Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Recent publications by Jacobson and Weller (2002) and Kitching and Rawlins (1999) split the former subfamily Ctenuchinae into two New World tribes [Ctenuchini and Euchromiini] within Arctiinae, and treat the former subfamily Pericopinae as a tribe [Pericopini] of Arctiinae.
BugGuide currently follows the classification shown at
All-Leps (See
discussion here). Jean-Francois Landry and Don Lafontaine of Agriculture Canada, and John Burns and Scott Miller of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History are curators of the list, with assistance from others named at the bottom of
this page. The classification of moths is continuously under study, and further changes are inevitable.
Explanation of Names
Likely from Greek ἄρκτος (arctos), meaning bear, in reference to the caterpillars. (Based on Internet searches.)
Numbers
265 species in 88 genera listed at
nearctica.com; 2 subfamilies in North America [Arctiinae, Lithosiinae]; a third subfamily [Syntominae] is restricted to the Old World
about 11,000 species in three subfamilies worldwide
Arctiidae is one of seven North American families in the superfamily Noctuoidea (or eight families, if Pantheinae is given family status [
Pantheidae], according to Kitching and Rawlins, 1999).
Range
cosmopolitan; more diverse in the tropics
Remarks
"According to Kitching and Rawlins (1999), the subfamilial and tribal classification as presented in Hodges et al (1983) for North America, in part represents some paraphyletic (un-natural) groups and clusters of genera rather than a distinct phyletic group in every case. Consequently, these authors would demote the traditional subfamilies Pericopinae and Ctenuchinae to tribes. Under this scheme, the resident North Dakota species then fall into two subfamilies: Lithosiinae and Arctiinae." [
Gerald Fauske, North Dakota State U.]
Genera allocated to subfamilies and tribes according to the classification of Jacobson and Weller (2002) and Kitching and Rawlins (1999).
Thanks to
Dr. Susan Weller (U. of Minnesota) and
Dr. Rebecca Simmons (U. of North Dakota) for assistance in placing genera of Ctenuchini and Euchromiini in their proper tribes. [RM]
Print References
Hodges, R.W., T. Dominick, D.R. Davis, D.C. Ferguson, J.G. Franclemont, E.G. Munroe, and J.A. Powell. 1983. Check list of the Lepidoptera of America north of Mexico. E.W. Classey Ltd. and The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation. London. 282 pages.
Jacobson, N.L., and S.J. Weller. 2002. A cladistic study of the tiger moth family Arctiidae (Noctuoidea) based on larval and adult morphology. Thomas Say Monograph Series, Ent. Soc. America.
Kitching, I.J., and J.E. Rawlins. 1999. (The Noctuoidea, pp. 355-401 in Kristensen N.P. (editor). Lepidoptera: Moths and butterflies. Volume 1: Evolution, systematics and biogeography. Handbook of Zoology/Handbuch der Zoologie. Walter de Gruyter. Berlin/New York).
Internet References
Moths of Southeastern Arizona--gives subfamilies, tribes according to classification of Hodges et al (1983), now outdated
description, numbers, and biology (Gerald Fauske, North Dakota State U.)
links to pinned adult images of species in western Canada (CBIF)
links to pinned adult images of species in eastern Canada (CBIF)
classification of superfamily Noctuoidea, showing seven families (All-Leps)
Interesting Journal of Lepidopterists' Society article on how new Arctiids are crossing our border with Mexico
here
