Scoopwing Moths

The Epipleminae or epiplemiine moths are a subfamily of the lepidopteran family Uraniidae. The subfamily was first described by George Hampson in 1892. They are the most diverse and widespread uraniid group, occurring mainly throughout the Pantropics but barely reaching into the temperate regions. The Epipleminae are notable for the sexually dimorphic tympanal organ which is unlike any other lepidopteran's in details of its morphology. Some species are also peculiar in being able to roll their wings into a stick-like shape, possibly as a form of crypsis. Such behavior has hitherto only been found in this subfamily and the quite unrelated Ennominae (Sohn & Yen 2005).

Unlike the often colorful Uraniinae, they are smallish and drab species, and have earlier been erroneously placed with the Geometridae or Drepanidae based on phenetic considerations. Only three species have come to note as minor pests of commercial plants:

Leucoplema dohertyi

Epiplema fulvilinea – does not belong into this genus

Dysaethria moza – formerly Epiplema