Pyralini
Encyclopedia
The Pyralini are a tribe
of snout moths. They belong to the subfamily Pyralinae
, which contains the "typical" snout moths of the Old World
and some other regions. The genus
list presented here is provisional.
They are deemed to represent the lineage around the type species
, the Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis), a somewhat notorious pest of stored cereal
s and similar goods. Like this species, Pyralini are usually largish snout moths; some are boldly colored (often in bright brown to yellow hues) by standards of their family.
are still being discovered on a regular basis), and perhaps the grop will turn out to be so large or phylogenetically inconsistent that it will be split apart. Pending a detailed analysis, the following genera are placed here (some notable species are also listed):
Numerous Pyralinae
genera have not yet been asigned to a tribe, and in general the subfamily is in need of thorough revision. Some genera have explicitly been allied with Pyralini genera in the past and might more likely than others be members of the present subfamily:
Tanaobela
is a more complicated case; it has by some authors been assigned to the grass moths (Crambidae, formerly included in the Pyralidae
). Others have placed it in the Pyralini, which may well be correct.
, Mapeta
(= Homalochroa) and Synaphe (= Cledeobia) were once considered taxonomically distinct, often even as subfamilies, but are today included in the present tribe. While they are not likely to be subfamilies, their actual taxonomic status will be determined by future analyses. The presently-obsolete synonyms of Pyralini are:
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...
of snout moths. They belong to the subfamily Pyralinae
Pyralinae
The Pyralinae are the typical subfamily of snout moths and occur essentially world-wide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. They are rather rare in the Americas however, and their diversity in the Australian region is also limited. Altogether, this subfamily includes about...
, which contains the "typical" snout moths of the Old World
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
and some other regions. The 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...
list presented here is provisional.
They are deemed to represent the lineage around the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
, the Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis), a somewhat notorious pest of stored cereal
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
s and similar goods. Like this species, Pyralini are usually largish snout moths; some are boldly colored (often in bright brown to yellow hues) by standards of their family.
Systematics and taxonomy
While the Pyralini are a successful radiation even as presently circumscribed, this delimitation is highly provisional. It it very likely that more genera belong here (unknown PyralinaePyralinae
The Pyralinae are the typical subfamily of snout moths and occur essentially world-wide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. They are rather rare in the Americas however, and their diversity in the Australian region is also limited. Altogether, this subfamily includes about...
are still being discovered on a regular basis), and perhaps the grop will turn out to be so large or phylogenetically inconsistent that it will be split apart. Pending a detailed analysis, the following genera are placed here (some notable species are also listed):
Pyralinae
The Pyralinae are the typical subfamily of snout moths and occur essentially world-wide, in some cases aided by involuntary introduction by humans. They are rather rare in the Americas however, and their diversity in the Australian region is also limited. Altogether, this subfamily includes about...
genera have not yet been asigned to a tribe, and in general the subfamily is in need of thorough revision. Some genera have explicitly been allied with Pyralini genera in the past and might more likely than others be members of the present subfamily:
- Loryma Walker, 1859
- Scotomera Butler, 1881
- Tegulifera Saalmüller, 1880
- Zitha Walker, [1866] (including Tamraca)
Tanaobela
Tanaobela
Tanaobela is a genus of moths in the superfamily Pyraloidea. Its affiliations are disputed.Historically it was placed in subfamily Pyraustinae of the grass moth family ; more recent authors have alternatively assigned it to the tribe Pyralini of subfamily Pyralinae; these belong to the snout moth...
is a more complicated case; it has by some authors been assigned to the grass moths (Crambidae, formerly included in the Pyralidae
Pyralidae
The Pyralidae or snout moths are a family of Lepidoptera in the ditrysian superfamily Pyraloidea. In many classifications, the grass moths are included in the Pyralidae as a subfamily, making the combined group one of the largest families in the Lepidoptera...
). Others have placed it in the Pyralini, which may well be correct.
Synonyms
The Pyralini have some objective junior synonyms due to misidentifications of specimens by early entomologists. In addition, presumed lineages around AglossaAglossa
Aglossa is a genus of small moths belonging to the family Pyralidae. They are found mainly in western Eurasia, though some species have been introduced elsewhere....
, Mapeta
Mapeta
Mapeta is a genus of moths belonging to the family Pyralidae.Species include:* Mapeta cynorusa Druce, 1895* Mapeta omphephora Dyar, 1914* Mapeta schausi Druce, 1895* Mapeta xanthomelas Walker, 1863...
(= Homalochroa) and Synaphe (= Cledeobia) were once considered taxonomically distinct, often even as subfamilies, but are today included in the present tribe. While they are not likely to be subfamilies, their actual taxonomic status will be determined by future analyses. The presently-obsolete synonyms of Pyralini are:
- Aglossinae A.Blanchard, 1840
- Asopidae Guenée, 1854
- Asopiinae Guenée, 1854
- Cledeobiinae A.Blanchard, 1840
- Homalochroidae Lederer, 1863
- Homalochroinae Lederer, 1863