Vampire-moth

Guides

• Calpinae

  Fruit-piercing Moths, Vampire Moths

  Calpinae is a subfamily of nocturnal moths in the family Erebidae, distinguished by a highly modified proboscis adapted for piercing. Most species feed on fruit juices by piercing fruit skins, while males of several Calyptra species can pierce mammalian skin to feed on blood. The subfamily was historically classified within Noctuidae but was reclassified to Erebidae based on phylogenetic studies. It contains three monophyletic tribes: Calpini, Ophiderini, and Phyllodini. Some species reach wingspans exceeding 5 cm.

  fruit-piercingblood-feedingvampire-mothagricultural-pestproboscis-modificationnocturnalIndomalayaErebidaeCalyptrafacultative-hematophagy