Lithosiidae

a subfamily of moths of the family Arctiidae.

The wings of lithosiids are about 55 mm when fully extended. They are usually gray, yellow, or black. The anterior wings are much narrower than the posterior ones. Most lithosiids are nocturnal. The caterpillars, which have hairy verrucae and, often, bright spots on the body, feed mainly on lichens growing on trees and rocks. The caterpillars pupate in cocoons. There are about 1,000 species of Lithosiidae, most abundantly represented in tropical forests. There are about 100 species in the USSR, mostly in the forest zone.