Plutellidae
| Plutellidae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Suborder: | Glossata |
| Infraorder: | Heteroneura |
| (unranked): | Ditrysia |
| Superfamily: | Yponomeutoidea |
| Family: |
Plutellidae Guenee, 1845 |
| Genera | |
|
See text. |
|
| Diversity | |
| About 200 species | |
| Synonyms | |
|
|
See text.
The Plutellidae are a family of moths commonly known as the diamondback moths, named after the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) of European origin. Some authors consider this family to be a subfamily of the Yponomeutidae, but it is usually considered to be a family in its own right, and have three subfamilies, Plutellinae, Praydinae, and Scythropiinae.
Moths in this family are small to medium in size with wingspans ranging from 7 to 55 mm (0.3 to 2.2 in). The head usually bears smooth scales and the antennae are often thickened in the middle. The wings are elongated and the hindwings often bear long fringes. The forewings often appear to be sickle-shaped because of the arrangement of the fringes. The colouring is generally drab, with various banding and marking. The adults are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular. The larvae feed on the surfaces of leaves which they skeletonise. The host plants vary, but many are in the Brassicaceae family. Some species are economic pests, especially Plutella xylostella and those in the genus Prays.
The fungus moth Erechthias niphochrysa was also once included here, as a distinct genus Acrocenotes.
The family Acrolepiidae (including the genera Acrolepia, Acrolepiopsis, and Digitivalva) is sometimes included in the Plutellidae.
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