Genus Pyrausta

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Range · Internet References · Works Cited

small pink caterpillar in beebalm - Pyrausta signatalis

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Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

No Taxon (Moths)

Superfamily Pyraloidea

Family Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)

Subfamily Pyraustinae

Tribe Pyraustini

Genus Pyrausta

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Genus formerly split up among numerous other genera...

Explanation of Names

pyrali, -d is Greek for "an insect fabled to live in fire" (1)

From Wikipedia:

Pyrausta (also called pyrallis, pyragones) is a mythological insect-sized dragon from Cyprus. It resembles a four-legged insect with filmy wings and a dragon's head. It lived in the fire like a salamander and died if it went away from the fire.

Numbers

60 species in North America (Nearctica.com)

Range

Members of this genus occur throughout North America.

Internet References

Pyralidae, Pyrausta spp. -- 5019-5049 - MPG, Refereed by Brian Scholtens

Pyralidae, Pyrausta spp. -- 5051-5075 - MPG, Refereed by Brian Scholtens

Works Cited

1.	Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms By Donald J. Borror

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 12 January, 2005 - 7:48pm
Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Last updated 6 February, 2009 - 8:01pm

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