Thyrididae
Guides
Banisia
Banisia is a genus of moths in the family Thyrididae, established by Walker in 1863. The genus is classified within the subfamily Striglininae and contains approximately 12 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Species within this genus exhibit the characteristic wing patterns and morphology typical of thyridid moths, including intricate reticulate or banded forewing markings. The genus has been documented from Africa, Asia, and Indian Ocean islands including the Seychelles.
Dysodia
Window-winged moths
Dysodia is a pantropical genus of moths in the family Thyrididae, described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. The genus is found on all continents except Australia and contains approximately 30 species. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. Larvae are leaf-rollers that use silk to tie leaves of host plants.
Dysodia
Window-winged Moths
Dysodia is a genus of window-winged moths in the family Thyrididae, characterized by translucent square or rectangular spots on their wings. These moths are larger and heavier-bodied than the related genus Thyris, and are strictly nocturnal. At least four species occur in the United States, with additional undescribed species present in southern Texas. The genus belongs to a predominantly tropical family with over 760 species worldwide.
Hexeris
Hexeris is a genus of moths in the family Thyrididae. The genus includes the seagrape borer (Hexeris enhydris), a species native to Florida and the Caribbean whose larvae bore into twigs of seagrape and pigeon-plum.
Hexeris enhydris
Seagrape borer
A moth in the family Thyrididae whose larvae bore into the twigs of seagrape and pigeon-plum, causing damage to these coastal plants. Native to Florida and the Caribbean, it is primarily known for its larval boring behavior rather than adult activity. The species has been studied for its economic impact on ornamental and native coastal vegetation.
Meskea
Meskea is a genus of moths in the family Thyrididae, subfamily Siculodinae. Species in this genus are gall-forming herbivores whose larvae develop within stem galls on host plants in the family Malvaceae. The genus includes at least two documented species: Meskea horor, a potential biological control agent studied for its impact on weedy Sida species, and Meskea dyspteraria, which has been recorded as a host for the parasitoid wasp Calliephialtes grapholithae. Adult moths are crepuscular or nocturnal in habit.
Pseudothyris
Pseudothyris is a monotypic moth genus in the family Thyrididae, established by Thiele in 1986. The genus contains a single species, Pseudothyris sepulchralis. It was separated from the genus Thyris based on morphological distinctions.
Striglininae
Striglininae is a subfamily of moths within the family Thyrididae, a group commonly known as picture-winged or window-winged moths. These moths are characterized by distinctive wing patterns that often feature transparent or semi-transparent areas. The subfamily contains multiple genera distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Striglininae moths are part of the superfamily Thyridoidea, a relatively small but morphologically diverse lineage of Lepidoptera.
Thyridinae
window-winged moths
Thyridinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Thyrididae, commonly referred to as window-winged moths. Members of this subfamily are characterized by distinctive translucent or clear patches on the wings, created by reduced wing scaling. The subfamily contains numerous genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Thyridoidea
Picture-winged Leaf Moths, Window-winged Moths
Thyridoidea is a superfamily of Lepidoptera containing a single family, Thyrididae, commonly known as picture-winged or window-winged moths. These moths are distinguished by distinctive translucent, square or rectangular spots on their wings that create a 'window' effect. The group is predominantly pantropical in distribution, with approximately 760 described species worldwide and over 400 additional species awaiting description. Only about 12 species occur in North America.
Thyris
window-winged moths
Thyris is a genus of window-winged moths in the family Thyrididae, characterized by distinctive square or rectangular translucent spots in their wings that give the group its common name. These small, often diurnal moths are primarily pantropical in distribution, with approximately 12 species known from North America among over 760 species worldwide. The genus includes species such as Thyris maculata, which ranges widely across North America from Ontario to Georgia, Texas, and west to Colorado, Idaho, and Montana. Adults typically fly between March and October, with peak activity in May through July.