| Larva |
| - | Pair of non-jointed fleshy prolegs tipped with tiny hooks (crochets) on abdominal segments (3, 4, 5, 6, and 10) |
| - | Antennae are shorter than body |
| - | May not have gills as does one in illustration |
| - | Instars: 4-5 |
|
 |
| Pupa |
| - | Legs and antennae are fused to body |
| - | Antennae are shorter than body |
| - | Pupa develops underwater in silken cocoon |
|
 |
| Adult |
| - | Wings are covered with scales |
| - | Fore wings less than 15 mm. long, sometimes reduced |
| - | Hind wings finely patterned |
| - | Mouth siphon well developed and coiled |
|
 |
Moths include (5) aquatic (or semi-aquatic) families.
Life stage
illustrations are of pyralid moths, the only fully aquatic family, as the
others are semi-aquatic. |