Spilomelinae

Spilomelinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Crambidae, in the order Lepidoptera. It comprises a large and diverse group of species and genera. In older classifications, members of this group were sometimes treated as a separate family (Spilomelidae), but modern systems place them as a subfamily of Crambidae.

The subfamily has a worldwide distribution, with the greatest species richness in tropical and subtropical regions. Members occupy a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural environments. The life histories are varied, but all species go through the typical moth lifecycle of egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult.

Adults are typically small to medium-sized moths. They display a broad range of wing patterns and colors, from drab to brightly patterned, and many species are active at night and attracted to light. Larvae feed on a wide array of host plants, and their feeding habits include leaf-rolling, leaf-mining, boring, and boring in stems or fruits. Because of their diverse diets and widespread occurrence, some Spilomelinae species are important agricultural pests, while others have little economic impact and contribute to natural ecosystem processes.

Phylogenetically, Spilomelinae is recognized as a major lineage within Crambidae, and molecular studies have helped clarify relationships among its genera and with other subfamilies. Notable genera within the subfamily include Spoladea, Glyphodes, and Herpetogramma.