Little is known on the larval stage of Lathrotelinae. The few known larvae feed on monocotyledon plants[3][5] and are occasionally found as pest species on oil palms and sugarcane.[6][7]
Until recently, Lathrotelinae have been treated within the subfamily Spilomelinae. However, recent studies[2][3] concluded that Lathroteles obscura J.F.G Clarke, 1971 and several other species are misplaced in Spilomelinae and require a separate subfamily. According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature's Principle of Priority, the family group name Lathrotelidae J.F.G. Clarke, 1971 applies to this subfamily.
The subfamily currently includes the following genera:
^ abNuss, Matthias; Landry, Bernard; Mally, Richard; Vegliante, Francesca; Tränkner, Andreas; Bauer, Franziska; Hayden, James; Segerer, Andreas; Schouten, Rob; Li, Houhun; Trofimova, Tatiana; Solis, M. Alma; De Prins, Jurate; Speidel, Wolfgang (2003–2022). "Global Information System on Pyraloidea (GlobIZ)". Retrieved 2022-09-09.
^ abHayden, James E. (2013). "Sufetula Walker in Florida (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)". Insecta Mundi. 296: 1–15.
^ abcdMinet, Joel (2015). "Lathrotelidae Clarke, 1971: a rehabilitated name deserving subfamily rank (Lepidoptera, Crambidae)". Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France. 120 (1): 109–112. doi:10.3406/bsef.2015.2216. S2CID218389784.
^Seín, Jr., Francisco (1930). "The sugar cane root caterpillar and other new root pests in Puerto Rico". Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Porto Rico. 14 (3): 167–191.
^Genty, P.; Mariau, D. (1975). "Morphologie et biologie du Pyralidae des racines de l'Elaeis, Sufetula diminutalis". Oléagineux. 30 (4): 147–152.
