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The Tineodidae or false plume moths are a family of moths with in some cases unusually modified wings: Like in some related moths, the wings of several Tineodidae are decomposed into several rigid spines. This is a small family, with about a global total of 20 species described to date; some undescribed species are known or suspected to exist however. They seem to be of Australian origin, where they are most diverse, but range through the Wallacea to Southeast and South Asia, and into the Pacific to the Marquesas Islands.
The Pyralinae are the typical subfamily of snout moths and occur essentially worldwide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. They are rather rare in the Americas however, and their diversity in the Australian region is also limited. Altogether, this subfamily includes about 900 described species, but new ones continue to be discovered. Like many of their relatives in the superfamily Pyraloidea, the caterpillar larvae of many Pyralinae – and in some cases even the adults – have evolved the ability to use unusual foods for nutrition; a few of these can become harmful to humans as pests of stored goods.
Ephysteris is a genus of the twirler moth family (Gelechiidae). Among these, it is assigned to tribe Gnorimoschemini of the subfamily Gelechiinae. Even though it is a rather diverse and widespread group, most of these small and inconspicuous moths were overlooked by scientists until the early 20th century. Almost 90 species are known today but new ones are still being discovered.
Ethmiopsis is a genus of the twirler moth family (Gelechiidae). Among these, it was previously assigned to subfamily Pexicopiinae, but later moved to the Chelariini tribe.
Hypatima is a genus of the twirler moth family (Gelechiidae). Among these, it belongs to a distinct lineage, which is variously treated as tribe Chelariini in subfamilies Dichomeridinae, Gelechiinae, or even Pexicopiinae, and historically was considered a subfamily in its own right, Chelariinae. Of this lineage, Hypatima – under its junior synonym Chelaria – is the type genus. This genus has numerous species, but its exact limits are not quite clear. This genus occurs mainly in the Southern Hemisphere, though one of the better-known species is the only member of this genus native to Europe, the lobster-clawed moth.
Crocidosema plebejana, the cotton tipworm, is a tortrix moth, belonging to tribe Eucosmini of subfamily Olethreutinae. It is found today all over the subtropical and tropical regions of the world and even occurs on many oceanic islands – in Polynesia and Saint Helena for example – but has probably been accidentally introduced to much of its current range by humans. In addition, it is also found in some cooler regions, e.g. in Europe except in the east and north; this is probably also not natural, as it was, for example, not recorded in the British Isles before 1900.
Erechthias is a genus of the fungus moth family, Tineidae. Therein, it belongs to the subfamily Erechthiinae, of which it is the type genus. The exact circumscription of this genus is still disputed, but it may encompass more than 150 species.
Opogona is a genus of the fungus moth family, Tineidae. Therein, it belongs to the subfamily Hieroxestinae. As it includes Opogona omoscopa, the type species of the now-abolished genus Hieroxestis, it is the type genus of its subfamily.
Monopis is a genus of the fungus moth family, Tineidae. Therein, it belongs to the nominate subfamily, Tineinae.
Crocidosema is a genus of tortrix moths belonging to the tribe Eucosmini of subfamily Olethreutinae. They are found mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, being especially common in the Neotropics. But some occur elsewhere, such as on the Hawaiian Islands.
Cadra is a genus of small moths belonging to the family Pyralidae. The genus Ephestia is closely related to Cadra and might be its senior synonym. Several of these moths are variously assigned to one or the other genus, in particular in non-entomological sources. Cadra and Ephestia belong to the huge snout moth subfamily Phycitinae, and therein to the tribe Phycitini.
Tinea is a genus of the fungus moth family, Tineidae. Therein, it belongs to the subfamily Tineinae. As evident by its name, it is the type genus of its subfamily and family. Established as one of the first subgroups of "Phalaena", it used to contain many species of Tineidae that are nowadays placed in other genera, as well as a few moths nowadays placed elsewhere.
Erechthias simulans is a species of fungus moth. It is here considered to belong to the somewhat controversial type genus of its subfamily Erechthiinae, though even fairly recently some authors have proposed to retain other genera such as Decadarchis separate from Erechthias. Decadarchis, with E. simulans as type species, would in fact contain this moth and its closest relatives, regardless whether it is recognized as full genus or as subgenus. These relatives are generally held to be a group of mainly Polynesian species. E. simulans has also been mistaken for a species of the closely related genus Comodica; while the delimitation of this versus Erechthias/Decadarchis is not universally agreed upon, E. simulans is not included in Comodica anymore by modern authors.
Cryptoblabes is a genus of small moths belonging to the snout moth family (Pyralidae). They are the type genus of the Cryptoblabini tribe of the huge snout moth subfamily Phycitinae. At least one representative of this genus nowadays occurs in many parts of the world, though this is the result of accidental introductions by humans; most species of Cryptoblabes are fairly restricted in range.
Assara is a genus of small moths belonging to the snout moth family (Pyralidae). They are part of the tribe Phycitini within the huge snout moth subfamily Phycitinae.
Ctenomeristis is a genus of small moths belonging to the snout moth family (Pyralidae). They are part of the tribe Phycitini within the huge snout moth subfamily Phycitinae.
Phycita is a genus of small moths belonging to the snout moth family (Pyralidae). They are the type genus of their tribe Phycitini and of the huge snout moth subfamily Phycitinae.
Zamagiria is a genus of small moths belonging to the snout moth family (Pyralidae). They are part of the huge snout moth subfamily Phycitinae, but their exact relationships are obscure, and they are currently not assigned to a particular tribe of Phycitinae.
The Galleriinae are a subfamily of snout moths and occur essentially worldwide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. This subfamily includes the wax moths, whose caterpillars (waxworms) are bred on a commercial scale as food for pets and as fishing bait; in the wild, these and other species of Galleriinae may also be harmful to humans as pests.
Autosticha is a genus of gelechioid moths. It belongs to the subfamily Autostichinae, which is either placed in the concealer moth family (Oecophoridae), or in an expanded Autostichidae. It is the type genus of its subfamily. Originally, this genus was named Automola, but this name properly refers to a fly genus in family Richardiidae.
References
- Clarke, John Frederick Gates (1986): Pyralidae and Microlepidoptera of the Marquesas Archipelago. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology416: 1-485. PDF fulltext Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine (214 MB!)
- Pitkin, Brian & Jenkins, Paul (2004): Butterflies and Moths of the World, Generic Names and their Type-species – Ernophthora. Version of 5 November 2004. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- Savela, Markku (2009): Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms– Ernophthora. Version of 9 April 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2011.