Westermanniinae

This subfamily is best defined on features of the male genitalia, though the species generally have rather satiny, often silvered, forewings that lack raised scales. The group lacks male tymbal organs. The wing venation is typically of the groundplan type, except in Negeta Walker, where the areole is absent and the radial sector branching is (R2 (R3, R4)). The apodemes of the male eighth tergite are relatively short.

In the male genitalia the tegumen is very much longer than the vinculum in all genera except Miaromima Meyrick. The uncus, when present (lost in Pterogonia Swinhoe), is highly setose, with a terminal hook. The anal tube is usually generally sclerotised over a short distance, sometimes with a narrower, more sclerotised dorsal band. The components of the transtilla are usually broad, angled upwards. The valves expand to a largely rounded apex that bears a fringe of basally directed setae. The sacculus often has a harpe, and there may be a marginal lobe or cleft where the setal fringe meets the end of the sacculus. The aedeagus vesica often contains cornuti, and these are occasionally deciduous.

In the female genitalia the ovipositor lobes are short, form a ring and are highly setose. Otherwise, the structure is diverse across the genera as described below.

The pupal abdomen has beading, and the pupa is known to shiver in the cocoon. Host-plant specialisation has been noted, particularly to Terminalia (Combretaceae) as in Aiteta of the Careini.

The group is found throughout the Old World tropics, but the relationship of African taxa to, and their placement in, the genera defined below needs investigation.