Superfamily Zygaenoidea - Flannel, Slug Caterpillar, Leaf Skeletonizer Moths and kin

From the type genus Zygaena, Greek for "a kind of shark." (1)

Adult - frequently woolly and have stout bodies and bipectinate male antennae (sometimes also bipectinate in females). They are small to medium large, with forewing lengths (base to apex) ranging from 4 mm to 4 0 mm.

Below is a guide to the local families of Zygaenoidea. The images included are meant to be illustrative of the general appearance of each family as an aid for narrowing down possibilities for identification. While the commonest elements of forewing maculation in each family are represented, many patterns are not.

Limacodidae

Zygaenidae

Megalopygidae

Dalceridae                                Epipyropidae                             Lacturidae

                                

Onset of cocoon construction is marked by final frass pellets that are frequently a chalky white. With the exception of the Dalceridae, cocoons in the limacodid group have trap-door exits or lids. Lids are opened by the pupa, which pushes nearly completely out of the cocoon prior to eclosion. (2)