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The type
genus and the closely related Spirama Guenée
share general facies features as described in the description of Hypopyra
Guenée.
The underside delineation and the dark collar are shared by these genera. Indeed
the spiral mark in the discal region of Spirama is
a more extreme development of that in Hypopyra,
so the relationship between these two genera needs exploration. Spirama
has
page priority.
Though
the male abdomen and genitalia have some features of the core catocalines, the
condition of the ostium and the relatively slight modification of the seventh
sternite in the female are atypical of the core group. Fibiger (2003) included Hypopyra
in
his concept of the Catocalinae.
The
larvae are specialist feeders in Leguminosae and can attain pest status. Spirama
larvae
have four external setae on the prolegs as in the Erebini (see also pp. 150,
283) and also black patches between the prolegs (Bell, MS). The pupa has a
bloom. The adults are fruit-piercers.
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