Taxonomy of the Lepidoptera
Encyclopedia
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
of the order
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
down to family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
level.
Lepidoptera is made up of moths; (46 superfamilies) and butterflies; (three superfamilies; Hedyloidea, Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea
Papilionoidea
The superfamily Papilionoidea contains all the butterflies except for the skippers, which are classified in superfamily Hesperioidea, and the moth-like Hedyloidea....
). Traditionally, all groups up until Glossata have been regarded as 'archaic', and groups up to Heteroneura as 'primitive'. 'Primitive groups' within Heteroneura cannot be defined as well as there are still some disputes of the proper relations between the groups within it. On the other hand, most families are well defined and they are commonly used by hobbyists and scientists alike.
Infraorder Dacnonypha
- Superfamily EriocranioideaEriocranioideaEriocraniidae is a family of moths restricted to the Holarctic region, with seven extant genera. These small, metallic moths are usually day-flying, emerging fairly early in the northern temperate Spring. They have a proboscis with which they drink water or sap...
- Family Eriocraniidae
- Family AcanthopteroctetidaeAcanthopteroctetidaeAcanthoctesia or "archaic sun moths" is an infraorder of insects in the Lepidopteran order, containing a single superfamily Acanthopteroctetoidea and a single family Acanthopteroctetidae. They are currently considered the fifth group up on the comb of branching events in the extant lepidopteran...
Infraorder ExoporiaExoporiaExoporia are a group of primitive Lepidoptera comprising the superfamilies Mnesarchaeoidea and Hepialoidea . Exoporia is a natural group or clade which is the sister group of the lepidopteran infraorder Heteroneura...
- Superfamily Mnesarchaeoidea
- Family Mnesarchaeidae
- Superfamily HepialoideaHepialoideaHepialoidea is the superfamily of "ghost moths" and "swift moths". See Kristensen for a broad review.- Fossils :Fossil Hepialoidea appear to be few. Prohepialus has been described from the about 35 million year old Bembridge Marls of Isle of Wight. A mid-Miocene hepialoid fossil is also known...
- Family AnomosetidaeAnomosetidaeAnomoses hylecoetes is a species of primitive hepialoid moth endemic to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia . It is the only species in the family Anomosetidae.-External links:****...
- Family HepialidaeHepialidaeThe Hepialidae is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. Moths of this family are often referred to as swift moths or ghost moths.-Taxonomy and systematics:...
- Family Neotheoridae
- Family PalaeosetidaePalaeosetidaePalaeosetidae or "Miniature Ghost Moths" is a family of insects in the Lepidopteran order contained within the superfamily Hepialoidea.-Taxonomy and systematics:...
- Family PrototheoridaePrototheoridaePrototheoridae or the "African Primitive Ghost Moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order, contained in the superfamily Hepialoidea...
- Family Anomosetidae
Section Nepticulina
- Superfamily Andesianoidea
- Family AndesianidaeAndesianaAndesiana is a genus representing its own family Andesianidae and superfamily Andesianoidea, the "Andean endemic moths". It contains three species with a wingspan up to 5.4 cm. in female A. similis and 3.5 cm. in males . This far surpasses in size any previously known monotrysian moth...
- Family Andesianidae
- Superfamily NepticuloideaNepticuloideaA superfamily of usually very small monotrysian moths that are characterised by small or large eyecaps over the compound eyes. Nepticuloidea comprises two families, the "pigmy moths" , with 12 genera which are very diverse worldwide and are usually leaf miners, and the "white eyecap moths" , also...
- Family NepticulidaeNepticulidaeNepticulidae is a family of very small moths with a worldwide distribution. They are characterised by eyecaps over the eyes . These pigmy moths or midget moths, as they are commonly known, include the smallest of all living moths, with a wingspan that can be as little as 3 mm...
- Family OpostegidaeOpostegidaeOpostegidae or "white eyecap moths" is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order that is characterised by particularly large eyecaps over the compound eyes...
- Family Nepticulidae
- Superfamily TischerioideaTischerioideaTischerioidea is the superfamily of "trumpet" leaf miner moths.This is one candidate as the sister group of the bulk of Lepidoptera, the Ditrysia , and they have a monotrysian type of female reproductive system...
- Family Tischeriidae
- Superfamily PalaephatoideaPalaephatoideaPalaephatoidea is a superfamily of insects in the Lepidoptera order with a single family, Palaephatidae with seven known genera. These "Gondwanaland moths" exhibit a disjunct distribution occurring mainly in South America , with four species in eastern Australia and Tasmania and one in South Africa...
- Family Palaephatidae
Section Incurvariina
- Superfamily IncurvarioideaIncurvarioideaIncurvarioidea is a superfamily of primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera which consists of Leafcutters, yucca moths and relatives. This superfamily is characterised by a piercing, extensible ovipositor used for laying eggs in plants . Many species are day-flying with metallic...
- Family IncurvariidaeIncurvariidaeIncurvariidae is a family of small primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera. There are twelve genera recognised . Many species are leaf miners and much is known of their hostplants, excluding Paraclemensia acerifoliella . The most familiar species in Europe are perhaps Incurvaria...
- Family CecidosidaeCecidosidaeCecidosidae is a little known family of primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera which have a piercing ovipositor used for laying eggs in plant tissue in which they induce galls, or they mine in bark...
- Family ProdoxidaeProdoxidaeProdoxidae is a family of primitive monotrysian Lepidoptera. Some of these small-to-medium sized moths are day flying, like Lampronia capitella, known to European gardeners as the "Currant Shoot Borer". Others occur in Africa and Asia.Tetragma gei feeds on Mountain Avens Geum triflorum in USA....
- Family AdelidaeAdelidae| name = Fairy longhorn moths| image=Unidentified animal 007 .jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption= Adult of an unidentified fairy longhorn mothfrom Chemnitz | regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda...
- Family HeliozelidaeHeliozelidaeA family of primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera, Heliozelidae are small, metallic day-flying moths with shiny smooth heads, In Europe the small adult moths are seldom noticed as they fly quite early in the Spring...
- Family Crinopterygidae
- Family Incurvariidae
Subsection Tineina
- Superfamily TineoideaTineoideaTineoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes clothes moths, bagworms and relatives. There are six families usually included within it, Eriocottidae, Arrhenophanidae, Lypusidae, Acrolophidae, Tineidae and Psychidae, whose relationships are currently uncertain.The Lypusidae, for example, might...
- Family AcrolophidaeAcrolophidaeAcrolophidae is a family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. In addition, there are about 300 species, which live in the wild only in the New World.-Genera:*Acrolophus*Amydria*Drastea*Exoncotis*Ptilopsaltis...
- Family ArrhenophanidaeArrhenophanidaeArrhenophanidae is a family of moths in the Lepidoptera order.-Genera:* Arrhenophanes* Cnissostages* Dysoptus* Notiophanes* Palaeophanes...
- Family EriocottidaeEriocottidaeEriocottidae or Old World spiny-winged moths is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order whose position relative to other members of the superfamily Tineoidea is currently unknown. There are between eight and seventeen genera currently placed within it and two subfamilies, Compsocteninae and...
- Family LypusidaeLypusidaeLypusidae is an obscure family of moths traditionally conssidered monotypic and belonging in the primitive moth superfamily Tineoidea....
- Family Psychidae
- Family TineidaeTineidaeTineidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera. Collectively, they are known as fungus moths or tineid moths. The family contains considerably more than 3,000 species in over 300 genera. Most of the tineid moths are small or medium-sized, with wings held roofwise over the body at rest...
- Family Acrolophidae
- Superfamily GracillarioideaGracillarioideaGracillarioidea is a large superfamily containing four families of insects in the order Lepidoptera. These generally small moths are miners in plant tissue as caterpillars. There are about 113 described genera distributed worldwide, the most commonly encountered of which are leaf-miners in the...
- Family BucculatricidaeBucculatricidaeBucculatricidae or is a family of moths. This small family has representatives in all parts of the world. Some authors place the group as a subfamily of the family Lyonetiidae....
- Family DouglasiidaeDouglasiidaeThe small Lepidopteran family Douglasiidae includes several species of moths whose adults are collectively called Douglas moths and whose larvae are leaf miners...
- Family GracillariidaeGracillariidaeGracillariidae is an important family of insects in the order Lepidoptera and the principal family of leaf miners that includes several economic, horticultural or recently invasive pest species such as the horse-chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella....
- Family Roeslerstammiidae
- Family Bucculatricidae
- Superfamily SchreckensteinioideaSchreckensteinioideaSchreckensteinioidea is a superfamily in the insect order Lepidoptera containing a single family, Schreckensteiniidae, or "bristle-legged moths", because of the stout spines on the hindlegs. The relationships of this family within the group Apoditrysia are currently uncertain...
- Family Schreckensteiniidae
- Superfamily GelechioideaGelechioidea| name = Curved-horn moths| image = Xylorycta assimilis.jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption = Adult Xylorycta assimilis of the Xyloryctidae, photographed in Aranda Note prominent "horns" and long antennae| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda...
- Family AgonoxenidaeAgonoxenidaeThe Agonoxenidae are a family of moths only contains four named species in the whole world – all in the type genus Agonoxena – if the Blastodacnidae are considered to be a separate family...
- Family BatrachedridaeBatrachedridaeBatrachedridae is a small family of moths. These are small, slender moths which rest with the wings wrapped tightly around the body. The taxonomy of this and related groups is often disputed...
- Family BlastobasidaeBlastobasidaeBlastobasidae is a family of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. Its species can be found almost anywhere in the world, though in some places they are not native but introduced by humans. In some arrangements, these moths are included in the case-bearer family as subfamily Blastobasinae...
- Family ColeophoridaeColeophoridae| name = Case-bearers| image = Coleophoridae-01 .jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption = Adult of an unidentified case-bearer species| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta| ordo = Lepidoptera| superfamilia = Gelechioidea...
- Family CosmopterigidaeCosmopterigidaeCosmopterigidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order. These are small moths with narrow wings whose tiny larvae feed internally on the leaves, seeds, stems, etc of their host plants. There are about 1,500 described species...
- Family ElachistidaeElachistidae| image = Elachista rufocinerea 2.jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption = Adult Elachista rufocinerea,demonstrating its tiny size versus an aphid and a spider mite | regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta...
- Family EthmiidaeEthmiidaeEthmiidae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. It is sometimes included in the Elachistidae or the Oecophoridae as a subfamily Ethmiinae.-Genera:...
- Family GelechiidaeGelechiidaeGelechiidae is a family of moths commonly referred to as twirler moths or gelechiid moths. They are the namesake family of the huge and little-studied superfamily Gelechioidea, and the Gelechiidae's relationships with and delimitation against their relatives have been subject to considerable...
- Family HolcopogonidaeHolcopogonidae| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta| ordo = Lepidoptera| subordo = Glossata| infraordo = Heteroneura| zoodivisio = Ditrysia| superfamilia = Gelechioidea| familia = Holcopogonidae | familia_authority = Gozmany, 1967...
- Family LecithoceridaeLecithoceridaeLecithoceridae is a family of small moths. Although lecithocerids are found throughout the world, the great majority are found in the Indomalaya ecozone and the southern part of the Palaearctic ecozone.-Systematics:...
- Family MetachandidaeMetachandidaeMetachandidae is a small family of moths containing a single genus, Metachanda.-Species:*Metachanda aldabrella*Metachanda anomalella*Metachanda argentinigrella*Metachanda astrapias*Metachanda autocentra...
- Family MomphidaeMomphidaeMomphidae is a family of moths. These tend to be rather small moths with a wingspan of up to 21 mm. The wings are held folded over the body at rest...
- Family OecophoridaeOecophoridaeOecophoridae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The phylogeny and systematics of gelechoid moths are still not fully resolved, and the circumscription of the Oecophoridae is strongly affected by this....
- Family PterolonchidaePterolonchidaePterolonchidae is a small family of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea.Genera of Pterolonchidae include:* Phthinostoma Meyrick, 1914* Pterolonche Zeller, 1847-References:...
- Family ScythrididaeScythrididaeScythrididae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The family is sometimes included in the Xyloryctidae as a subfamily Scythridinae, but the Xyloryctidae themselves have sometimes been included in the Oecophoridae as subfamily...
- Family SymmocidaeSymmocidaeThe Symmocidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. These small moths are found mainly in the Palearctic and Africa.They have traditionally been considered close relatives of the Blastobasidae, where they were sometimes included as subfamily Symmocinae...
- Family Agonoxenidae
- Superfamily CopromorphoideaCopromorphoideaCopromorphoidea, the "fruitworm moths" is a superfamily of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moths are small to medium-sized and are broad-winged bearing some resemblance to the superfamilies Tortricoidea and Immoidea...
- Family CopromorphidaeCopromorphidaeCopromorphidae, the "tropical fruitworm moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moths have broad, rounded forewings, and well-camouflaged scale patterns. Unlike Carposinidae the mouthparts include "labial palps" with the second rather than third segment the longest...
- Family Alucitidae
- Family CarposinidaeCarposinidaeCarposinidae, the "fruitworm moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. These moths are narrower winged than Copromorphidae, with less rounded forewing tips. Males often have conspicuous patches of scales on either surface...
- Family EpermeniidaeEpermeniidaeEpermeniidae or "fringe-tufted moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order with about 14 genera. Previously they have been divided in two subfamilies Epermeniinae and Ochromolopinae but this is no longer maintained since the last group is probably hierarchically nested within the first...
- Family Copromorphidae
- Superfamily YponomeutoideaYponomeutoideaYponomeutoidea is a superfamily of Ermine moths and relatives.-Familiae:*Acrolepiidae*Bedelliidae*Glyphipterigidae*Heliodinidae*Lyonetiidae*Plutellidae*Yponomeutidae*Ypsolophidae- Etymology :...
- Family AcrolepiidaeAcrolepiidaeThe Acrolepiidae family of moths are also known as False Diamondback moths.Caterpillars are typically 10 to 12 mm in length and spotted. Adults have a wingspan between 16 and 18 mm and are generally nocturnal.-Species:Some representative species are:...
- Family BedelliidaeBedelliidaeBedelliidae is a small family of small, narrow-winged moths; most authorities recognize just a single genus, Bedellia, previously included in the family Lyonetiidae. The family is still included in the Lyonetiidae as the subfamily Bedelliinae by some authors.-Species:-External links:* U.S.A. *...
- Family GlyphipterigidaeGlyphipterigidaeGlyphipterigidae is a family of small moths commonly known as sedge moths as the larvae of many species feed on sedges and rushes.-Genera:*Abrenthia*Aechmia*Anacampsiodes*Apistomorpha*Carmentina*Caulobius...
- Family HeliodinidaeHeliodinidaeHeliodinidae is a family of small moths with slender bodies and narrow wings. Members of this family are found in all parts of the world.-Genera:*Acanthocasis*Actinoscelis*Adamantoscelis*Aenicteria*Aetole*Agalmoscelis...
- Family LyonetiidaeLyonetiidaeLyonetiidae is a family of moths. These are small, slender moths, the wingspan rarely exceeding 1 cm. The very narrow forewings, held folded backwards covering the hindwings and abdomen, often have pointed apices noticeably up- or down-turned. The larvae are leaf miners.The families Bucculatricidae...
- Family PlutellidaePlutellidaePlutellidae is a family of moths. Some authors consider this family to be a subfamily of Yponomeutidae.-Genera:*Acrolepia*Acrolepiopsis*Digitivalva*Eidophasia*Plutella...
- Family Yponomeutidae
- Family YpsolophidaeYpsolophidaeYpsolophidae is a family of moth. They are included in the Plutellidae by many authors.-Ypsolophinae:* Phrealcia Chrétien, 1900** Phrealcia brevipalpella Chrétien, 1900** Phrealcia eximiella...
- Family Acrolepiidae
- Superfamily ImmoideaImmoideaImmoidea is a superfamily of pantropical moths containing only the family Immidae comprising ten genera with around 250 species, over half of them in the genus Imma. Many are brightly coloured and diurnal. The position of this group is currently uncertain within the group Obtectomera...
- Family Immidae
- Superfamily PyraloideaPyraloideaThe 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....
- Family HyblaeidaeHyblaeidaeHyblaeidae are the "teak moths", a family of insects in the Lepidopteran order. The two genera with about 18 species make up the Hyblaeoidea superfamily, which has sometimes been included in the Pyraloidea. However, the position of this family is currently uncertain within the group Obtectomera...
- Family ThyrididaeThyrididaeThyrididae is the picture-winged leaf moths family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. They alone make up the Thyridoidea superfamily, which is sometimes included in the Pyraloidea Thyrididae is the picture-winged leaf moths family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. They alone make up the...
- Family PyralidaePyralidaeThe Pyralidae or snout moths are a family of Lepidoptera in the ditrysian superfamily Pyraloidea. In many classifications, the grass moths are included in the Pyralidae as a subfamily, making the combined group one of the largest families in the Lepidoptera...
- Family CrambidaeCrambidaeThe Crambidae are the grass moth family of Lepidoptera . They are quite variable in appearance, 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 which rest in...
- Family Hyblaeidae
- Superfamily Pterophoroidea
- Family TineodidaeTineodidae| name = False plume moths| image =| image_width =| image_caption =| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta| ordo = Lepidoptera| subordo = Glossata| infraordo = Heteroneura| unranked_superfamilia = Ditrysia...
- Family Pterophoridae
- Family Tineodidae
- Superfamily Galacticoidea
- Family GalacticidaeGalacticidaeGalacticidae 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...
- Family Galacticidae
- Superfamily SimaethistoideaSimaethistoideaSimaethistoidea is an obscure superfamily of pyralid-like moths with two genera, whose biology and relationships among the Ditrysia is currently unknown, namely the Australian Metaprotus and the China and North Indian Simaethistis .-Genera and species:*Metaprotus Hampson, 1899**Metaprotus asuridia...
- Family Simaethistidae
- Superfamily Whalleyanoidea
- Family Whalleyanidae
Subsection Sesiina
- Superfamily SesioideaSesioideaSesioidea is the superfamily currently containing clearwing moths , castniid moths and little bear moths . There is evidence from head and thoracic morphology that the first two families, internally feeding in plants as caterpillars, are sisters, whilst some brachodids are known to feed on leaf...
- Family BrachodidaeBrachodidaeBrachodidae is a family of day-flying moths, commonly known as little bear moths, which contains about 100 species distributed around much of the world . The relationships and status of the presently included genera are not well...
- Family CastniidaeCastniidaeCastniidae, or castniid moths, is a small family of moths with less than 200 species: The majority are Neotropical with some in Australia and a few in south-east Asia. These are medium-sized to very large moths, usually with drab, cryptically-marked forewings and brightly coloured hindwings. They...
- Family SesiidaeSesiidaeThe Sesiidae or clearwing moths are family of the Lepidoptera in which the wings partially have hardly any of the normal lepidopteran scales, leaving them transparent. The bodies are generally striped with yellow, red or white, sometimes very brightly, and they have simple antennae...
- Family UrodidaeUrodidaeUrodidae or "false burnet moths" is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order, representing its own superfamily, Urodoidea, with three genera, one of which, Wockia, occurs in Europe.-Taxonomy and systematics:...
- Family ChoreutidaeChoreutidaeChoreutidae, or "metalmark moths," are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order whose relationships have been long disputed. It was placed previously in the superfamily Yponomeutoidea in family Glyphipterigidae and in superfamily Sesioidea. It is now considered to represent its own superfamily...
- Family Brachodidae
- Superfamily ZygaenoideaZygaenoideaZygaenoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes burnet moths, forester moths, and relatives.The families are:* Aididae* Anomoeotidae* Cyclotornidae* Dalceridae* Epipyropidae* Heterogynidae* Himantopteridae* Lacturidae* Limacodidae...
- Family HeterogynidaeHeterogynidaeHeterogynidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order. There are only two currently recognized genera: Heterogynis and Janseola.-References:*...
- Family ZygaenidaeZygaenidaeThe Zygaenidae moths are a family of Lepidoptera. The majority of zygaenids are tropical, but they are nevertheless quite well represented in temperate regions. There are about 1000 species. Various species are commonly known as Burnet or Forester moths, often qualified by the number of spots,...
- Family HimantopteridaeHimantopteridaeHimantopteridae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order.-References:*...
- Family LacturidaeLacturidaeLacturidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order.Brighly coloured tropical moths Lacturidae have been previously placed in Plutellidae, Yponomeutidae and Hyponomeutidae.-References:*...
- Family SomabrachyidaeSomabrachyidaeSomabrachyidae is a family of moth in the order Lepidoptera.-References:...
- Family MegalopygidaeMegalopygidaeMegalopygidae is the technical name of a group of insect species known generally as crinkled flannel moths, or simply Flannel Moths. They occur in North America and the New World tropics. The larvae are called Puss Caterpillars, and with their long hairs, resemble cotton balls...
- Family AididaeAididaeAididae is a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea...
- Family AnomoeotidaeAnomoeotidaeAnomoeotidae is a family of moths in the Lepidoptera order. There are about 40 species with an Afrotropical and Oriental distribution.-Genera:* Akesina* Anomoeotes* Dianeura* Staphylinochrous* Thermochrous...
- Family Heterogynidae
Subsection CossinaCossinaCossina is the name for both a section and subsection of Ditrysian insects in order containing both butterflies and moths having a dorsal heart vessel...
- Superfamily CossoideaCossoideaCossoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes carpenter moths and relatives. Like their likely sister group Sesioidea they are internal feeders and have spiny pupae with moveable segments to allow them to extrude out of their exit holes in stems and trunks during emergence of the adult .The...
- Family CossidaeCossidaeCossidae, the cossid millers or carpenter millers, make up a family of mostly large miller moths. Ths family contains over 110 genera with almost 700 known species, and many more species await description...
- Family DudgeoneidaeDudgeoneidaeDudgeonea is a small genus of moths and the only genus of its family, the Dudgeoneidae. It includes six species distributed sparsely across the Old World from Africa and Madagascar to Australia and New Guinea.-Biology:...
- Family Cossidae
- Superfamily ZygaenoideaZygaenoideaZygaenoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes burnet moths, forester moths, and relatives.The families are:* Aididae* Anomoeotidae* Cyclotornidae* Dalceridae* Epipyropidae* Heterogynidae* Himantopteridae* Lacturidae* Limacodidae...
- Family CyclotornidaeCyclotornidaeCyclotorna is a genus of moths, the sole one of family Cyclotornidae, with five recognized species. The family is endemic to Australia. This family and the closely related Epipyropidae are unique among the Lepidoptera in that the larvae are ectoparasites, the hosts in this case typically being...
- Family EpipyropidaeEpipyropidaeEpipyropidae is a small family of moths. This family and the closely related Cyclotornidae are unique among the Lepidoptera in that the larvae are ectoparasites, the hosts typically being fulgoroid planthoppers, thus the common name Planthopper Parasite Moths.-References:*...
- Family DalceridaeDalceridaeDalceridae is a small family of moths with 84 known species. They are mostly found in the Neotropical region with a few reaching the far south of the Nearctic region.These are generally small or medium-sized moths with very hairy bodies...
- Family LimacodidaeLimacodidaeLimacodidae or Euclidae is a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea or the Cossoidea; the placement is in dispute. They are often called slug moths because their caterpillars bear a distinct resemblance to slugs...
- Family Cyclotornidae
- Superfamily Tortricoidea
- Family TortricidaeTortricidaeTortricidae is a family of moths, commonly known as tortrix moths, in the order Lepidoptera. Tortricidae is a large family with over 9,400 species described, and is the sole member of the superfamily Tortricoidea. Many of these are economically important pests. Olethreutidae is a junior synonym...
- Family Tortricidae
Subsection Bombycina
- Superfamily Calliduloidea
- Family CallidulidaeCallidulidaeCallidulidae, the only known family of the superfamily Calliduloidea, is the family of Old World butterfly-moths, containing eight genera. They have a peculiar distribution, restricted to the Old World tropics of South East Asia to Australasia and Madagascar...
- Family Callidulidae
- Superfamily GeometroideaGeometroideaGeometroidea is the superfamily of geometrid moths in the Lepidoptera. It includes the families Geometridae, Uraniidae, and Sematuridae...
- Family SematuridaeSematuridaeSematuridae is a family of moths in the lepidopteran order, currently containing two subfamilies .-Taxonomy, systematics, and identification:...
- Family UraniidaeUraniidaeThe Uraniidae are a family of moths containing four subfamilies, ninety genera, and roughly seven-hundred species. The family is distributed throughout the tropics of Americas, Africa and Indo-Australia. Some of the tropical species are known for their bright, butterfly-like colors and are called...
- Family Geometridae
- Family Sematuridae
- Superfamily Hedyloidea
- Family HedylidaeHedylidaeHedylidae, the "American moth-butterflies", is a family of insects in the lepidopteran order, representing the superfamily Hedyloidea. They are an extant sister group of the butterfly superfamilies Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea...
- Family Hedylidae
- Superfamily Hesperioidea
- Family Hesperiidae
- Superfamily PapilionoideaPapilionoideaThe superfamily Papilionoidea contains all the butterflies except for the skippers, which are classified in superfamily Hesperioidea, and the moth-like Hedyloidea....
- Family LycaenidaeLycaenidaeThe Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies...
- Family NymphalidaeNymphalidaeThe Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
- Family Papilionidae
- Family PieridaePieridaeThe Pieridae are a large family of butterflies with about 76 genera containing approximately 1,100 species, mostly from tropical Africa and Asia. Most pierid butterflies are white, yellow or orange in coloration, often with black spots...
- Family RiodinidaeRiodinidaeThe Riodinidae are a family of butterflies. The common name "metalmarks" refers to the small metallic-looking spots commonly found on their wings. There are approximately 1,000 species of metalmark butterflies in the world...
- Family Lycaenidae
- Superfamily DrepanoideaDrepanoideaDrepanoidea is the superfamily of "hook tip moths". See Minet and Scoble for a comprehensive overview.-References:*Minet, J and Scoble, M.J. . The Drepanoid/Geometroid Assemblage. Ch. 17 in Kristensen, N.P. . Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies. Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography....
- Family EpicopeiidaeEpicopeiidaeEpicopeiidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order. They are known as Oriental Swallowtail Moths as they resemble Oriental Swallowtail butterflies so well.-References:**...
- Family DrepanidaeDrepanidaeThe Drepanidae are a family of moths with about 1000 species recorded worldwide. They are generally divided in three subfamilies which share the same type of hearing organ. Thyatirinae, previously often placed in their own family, bear a superficial resemblance to Noctuidae...
- Family Epicopeiidae
- Superfamily BombycoideaBombycoideaBombycoidea is a superfamily of moths. It contains the silk moths, emperor moths, sphinx moths and relatives. The Lasiocampoidea are close relatives and sometimes merged in the present group. Their larvae exhibit horns.-Sources:...
- Family AnthelidaeAnthelidaeAnthelidae is a family of Australian lappet moths in the Lepidoptera order. It was previously included in the Lasiocampoidea superfamily, but a recent study resulted in reincluding the family in the superfamily Bombycoidea.-Diversity:...
- Family BombycidaeBombycidaeBombycidae is a family of moths. The best-known species is Bombyx mori or silkworm, native to northern China and domesticated for millennia...
- Family BrahmaeidaeBrahmaeidaeBrahmaeidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order, commonly known as brahmin moths.-Genera:*Acanthobrahmaea*Brachygnatha*Brahmaea*Brahmidia*Calliprogonos*Dactyloceras*Spiramiopsis-References:*...
- Family Carthaeidae
- Family EndromidaeEndromidaeEndromidae is a family of moths. It was long considered to be a monotypic family, containing just one species, the Kentish Glory, Endromis versicolora, found throughout the Palaearctic region .-Genera:*Andraca*Endromis...
- Family EupterotidaeEupterotidaeEupterotidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order.-Diversity:The family consists of four subfamilies and the unplaced Ganissa group...
- Family LasiocampidaeLasiocampidaeThe Lasiocampidae family of moths are also known as eggars, snout moths or lappet moths. There are over 2000 species worldwide, and probably not all have been named or studied....
- Family LemoniidaeLemoniidaeLemoniidae is a small family of moths. There are only four valid genera: Crateronyx, Heteranaphe, Lemonia and Sabalia and 21 described species.-References:*...
- Family Mimallonidae
- Family MirinidaeMirinidaeMirina is genus of moths in the Endromidae family. It was previously assigned to its own family, the Mirinidae. The genus contains three described species-External links:***...
- Family SaturniidaeSaturniidaeThe Saturniidae, commonly known as saturniids, are among the largest and most spectacular of the moths. They form a family of Lepidoptera, with an estimated 1,300 to 1,500 described species worldwide...
- Family SphingidaeSphingidaeSphingidae is a family of moths , commonly known as hawk moths, sphinx moths and hornworms, that includes about 1,200 species . It is best represented in the tropics but there are species in every region . They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their rapid,...
- Family Anthelidae
- Superfamily Cimelioidea
- Family CimeliidaeCimeliidaeCimeliidae or the "Gold Moths" is a family of moths whose precise relationships within the Macrolepidoptera are currently uncertain, but they currently represent the only family in a recently-recognized superfamily whose nearest relatives include the butterflies, Calliduloidea, Drepanoidea,...
- Family Cimeliidae
- Superfamily NoctuoideaNoctuoideaNoctuoidea is the superfamily of noctuid or "owlet" moths, and has the largest number of species described for any Lepidopteran superfamily. Its classification has not yet reached a satisfactory or stable state. The most recent classifications include only four families in the superfamily;...
- Family ArctiidaeArctiidaeArctiidae is a large and diverse family of moths with around 11,000 species found all over the world, including 6,000 neotropical species. This family includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths , which usually have bright colours, footmen , lichen moths and wasp moths...
- Family DoidaeDoidaeDoidae is a family of Lepidoptera. It is sometimes treated as a subfamily of the Notodontidae. Species have been placed in the Arctiidae, Lymantriidae and the Dioptidae....
- Family LymantriidaeLymantriidaeLymantriidae is a family of moths. Many of its component species are referred to as "Tussock moths" of one sort or another. The caterpillar, or larval, stage of these species often has a distinctive appearance of alternating bristles and haired projections...
- Family MicronoctuidaeMicronoctuidaeThe Micronoctuidae are a family of moths that includes about 400 described species. The family was first described in 2005.Micronoctua karsholti is the smallest of all species in the Noctuoidea superfamily.-Taxonomic History:...
- Family NoctuidaeNoctuidaeThe Noctuidae or owlet moths are a family of robustly-built moths that includes more than 35,000 known species out of possibly 100,000 total, in more than 4,200 genera. They constitute the largest family in the Lepidoptera....
- Family NolidaeNolidaeNolidae is a family of moths with about 1,400 described species worldwide. They are mostly small with dull colouration, the main distinguishing feature being tufts of raised scales on the forewings...
- Family NotodontidaeNotodontidaeNotodontidae is a family of moths with approximately 3,500 known species. Moths of this family are found in all parts of the world, but they are most concentrated in tropical areas, especially in the New World...
- Family OenosandridaeOenosandridaeOenosandridae is a family of noctuoid moths in the Order Lepidoptera. The members are moths found in Australia. Genera include Diceratucha, Discophlebia, Nycteropa, and Oenosandra.-Notable species:*Discophlebia catocalina,...
- Family PantheidaePantheidaePantheidae is a family of Lepidoptera. Mostly, it is classified as a subfamily of Noctuidae, under the name Pantheinae....
- Family Arctiidae