Giant Lappet Moths (Lepidoptera: Eupterotidae)

Giant lappet moths, family Eupterotidae, total 325 species worldwide (except the Nearctic), but most are Oriental (238 sp.); only four species are recorded in the Neotropics. Three subfamilies are recognized: Janinae (in Africa), Eupterotinae, and Panacelinae (in Australia). Some specialists now include Hibrildinae (plus Tissanginae) in Eupterotidae. The family is in the superfamily Bombycoidea (series Bombyciformes), in the section Cossina, subsection Bombycina, of the division Ditrysia. Adults small to large (23–140 mm wingspan), with head scaling roughened; haustellum (Fig. 21) absent (rarely vestigial); maxillary palpi absent; antennae bipectinate (sometimes tripectinate or serrate); body robust. Wings mostly broad and rounded. Maculation varies but mostly shades of brown or gray with few markings. Adults are nocturnal. Larvae are leaf feeders, usually with many secondary setae. Host plants among numerous different plants, including Acanthaceae, Boraginaceae, Gramineae,...