We present a taxonomic list and bibliography for 82 genera and 701 species of Hepialidae sensu stricto. The literature survey spans nearly 400 years, from 1634 to the present, and comprises 1,793 references. Genera and species are presented in alphabetical order. Each species record comprises the original taxonomic work, synonyms where applicable, general distribution, type locality and type depository where known, and literature pertaining to illustrations of the adult, morphology, biology, and host plant records (as documented in the literature, regardless of verification). Taxonomic changes are justified, and include several new combinations. There is a brief overview of ecology and conservation issues along with biographies of some past workers in the field, a broad geographic summary of generic distribution, colour illustrations of some selected species, and a summary of fungal and plant food sources. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: 1) Status restored: Aenetus cyanochlora Lower, 1894, stat. rest., Endoclita pallescens Tshistjakov, 1996, stat. rest., Endoclita pfitzneri (Gaede, 1933), stat. rest.; 2) New combinations: Gymelloxes costaricensis (Druce, 1887) (Phassus), comb. n., Philoenia cocama (Pfitzner, 1914) (Dalaca), comb. n., Philoenia niepelti (Pfitzner, 1914) (Dalaca), comb. n., Pseudodalaca smithi (Druce, 1889) (Phassus), comb. n., Vietteogorgopis petropolisiensis (Viette, 1952) (Cibyra), comb. n.; 3) New synonymies: Dalaca vibicata Pfitzner, 1914, syn. n. of Dalaca trilinearis Pfitzner, 1914,Dalaca manoa Pfitzner, 1914, syn. n. of Dalaca olivescens Pfitzner, 1914. 4) Status restored and new combination: Philoenia nannophyes (Pfitzner, 1914) (Dalaca), stat. rest., comb. n.