Cossoidea
Encyclopedia
Cossoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes carpenter moths and relatives. Like their likely sister group Sesioidea
they are internal feeders and have spiny pupae with moveable segments to allow them to extrude out of their exit holes in stems and trunks during emergence of the adult (Edwards et al., 1999).
The Limacodidae
are sometimes included here as a third family. But the Sesioidea, and perhaps the Zygaenoidea
and/or Tortricoidea, seem to be close relatives of the Cossoidea, and the relation of these – in particular the Zygaenoidea – to the Limacodidae requires further study.
Sesioidea
Sesioidea is the superfamily currently containing clearwing moths , castniid moths and little bear moths . There is evidence from head and thoracic morphology that the first two families, internally feeding in plants as caterpillars, are sisters, whilst some brachodids are known to feed on leaf...
they are internal feeders and have spiny pupae with moveable segments to allow them to extrude out of their exit holes in stems and trunks during emergence of the adult (Edwards et al., 1999).
The Limacodidae
Limacodidae
Limacodidae or Euclidae is a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea or the Cossoidea; the placement is in dispute. They are often called slug moths because their caterpillars bear a distinct resemblance to slugs...
are sometimes included here as a third family. But the Sesioidea, and perhaps the Zygaenoidea
Zygaenoidea
Zygaenoidea is the superfamily of moths that includes burnet moths, forester moths, and relatives.The families are:* Aididae* Anomoeotidae* Cyclotornidae* Dalceridae* Epipyropidae* Heterogynidae* Himantopteridae* Lacturidae* Limacodidae...
and/or Tortricoidea, seem to be close relatives of the Cossoidea, and the relation of these – in particular the Zygaenoidea – to the Limacodidae requires further study.
Sources
- Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders, edited by Christopher O'Toole, ISBN 1-55297-612-2, 2002