font settings

Font Size: Large | Normal | Small
Font Face: Verdana | Geneva | Georgia

Noctuoidea

(Superfamily)

Overview

[ Back to top ]

Noctuoidea is the superfamily of noctuid (Latin "night owl") or "owlet" moths, and has the largest number of species described for any Lepidopteran superfamily. Its classification has not yet reached a satisfactory or stable state. The most recent classifications include only four families in the superfamily; Noctuidae, Oenosandridae, Doidae, and Notodontidae. The remaining four families listed here are presently all considered subfamilies within Noctuidae.

[ Back to top ]

There are several recent studies suggesting a radical change in the traditional family level classification. Recent works in redifining the families within the Noctuoidea has been carried out by Kitching (1984), Poole (1995), Kitching and Rawlins [1998], Speidel et al. (1996), Mitchell et al. (1997, 2000, 2006), Fibiger and Lafontaine (2005), Lafontaine and Fibiger (2006) and Zahiri et al. (2010).

The Noctuoidea can be divided into two broad groups, those with a trifid forewing venation (Oenosandridae, Notodontidae and Doidae), and those with a quadrifid forewing venation (e.g., Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, Nolidae, Noctuidae). What has emerged from these investigations is that the quadrifid Noctuoidea form a monophyletic group. Lafontaine and Fibiger 2006 redefined the Noctuidae to include the entire quadrifid group, believing the Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, and Nolidae to be derived from within this expanded concept of Noctuidae (and closely related to the subfamily Catocalinae). In essence, groups such as the Arctiidae, which had previously been treated as a separate family, were more closely related to groups within the Noctuidae than to non-noctuid families. In order to address this, a revised classification would have meant either recognizing over 20 (often weakly defined) families, or a single well-defined family with numerous subfamilies. The latter was adopted (Lafontaine and Fibiger 2006). In a previous classification, Fibiger and Lafontaine (2005) arranged the quadrifid (forewing) group into several families, including the quadrifine (hindwing) Erebidae and trifine (hindwing) Noctuidae, based on evidence that suggested that the trifine noctuid subfamilies were derived from within the quadrifine subfamilies, so the family Erebidae would not be strictly monophyletic. More recent evidence from nuclear genes (Zahiri et al. 2010) confirms that the quadrifid (forewing) noctuoids form a monophyletic group, but also that this group can be further arranged into four monophyletic subgroups: 1) the quadrifine subfamilies; 2) the trifine subfamilies; 3) the Nolinae; and 4) the Euteliinae.

Considering the massive size of the family, and the large number of subfamilies, tribes, and subtribes to arrange into a classification, Zahiri et al. (2010) chose the option of recognizing these four groups as families, namely Erebidae, Noctuidae, Nolidae, and Euteliidae.

Systematics

[ Back to top ]

This follows Lafontaine & Fibiger (2006), with the additions of Thiacidinae Hacker & Zilli, 2007 and taxa in Micronoctuidae Fibiger, 2005. Note that the placement of Arctiidae, Lymantriidae and Nolidae as subfamilies of Noctuidae has been largely rejected by subsequent authors. An updated classification for North American Noctuoidea has recently been published (Lafontaine & Schmidt, 2010) and further changes are imminent for a global molecular review of the superfamily (Zahiri et al., in press).

b>Noctuoidea is the superfamily of noctuid (Latin "night owl") or "owlet" moths, and has the largest number of species described for any Lepidopteran superfamily. Its classification has not yet reached a satisfactory or stable state. The most recent classifications include only four families in the superfamily; Noctuidae, Oenosandridae, Doidae, and Notodontidae. The remaining four families listed here are presently all considered subfamilies within Noctuidae.

[ Back to top ]

There are several recent studies suggesting a radical change in the traditional family level classification. Recent works in redifining the families within the Noctuoidea has been carried out by Kitching (1984), Poole (1995), Kitching and Rawlins [1998], Speidel et al. (1996), Mitchell et al. (1997, 2000, 2006), Fibiger and Lafontaine (2005), Lafontaine and Fibiger (2006) and Zahiri et al. (2010).

The Noctuoidea can be d ivided into two broad groups, those with a trifid forewing venation (Oenosandridae, Notodontidae and Doidae), and those with a quadrifid forewing venation (e.g., Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, Nolidae, Noctuidae). What has emerged from these investigations is that the quadrifid Noctuoidea form a monophyletic group. Lafontaine and Fibiger 2006 redefined the Noctuidae to include the entire quadrifid group, believing the Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, and Nolidae to be derived from within this expanded concept of Noctuidae (and closely related to the subfamily Catocalinae). In essence, groups such as the Arctiidae, which had previously been treated as a separate family, were more closely related to groups within the Noctuidae than to non-noctuid families. In order to address this, a revised classification would have meant either recognizing over 20 (often weakly defined) families, or a single well-defined family with numerous subfamilies. The latter was adopted (Lafontaine and Fibiger 2006). In a previous classification, Fibiger and Lafontaine (2005) arranged the quadrifid (forewing) group into several families, including the quadrifine (hindwing) Erebidae and trifine (hindwing) Noctuidae, based on evidence that suggested that the trifine noctuid subfamilies were derived from within the quadrifine subfamilies, so the family Erebidae would not be strictly monophyletic. More recent evidence from nuclear genes (Zahiri et al. 2010) confirms that the quadrifid (forewing) noctuoids form a monophyletic group, but also that this group can be further arranged into four monophyletic subgroups: 1) the quadrifine subfamilies; 2) the trifine subfamilies; 3) the Nolinae; and 4) the Euteliinae.

Considering the massive size of the family, and the large number of subfamilies, tribes, and subtribes to arrange into a classification, Zahiri et al. (2010) chose the option of recognizing these four groups as families, namely Erebidae, Noctuidae, Nolidae, and Euteliidae.

Systematics

[ Back to top ] < /div>

This follows Lafontaine & Fibiger (2006), with the additions of Thiacidinae Hacker & Zilli, 2007 and taxa in Micronoctuidae Fibiger, 2005. Note that the placement of Arctiidae, Lymantriidae and Nolidae as subfamilies of Noctuidae has been largely rejected by subsequent authors. An updated classification for North American Noctuoidea has recently been published (Lafontaine & Schmidt, 2010) and further changes are imminent for a global molecular review of the superfamily (Zahiri et al., in press).

  • Familia Oenosandridae Miller, 1991
  • Familia Doidae Donahue & Brown, 1987
  • Familia Notodontidae Stephens, 1829
    • Subfamilia Thaumetopoeinae Aurivillius, 1889
    • Subfamilia Pygaerinae Duponchel, 1845
    • Subfamilia Platychasmatinae Nakamura, 1956
    • Subfamilia Notodontinae Stephens, 1829
      • Tribus Notodontini Stephens, 1829
      • Tribus Dicranurini Duponchel, 1845
    • Subfamilia Phalerinae Butler, 1886
    • Subfamilia Dudusinae Matsumura, 1925
      • Tribus Dudusini Matsumura, 1925
      • Tribus Scranciini Miller, 1991
    • Subfamilia Hemiceratinae Guen?e, 1852
    • Subfamilia Heterocampinae Neumogen & Dyar, 1894
    • Subfamilia Nystaleinae Forbes, 1948
    • Subfamilia Dioptinae Walker, 1862
  • Familia Micronoctuidae Fibiger, 2005
    • Subfamilia Micronoctuinae Fibiger, 2005
    • Subfamilia Pollexinae Fibiger, 2007
    • Subfamilia Belluliinae Fibiger, 2008
      • Tribus Belluliini Fibiger, 2008
      • Tribus Medialini Fibiger, 2008
    • Subfamilia Magninae Fibiger, 2008
      • Tribus Magnini Fibiger, 2008
      • Tribus Faeculini Fibiger, 2008
    • Subfamilia Parachrostiinae Fibiger, 2008
      • Tribus Duplexini Fibiger, 2008
      • Tribus Parachrostiini Fibiger, 2008
  • Familia Noctuidae Latreille, 1809
    • Subfamilia Rivulinae Grote, 1895
    • Subfamilia Boletobiinae Grote, 1895
    • Subfamilia Hypenodinae Forbes, 1954
    • Subfamilia Araeopteroninae Fibiger, 2005
    • Subfamilia Eublemminae Forbes, 1954
      • Tribus Eublemmini Forbes, 1954
      • Tribus Pangraptini Grote, 1882
    • Subfamilia Herminiinae Leach, 1815
    • Subfamilia Scolecocampinae Grote, 1883
    • Subfamilia Hypeninae Herrich-Sch?ffer, 1851
    • Subfamilia Phytometrinae Hampson, 1913
    • Subfamilia Aventiinae Tutt, 1896
    • Subfamilia Erebinae Leach, 1815
    • Subfamilia Calpinae Boisduval, 1840
      • Tribus Anomini Grote, 1882
      • Tribus Calpini Boisduval, 1840
      • Tribus Phyllodini Guen?e, 1852
    • Subfamilia Catocalinae Boisduval, 1828
      • Tribus Toxocampini Guen?e, 1852
      • Tribus Acantholipini Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005
      • Tribus Arytrurini Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005
      • Tribus Melipotini Grote, 1895
      • Tribus Euclidiini Guen?e, 1852
      • Tribus Panopodini Forbes, 1954
      • Tribus Ophiusini Guen?e, 1837 (= Omopterini Boisduval, 1833, suppressed older syn.)
      • Tribus Catocalini Boisduval, 1828
      • Tribus Anobini Holloway, 2005 (= Anobini Wiltshire, 1990, nomen nudum)
      • Tribus Sypnini Holloway, 2005
      • Tribus Hypopyrini Guen?e, 1852
      • Tribus Tinolini Moore, 1885
      • Tribus Hulodini Guen?e, 1852 (= Speiredoniinae Swinhoe, 1900)
      • Tribus Ommatophorini Guen?e, 1852
      • Tribus Pericymini Wiltshire; 1976
      • Tribus Pandesmini Wiltshire, 1990, nomen nudum
      • Tribus Catephiini Guen?e, 1852
      • Tribus Ercheini Berio, 1992
    • Subfamilia Cocytiinae Boisduval, 1874
    • Subfamilia Stictopterinae Hampson, 1894
    • Subfamilia Euteliinae Grote, 1882
    • (Subfamilia Nolinae) Bruand, 1846, stat rev.
      • Tribus Nolini Bruand, 1846, stat rev.
      • Tribus Chloephorini Stainton, 1859, stat rev.
        • Subtribus Chloephorina Stainton, 1859, stat rev.
        • Subtribus Sarrothripina Hampson, 1894, stat rev.
        • Subtribus Camptolomina Mell, 1943, stat rev.
        • Subtribus Careina Moore, 1883, stat rev.
        • Subtribus Ariolicina Mell, 1943, stat rev.
      • Tribus Westermanniini Hampson, 1918, stat rev.
      • Tribus Eariadini Hampson, 1912, stat rev.
      • Tribus Blenini Mell, 1943, stat rev.
      • Tribus Risobini Mell, 1943, stat rev.
      • Tribus Collomenini Kitching & Rawlins, 1998, stat rev.
      • Tribus Afridini Kitching & Rawlins, 1998, stat rev.
      • Tribus Eligmini Mell, 1943, stat rev.
    • Subfamilia Aganainae Boisduval, 1833
    • (Subfamilia Arctiinae Leach, 1815), stat. nov.
      • Tribus Lithosiini Billberg, 1820, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Phryganopterygina Bendib & Minet, 1999, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Aesalina Bendib & Minet, 1999, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Eudesmiina Bendib & Minet, 1999, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Cisthenina Bendib & Minet, 1999, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Nudariina B?rner, 1920, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Endrosina B?rner, 1932, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Lithosiina Billberg, 1820, stat. rev.
      • Tribus Syntomini Herrich-Sch?ffer, 1846, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Syntomina Herrich-Sch?ffer, 1846, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Thyretina Butler, 1876, stat. rev.
      • Tribus Arctiini Leach, 1815, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Arctiina Leach, 1815, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Callimorphina Walker, 1865, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Pericopina Walker, 1865, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Phaegopterina Kirby, 1892, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Ctenuchina Kirby, 1837, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Euchromiina Butler, 1876, stat. rev.
    • (Subfamilia Lymantriinae) Hampson, 1893, stat. nov.
      • Tribus Lymantriini Hampson, 1893, stat. rev.
      • Tribus Orgyiini Wallengren, 1861, stat. rev.
      • Tribus Arctornithini Holloway, 1999, stat. rev.
      • Tribus Leucomini Grote, 1895, stat. rev.
      • Tribus Nygmiini Holloway, 1999, stat. rev.
    • Subfamilia Strepsimaninae Meyrick, 1930, stat rev.
    • Subfamilia Plusiinae Boisduval, 1828
      • Tribus Abrostolini Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978
      • Tribus Argyrogrammatini Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978
      • Tribus Plusiini Boisduval, 1828
        • Subtribus Autoplusiina Kitching, 1987
        • Subtribus Euchaciina Chou & Lu, 1979
        • Subtribus Plusiina Boisduval, 1828
    • Subfamilia Eustrotiinae Grote, 1882
    • Subfamilia Bagisarinae Crumb, 1956
      • Tribus Bagisarini Crumb, 1956
      • Tribus Cydosiini Kitching & Rawlins, 1998
    • Subfamilia Acontiinae Guen?e, 1841
      • Tribus Hypercalymniini Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005
      • Tribus Acontiini Guen?e, 1841
      • Tribus Armadini Wiltshire, 1961
      • Tribus Aediini Beck, 1960
    • Subfamilia Pantheinae Smith, 1898
    • Subfamilia Diphtherinae Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005
    • Subfamilia Dilobinae Aurivillius, 1889
    • Subfamilia Raphiinae Beck, 1996
    • Subfamilia Balsinae Grote, 1896, stat. rev.
    • Subfamilia Acronictinae Heinemann, 1859
    • Subfamilia Metoponiinae Herrich-Sch?ffer, 1851
    • Subfamilia Sinocharinae Speidel, F?nger & Naumann, 1996
    • Subfamilia Lophonyctinae Speidel, F?nger & Naumann, 1996
    • Subfamilia Agaristinae Herrich-Sch?ffer, 1858
    • Subfamilia Eucocytiinae Hampson, 1918
    • Subfamilia Cuculliinae Herrich-Sch?ffer, 1850
    • Subfamilia Oncocnemidinae Forbes & Franclemont, 1954
    • Subfamilia Amphipyrinae Guen?e, 1837
    • Subfamilia Psaphidinae Grote, 1896
      • Tribus Psaphidini Grote, 1896
      • Tribus Feraliini Poole, 1995
      • Tribus Nocloini Poole, 1995
      • Tribus Triocnemidini Poole, 1995
    • Subfamilia Stiriinae Grote, 1882
      • Tribus Stiriini Grote, 1882
      • Tribus Grotellini Poole, 1995
      • Tribus Azenini Poole, 1995
    • Subfamilia Heliothinae Boisduval, 1828
    • Subfamilia Condicinae Poole, 1995
      • Tribus Condicini Poole, 1995
      • Tribus Leuconyctini Poole, 1995
    • Subfamilia Eriopinae Herrich-Sch?ffer, 1851
    • Subfamilia Bryophilinae Guen?e, 1852
    • Subfamilia Xyleninae Guen?e, 1837
      • Tribus Pseudeustrotiini Beck, 1996
      • Tribus Phosphilini Poole, 1995, stat. rev.
      • Tribus Prodenilni Forbes, 1954
      • Tribus Eiaphriini Beck, 1996
      • Tribus Caradrinini Boisduval, 1840
        • Subtribus Caradrinina Boisduval, 1840
        • Subtribus Athetina Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005
      • Tribus Dypterygiini Forbes, 1954
      • Tribus Actinotiini Beck, 1996
      • Tribus Phlogophorini Hampson, 1918
      • Tribus Apameini Guen?e, 1841 (= Nonagriini Guen?e, 1837, suppressed older syn.)
        • Subtribus Oxytripiina Gozmany, 1970
        • Subtribus Apameina Guen?e, 1841
        • Subtribus Sesamiina Fibiger & Goldstein, 2005
      • Tribus Arzamini Grote, 1883
      • Tribus Episemini Guen?e, 1852
      • Tribus Xylenini Guen?e, 1837
        • Subtribus Xylenina Guen?e, 1837
        • Subtribus Cosmiina Guen?e, 1852, stat. rev.
        • Subtribus Antitypina Forbes & Franclemont, 1954
        • Subtribus Ufeina Crumb, 1956
    • Subfamilia Hadeninae Guen?e, 1837
      • Tribus Orthosiini Guen?e, 1837
      • Tribus Tholerini Beck, 1996
      • Tribus Hadenini Guen?e, 1837
      • Tribus Leucaniini Guen?e, 1837
      • Tribus Eriopygini Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005
      • Tribus Glottulini Guen?e, 1852
    • Subfamilia Noctuinae Latreille, 1809
      • Tribus Agrotini Rambur, 1848
        • Subtribus Austrandesiina Angulo & Olivares, 1990
        • Subtribus Agrotina Rambur, 1848
      • Tribus Noctuini Latreille, 1809
        • Subtribus Axyliina Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005
        • Subtribus Noctuina Latreille, 1809

References

[ Back to top ]
  • Fibiger, M., 2007. Revision of the Micronoctuidae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea). Part 1, Taxonomy of the Pollexinae. Zootaxa 1567: 1?116. (abstract)
  • Fibiger, M., 2008. Revision of the Micronoctuidae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea). Part 2, Taxonomy of the Belluliinae, Magninae, and Parachrostiinae. Zootaxa 1867: 1?136. (abstract)
  • Hacker, H.H. & Zilli, A., 2007. Esperiana Buchreihe zur Entomologie Memoir 3: 179-246.
  • Kitching, I.J. & Rawlins, J.E., 1999. The Noctuoidea. In: Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies, Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography, ed. N. P.Kristensen, pp. 355-401. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.
  • Lafontaine, J.D. & Fibiger, M., 2006. Revised higher classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist 138(5):610-635 (abstract).
  • Lafontaine, J.D. & Schmidt, C., 2010. Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico. ZooKeys 40: 1-239.
  • O'Toole, C. (ed.), 2002. Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders. ISBN 1-55297-612-2.
  • Zahiri, R., Kitching, I.J., Lafontaine, J.D., Mutanen, M., Kaila, L., Holloway, J.D. & Wahlberg, N. (in press) A new molecular phylogeny offers hope for a stable family-level classification of the Noctuoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

External links

[ Back to top ]

Taxonomy

[ Back to top ]

The Superfamily Noctuoidea is further organized into finer groupings including:

Families

[ Back to top ]

Arctiidae

Arctiidae is a large and diverse family of moths with around 11,000 species found all over the world, including 6,000 neotropical species. This family includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths (or tigers), which usually have bright colors, footmen (which are usually much drabber), lichen moths and wasp moths. Many species have 'hairy' caterpillars which are popularly known as woolly bears or woolly worms. The scientific name refers to this (Gk. a??t?? = a bear). Caterpillars may also go by the name 'tussock moths' (more usually this refers to Lymantriidae, however). [more]

Dioptidae

Dioptinae is a subfamily of the moth family Notodontidae. [more]

Lymantriidae

Lymantriidae is a family of moths. Many of its component species are referred to as "Tussock moths" of one sort or another. The caterpillar, or larval, stage of these species often has a distinctive appearance of alternating bristles and haired projections. Like other families of moths, many Tussock Moth caterpillars have urticating hairs (often hidden among longer, softer hairs) which can cause painful reactions if they come into contact with skin. [more]

Noctuidae

The Noctuidae or owlet moths are a family of robustly-built moths that includes more than 35,000 known species out of possibly 100,000 total, in more than 4,200 genera. They constitute the largest family in the Lepidoptera. [more]

Notodontidae

Notodontidae is a family of moths with approximately 3,800 known species. Moths of this family are found in all parts of the world, but they are most concentrated in tropical areas, especially in the New World (Miller, 1992). The Thaumetopoeidae (processionary moths) are sometimes included here as a subfamily. [more]

Thyretidae

[more]

More info about the Family Thyretidae may be found here.

References

[ Back to top ]

External links

[ Back to top ]

Sources

[ Back to top ]
Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:21:20