Zygaenidae (redirected from Smoky moths)

Zygaenidae [zī′jēn·ə‚dē]

(invertebrate zoology)

A diverse family of small, often brightly colored African moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea.

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Zygaenidae 

(also Anthroceridae), a family of butterflies and crepuscular moths. The wingspread reaches 5 cm. The fore-wings, which are usually a metallic blue, green, or black, have bright red, yellow, and white spots. Some species are of one color. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of plants, usually legumes, and then winter as pupae in spindle-shaped cocoons. There are about 1,200 species, which are found on all continents, mainly in the tropics. The USSR has about 80 species. Some are pests of agricultural crops. For example, Theresia ampelophaga damages the buds and leaves of grapevines.