Limacodidae | |
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The festoon, Apoda limacodes | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Superfamily: | Zygaenoidea |
Family: | Limacodidae |
Subfamilies | |
Chrysopolominae | |
Diversity | |
About 400 genera, 1800 species | |
Synonyms | |
The Limacodidae or Eucleidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea or the Cossoidea;[2] the placement is in dispute. They are often called slug moths because their caterpillars bear a distinct resemblance to slugs.[3] They are also called cup moths because of the shape of their cocoons.[3]
The larvae are often liberally covered in protective stinging hairs, and are mostly tropical, but occur worldwide, with about 1800 described species and probably many more as yet undescribed species.