Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Formerly included in either Noctuidae or Arctiidae at various times in the past.
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).
Numbers
37 species in 11 genera listed at
All-Leps
Moths of North Dakota reports 29 species in 8 genera in North America
16 species in 5 genera in Canada (CBIF)
Identification
Technical Characteristics: males with a 'bar-shaped' retinaculum (similar to that of Arctiids); moths of one of two types:
1) fw with Rs veins arising from a single stalk and with tufts of raised scales, OR
2) fw with accessory cell, frons glossy on lower half, distance between eyes narrower than eye width in frontal view
(description by Gerald Fauske at
Moths of North Dakota)
Range
represented throughout North America
Food
larvae feed on woody plants, forbs, or grasses
Remarks
Mainly an Old World family; about 2 percent of all species occur in North America.
Internet References
description of family, and other info (Moths of North Dakota)
pinned adult images of species in eastern Canada (CBIF)
pinned adult images of species in western Canada (CBIF)
classification (Butterflies & Moths of the World)
classification of superfamily Noctuoidea, showing seven families (All-Leps)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 15 May, 2005 - 10:28pm
Additional contributions by
cotinisLast updated 28 February, 2006 - 12:38pm
