Phycitinae

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Infraclassis: Neoptera
Cladus: Eumetabola
Cladus: Endopterygota
Superordo: Panorpida
Cladus: Amphiesmenoptera
Ordo: Lepidoptera
Subordo: Glossata
Cladus: Coelolepida
Cladus: Myoglossata
Cladus: Neolepidoptera
Infraordo: Heteroneura
Cladus: Eulepidoptera
Cladus: Ditrysia
Cladus: Apoditrysia
Cladus: Obtectomera
Superfamilia: Pyraloidea

Familia: Pyralidae
Subfamilia: Phycitinae
Tribus: Anerastiini - Cabniini - Cryptoblabini - Phycitini

Overview of assigned genera to a tribus

Abareia – Acrobasis – Addyme – Alophia – Ammatucha – Amphithrix – Amyelois – Ancylodes – Ancylosis – Ancylosoma – Anerastia – Anonaepestis – Aphyletes – Apomyelois – Archiephestia – Archigalleria – Arcola – Arsissa – Asalebria – Asarta – Asartodes – Asclerobia – Aspithra – Assara – Bahiria – Balanomis – Barbifrontia – Bazaria – Berastagia – Bradyrrhoa – Bussa – Cabnia – Cactoblastis – Cadra – Calguia – Catastia – Cathyalia – Cavipalpia – Ceroprepes – Ceutholopha – Christophia – Cipopeoria – Coleothrix – Conobathra – Copamyntis – Cremnophila – Creobota – Crocydopora – Cryptadia – Cryptarthria – Cryptoblabes – Cryptomyelois – Ctenomedes – Ctenomeristis – Dectocera – Dialepta – Dioryctria – Dusungwua – Ecbletodes – Eccopisa – Ecnomoneura – Ectohomoeosoma – Elegia (Ragonot) – Ematheudes – Emmalocera – Encryphodes – Ephestia – Ephestiopsis – Epicrocis – Epidauria – Epischnia – Epischidia – Epischnopsis – Episcythrastis – Eremographa – Etiella – Eucampyla – Eucarphia – Eurhodope – Euzophera – Euzopherodes – Faveria – Fregenia – Glyptoteles – Goya – Guastica – Gymnancyla – Harnochina – Heterochrosis – Homoeosoma – Homosassa – Hosomeiga – Hypochalcia – Hyporatasa – Hypsotropa – Indomalayia – Indomyrlaea – Isauria – Keradere – Khorassania – Klimeschiola – Laetilia – Lasiosticha – Lodiana – Lophothoracia – Lymphia – Magiria – Medaniaria – Megasis – Merulempista – Mesciniadia – Metacommotria – Metallosticha – Metallostichodes – Meyrickiella – Michaeliodes – Monoctenocera – Myeloiodes – Myelois – Myrlaea – Nephopterix – Niethammeriodes – Nonambesa – Nyctegretis – Ocrisia – Ocrisiodes – Oncocera – Ortholepis – Osakia – Oxybia – Oxydisia – Ozamia – Paraemmalocera – Paramaxillaria – Parematheudes – Parramatta – Patagoniodes – Patna – Pempelia – Pempeliella – Peoria – Phycita – Phycitodes – Pima – Plodia – Polopeustis – Polyocha – Polyochodes – Postemmalocera – Procunea – Prorophora – Protoetiella – Pseudocadra – Pseudoceroprepes – Pseudodavara – Pseudophycita – Psorosa – Pterothrixidia – Ptyobathra – Ptyomaxia – Pyla – Rambutaneia – Raphimetopus – Ratasa – Salebria – Salebriopsis – Salinaria – Saluria – Sandrabatis – Sciota – Seeboldia – Selagia – Seleucia – Sempronia – Serrulacera – Spatulipalpia – Stanempista – Staudingeria – Stenopterix – Stereobela – Sudaniola – Symphonistis – Synoria – Syntypica – Tephris – Thospia – Thylacoptila – Toshitamia – Trachonitis – Trachycera – Trissonca – Trychnocrana – Tucumania – Tylochares – Unadillides – Unadophanes – Valdovecaria – Vietteia – Vinicia – Vitula – Volobilis – Zapalla – Zophodia
Overview of not assigned genera to a tribus

Afromyelois – Afropsipyla – Anabasis – Aptunga – Azanicola – Brachiolodes – Caristanius – Caudellia – Cavihemiptilocera – Chararica – Cnephidia – Coenochroa – Compsoteles – Dasypyga – Didia – Difundella – Diosia – Ectomyelois – Edulica – Etielloides – Eulogia – Furcata – Gaana – Gunungia – Heras – Heterographis – Homoeographa – Hyphantidium – Iangaigheria – Irakia – Jakuarte – Lascelina – Lipographis – Macrophycis (Roesler) – Macrorrhinia – Malgachinsula – Megarthria – Metoecis – Moodna – Morosaphycita – Mussidia – Myelopsis – Namibicola – Nefundella – Nevacolima – Nylonala – Palatka – Passadena – Patriciola – Phylebria – Pinipestis – Pogononeura – Pogonotropha – Psammeliella – Pseudacrobasis – Pseudanabasis – Pseudosyria – Ragonotia – Roeslerinia – Sacculocornutia – Samkosia – Sarata – Sclerobia – Sematoneura – Shafferiessa – Slamkania – Sogaphycis – Sthenobela – Syringia – Thiallela – Tsaratanana – Tumoriala – Uncinus – Utah – Varneria – Veldticola – Vogtia – Vorapourouma – Welderella – Zamagiria – Zophodiodes
Name

Phycitinae Griveaud, 1976
References

Asselbergs, J.E.F., 2004: Three new species of Phycitinae from Central Asia (Pyraloidea: Pyralidae). Nota Lepidopterologica 27 (1): 51–58.
Asselbergs, J.E.F., 2009: New data for Pyraloidea from Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain) including a species new to science (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea). Shilap Revista de Lepidopterologia 37 (148): 405–420.
Beccaloni, G.W., Scoble, M.J., Robinson, G.S. & Pitkin, B. (Editors). 2003: The Global Lepidoptera Names Index (LepIndex).[1] (accessed 02/06/2006)
Bidzilya, O.V., Budashkin, Yu.I. & Yepishin, V. 2020. Review of the tribe Anerastiini (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) from Ukraine. Zootaxa 4718(1): 001–024. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4718.1.1. Reference page.
Blanchard, A. 1978a. The status of Ollia parvella Dyar: redescription of it in a new genus (Pyralidae). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 32(2): 103–106. full article (PDF}. Reference page.
Du, Y.-L. ; S.-M. Song & C.-S. Wu, 2009: A new species of Anabasis Heinrich and a related new genus from China (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae). Transactions of the American Entomological Society 135 (3): 369–375. DOI: 10.3157/061.135.0303.
Ferris, C.D., 2012: A new Phycitine genus and species from Utah (Pyraloidea: Pyralidae: Phycitinae). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 66(2): 76–80.
Heinrich, C., 1956: American moths of the subfamily Phycitinae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 207: 1–581.
Horak, M., 1997: The Phycitine genera Faveria Walker, Morosaphycita, gen. nov., Epicrocis Zeller, Ptyobathra Turner and Vinicia Ragonot in Australia (Pyralidae: Phycitinae). Invertebrate Taxonomy 11: 333–421.
Inoue, H., 1959: One new genus and eleven new species of the Japanese Phycitinae (Lepidoptera: Pyralididae). Tinea 5 (1): 293–301.
Kirpichnikova V.A. & H. Yamanaka, 2001: A new genus of the subfamily Phycitinae (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) from North-East Russia. Far Eastern entomologist, 97: 1–4.
Kirpichnikova V.A. & H. Yamanaka, 2002: Two new species of the subfamily Phycitinae from the South of the Russian Far East (Lepidoptera: Pyralididae). Zoosystematica Rossica 10(2): 403–406.
Landry, B. & H.H. Neunzig, 1997: A review of the Phycitinae of the Galápagos Islands (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Insect Systematics & Evolution 28 (4): 493–508. Abstract: DOI: 10.1163/187631297X00303
Li H.H. & Ren Y.D., 2006: The genus Thiallela Walker, 1863 in China (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae). Entomological News 117(3): 323–331.
Mey, W., 2011: New and little known species of Lepidoptera of southwestern Africa. Esperiana Buchreihe zur Entomologie Memoir 6: 146–261.
Neunzig, H.H. 1996. New species of Phycitinae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from the Dominican Republic. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 98(4): 774–801. BHL Reference page.
Neunzig, H.H., 2000: New Phycitine records for the Dominican Republic and description of a new species of Nefundella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae). Tropical Lepidoptera Research 11 (1-2): 7–12.
Neunzig, H.H. & M.A. Solis, 1996: A new species of Palatka Hulst (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 98 (1): 64–67.
Neunzig, H.H. & M.A. Solis, 2002: The Ceracanthia complex (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) in Costa Rica. I. Ceracanthia Ragonot. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 104 (4): 837–855.
Neunzig, H.H. & M.A. Solis, 2002: The Ceracanthia complex (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) in Costa Rica. II. Megarthria Ragonot, Drescoma Dyar, and Lascelina Heinrich. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 104 (4): 980–992.
Qi, M.J. & Bae, Y.S. 2015a: New genus of Phycitinae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) with description of a new species from Cambodia. Entomological Research 45(3): 158-161. DOI: 10.1111/1748-5967.12108. Reference page.
Regier, J.C. et al., 2012: A molecular phylogeny for the pyraloid moths (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea) and its implications for higher-level classification. Systematic Entomology 37 (4): 635–656. Abstract: DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3113.2012.00641.x.
Ren, Y-D. & Li, H-H. 2016. Review of Pseudacrobasis Roesler, 1975 from China (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae, Phycitinae). ZooKeys 615: 143-152. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.615.8859. Reference page.
Ren, Y-D. & Yang, L-L. 2016. Ectomyelois Heinrich, 1956 in China, with descriptions of two new species and a key (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae, Phycitinae). ZooKeys 559: 125-137. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.559.6076. Reference page.
Roesler, R.U., 1988: Untersuchungen zur taxonomie paläarktischer Phycitinae (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea). Beiträge zur Entomologie 38 (1): 65–73.
Solis, M.A. & Neunzig 2017. A New Phycitine Genus and Species of a Pourouma-Feeding Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from Panama No Access. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 119(3): 464-470. DOI: 10.4289/0013-8797.119.3.464 Reference page.
Streltzov A.N., 2011: A review of the Far Eastern species of the genus Sciota Hulst, 1888 (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea, Phycitidae) with the description of a new genus. Amurian zoological journal III(2): 168–178. Full article: [2].
Viette, P.E.L., 1953: Descriptions de nouvelles espèces de Pyrales de la faune Malgache (Insecta: Lepidoptera)., Bulletin Mensuel de la Société Linnéenne de Lyon 22 (8): 203–209.
Yamanaka, H., 2004: Two new species, three unrecorded species, and three new synonyms of the Phycitinae from Japan (Pyralidae). Tinea 18 (3): 184–191.
Yamanaka, H., 2014: A new species of the genus Mussidia Ragonot from Japan (Pyralidae, Phycitinae). Tinea 22 (5): 296–298.

Links

Global information system on pyraloidea [3].

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.

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 type species of this subfamily is Phycita roborella, under its junior synonym Tinea spissicella. That name was apparently[verification needed] first proposed by Johan Christian Fabricius in his 1776/1777 Genera insectorum but overlooked by subsequent authors, leading to many sources listing its origin as Fabricius' 1790s work Entomologia systematica.

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.[4]

Description
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][5]

These moths may resemble caddisflies, but caddisfly antennae point forwards[6] while Phycitinae antennae curve backwards.
Ecology
Indian mealmoth (Plodia interpunctella) caterpillar infesting chocolate sprinkles
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.[5]

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.[5]
Systematics
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.[5][7]

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.[5][7]
Tribes
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:

Anerastiini Ragonot, 1885

About 64 genera, see main article

Cabniini Roesler, 1968

Cabnia
Ernophthora
Euageta

Cryptoblabini Roesler, 1968

Balanomis
Berastagia
Cryptadia Turner, 1913
Cryptoblabes
Procunea Hampson, 1930 (=Kobesia Roesler, 1983)
Pseudodavara Roesler & Küppers, 1979
Spatulipalpia Ragonot, 1893

Phycitini

About 150 genera, see main article

Genera incertae sedis
Imago of Morosaphycita oculiferella, a Phycitinae with unclear affinities

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

Abachausia
Afromylea
Amyelois
Anabasis
Aspithroides
Australephestiodes Neunzig, 1988
Baphala Heinrich, 1956
Cabotella
Cantheleamima
Caristanius
Caviana
Cavihemiptilocera
Ceuthelea
Chorrera
Citripestis
Coenochroa
Coleothrix
Davara
Didia
Difundella
Elasmopalpus – lesser cornstalk borer
Ephestiodes Ragonot, 1887
Etielloides Shibuya, 1928
Eulogia – broad-banded eulogia moth
Furcata Du, Sung & Wu, 2005
Genophantis
Gunungia Roesler & Küppers, 1979
Heras Heinrich, 1956
Irakia Amsel, 1955
Monoptilota – lima-bean vine borer
Morosaphycita Horak, 1997
Morosaphycita oculiferella
Morosaphycita morosalis
Nephopterygia Amsel, 1965
Nevacolima Neunzig, 1994
Oxybia Rebel, 1901
Pararotruda Roesler, 1965
Prorophora Ragonot, 1887
Pseudanabasis Du, Sung & Wu, 2009
Rhodophaea Guenée, 1845
Rhynchephestia
Rumatha Heinrich, 1939
Salebriaria Heinrich, 1956
Salinaria Rebel in Staudinger & Rebel, 1901
Sematoneura Ragonot, 1888
Thiallela Walker, 1863
Tlascala Hulst, 1890
Tsaraphycis Viette, 1970
Tumoriala Neunzig & Solis, 2005
Unadilla Hulst, 1890
Unadilla bidensana
Unadilla humeralis
Zamagiria

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][7]
References

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.
"Phycitinae | NBN Atlas". species.nbnatlas.org. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
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.
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.
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.
"Caddisflies (Order: Trichoptera) - Amateur Entomologists' Society (AES)".
Savela, Markku (2011). "Phycitinae". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2020-02-12.