Genus Amphipyra

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Range · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Copper Underwing - Amphipyra pyramidoides

Green cat / brown moth - Amphipyra tragopoginis

Amphipyra glabella? - Amphipyra glabella

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Noctuoidea (Owlet Moths and kin)

Family Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)

Subfamily Amphipyrinae

Tribe Amphipyrini

Genus Amphipyra

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Amphipyra Ochsenheimer, 1816

Explanation of Names

Generic epithet Amphipyra is Greek meaning "around the fire." (1)

Numbers

4 species in North America. (2)

Identification

Adult - drab-colored moths with usually inconspicuous markings; forewing varies from light to dark brown with pale brown subterminal area in 3 of the 4 species; hindwing unmarked, paler than forewing.

Range

A. glabella, pyramidoides, tragopoginis occur in eastern and northwestern North America. A. brunneoatra occurs in the southwest (Arizona and California, north to Oregon).

Remarks

Amphipyra is the only genus currently placed in the subfamily Amphipyrinae. All other genera formerly placed in Amphipyrinae were placed in Hadeninae by Kitching & Rawlings in 1999. (reference).

Print References

Ochsenheimer, F. 1816. Die schmetterlinge von Europa 4: 70

Internet References

pinned adult images of the 3 species occurring in Canada (CBIF)

Moth Photographers Group--9641 – Amphipyra brunneoatra – Strand, 1916

pinned adult image of the southwestern Amphipyra brunneoatra (California Dept. of Food & Agriculture, link dead as of 6/15/11)

Works Cited

1.	An accentuated list of the British Lepidoptera, with hints on the derivation of the names. Anonymous. 1858. The Entomological Societies of Oxford and Cambridge.

2.	Nearctica: Nomina Insecta Nearctica

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 20 March, 2005 - 6:28pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Randy Hardy
Last updated 1 July, 2014 - 12:12pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version