Hepialid

/hɛˈpaɪəlɪd/ noun

Definition

A moth belonging to the family Hepialidae, characterized by simple wing venation and a primitive structure.

Etymology

From the genus name 'Hepialus' derived from Greek 'hepios' (creeping) + '-id' (suffix for members of a family). Named for their crawling caterpillars.

Kelly Says

Hepialid moths are like living fossils—they've barely changed for 150 million years, and they still have primitive traits that other moths lost, making them incredible subjects for understanding how insects evolved.

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