Diversity: Worldwide two subfamilies, fewer than 1,100 species; North America 50 species in 21 genera; a single species in North Dakota, two others have been found within 30 km. of the eastern boundary.

Checklist numbers: 4651- 4700.1.

Biology: Larvae, known as slug caterpillars, are slug- like with ventral prolegs modified to sucker disks. Larvae of many species with stinging hairs. Adults have a characteristic resting position with forelegs outstretched and other legs apressed to substrate such that the body is elevated at an acute angle.

Epstein, Marc E. 1996. Revision and phylogeny of the Limacodid-group families, with evolutionary studies on slug caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea). Smithson. Contrib. Zool. 582: 102 pp.

Epstein, Marc E. et al., Chapter 10. The Zygaenoidea, pp. 159- 180 in Kristensen, Neils P. ed. 1999. Lepidoptera, moths and butterflies. Part 35, Vol. 1 in Handbook of Zoology. Maximilian Fischer ed. Walter de Gryter, New York. 491 pp.

Scoble, Malcom J. 1992. The Lower Ditrysia, Chapter 11, pp. 225- 289 in The Lepidoptera: form, function, and diversity. Oxford Univ. press. 1982. 404 pp.

note: most of the North American species are pictured in Holland’s Moth Book– see introduction.