The biodiversity of the Castniinae (Lepidoptera:Castniidae)

The Castniinae is basically a neotropical subfmily that has certain morphological affinities with the Cossoidea, Sesioidea, and Zygaenoidea. These are the "butterfly moths," a number of which exhibit the bright coloration of butterflies and may mimic and occur sympatrically with representatives of the Papilionidae, Ithomiinae, Heliconiinae, and other Nymphalidae. Others mimic aposematic species and are involved in a number of complex familial relationships. Although the Castniinae feed on monocotyledenous plants as larvae, a number of the genera, such as Paysandisia, Castnia, and Telchin are major economic pests. Some of the diagnostic features concerning their life history, adult morphology, and the general habits and behavior that distinguish these moths along with their biodioversity in Central and South America will be presented.