Mediterranean Burnet Moths (Lepidoptera: Heterogynidae)

Mediterranean burnet moths, family Heterogynidae, include only seven species, with three species from the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and northern Africa (genus Heterogynis) and four species from South Africa (genus Janseola). The family is in the superfamily Zygaenoidea in the section Tineina, subsection Sesiina, of the division Ditrysia. Adults small (9 to 29 mm wingspan), with head rough-scaled; haustellum absent or vestigial; labial palpi reduced, 3-segmented; maxillary palpi absent; antennae bipectinate. Wings rather rounded. Maculation mostly gray, with similar hindwings. Adults are diurnal, but females are apterous and larviform. Many of the species resemble bagworms and were originally described as Psychidae. Larvae, upon hatching inside the female cocoon, feed on the dead female and then become external leaf feeders. Host plants are in Leguminosae.