Knot-horn Moths

Phycitini is a very large tribe of knot-horn moths. There are at least 162 genera in the tribe worldwide, at least 97 genera in North America north of Mexico, and at least 26 genera in Minnesota. Adults hold their wings folded flat and overlapped when at rest. Most species are active at night and will come to lights. Many are well known, but there is little information on most species. The larvae of all or most species feed on plants, and some are significant agricultural pests. Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) is a serious pest in stored grains. Adults have a proboscis and presumable also feed.

The Phycitini adult is a small to medium-sized moth. The body is long and narrow. The head appears small. There are two large compound eyes on the sides of the head and three small simple eyes (ocelli) on the top of the head. The sensory appendages (palps) attached to the upper lip (labrum) are long and turned upward in front of the head. On males of some species the basal segment of the antennae are swollen. This is the feature that gives the subfamily Phycitinae its common name.

The wings are long and narrow. When at rest they folded flat and overlapped, giving the moth a streamlined appearance. On the hindwing, veins 3 and 4 are both present.