Yponomeutoidea


Yponomeutoidea is a superfamily of ermine moths and relatives. There are about 1,800 species of Yponomeutoids worldwide, most of them known to come from temperate regions. This superfamily is one of the earliest groups to evolve external feeding and to colonize herbs in addition to shrubs and trees.

Families

The family composition of Yponomeutoidea has varied over time, with a 2013 study assigning eleven families:

Etymology

The word Yponomeutoidea comes from the Ancient Greek wikt:ὑπό meaning under and wikt:νομός meaning food or dwelling, thus "feeding secretly, or burrow".