American False Tiger Moths

American false tiger moths, family Dioptidae, total 507 species, primarily Neotropical (505 sp.); actual fauna likely exceeds 800 species. Two subfamilies are known: Dioptinae and Doinae. Some specialists place the family within the Notodontidae. The family is in the superfamily Noctuoidea, in the section Cossina, subsection Bombycina, of the division Ditrysia. Adults medium size (22–58 mm wingspan) (Fig. 39).

Maculation mostly very colorful, with various patterns of large spotting, and some lustrous. Larvae and pupae often also colorful Adults are mostly nocturnal, but some are diurnal or crepuscular. Larvae are leaf feeders, particularly toxic plants in families like Aristolochiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Passifloraceae, and Violaceae, but also on various others like Fagaceae. Very few are economic.

Figure 39 Example of American false tiger moths (Dioptidae), Josia gigantea Druce, from Mexico.