The Hepialidae are a

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

insects Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs ...

in the lepidopteran

order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

. Moths of this family are often referred to as swift moths or ghost moths.

Taxonomy and systematics

The Hepialidae constitute by far the most diverse group of the

infraorder Order ( la, ordo) is one of the eight major hierarchical taxonomic ranks in Linnaean taxonomy. It is classified between family and class. In biological classification, the order is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms and ...

Exoporia. The 60

genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial ...

contain at least 587 currently recognised

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

of these primitive

moth Moths are a paraphyletic group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not butterflies, with moths making up the vast majority of the order. There are thought to be approximately 160,000 species of moth, many of ...

s worldwide. The genera '' Fraus'' (

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found els ...

to Australia), '' Gazoryctra'' (

Holarctic The Holarctic realm is a biogeographic realm that comprises the majority of habitats found throughout the continents in the Northern Hemisphere. It corresponds to the floristic Boreal Kingdom. It includes both the Nearctic zoogeographical regi ...

), '' Afrotheora'' (

Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and Tanzania. The physical location is the large part of Africa to the south of the extensive Congo River basin. Southern Africa is home to a number ...

n), and '' Antihepialus'' (

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

n) are considered to be the most primitive, containing four genera and about 51 species with a mostly relictual southern Gondwanan distribution and are currently separated from the Hepialidae ''sensu stricto'' which might form a natural, derived group.Nielsen, E.S., Robinson, G.S. and Wagner, D.L. 2000. Ghost-moths of the world: a global inventory and bibliography of the Exoporia (Mnesarchaeoidea and Hepialoidea) (Lepidoptera) ''Journal of Natural History'', 34(6): 823–87
Abstract
/ref> The most diverse genera are ''

Oxycanus ''Oxycanus'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are 71 described species found in Australia and New Guinea. Species *'' Oxycanus aedisima'' – Australia *'' Oxycanus aegrus'' – New Guinea *'' Oxycanus albostrigata'' – Austr ...

'' with 73 species, '' Endoclita'' with 60 species, ''

Thitarodes ''Thitarodes'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. In English ''Thitarodes'' is known as "ghost moth". They are found in eastern Asia. The majority are restricted to the Tibetan Plateau. Often in Chinese entomological nomenclature ''Thi ...

'' with 51 species and ''Cibyra'' with 50 species following a comprehensive catalogue of Exoporia. The relationships of the many genera are not yet well established; see below for an ordered

synonymic A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are all ...

generic checklist, and the Taxobox for navigation.

Morphology and identification

The family Hepialidae is considered to be very primitive, with a number of structural differences to other moths including very short antennae and the lack of a functional

proboscis A proboscis () is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal, either a vertebrate or an invertebrate. In invertebrates, the term usually refers to tubular mouthparts used for feeding and sucking. In vertebrates, a proboscis is an elonga ...

frenulum A frenulum (or frenum, plural: frenula or frena, from the Latin ''frēnulum'', "little bridle", the diminutive of ''frēnum'') is a small fold of tissue that secures the motion of a mobile organ in the body. In human anatomy Frenula on the ...

(see Kristensen, 1999: 61–62 for details).Kristensen, N.P., (1999). The non-Glossatan Moths. Ch. 4, pp. 41–62 in Kristensen, N.P. (Ed.). ''Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies''. Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography. Handbook of Zoology. A Natural History of the phyla of the Animal Kingdom. Band / Volume IV Arthropoda: Insecta Teilband / Part 35: 491 pp. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, New York. Like other Exoporia the sperm is transferred to the egg by an external channel between the ostium and the

ovipore An ovipore is a pore-like sexual organ of a female insect that is inseminated by the spermatophores ejected by the aedeagus of a male insect during copulation. The spermatophores that pass through the ovipore are stored in most insect species in ...

. Other non

ditrysia The Ditrysia are a natural group or clade of insects in the lepidopteran order containing both butterflies and moths. They are so named because the female has two distinct sexual openings: one for mating, and the other for laying eggs (in cont ...

n moths have a common

cloaca In animal anatomy, a cloaca ( ), plural cloacae ( or ), is the posterior orifice that serves as the only opening for the digestive, reproductive, and urinary tracts (if present) of many vertebrate animals. All amphibians, reptiles and birds ...

. The moths are homoneurous with similar forewings and hindwings, and are sometimes included as 'honorary' members of the

Macrolepidoptera Macrolepidoptera is a group within the insect order Lepidoptera. Traditionally used for the larger butterflies and moths as opposed to the "microlepidoptera", this group is artificial. However, it seems that by moving some taxa about, a monoph ...

, though archaic they are. Strictly speaking, they are phylogenetically too

basal Basal or basilar is a term meaning ''base'', ''bottom'', or ''minimum''. Science * Basal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location for features associated with the base of an organism or structure * Basal (medicine), a minimal level that is nec ...

and constitute

Microlepidoptera Microlepidoptera (micromoths) is an artificial (i.e., unranked and not monophyletic) grouping of moth families, commonly known as the 'smaller moths' ( micro, Lepidoptera). These generally have wingspans of under 20 mm, and are thus harder ...

, although hepialids range from very small moths to a wingspan record of 250 mm in '' Zelotypia''. Because of their sometimes large size and striking colour patterns, they have received more popular and taxonomic attention than most "micros". Many species display strong

sexual dimorphism Sexual dimorphism is the condition where the sexes of the same animal and/or plant species exhibit different morphological characteristics, particularly characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most an ...

, with males smaller but more boldly marked than females, or at high

elevation The elevation of a geographic location is its height above or below a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface (see Geodetic datum § ...

, females of '' Pharmacis'' and ''

Aoraia ''Aoraia'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are 13 described species, all endemic to New Zealand. The type species of this genus is ''Porina dinodes'' Meyrick, 1890. This genus contains some large species with a wingspan of u ...

'' show "brachypterous" wing reduction.

Distribution

Hepialidae are distributed on ancient landmasses worldwide except

Antarctica Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest co ...

but with the surprising exceptions of

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...

, the Caribbean islands and in Africa, tropical

West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mau ...

. It remains to be borne out if these absences are real as ''

Aenetus cohici ''Aenetus cohici'' is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is endemic to New Caledonia. The wingspan is 107–121 mm. There are two colour morphs. The first has a background colour of yellowish-green with pastel violet spots. The second morp ...

'' was not long ago discovered in New Caledonia. In the

Oriental The Orient is a term for the East in relation to Europe, traditionally comprising anything belonging to the Eastern world. It is the antonym of '' Occident'', the Western World. In English, it is largely a metonym for, and coterminous with, the ...

and

Neotropical The Neotropical realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms constituting Earth's land surface. Physically, it includes the tropical terrestrial ecoregions of the Americas and the entire South American temperate zone. Definition In bi ...

regions hepialids have

diversified Diversification may refer to: Biology and agriculture * Genetic divergence, emergence of subpopulations that have accumulated independent genetic changes * Agricultural diversification involves the re-allocation of some of a farm's resources to ...

in rainforest environments, but this not apparently the case in the

Afrotropics The Afrotropical realm is one of Earth's eight biogeographic realms. It includes Africa south of the Sahara Desert, the majority of the Arabian Peninsula, the island of Madagascar, southern Iran and extreme southwestern Pakistan, and the island ...

. Hepialids mostly have low dispersive powers and do not occur on oceanic islands with the exception of ''Phassodes'' on Fiji and

Western Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands ( Manono and Apolima); a ...

and a few species in Japan and Kurile Islands. Whilst the

type locality Type locality may refer to: * Type locality (biology) * Type locality (geology) See also * Local (disambiguation) * Locality (disambiguation) {{disambiguation ...

of ''

Eudalaca sanctahelena ''Eudalaca sanctahelena'' is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. It was described from Saint Helena Saint Helena () is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote volcanic tropical island west ...

'' is from the remote island of St Helena, this is thought to be an error for South Africa.

Behaviour

Swift moths are usually

crepuscular In zoology, a crepuscular animal is one that is active primarily during the twilight period, being matutinal, vespertine, or both. This is distinguished from diurnal and nocturnal behavior, where an animal is active during the hours of dayli ...

and some species form leks, also thought to have arisen independently in the genus '' Ogygioses'' (

Palaeosetidae The Palaeosetidae or miniature ghost moths are a family of insects in the order Lepidoptera contained within the superfamily Hepialoidea. Taxonomy and systematics The Palaeosetidae are a primitive family of Hepialoidea with four currently re ...

). In most genera, males fly swiftly to virgin females that are calling with scent. In other genera, virgin females "assemble" upwind to displaying males, which emit a musky

pheromone A pheromone () is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside the body of the secreting individual, to affect the behavio ...

from scales on the metathoracic

tibiae The tibia (; ), also known as the shinbone or shankbone, is the larger, stronger, and anterior (frontal) of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates (the other being the fibula, behind and to the outside of the tibia); it connects ...

. In such cases of sex role reversal, there may be visual cues also: males of the European ghost swift are possibly the most frequently noticed species, being white, ghostly and conspicuous when forming a lek at dusk. Sometimes they hover singly as if suspended from a thread or flying in a figure of eight motion. The chemical structures of some

s have been analysed.

Biology

The female does not lay its eggs in a specific location but scatters ("broadcasts") them while in flight, sometimes in huge numbers (29,000 were recorded from a single female ''

Trictena ''Abantiades'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are 14 described species, all found exclusively in Australia. The group includes some large species with a wingspan of up to 160 mm. The larvae feed on the roots of ''Eucal ...

'', which is presumably a world record for the Lepidoptera). The maggot-like

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) 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. Th ...

e feed in a variety of ways. Probably all Exoporia have concealed larvae, making silken tunnels in all manner of substrates. Some species feed on leaf litter,

fungi A fungus (plural, : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of Eukaryote, eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and Mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified ...

mosses Mosses are small, non-vascular flowerless plants in the taxonomic division Bryophyta (, ) ''sensu stricto''. Bryophyta ('' sensu lato'', Schimp. 1879) may also refer to the parent group bryophytes, which comprise liverworts, mosses, and h ...

, decaying vegetation,

fern A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except ...

gymnosperms The gymnosperms ( lit. revealed seeds) are a group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers, cycads, '' Ginkgo'', and gnetophytes, forming the clade Gymnospermae. The term ''gymnosperm'' comes from the composite word in el, γυμν� ...

and a wide span of

monocot Monocotyledons (), commonly referred to as monocots, ( Lilianae '' sensu'' Chase & Reveal) are grass and grass-like flowering plants (angiosperms), the seeds of which typically contain only one embryonic leaf, or cotyledon. They constitute on ...

and

dicot The dicotyledons, also known as dicots (or, more rarely, dicotyls), are one of the two groups into which all the flowering plants (angiosperms) were formerly divided. The name refers to one of the typical characteristics of the group: namely, t ...

plants. There is very little evidence of hostplant specialisation; whilst the South African species '' Leto venus'' is restricted to the tree '' Virgilia capensis'' this may be a case of "ecological monophagy". A few feed on foliage (the austral 'oxyacanine' genera which may drag foliage into their feeding tunnel: Nielsen et al., 2000: 825). Most feed underground on fine

root In vascular plants, the roots are the organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They are most often below the sur ...

s, at least in early

instar An instar (, from the Latin '' īnstar'', "form", "likeness") is a developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, between each moult (''ecdysis''), until sexual maturity is reached. Arthropods must shed the exoskeleton in order to grow o ...

s and some then feed internally in tunnels in the stem or trunk of their hostplants. Root-feeding larvae travelling through soil make silk-lined tunnels. Before pupating they make a vertical tunnel, which can be up to 10 cm deep, with an exit close to the ground surface. The pupae can then climb up and down to adjust to changes in temperature and flooding. Before the adult moth emerges, the pupa protrudes half way out at the ground surface. Th
pupa
has rows of

dorsal Dorsal (from Latin ''dorsum'' ‘back’) may refer to: * Dorsal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location referring to the back or upper side of an organism or parts of an organism * Dorsal, positioned on top of an aircraft's fuselage * Dorsal co ...

spines on the abdominal segments as in other lower members of the Heteroneura.

Economic significance

Chinese medicine makes considerable use of the "mummies" collected of the

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larva, larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterfly, butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawfly ...

-attacking fungi ''

Ophiocordyceps sinensis ''Ophiocordyceps sinensis'' (formerly known as ''Cordyceps sinensis''), known colloquially as caterpillar fungus, is an entomopathogenic fungus (a fungus that grows on insects) in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. It is mainly found in the me ...

'', and these can form an expensive ingredient. The

witchetty grub The witchetty grub (also spelled witchety grub or witjuti grub) is a term used in Australia for the large, white, wood-eating larvae of several moths. In particular, it applies to the larvae of the cossid moth '' Endoxyla leucomochla'', which f ...

(which are sometimes hepialid larvae) is a popular food source especially among aboriginal Australians. In

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

and

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the souther ...

, hepialid larvae are also eaten. However, some species of ''

Wiseana ''Wiseana'' is a genus of moths, collectively known as porina, of the family Hepialidae. There are seven described species, all endemic to New Zealand. Some species of this genus are a major pest in New Zealand exotic pastures. It is impossible ...

'', ''

Oncopera ''Oncopera'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are 12 described species, all endemic to Australia. The larvae usually feed on grasses, although that of ''O. intricata'' has been recorded on strawberry. Species *'' Oncopera albo ...

'', ''

'', '' Fraus'' and ''

Dalaca ''Dalaca'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are 23 described species found throughout South America as far north as Panama. The larvae feed on grasses. Species *'' Dalaca chilensis'' - Chile *'' Dalaca chiriquensis'' - Panama ...

'' are considered pests of pastures in Australia, New Zealand, and South America.

Phylogeny

The Hepialidae were identified as having primitive wing venation by

John Henry Comstock John Henry Comstock (February 24, 1849 – March 20, 1931) was an eminent researcher in entomology and arachnology and a leading educator. His work provided the basis for classification of butterflies, moths, and scale insects. Early life and ...

(1893). In his study of Evolution of the Wings of Insects he shows that the fore and hind wings of Sthenopis (Hepialus) argenteomaculatus maintain a five branched radius while in the remainder of the Lepidoptera the hind wing radius is merged into one vein. This identifies the Hepialidae as a primitive relict of primitive wing venation.

Faunas

Fauna of Europe

Source and identificationSkinner, B. (1984). ''Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles'' *'' Gazoryctra fuscoargenteus'' O. Bang-Haas 1927 – Northern

Scandinavia Scandinavia; Sámi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Swe ...

*''

Gazoryctra ganna ''Gazoryctra ganna'' is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is found in Sweden, Finland, Russia (Siberia), France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Kazakhstan. The wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the dista ...

'' (Hübner 1808) –

Alps The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, ...

, northern Scandinavia, northern

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eigh ...

*'' Hepialus humuli'' Linnaeus 1758 ( ghost moth) – Europe *'' Korscheltellus lupulina'' Linnaeus 1758 (

common swift The common swift (''Apus apus'') is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger, though not stemming from those passerine species, being in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between t ...

) – Europe *'' Pharmacis aemiliana'' Costantini 1911 –

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

*''

Pharmacis anselminae ''Pharmacis anselminae'' is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is known from Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Medi ...

'' Teobaldelli 1977 – Italy *''

Pharmacis bertrandi ''Pharmacis bertrandi'' is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is known from France and Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle o ...

'' Le Cerf 1936 –

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...

*''

Pharmacis carna ''Pharmacis carna'' is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is mainly found in mountainous areas, mostly in the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains, although it is also present in Hungary. The wingspan is 32–44 mm for females and 25–34&nbs ...

'' Denis & Schiffermüller 1775 – Central and Eastern Europe *'' Pharmacis castillana'' Oberthür 1883 –

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' ( Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...

*''

Pharmacis claudiae ''Pharmacis claudiae'' is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is known from Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Medite ...

'' Kristal & Hirneisen 1994 – Italy *''

Pharmacis fusconebulosa The map-winged swift (''Pharmacis fusconebulosa'') is a moth belonging to the family Hepialidae and has a patchy distribution throughout Eurasia. The species was first described by Charles De Geer in 1778. It was previously placed in the genus ' ...

'' De Geer 1778 ( map-winged swift) – Europe *''

Pharmacis pyrenaicus ''Pharmacis pyrenaicus'' is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is known from France and Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ult ...

'' Donzel 1838 –

Pyrenees The Pyrenees (; es, Pirineos ; french: Pyrénées ; ca, Pirineu ; eu, Pirinioak ; oc, Pirenèus ; an, Pirineus) is a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. It extends nearly from its union with the Cantabrian Mountains to ...

*'' Phymatopus hecta'' Linnaeus 1758 ( gold swift) – Central and northern Europe *''

Triodia adriaticus ''Triodia adriaticus'' is a species of moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. It was described by Osthelder in 1931, and is known from Slovenia, Croatia, North Macedonia and Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Re ...

'' Osthelder 1931 –

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

North Macedonia North Macedonia, ; sq, Maqedonia e Veriut, (Macedonia before February 2019), officially the Republic of North Macedonia,, is a country in Southeast Europe. It gained independence in 1991 as one of the successor states of Socialist Feder ...

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders wit ...

Crete Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cypru ...

*''

Triodia amasinus ''Triodia amasinus'' is a species of moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. It was described by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1851, and it is known from Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Alb ...

'' Herrich-Schäffer 1851 –

Balkans The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...

*''

Triodia sylvina The orange swift or orange moth (''Triodia sylvina'') is a moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1761 and was previously placed in the genus ''Hepialus''. It is distributed throughout Europ ...

'' Linnaeus 1761 ( orange swift) – Europe

Generic checklist

*'' Fraus'' Walker, 1856 **=''Hectomanes'' Meyrick, 1980 **=''Praus''; Pagenstacher, 1909 *'' Gazoryctra'' Hübner, 820**=''Garzorycta''; Hübner, 826**=''Gazoryctes''; Kirby, 1892 *'' Afrotheora'' Nielsen and Scoble, 1986 *'' Antihepialus'' Janse, 1942 **=''Ptycholoma''; Felder, 1874 *''

Bipectilis ''Bipectilus'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are eight described species in the genus, distributed through China, Nepal and Vietnam. Species *''Bipectilus gracilirami'' *''Bipectilus latirami'' *''Bipectilus omaiensis'' *'' ...

'' Chus and Wang, 1985 *'' Palpifer'' Hampson, 893**=''Palpiphorus''; Quail, 1900 **=''Palpiphora''; Pagenstacher, 1909 *'' Eudalaca'' Viette, 1950 **=''Eudalacina'' Paclt, 1953 *'' Gorgopis'' Hübner, 820**=''Gorcopis''; Walker, 1856 *'' Metahepialus'' Janse, 1942 *''

'' Walker, 1856 **=''Huapina'' Bryk, 1945 **=''Maculella'' Viette, 1950 **=''Toenga'' Tindale, 1954 *'' Callipielus'' Butler, 1882 **=''Stachyocera'' Ureta, 1957 *'' Blanchardinella'' Nielsen, Robinson & Wagner, 2000 **=''Blanchardina'' Viette, 1950, nec Labbe, 1899 *''

Calada ''Calada'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are two described species, both endemic to Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half ...

'' Nielsen and Robinson, 1983 *''

Puermytrans ''Puermytrans'' is a monotypic moth genus of the family Hepialidae. The only described species is ''P. chiliensis'' of Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernm ...

'' Viette, 1951 *''

Parapielus ''Parapielus'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae The Hepialidae are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. Moths of this family are often referred to as swift moths or ghost moths. Taxonomy and systematics The Hepialidae con ...

'' Viette, 1949 **=''Lossbergiana'' Viette, 1951 *'' Andeabatis'' Nielsen and Robinson, 1983 *''

Druceiella ''Druceiella'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are four described species, although a revision of the genus is being carried out which will add at least four new species. The current species are all found in South America. Ma ...

'' Viette, 1949 *''

Trichophassus ''Trichophassus'' is a monotypic moth genus of the family Hepialidae. The only described species is ''Trichophassus giganteus'' which is endemic to Brazil. The larva of this species has been recorded feeding on '' Adenocalymma'', ''Eucalyptus'', ...

'' Le Cerf, 1919 *'' Phassus'' Walker, 1856 *'' Schausiana'' Viette, 1950 *''

Aplatissa ''Aplatissa'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are two described species, both endemic to Brazil. Species *'' Aplatissa michaelis'' *'' Aplatissa strangoides'' External linksHepialidae genera Hepialidae Endemic fauna o ...

'' Viette, 1953 *''

Pfitzneriana ''Pfitzneriana'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are four described species, all found in South America. Species *''Pfitzneriana allura'' - Bolivia *''Pfitzneriana olivescens'' - Colombia *''Pfitzneriana prosopus'' - Colombia ...

'' Viette, 1952 *'' Cibyra'' Walker, 1856 *''Cibyra'' ('' Pseudodalaca'' Viette, 1950) *''Cibyra'' ('' Gymelloxes'' Viette, 1952) *''Cibyra'' ('' Alloaepytus'' Viette, 1951) *''Cibyra'' ('' Aeptus'') Herrich-Schäffer, 858*''Cibyra'' ('' Thiastyx'' Viette, 1951) *''Cibyra'' ('' Schaefferiana'' Viette, 1950) *''Cibyra'' (''

Paragorgopis ''Paragorgopis'' is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae. Species * ''Paragorgopis argyrata'' * ''Paragorgopis cancellata'' * ''Paragorgopis clathrata'' * ''Paragorgopis discrepans'' * ''Paragorgopis euryale'' * ''Paragorgopis ...

'' Viette, 1952) *''Cibyra'' ('' Hepialyxodes'' Viette, 1951) *''Cibyra'' ('' Xytrops'' Viette, 1951) *''Cibyra'' ('' Cibyra'' Walker, 1856) *''Cibyra'' ('' Lamelliformia'' Viette, 1952) *''Cibyra'' ('' Tricladia'' Felder, 1874) **=''Pseudophassus'' Pfitzner, 1914 **=''Parana'' Viette, 1950 *''Cibyra'' ('' Pseudophilaenia'' Viette, 1951) *''Cibyra'' ('' Philoenia'' Kirby, 1892) **=''Philaenia'' auctt. *''Cibyra'' ('' Yleuxas'' Viette, 1951) *''

Phialuse ''Phialuse'' is a monotypic moth genus of the family Hepialidae The Hepialidae are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order. Moths of this family are often referred to as swift moths or ghost moths. Taxonomy and systematics The Hepialida ...

'' Viette, 1961 *''

Roseala ''Roseala'' is a monotypic moth genus of the family Hepialidae. The only described species is ''R. bourgognei'' which is endemic to Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest ...

'' Viette, 1950 *''

'' auctt., nec Walker, 1856 *''

Pfitzneriella ''Pfitzneriella'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are four described species restricted to Ecuador and Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other ...

'' Viette, 1951 *''

'' Dumbleton, 1966 **=''Trioxycanus'' Dumbleton, 1966 *'' Triodia'' **=''Alphus'' Wallengren, 1869, nec Dejean, 1833 *'' Korscheltellus'' Börner, 1920 *'' Pharmacis'' Hübner, 820*''

'' Viette, 1968 **=''Forkalus'' Chu and Wang, 1985 *'' Phymatopus'' Wallengren, 1869 **=''Hepiolopsis'' Börner, 1920 **=''Phimatopus''; auctt. *'' Phymatopus'' auctt. nec Wallengren, 1869 *'' Hepialus'' Fabricius, 1775 **=''Hepiolus'' Illiger, 1801 **=''Epialus'' Agassiz, 1847 **=''Epiolus'' Agassiz, 1847 **=''Tephus'' Wallengren, 1869 **=''Trepialus''; Latreille, 805*'' Zenophassus'' Tindale, 1941 *'' Sthenopis'' auctt. nec Packard, 865*'' Endoclita''; Felder, 1874 **=''Endoclyta'', Felder, 1875 **=''Hypophassus'', Le Cerf, 1919 **=''Nevina'', Tindale, 1941 **=''Sahyadrassus'', Tindale, 1941 **=''Procharagia'', Viette, 1949 *'' Neohepialiscus'' Viette, 1948 *'' Elhamma'' Walker, 1856 **=''Perissectis'' Meyrick, 1890 **=''Pericentris''; Pagenstacher, 1909 **=''Zauxieus'' Viette, 1952 **=''Theaxieus'' Viette, 1952 *'' Jeana'' Tindale, 1935 *'' Cladoxycanus'' Dumbleton, 1966 *''

'' Viette, 1961 **=''Porina'' Walker, 1956, nec d'Orbigny, 1852 **=''Gorina''; Quail, 1899 **=''Goryna''; Quail, 1899 **=''Philpottia'' Viette, 1950, nec Broun, 1915 *''

Heloxycanus ''Heloxycanus patricki'', also known as the sphagnum porina moth, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae, the ghost moths. It is the only member of the genus ''Heloxycanus''. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It has been classified a ...

'' Dugdale, 1994 *''

Dumbletonius ''Dumbletonius'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are two described species, both endemic to New Zealand. The genus was named in honour of Lionel Jack Dumbleton Lionel Jack Dumbleton (1905 – 25 September 1976) was a ...

''; auctt **=''Trioxycanus'' Dumbleton, 1966 *''

Dioxycanus ''Dioxycanus'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are 2 described species, both endemic to New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landma ...

'' Dumbleton, 1966 *''

Napialus ''Napialus'' is a genus of moths of the family Hepialidae. There are three described species, all endemic to China. Species *'' Napialus hunanensis'' - Hunan *'' Napialus kulingi'' *'' Napialus chongquingensis'' - Chongqing Chongqing ...

'' Chu and Wang, 1985 *'' Hepialiscus'' Hampson, 893*''

Parahepialiscus ''Parahepialiscus'' is a monotypic moth genus of the family Hepialidae. The only described species is ''P. borneensis'' of Borneo Borneo (; id, Kalimantan) is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia. At the geograph ...

'' Viette, 1950 *''

Xhoaphryx ''Xhoaphryx'' is a monotypic moth genus of the family Hepialidae. The only described species is ''X. lemeei'' of Vietnam Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in ...

'' Viette, 1953 *'' Aenetus'' Herrich-Schäffer, 858**=''Charagia'' Walker, 1856 **=''Phloiopsyche'' Scott, 1864 **=''Oenetus''; Kirby, 1892 **=''Choragia''; Pagenstacher, 1909 **=''Oenetes''; Oke, 1953 *'' Leto'' Hübner, 820**=''Ecto''; Pagenstacher, 1909 *'' Zelotypia'' Scott, 1869 **=''Xylopsyche'' Swainson, 1851 **=''Leto''; auctt *''

'' **=''Oncoptera'' Walker, 1890 **=''Paroncopera'' Tindale, 1933 **=''Onchopera''; Birket-Smith, 1974 **=''Onchoptera''; Birket-Smith, 1974 *''

'' Meyrick, 1890 *'' Bordaia'' Tindale, 1932 **=''Bordaja''; Chu and Wang, 1985 *'' Abantiades'' Herrich-Schäffer, 858**=''Pielus'' Walker, 1856 **=''Rhizopsyche'' Scott, 1864 *''

'' Walker, 1856 **=''Porina'' Walker, 1856 **=''Gorina''; Quail, 1899 **=''Goryna''; Quail, 1899 **=''Paraoxyxanus'' Viette, 1950 *''

Phassodes ''Phassodes'' is a moth genus of the family Hepialidae. , it is monospecific, consisting of the sole species ''Phassodes vitiensis''; this species is very variable. It is found in Fiji and Samoa. The life cycle is unknown but the larva is presum ...

'' Bethune-Baker, 1905

Cited literature

References

*Comstock, J.H., (1893). Evolution of the Wings of Insects. The Wilder Quarter Century Book, Ithaca, NY. *Kristensen, N.P., (1999). The non-Glossatan Moths. Ch. 4, pp. 41–62 in Kristensen, N.P. (Ed.). ''Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies''. Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography. Handbook of Zoology. A Natural History of the phyla of the Animal Kingdom. Band / Volume IV Arthropoda: Insecta Teilband / Part 35: 491 pp. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, New York. *Nielsen, E.S., Robinson, G.S. and Wagner, D.L. 2000. Ghost-moths of the world: a global inventory and bibliography of the Exoporia (Mnesarchaeoidea and Hepialoidea) (Lepidoptera) ''Journal of Natural History'', 34(6): 823–878.

External links

*
Tree of LifeAustralian Moths Online

Hepialidae of the World – List of Genera and Links to SpeciesLepIndex list of Hepialidae genera and species''Endoclita'' and ''Hepialus'' pheromonesAbstract, counterfeit hepialid mummiesImages of Hepialidae species in New Zealand

{{Taxonbar, from=Q580250 Moth families Taxa named by James Francis Stephens