Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Crambidae Latreille, 1810
Explanation of Names
Crambidae from type genus
Crambus (Fabricius), from Greek meaning "dry, parched." Also, in Greek mythology, the child of Phineus and Cleopatra.
(1)Numbers
860 species in 10 subfamilies in our area
(2). Scholtens and Solis overlooked at least five species in their checklist, bringing the total number of species up to at least 865.
About 11,630 described species in 15 subfamilies in the world.
Size
Small to medium: wingspan usually 10-35 mm.
Identification
Below is a guide to the local subfamilies of Crambidae. The images included are meant to be illustrative of the general appearance of each subfamily as an aid for narrowing down possibilities for identification. While the commonest elements of forewing maculation in each subfamily are represented, many patterns are not.
Proboscis with scales at base; tympanal organs (ears) at base of abdomen ventrally and 'opened' anteriomedially (visible in anteriorly-angled lateral view).
Full description at pyraloidea.org (GlobIZ)
here with info on subfamilies
here (3)Habitat
In or on terrestrial or aquatic vegetation; one group lives only in nests of arboreal ants.
Food
Larvae are stem borers, root feeders, leaf tiers, and leaf miners.
Remarks
Solis, M. Alma (2007) Phylogenetic studies and modern classification of the Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera)
ABSTRACT:
Pyraloidea, the third largest superfamily of the Lepidoptera, is comprised of two families - Pyralidae and Crambidae. The history of families previously placed in the Pyraloidea is discussed. The group now includes about 16,000 species worldwide. Morphologically, the superfamily is defined by a basally scaled proboscis and the presence of abdominal tympanal organs. The larvae of many species are economically important pests of crops (e. g.: sugarcane, corn, rice), and stored products such as seeds and grains. Currently 22 subfamilies comprise the Pyraloidea; only the 19 subfamilies that occur in the Western Hemisphere are discussed. There is a paucity of recent research using cladistic methods and phylogenetic analyses across all taxa.
Print References
Scholtens, B.G., Solis, A.M. 2015. Annotated check list of the Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera) of America North of Mexico.
ZooKeys 535: 1–136
(2)
Solis, M.A. 2007, Phylogenetic studies and modern classification of the Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera).
Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología. 33(1)(
1-9)
Internet References
Family characteristics plus biology and references (Gerald Fauske, Moths of North Dakota)
