Phycitinae

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Phycitinae
Acrobasis sp01.jpg
Imago of unidentified Acrobasis species (tribe Phycitini) from Tourves (Var, France)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Subfamily: Phycitinae
Zeller, 1839
Type species
Tinea spissicella
Fabricius, 1777 [1]
Diversity
4 tribes (and see text)
600 genera
4000 species
Synonyms
  • Anerastiinae Ragonot, 1885
  • Hypsotropinae Hampson, 1918
  • Peoriinae Hulst, 1890

The Phycitinae are a subfamily of snout moths (family Pyralidae). Even though the Pyralidae subfamilies are all quite diverse, Phycitinae stand out even by standards of their family: with over 600 genera considered valid and more than 4000 species [2] placed here at present, they unite up more than three-quarters of living snout moth diversity. Together with the closely related Epipaschiinae, they are apparently the most advanced lineage of snout moths.

Contents

Phycitinae occur all over Earth's land masses, except in completely inhospitable areas; the majority of species has a tropical distribution however. Phycitinae have even been found on very remote oceanic islands, and a few species have been intentionally or unintentionally distributed by humans beyond their native range. [3]

The subfamily was established as a systematic group by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839, who called them "Phycideen". [4] : 175  The type genus of Phycitinae is Phycidea Zeller, 1839, with Tinea sinuella Fabricius, 1794 as type species. [5] : 219 Phycidea is nowadays considered a synonym of the genus Homoeosoma . [1] [5]

Dioryctria abietella (Denis & Schiffermüller) has reproductive organs and spermatophore that are morphologically similar to those of other Lepidoptera. Many females had eggs in their bulla seminalis, but they didn't entirely obstruct sperm transportation. The spermatophore's opening end has a serrulate surface with a tiny horn. These microstructures are most likely used to keep the ductus seminalis opening aligned. [6]

Description

Imago of unidentified Phycitinae species from Aranda, Australian Capital Territory Phycitinae.jpg
Imago of unidentified Phycitinae species from Aranda, Australian Capital Territory

In general, Phycitinae are smallish and slender-bodied moths, resembling fungus moths (family Tineidae) in appearance, though they have the well-developed proboscis typical of snout moths and in many cases also the tell-tale "snout" consisting of elongated and straight labial palps. They are usually inconspicuous; while the forewings of some are quite prominently patterned, even these have usually rather nondescript greyish-brown colours and in the natural environment the pattern is cryptic. Yet a few species of Phycitinae, such as Oncocera semirubella , are unusually brightly coloured by moth standards, while those of genus Myelois resemble members of unrelated "micromoth" family Yponomeutidae and like these are called "ermine moths" due to their bright white forewings with tiny black spots.

Despite their diversity, the group is considered by and large monophyletic as traditionally circumscribed. Due to the sheer number of taxa contained here, this has not been thoroughly tested, and some little-known genera traditionally included in the Phycitinae may of course simply be convergent and do not really belong here. Altogether however, the mesothorax of the caterpillars – with the sclerotised (hardened) ring around the base of seta SD1 – as well as the identical frenula of male and female adults' wings – a single bristle composed of several acanthae – are held to be characteristic autapomorphies by which the Phycitinae can be recognized. Furthermore, in the female genitalia of this subfamily the ductus seminalis originates in the corpus bursae. A useful character in the field is that the forewings of many adult Phycitinae lack one or more veins, usually the seventh one. [3] [7]

These moths may resemble caddisflies, but caddisfly antennae point forwards [8] while Phycitinae antennae curve backwards.

Ecology

Indian mealmoth (Plodia interpunctella) caterpillar infesting chocolate sprinkles Plodia interpunctella lrv 68.jpg
Indian mealmoth (Plodia interpunctella) caterpillar infesting chocolate sprinkles
Monument to the South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum), Dalby, Queensland, Australia Cactoblastis monument, Dalby, Queensland, Australia.jpg
Monument to the South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum), Dalby, Queensland, Australia

Phycitinae caterpillars are mostly leaf rolling, but some are inquilines in plant galls or seed feeders, and a wide range of habitats are utilized. This subfamily even features some aquatic and predatory caterpillars. The latter, e.g. Laetilia , can be beneficial in agriculture, as they eat small Hemiptera such as Sternorrhyncha. Others have been used in biological pest control against invasive plants, for example the stem-boring caterpillars of Arcola malloi which destroy alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), an originally South American plant that has spread around the Pacific Rim to the detriment of local ecosystems. [7]

Yet again others – namely the "carob moths" and "flour moths" of genera Cadra , Ephestia and Plodia , as well as some species of Ectomyelois and Etiella – are themselves pests of economic significance; the aforementioned genera's caterpillars infest dry vegetable foods (such as grain and nuts), while others (e.g. Dioryctria ) are pests of living plants. Ecological relationships and interaction with humans is not always clear cut in this large group; the famous South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) from the Paraná Basin is quite beneficial by keeping down invasive prickly pears (Opuntia) wherever neither it nor these cacti are native, such as in Australia. It is a polyphagous species however, and having been introduced to comparable climates in Northern Hemisphere America, it is wreaking havoc in Mexican and the southern United States' Opuntia farms. Similarly, in A. philoxeroides control, care must be taken not to harm native species of the widespread genus Alternanthera , many of which are highly valued aquarium plants. A. malloi is also not fully monophagous and will for example eat sessile joyweed (A. sessilis), which though a nuisance weed where introduced is not known to be strongly invasive. [7]

Systematics

Imago of Ematheudes punctella (Anerastiini) Ematheudes punctella.jpg
Imago of Ematheudes punctella (Anerastiini)

Due to the large diversity, the phylogeny and systematics of the Phycitinae is by no means fully resolved, though there is progress towards this goal. As noted above, some genera placed in this subfamily might actually belong elsewhere; particularly some of those that cannot be assigned firmly to one of the main Phycitinae subdivisions ( incertae sedis ) are interesting in this regard. Delimitation versus the Epipaschiinae – generally considered the closest living relatives of the present subfamily – may thus warrant more attention, but altogether, considering the sheer size of this group, Phycitinae have not been particularly challenging as regards their taxonomy and systematics. [7] [9]

New genera of Phycitinae are still being established and others are revalidated in our time. Some genera widely recognized are monotypic, but might include further undiscovered species. Some, on the other hand, might not be valid. Despite the review of genera progressing, the large number of Phycitinae taxa means that a lot of genera have not been reviewed since the 1956 landmark studies by United States Department of Agriculture entomologist Carl Heinrich and Hans Georg Amsel of the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe, if not since longer. [7] [9]

Tribes

Imago of Balanomis encyclia (Cryptoblabini) Balanomis encyclia.jpg
Imago of Balanomis encyclia (Cryptoblabini)

A large part of the subfamily is divided among four tribes of various size. Some notable genera and species are also listed:

Genera incertae sedis

Imago of Morosaphycita oculiferella, a Phycitinae with unclear affinities Morosaphycita oculiferella 2.jpg
Imago of Morosaphycita oculiferella , a Phycitinae with unclear affinities

Some Phycitinae genera and species whose affiliation as to tribe is unclear are:

Delcina was originally included in the Phycitinae, as it somewhat resembles Monoptilota ; it seems impossible to assign with certainty to any one of the major lineages of snout moths however. [3] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crambidae</span> Family of moths

Crambidae comprises the grass moth family of lepidopterans. They are variable in appearance, with the nominal subfamily Crambinae taking up closely folded postures on grass stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies include brightly coloured and patterned insects that rest in wing-spread attitudes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyralidae</span> Family of moths

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 and Maria Alma Solis retain the Crambidae as a full family of Pyraloidea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyralinae</span> Subfamily of moths

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.

<i>Phycita</i> Genus of moths

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galleriinae</span> Subfamily of moths

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysauginae</span> Subfamily of moths

The Chrysauginae are a subfamily of snout moths. They are primarily Neotropical and include about 400 described species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epipaschiinae</span> Subfamily of moths

The Epipaschiinae are a subfamily of snout moths. More than 720 species are known today, which are found mainly in the tropics and subtropics. Some occur in temperate regions, but the subfamily is apparently completely absent from Europe, at least as native species. A few Epipaschiinae are crop pests that may occasionally become economically significant.

<i>Homoeosoma</i> Genus of moths

Homoeosoma is a genus of moths of the family Pyralidae.

Elasmopalpus is a snout moth genus in the subfamily Phycitinae described by Émile Blanchard in 1852. The genus is restricted to the Americas and currently comprises three species: the type species E. angustellus, described by Blanchard together with the genus, E. corrientellus Ragonot, 1888, and E. lignosellus, a pest species of Poaceae and Fabaceae crops that is widespread throughout the Americas. Elasmopalpus is considered to be closely related to the genus Ufa.

<i>Dioryctria</i> Genus of moths

Dioryctria is a genus of snout moths. It was described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1846.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phycitini</span> Tribe of moths

The Phycitini are a tribe of moths of the family Pyralidae.

Dioryctria mongolicella is a species of snout moth in the genus Dioryctria. It was described by Wang and Sung in 1982, and is known from north-eastern China and Mongolia.

Dioryctria resiniphila is a species of snout moth in the genus Dioryctria. It was described by Segerer and Pröse, in 1997, and it was described from Greece. It was recorded from China in 2009.

Dioryctria taedivorella, the lesser loblolly pineconeworm moth, is a species of snout moth in the genus Dioryctria. It was described by Herbert H. Neunzig and Nancy Antoine Leidy in 1989, and is known from North America, where it is found from eastern Virginia and North Carolina to northern Alabama and Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anerastiini</span> Tribe of moths

The Anerastiini are a tribe of moths of the family Pyralidae.

<i>Zophodia</i> Genus of moths

Zophodia is a genus of snout moths in the subfamily Phycitinae. It was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1825.

<i>Hypargyria</i> Genus of moths

Hypargyria is a genus of snout moths. It was described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1888.

Peadus is a genus of snout moths.

Ufa is a moth genus in the subfamily Phycitinae of the family Pyralidae. The genus is distributed in the Americas. While sharing certain morphological characters in the female genitalia with Adelphia, Ufa appears closest related to Elasmopalpus.

Elasmopalpus corrientellus is a species of snout moths in the diverse subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1888 from a female specimen collected in the eponymous city of Corrientes in Northern Argentina. The species is considered misplaced in Elasmopalpus, but it is currently not clear to which genus it should be transferred.

References

  1. 1 2 Nuss, Matthias; Landry, Bernard; Mally, Richard; Vegliante, Francesca; Tränkner, Andreas; Bauer, Franziska; Hayden, James; Segerer, Andreas; Schouten, Rob; Li, Houhun; Trofimova, Tatiana; Solis, M. Alma; De Prins, Jurate; Speidel, Wolfgang (2003–2020). "Global Information System on Pyraloidea (GlobIZ)". www.pyraloidea.org. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  2. ↑ "Phycitinae | NBN Atlas". species.nbnatlas.org. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  3. 1 2 3 Clarke, John Frederick Gates (1986). "Pyralidae and Microlepidoptera of the Marquesas Archipelago" (PDF). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 416 (416): 1–485. doi:10.5479/si.00810282.416.
  4. ↑ Zeller, Philipp Christoph (1839). "Versuch einer naturgemäßen Eintheilung der Schaben". Isis von Oken (in German). 32 (3): 167–219.
  5. 1 2 Heinrich, Carl (1956). "American moths of the subfamily Phycitinae" (PDF). Bulletin of the United States National Museum. 207: i–viii, 1–581.
  6. ↑ Fatzinger, Carl W. (1970-09-15). "Morphology of the Reproductive Organs of Dioryctria abietella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae (Phycitinae))". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 63 (5): 1256–1261. doi:10.1093/aesa/63.5.1256. ISSN   0013-8746.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Solis, Maria Alma (2007). "Phylogenetic studies and modern classification of the Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera)" (PDF). Revista Colombiana de Entomología (in English and Spanish). 33 (1): 1–8. doi:10.25100/socolen.v33i1.9306. S2CID   54056954.
  8. ↑ "Caddisflies (Order: Trichoptera) - Amateur Entomologists' Society (AES)".
  9. 1 2 3 Savela, Markku (2011). "Phycitinae". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
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