Galleriinae
Encyclopedia
The Galleriinae are a subfamily of snout moths (family
Pyralidae) and occur essentially world-wide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. This subfamily includes the wax moths, whose caterpillar
s (waxworms) are bred on a commercial scale as food for pet
s and as fishing bait
; in the wild, these and other species
of Galleriinae may also be harmful to humans as pests.
At the species level, they are the least diverse snout moth subfamily according to current knowledge, with about 300 described species altogether. However, as regards major lineages, the Galleriinae are quite diverse, with 5 tribe
s being recognized – more than in the Phycitinae
, the most species-rich snout moth subfamily. One of these tribes, the Joelminetiini, has been described only in 2007, and presently contains a single and highly aberrant genus
.
larva
e of Galleriinae usually have a sclerotise
d ring around the base of seta SD1 on the first abdominal segment. Their pupa
e are comparatively easy to distinguish from other snout moths' by a readily apparent midline ridge running along the thorax
and abdomen. In the imagines
, the gnathos of the male genitalia is reduced to the point of disappearing altogether or (more rarely) with only the barest vestige remaining; this is quite characteristic except for a few Chrysauginae
which have convergently
lost the gnathos. Males produce very high chirping sounds with their tegulae
, in some cases even regular "mating songs", though without specialized bioacoustics
equipment this cannot be used for identification. Unusual for Pyralidae, adult Galleriinae may lack ocelli and even the proboscis (which is usually well-developed in the family); as typical for the family, however, they usually have large labial palps which form a "snout".
Ecologically, the subfamily is noted for a number of species that coevolved with Hymenoptera
, namely Apoidea
(bee
s and relatives). The larvae may be parasites or symbionts, and the adults of such species at least to some degree are inquiline
s (though usually pursued by the nest inhabitants). Especially notable among these Galleriinae are the waxworm
s (Achroia
and Galleria larvae) which are both significant as beekeeping
pests and as commercial items, as well as Aphomia
species. Others, especially the Rice Moth
(Corcyra cephalonica) and Paralipsa, are noted pests of stored food products.
, but no dedicated phylogenetic analysis has been conducted. Nonwithstanding, such studies exist for the Pyraloidea
as a whole, and these indicate that the Galleriinae are a rather primitive lineage of Pyralidae, comparable to the Chrysauginae
. The latter may be the closest living relatives of the Galleriinae, or an independent but equally ancient snout moth lineage that simply looks similar due to sharing many plesiomorphic traits.
The Galleriinae are currently divided into 5 tribe
s, though this may change eventually. For one thing, some genera
are presently insufficiently studied or too aberrant to be firmly assignable to any one tribe; for another, in the absence of detailed phylogenetic studies the best systematic
treatment for members of this subfamily remains a best-guess. Furthermore, not all Galleriinae are known to science; new species
and genera continue to be discovered. A supposed additional tribe ("Macrothecini") is based on a misidentified specimen of Cacotherapia interalbicalis
; on the other hand the genus Joelminetia, of which the first specimens reached the hands of researchers only in the 1990s, turned out to be so distinct as to warrant establishment of its own monotypic
tribe.
The tribes and genera – with some significant species also noted – in this subfamily are:
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Pyralidae) and occur essentially world-wide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. This subfamily includes the wax moths, whose caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
s (waxworms) are bred on a commercial scale as food for pet
Pet
A pet is a household animal kept for companionship and a person's enjoyment, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful...
s and as fishing bait
Fishing bait
Fishing bait is any substance used to attract and catch fish, e.g. on the end of a fishing hook, or inside a fish trap. Traditionally, nightcrawlers, insects, and smaller bait fish have been used for this purpose...
; in the wild, these and other species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of Galleriinae may also be harmful to humans as pests.
At the species level, they are the least diverse snout moth subfamily according to current knowledge, with about 300 described species altogether. However, as regards major lineages, the Galleriinae are quite diverse, with 5 tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
s being recognized – more than in the Phycitinae
Phycitinae
The Phycitinae are a subfamily of snout moths . Even though the Pyralidae subfamilies are all quite diverse, Phycitinae stand out even by standards of their family: with over 600 genera considered valid and more than 4000 species placed here at present, they unite up more than three-quarters of...
, the most species-rich snout moth subfamily. One of these tribes, the Joelminetiini, has been described only in 2007, and presently contains a single and highly aberrant genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
.
Description and ecology
The caterpillarCaterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e of Galleriinae usually have a sclerotise
Sclerosis
Sclerosis or sclerotization is a hardening of tissue and other anatomical features; it may refer to:* in medicine, Sclerosis...
d ring around the base of seta SD1 on the first abdominal segment. Their pupa
Pupa
A pupa is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation. The pupal stage is found only in holometabolous insects, those that undergo a complete metamorphosis, going through four life stages; embryo, larva, pupa and imago...
e are comparatively easy to distinguish from other snout moths' by a readily apparent midline ridge running along the thorax
Thorax (insect anatomy)
The thorax is the mid section of the insect body. It holds the head, legs, wings and abdomen. It is also called mesosoma in other arthropods....
and abdomen. In the imagines
Imago
In biology, the imago is the last stage of development of an insect, after the last ecdysis of an incomplete metamorphosis, or after emergence from the pupa where the metamorphosis is complete...
, the gnathos of the male genitalia is reduced to the point of disappearing altogether or (more rarely) with only the barest vestige remaining; this is quite characteristic except for a few Chrysauginae
Chrysauginae
The Chrysauginae are a subfamily of snout moths . They are primarily neotropical and include about 400 described species.-Description and ecology:...
which have convergently
Convergent evolution
Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight. The wings are...
lost the gnathos. Males produce very high chirping sounds with their tegulae
Tegula (anatomy)
A tegula is a small sclerite situated above the base of the costal vein in the wings of various insects such as Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Homoptera, and attached to the antero-lateral portion of the mesonotum....
, in some cases even regular "mating songs", though without specialized bioacoustics
Bioacoustics
Bioacoustics is a cross-disciplinary science that combines biology and acoustics. Usually it refers to the investigation of sound production, dispersion through elastic media, and reception in animals, including humans. This involves neurophysiological and anatomical basis of sound production and...
equipment this cannot be used for identification. Unusual for Pyralidae, adult Galleriinae may lack ocelli and even the proboscis (which is usually well-developed in the family); as typical for the family, however, they usually have large labial palps which form a "snout".
Ecologically, the subfamily is noted for a number of species that coevolved with Hymenoptera
Hymenoptera
Hymenoptera is one of the largest orders of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees and ants. There are over 130,000 recognized species, with many more remaining to be described. The name refers to the heavy wings of the insects, and is derived from the Ancient Greek ὑμήν : membrane and...
, namely Apoidea
Apoidea
The superfamily Apoidea is a major group within the Hymenoptera, which includes two traditionally-recognized lineages, the "sphecoid" wasps, and the bees, who appear to be their descendants.- Nomenclature :...
(bee
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
s and relatives). The larvae may be parasites or symbionts, and the adults of such species at least to some degree are inquiline
Inquiline
In zoology, an inquiline is an animal that lives commensally in the nest, burrow, or dwelling place of an animal of another species. For example, some organisms such as insects may live in the homes of gophers and feed on debris, fungi, roots, etc...
s (though usually pursued by the nest inhabitants). Especially notable among these Galleriinae are the waxworm
Waxworm
Waxworms are the caterpillar larvae of wax moths, which belong to the snout moth family . Two closely related species are commercially bred – the lesser wax moth and the greater wax moth...
s (Achroia
Achroia
Achroia is a genus of small moths of the snout moth family . It belongs to the tribe Galleriini of subfamily Galleriinae.It has only one unequivocally recognized species; two others are placed here but their validity is doubtful:...
and Galleria larvae) which are both significant as beekeeping
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is the maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives, by humans. A beekeeper keeps bees in order to collect honey and other products of the hive , to pollinate crops, or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers...
pests and as commercial items, as well as Aphomia
Aphomia
Aphomia is a genus of small moths belonging to the family Pyralidae. Some breed in the nests of Anthophila , where their caterpillars are parasitic feeders of wax, honey and pollen.-Selected species:...
species. Others, especially the Rice Moth
Rice Moth
The Rice Moth is a pyraloid moth of the family Pyralidae. It is – as far as is known – the only living species of the genus Corcyra....
(Corcyra cephalonica) and Paralipsa, are noted pests of stored food products.
Systematics
The diversity of Galleriinae known in the mid 20th century was fully catalogued by P.E.S. Whalley of the UK Natural History MuseumNatural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
, but no dedicated phylogenetic analysis has been conducted. Nonwithstanding, such studies exist for the Pyraloidea
Pyraloidea
The Pyraloidea are a moth superfamily containing about 16,000 described species worldwide , and probably at least as many more remain to be described. They are generally fairly small moths....
as a whole, and these indicate that the Galleriinae are a rather primitive lineage of Pyralidae, comparable to the Chrysauginae
Chrysauginae
The Chrysauginae are a subfamily of snout moths . They are primarily neotropical and include about 400 described species.-Description and ecology:...
. The latter may be the closest living relatives of the Galleriinae, or an independent but equally ancient snout moth lineage that simply looks similar due to sharing many plesiomorphic traits.
The Galleriinae are currently divided into 5 tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
s, though this may change eventually. For one thing, some genera
Genera
Genera is a commercial operating system and development environment for Lisp machines developed by Symbolics. It is essentially a fork of an earlier operating system originating on the MIT AI Lab's Lisp machines which Symbolics had used in common with LMI and Texas Instruments...
are presently insufficiently studied or too aberrant to be firmly assignable to any one tribe; for another, in the absence of detailed phylogenetic studies the best systematic
Systematics
Biological systematics is the study of the diversification of terrestrial life, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees...
treatment for members of this subfamily remains a best-guess. Furthermore, not all Galleriinae are known to science; new species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
and genera continue to be discovered. A supposed additional tribe ("Macrothecini") is based on a misidentified specimen of Cacotherapia interalbicalis
Cacotherapia interalbicalis
Cacotherapia interalbicalis is a species of snout moth in the genus Cacotherapia. It was described by Ragonot in 1891, from Sonora, Mexico. It is also found in the southern United States....
; on the other hand the genus Joelminetia, of which the first specimens reached the hands of researchers only in the 1990s, turned out to be so distinct as to warrant establishment of its own monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
tribe.
The tribes and genera – with some significant species also noted – in this subfamily are: