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This subfamily is restricted to the genus
Earias
Hübner, so its definition is essentially that of the genus (see below). The
hindwing venation is reduced, and the retinaculum is absent from the forewing.
The male genitalia are distinctive, but still have the typical structure of the
transtilla and saccular shield (see Fig 497). The female genitalia are also
diagnostic.
The larva has ‘arctiid’ features of its chaetotaxy, such as a bisetose SV group
on thoracic segments (also in Camptolomini and Selepa Moore), and lacks (Kitching
& Rawlins, 1998) the cervical gland noted as a noctuid (sensu lato)
apomorphy by Speidel et al. (1996). The pupa and cocoon are typical of
the family.
The group is widespread in the Old World, most diverse in the tropics but
extending into temperate latitudes. The host-plants in the tropics are Malvales,
particularly Malvaceae, and the larvae (‘spiny bollworms’) may be pests of
cotton, okra and in horticulture. Some north-temperate species such as the type
species feed on Salicaceae, and there are also records (IIE, unpublished) of
Tamarix (Tamaricaceae) from semiarid areas of the Indian Subregion and a few
records from Leguminosae and Solanaceae amongst many from Malvaceae for
Earias larvae recorded from vegetables imported to Britain (Malumphy &
Robinson, 2002).
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