The Pyralidae, commonly called pyralid moths, snout moths or grass moths, are a family of Lepidoptera in the ditrysian superfamily Pyraloidea. In many classifications, the grass moths (Crambidae) are included in the Pyralidae as a subfamily, making the combined group one of the largest families in the Lepidoptera. The latest review by Eugene G. Munroe & Solis, in Kristensen (1999) retains the Crambidae as a full family of Pyraloidea.
The Pyraloidea are a moth superfamily containing about 16,000 described species worldwide, and probably at least as many more remain to be described. They are generally fairly small moths.
Carposinidae, the "fruitworm moths", is a family of insects in the order Lepidoptera. These moths are narrower winged than Copromorphidae, with less rounded forewing tips. Males often have conspicuous patches of scales on either surface. The mouthparts are quite diagnostic, usually with prominent, upcurved "labial palps", the third segment long, and the second segment covered in large scales. Unlike Copromorphidae, the "M2" and sometimes "M1" vein on the hindwings is absent. The relationship of Carposinidae relative to Copromorphidae needs further investigation. It is considered possible that the family is artificial, being nested within Copromorphidae. The Palearctic species have been revised by Alexey Diakonoff (1989).
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.
Paracorsia is a monotypic moth genus of the family Crambidae described by H. Marion in 1959. It contains only one species, Paracorsia repandalis, described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775. It is found in most of Europe, except Ireland, Fennoscandia and the Baltic region. It has also been recorded from central Asia, including Iran and Kyrgyzstan and North America where it has been recorded in southern Ontario and northern Indiana.
Sclerocona is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae. It contains only one species, Sclerocona acutella, which is found from Spain and Sicily north to Great Britain and Denmark and east to Siberia, Japan and China. It is an introduced species in eastern North America.
Pyralis manihotalis is a moth of the family Pyralidae described by Achille Guenée in 1854.
Galasa nigrinodis, the boxwood leaftier moth or boxwood webworm, is moth of the family Pyralidae. It is found in eastern North America.
The Phycitini are a tribe of moths of the family Pyralidae.
The Anerastiini are a tribe of moths of the family Pyralidae.
Vitula edmandsii, the American wax moth, dried-fruit moth or dried fruit moth, is a species of snout moth in the genus Vitula. It shares its common name with Cadra calidella, another dried fruit moth. It was described by Packard in 1865. It is found in Germany, Denmark and Fennoscandia, as well Great Britain and eastern North America. The beehive honey moth, which is found in western North America, is either treated as a full species or as a subspecies of Vitula edmandsii.
Rhodophaea formosa is a moth of the family Pyralidae. It is found in most of Europe.
Pyrausta phoenicealis, the perilla leaf moth, is a moth of the family Crambidae described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. It is found worldwide, including the Americas, Africa, Australia and Asia.
Tirathaba mundella, the oil palm bunch moth, is a species of snout moth. It is found in Malaysia.
Glaphyriinae is a subfamily of the lepidopteran family Crambidae. It was described by William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes in 1923
Scopariinae is a subfamily of the lepidopteran family Crambidae. The subfamily was described by Achille Guenée in 1854.
Palpita kimballi, Kimball's palpita moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Munroe in 1959. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Palpita illibalis, the inkblot palpita moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Hübner in 1818. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Penestola bufalis, the black penestola moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Achille Guenée in 1854. It is found in the US states of Texas and Florida, as well as on the Antilles. It is an accidentally introduced species on the Galápagos Islands. The habitat consists of coastal mangrove swamps and shorelines.
