PYRALIDAE of Australia
Webworms, Meal, Flour, & Frass Moths
PYRALOIDEA

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 11 June 2008)

The PYRALIDAE originally included a number of subfamilies which have since been placed in the family CRAMBIDAE. They were first separated out as a distinct group by Munroe in 1972 based on the presence or absence of an organ called the praecinctorium, which when present is a bilobed flimsy structure lying on the mid-line between medially fused tympanic bullae. When absent, the tympanic bullae are quite clearly separated. The former are the Crambiformes, the latter the Pyraliformes. Later, the separate groups were elevated to family status, particularly by Hennig.

The family PYRALIDAE now includes the subfamilies:

The Caterpillars of PYRALIDAE are very varied in their habits. They are basically a group of concealed feeders, but they also include parasites and aquatic forms. Some notable members of the PYRALIDAE species in Australia are:

Achroia grisella : Lesser Wax Moth

Aglossa caprealis : Murky Meal Moth / Fungus Moth / Small Tabby

Endotricha hemicausta
Endotricha ignealis

Endotricha melanchroa
Endotricha mesenterialis

Endotricha puncticostalis
Endotricha pyrosalis

Persicoptera chionozyga
Persicoptera compsopa