Family Zygaenidae (Zygaenid Moths)

Description of Zygaenidae

The Zygaenidae are members of the Superfamily Zygaenoidea. About 1,000 species are described worldwide, and the family is relatively well studied owing to the fascinating, colorful forms, diurnal habits, and mimicry associated with the chemical ecology. All New World species are in the subfamily Procridinae. These diurnal moths are avoided by birds and other predators because both adults and larvae are able to release hydrocyanic acid (HCN), which has enabled many to take part in complex mimicry relationships. Adults are variable in size, and have a well-developed proboscis and commonly visit flowers. Wings are highly variable in shape and are often metallic colored. Eggs are deposited in rows, clusters, or overlapping patches and sometimes covered with scales. Larvae are stout and broad, and feed on numerous angiosperm plant families, probably mostly host specific.

Subfamily:

Pryeria sinica Euonymous Defoliator Moth (Moore, 1877)

Ypsolopha senex (Walsingham, 1889)

Subfamily: Procridinae (Procridinids)

Acoloithus falsarius Clemens' False Skeletonizer (Clemens, 1860)

Harrisina americana Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth (Guérin, 1829)

Harrisina coracina (Clemens, 1860)

Harrisina metallica Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer (Stretch, 1885)

Neoalbertia constans (Hy. Edwards, 1881)

Neoprocris floridana Laurelcherry Smoky Moth (Tarmann, 1984)

Pyromorpha dimidiata Orange-patched Smoky Moth Herrich-Schäffer, [1854]

Pyromorpha fusca H. Edwards, 1884

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Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Description of Zygaenidae

Subfamily:

Subfamily: Procridinae (Procridinids)

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Description of Zygaenidae

Photographs of Zygaenidae

Euonymous Defoliator Moth
Pryeria sinica

Clemens' False Skeletonizer
Acoloithus falsarius

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth
Harrisina americana

Orange-patched Smoky Moth
Pyromorpha dimidiata

Clemens' False Skeletonizer
Acoloithus falsarius

Euonymous Defoliator Moth
Pryeria sinica

Laurelcherry Smoky Moth
Neoprocris floridana

Clemens' False Skeletonizer
Acoloithus falsarius

Orange-patched Smoky Moth
Pyromorpha dimidiata

Laurelcherry Smoky Moth
Neoprocris floridana

Neoalbertia constans

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth
Harrisina americana

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Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Family Zygaenidae (Zygaenid Moths)

Description of Zygaenidae

Subfamily:

Subfamily: Procridinae (Procridinids)

Please donate!

Advertise with us!

Description of Zygaenidae

Photographs of Zygaenidae

Euonymous Defoliator MothPryeria sinica

Clemens' False SkeletonizerAcoloithus falsarius

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer MothHarrisina americana

Orange-patched Smoky MothPyromorpha dimidiata

Clemens' False SkeletonizerAcoloithus falsarius

Euonymous Defoliator MothPryeria sinica

Laurelcherry Smoky MothNeoprocris floridana

Clemens' False SkeletonizerAcoloithus falsarius

Orange-patched Smoky MothPyromorpha dimidiata

Laurelcherry Smoky MothNeoprocris floridana

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer MothHarrisina americana

Euonymous Defoliator Moth
Pryeria sinica

Clemens' False Skeletonizer
Acoloithus falsarius

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth
Harrisina americana

Orange-patched Smoky Moth
Pyromorpha dimidiata

Clemens' False Skeletonizer
Acoloithus falsarius

Euonymous Defoliator Moth
Pryeria sinica

Laurelcherry Smoky Moth
Neoprocris floridana

Clemens' False Skeletonizer
Acoloithus falsarius

Orange-patched Smoky Moth
Pyromorpha dimidiata

Laurelcherry Smoky Moth
Neoprocris floridana

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth
Harrisina americana