Zygaenidae
Guides
Harrisina
grapeleaf skeletonizer moths
Harrisina is a genus of moths in the family Zygaenidae, commonly known as grapeleaf skeletonizer moths. The genus includes several species, notably Harrisina americana (grapeleaf skeletonizer) and Harrisina metallica (western grapeleaf skeletonizer), which are significant agricultural pests of grapevines. Members of this genus are characterized by their aposematic coloration—typically black with bright red or metallic markings—and their ability to produce hydrogen cyanide as a chemical defense. The larvae feed gregariously on grape foliage, skeletonizing leaves by consuming the tissue between the veins.
Harrisina metallica
Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth, Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer
Harrisina metallica is a day-flying moth in the family Zygaenidae, commonly known as the western grapeleaf skeletonizer. Adults are deep metallic blue in color and exhibit wasp-mimicry, resembling spider wasps in the family Pompilidae. The species is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Larvae are specialized feeders on grape leaves and Parthenocissus species, skeletonizing foliage by consuming tissue between leaf veins. Caterpillars possess stinging hairs that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in humans.
Neofelderia rata
Neofelderia rata is a species of moth in the family Zygaenidae, originally described as Lycomorpha rata by Edwards in 1882. It belongs to the subfamily Procridinae, a group commonly known as forester moths. The genus Neofelderia is part of the diverse Zygaenoidea superfamily, which includes many species with aposematic coloration and chemical defenses. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Neoilliberis arizonica
Neoilliberis arizonica is a species of forester moth in the family Zygaenidae, described by Tarmann in 1984. It is placed in the tribe Procridini within the subfamily Procridinae. The genus Neoilliberis is part of the diverse Zygaenoidea superfamily, which includes many aposematically colored day-flying moths. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Neoilliberis fusca
Neoilliberis fusca is a species of moth in the family Zygaenidae, first described by Edwards in 1885 under the basionym Pyromorpha fusca. It belongs to the subfamily Procridinae and tribe Procridini. The species is recorded in the Catalogue of Life and GBIF as accepted, with 119 observations documented on iNaturalist. As a zygaenid moth, it likely exhibits characteristics typical of forester and burnet moths, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Neoprocris floridana
Laurelcherry Smoky Moth
Neoprocris floridana is a small zygaenid moth endemic to the southeastern United States, described by Tarmann in 1984. The species is primarily known from Florida, with rare records from Alabama and North Carolina. Its common name reflects a presumed association with laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana), though direct observations of larval feeding remain limited. The moth belongs to the forester moth subfamily Procridinae, a group characterized by diurnal activity and often aposematic coloration.
Pyromorpha
orange-patched smoky moths, leaf-skeletonizer moths
Pyromorpha is a genus of zygaenid moths known as leaf-skeletonizer moths. Species in this genus possess aposematic black and orange coloration and contain hydrogen cyanide at all life stages, which they synthesize rather than sequester from host plants. The genus participates in Müllerian mimicry complexes with net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), particularly Calopteron terminale. At least one species, P. dimidiata, has larvae that feed on leaf litter, especially oak leaves.
Pyromorpha caelebs
Pyromorpha caelebs is a species of moth in the family Zygaenidae, currently treated as a synonym of Pyromorpha dimidiata in major taxonomic databases. The species was described by Blanchard in 1972. Members of this genus are known as "leaf-skeletonizer moths" and participate in Müllerian mimicry complexes with net-winged beetles (family Lycidae).
Triprocris lustrans
Triprocris lustrans is a species of forester moth in the family Zygaenidae, described by William Beutenmüller in 1894. It belongs to the subfamily Procridinae, a group of diurnal moths often characterized by metallic coloration and aposematic warning patterns associated with chemical defenses. The genus Triprocris comprises North American species, and T. lustrans represents one of the less documented members of this group. Like other zygaenids, it is presumed to be chemically defended, though specific studies on this species are limited.
Triprocris yampai
Triprocris yampai is a species of forester moth in the family Zygaenidae, described by Barnes in 1905. It belongs to a genus of small, diurnal moths known for their metallic coloration and association with specific host plants. The species is documented from a limited number of observations, suggesting restricted distribution or low detectability. Like other members of Procridinae, it likely possesses chemical defenses derived from larval host plant sequestration.