Subfamily SCOPARIINAE

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Introduction

[Modified after Shaffer et al. (1996: 167)]
Scopariinae are represented in Australia by 77 species in 6 genera. Shaffer et al. (1996) recognised three tribes in this subfamily, both of which are here recognised as tribes in subfamily Heliothinae.

The subfamily was described by Guenée, (1854). The subfamily has a world wide distribution with a large representation on most continents. Noted speciation has occurred in New Zealand and Hawaii. Between 600-700 described species are currently recognised worldwide, with many undescribed species known.

Common (1990) records moss as a foodplant for Scoparia protorthra. According to Munroe (1972a) an Australian scopariine species is known to bore into tree ferns. Like the Crambinae, the Scopariinae are easily recognised by their large and prominent maxillary palpi in combination with upturned labial palpi. Most Scopariinae possess forewing markings of two distinct colours, contrasted to form blotches of a cryptic pattern when at rest. Scopariinae have fairly distinctive genitalia.

General References

Amsel, H.G. 1970. Afghanische Pyraustinae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Ergebnisse der 1. und 2. Afghanistan-Expedition der Landessammlungen für Naturkunde Karlsruhe. Beiträge zur Naturkundlichen Forschung in Südwestdeutschland 29: 25-66

Common, I.F.B. 1990. Moths of Australia. Carlton : Melbourne University Press vi+535 pp., 32 pls.

Guenée, A. 1854. Deltoïdes et Pyralites. In, Boisduval, J.-A. & Guenée, A. (eds). Histoire Naturelle des Insectes. Species Général des Lépidoptères. Paris : Librarie Encyclopédique de Roret Vol. 8 448 pp., 10 pls.

Hampson, G.F. 1899. A revision of the moths of the subfamily Pyraustinae and family Pyralidae. Part 2. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1899(2): 172-291

Leraut, P. 1980. Liste systématique et synonymique des Lépidoptères de France, Belgique at Corse. Supplemént à Alexanor et au Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France. 334 pp.

Minet, J. 1982. Les Pyraloidea et leurs principales divisions systématiques (Lep. Ditrysia). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 86: 262-280 [year of publication 1981]

Munroe, E. 1972. Pyraloidea Pyralidae comprising subfamilies Scopariinae, Nymphulinae. In, Dominick, R.B. et al. (eds). The Moths of America North of Mexico. London : E.W. Classey Limited and R.B.D. Publications Inc. Vol. 13.1a. 134 pp.

Shaffer, M., Nielsen, E.S. & Horak, M. 1996. Pyraloidea. pp. 164-199 in Nielsen, E.S., Edwards, E.D. & Rangsi, T.V. (eds). Checklist of the Lepidoptera of Australia. Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera. Collingwood : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 4 xiv 529 pp. & CD-ROM.

Turner, A.J. 1937. New Australian Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 48: 61-88

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