-feeding behavior.