Plutellidae | |
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Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Superfamily: | Yponomeutoidea |
Family: | Plutellidae Guenée, 1845 |
Genera | |
See text | |
Diversity | |
About 200 species | |
Synonyms | |
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The Plutellidae are a family of moths commonly known as the diamondback moths, named after the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) of European origin. It was once considered to have three subfamilies: Plutellinae, Praydinae, and Scythropiinae. [1] Praydinae was later elevated to its own family, Praydidae, while Scythropiinae has variously been moved to Yponomeutidae or also elevated to its own family. [2] [3]
Moths in this family are small to medium in size with wingspans ranging from 7 to 55 mm (0.3 to 2.2 in). The head usually bears smooth scales and the antennae are often thickened in the middle. The wings are elongated and the hindwings often bear long fringes. The forewings often appear to be sickle-shaped because of the arrangement of the fringes. The colouring is generally drab, with various banding and marking. The adults are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular. The larvae feed on the surfaces of leaves which they skeletonise. The host plants vary, but many are in the family Brassicaceae. Some species are economic pests, especially Plutella xylostella. [1]
Below are the genera of the family Plutellidae: [4] [5]
The fungus moth Erechthias niphochrysa was also once included here, as a distinct genus Acrocenotes.
The family Acrolepiidae (including the genera Acrolepia , Acrolepiopsis , and Digitivalva ) is sometimes included in the Plutellidae.
Ypsolophidae is a family of moths with some 160 species. They are included in the Plutellidae by many authors.
Galacticidae is a recently recognised and enigmatic family of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moderate sized moths are 8–17 mm in wingspan and have previously been embedded within several lepidopteran superfamilies, but Galacticidae is currently placed in its own superfamily at the base of the natural group Apoditrysia.
The diamondback moth, sometimes called the cabbage moth, is a moth species of the family Plutellidae and genus Plutella. The small, grayish-brown moth sometimes has a cream-colored band that forms a diamond along its back. The species may have originated in Europe, South Africa, or the Mediterranean region, but it has now spread worldwide.
Urodidae, whose species are commonly known as false burnet moths, is a family of moths in the lepidopteran order. It is the type genus in the superfamily, Urodoidea, with three genera, one of which, Wockia, occurs in Europe.
Pterolonchidae is a small family of very small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. There are species native to every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
Argyresthia is a genus of moths in the family Argyresthiidae, previously treated as subfamily Argyresthiinae in the family Yponomeutidae.
Leuroperna sera is a moth of the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1885. It is found in Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand.
Prays is a genus of moths of the family Praydidae, formerly assigned to Plutellidae or Yponomeutidae.
Praydidae is a family of false ermine moths in the superfamily Yponomeutoidea. Though once considered a subfamily (Praydinae), a 2013 molecular analysis elevated it to family rank.
Ypsolopha is a genus of moths of the family Ypsolophidae. It is the type genus of the family and comprises over 120 described species.
Diadegma mollipla is a wasp which parasitises the larvae of the diamondback moth and the potato tuber moth. The species was first described by August Holmgren in 1868. Its range includes the Canary Islands, Britain and parts of Africa.
Plutella australiana is a moth of the family Plutellidae. It is found in eastern Australia.
Plutella armoraciae is a moth of the family Plutellidae. It is found in north-western North America.
Plutella is a genus of moths in the family Plutellidae.
Carposina is a genus of moths in the Carposinidae family.
Gelechiinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Henry Tibbats Stainton in 1854.
Chrysorthenches glypharcha is a species of moth in the family Plutellidae. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1919. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. This species inhabits native forest with Podocarpus trees present. The larva and pupa of this species is currently unknown but the adults are on the wing in February, October and November. The adult moths are associated with Podocarpus totara and Podocarpus laetus.
Plutella antiphona, also known as the diamondback moth, is a moth of the family Plutellidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1901. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Chrysorthenches is a genus of moths of the family Plutellidae.