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Glite Dictionary
family Pyralidae

family Pyralidae

9.5
A group of moths like flour moths and corn borers that often damage crops and stored food
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli pɪˈrælɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia Pyralidae
  • The family Pyralidae contains several species known for damaging stored grains and crops.

Examples

  • Researchers recently discovered a new species within the family Pyralidae in South America.

  • Many pests affecting flour mills belong to the family Pyralidae.

  • The family Pyralidae includes many agricultural pests.

  • Several species from the family Pyralidae are known to damage crops.

  • Many pests affecting flour mills belong to the family Pyralidae.

  • The family Pyralidae contains several species known for damaging stored grains and crops.

  • Researchers recently discovered a new species within the family Pyralidae in South America.

Synonyms

Pyralididae
vsfamily Pyralidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of moths that often damage crops and stored grain

emphasizes agricultural pest status rather than only taxonomic listing
Pyralidae
vsfamily Pyralidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of moths with a long snout that often damage crops or stored food

focuses on the family's role as agricultural pests rather than taxonomy alone

Surface Forms

family Pyralidae singular
families Pyralidae plural

Morphology

family + Pyralidae

The phrase 'family Pyralidae' is a straightforward taxonomic construction: 'family' indicates a scientific grouping and 'Pyralidae' names that group (moths). This composition follows common cross-linguistic naming patterns for biological taxa, so a learner who knows both words can readily infer it refers to the family of moths called Pyralidae.

Etymology

Family Pyralidae comes from the old scientific name Pyralis, from a Greek word meaning 'fire' because people often saw these moths near fires and lamps. So family Pyralidae is the scientific 'family' or group of moths, many of which are pests of grain and flour.