Their common name "snout moths" comes from the unique protruding mouth parts of some species which resemble a large nose.

They are called "lappet moths" due to the decorative skin flaps found on the caterpillar's prolegs.

Some species are called tent caterpillars due to their habit of living together in nests spun of silk.

Females lay a large number of eggs which are flat in appearance and either smooth or slightly pitted.

Hind wing with two internal veins; 6 and 7 arising very near the base; 8 curved and almost touching 7 or connected with it by a bar, thus forming a precostal cell; accessory costal veinlets generally present.