Noctuoid Moth

Noctuoidea is the superfamily of noctuid (Latin "night owl") or "owlet" moths, and has more than 70,000 described species, the largest number of for any Lepidopteran superfamily. Its classification has not yet reached a satisfactory or stable state. Since the end of the 20th century, increasing availability of molecular phylogenetic data for this hugely successful radiation has led to several competing proposals for a taxonomic arrangement that correctly represents the relationships between the major lineages.

Briefly, the disputes center on the fact that in old treatments (which were just as unable to reach a general consensus) the distinctness of some groups, such as the Arctiidae or Lymantriidae, was overrated due to their characteristic appearance, while some less-studied lineages conventionally held to be Noctuidae are in fact quite distinct. This requires a rearrangement at least of the latter family (by simply including anything disputed within it). This is quite unwieldy, and various more refined treatments have been proposed in response to it. While there is general agreement on what the basal families of Noctuoidea are, the more diverse advanced group may be treated as one all-encompassing Noctuidae, two huge and two smaller, or even (if Arctiidae or Lymantriidae are kept distinct) more than four families, which are in some cases still quite sizeable.

Recent developments

There are several recent studies suggesting a radical change in the traditional family level classification. Recent works in redefining the families within the Noctuoidea has been carried out by Kitching (1984), Poole (1995), Kitching and Rawlins 998 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. In 2005, Fibiger and Lafontaine 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.

Lafontaine and Fibiger in 2006 then 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).

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, in addition to the basal trifid families.

Systematics

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).

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

References

*
*
*Hacker, Hermann H. & Zilli, Alberto (2007). ''Esperiana Buchreihe zur Entomologie'' '
Memoir 3
'': 179–246.
*Kitching, Ian J. & Rawlins, John 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. Donald & Fibiger, Michael (2006)
"Revised higher classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera)
. ''Canadian Entomologist''. 138 (5): 610–635
*
*O'Toole, Christopher (ed.) (2002). ''Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders''. .
*

External links

Tree of Life
(summary of R. Zahiri's ongoing PhD studies)

{{Taxonbar, from=Q133240

Lepidoptera superfamilies
Macroheterocera