Mediterranean Flannel Moths (Lepidoptera: Somabrachyidae)

Mediterranean flannel moths, family Somabrachyidae, include only five species, with three species from Southern Europe and North Africa (genus Somabrachys) and two species from South Africa (genus Psycharium). The family is in the superfamily Sesioidea in the section Tineina, subsection Sesiina, of the division Ditrysia. Sometimes the group is included in Megalopygidae. Adults small (18–22 mm wingspan), with head scaling average; haustellum absent; labial palpi absent; maxillary palpi absent; antennae bipectinate. Wings very broadly rounded and body robust. Maculation gray or brown on wing margins, with most of wings hyaline. Adults are diurnal, but females are larviform and wingless (females of the South African species are unknown). Larvae are leaf feeders (eggs laid on leaves, not in the female cocoon), somewhat slug-like, with concealed head. Hosts are grasses (Gramineae) and Compositae.