Revised higher classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera)

Abstract

The higher classification of the families of the Noctuoidea with a quadrifid forewing (Nolidae, Strepsimanidae, Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, Erebidae, and Noctuidae) is reviewed from the perspective of recent classifications and the distribution of derived character states. On the basis of recent morphological and molecular studies, we propose a more inclusive definition of the family Noctuidae that adds the subfamilies Nolinae, Strepsimaninae, Arctiinae, Lymantriinae, and Erebinae to the subfamilies more traditionally included in the Noctuidae. Consequently, the superfamily Noctuoidea comprises the families Oenosandridae, Doidae, Notodontidae, Micronoctuidae, and Noctuidae. The tribe Cosmiini, currently in the subfamily Xyleninae, is downgraded to the status of subtribe Cosmiina and placed in the tribe Xylenini. The tribe Balsini, currently in the subfamily Xyleninae, is elevated to the status of subfamily Balsinae. The tribe Phosphilini is transferred from the subfamily Psaphidinae to the Xyleninae.

Larva and pupa of Amyna axis (Guenee, 1852) and affirmation of its taxonomic placement in Bagisarinae (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

“…subfamily of trifi ne noctuids. Th e subfamily's position remains essentially unchanged in Fibiger and Lafontaine (2005), Lafontaine and Fibiger (2006), and Lafontaine and Schmidt (in press), i.e., at the base of the trifi nes in the vicinity Plusiinae, Eustrotiinae, and Acontiinae.…”

“…Bagisara was long classifi ed in the Acontiinae (e.g., Forbes 1954, Franclemont andTodd 1983) and most recently in its own subfamily proximate to the Acontiinae and Eustrotinae (e.g., Kitching and Rawlins 1998, Fibiger and Lafontaine 2005, Lafontaine and Fibiger 2006, Holloway 2009). In form and habit, the larvae of Bagisara (with Amyna) share similarities with Acontiinae (such as Tarachidia Hampson): e.g., trifi d venation in adults, frass fl icking habit, absence of prolegs on A3 and A4, and a simple cremaster.…”

Revision of the “Aemilia” ambigua (Strecker) species-group (Noctuidae, Arctiinae)

“…Aemilia (sensu stricto) was associated with the Euchaetes Harris generic group by Watson and Goodger (1986) within the phaegopterines (Arctiini: Phaegopterina; family-group names used herein follow the changes proposed by Lafontaine and Fibiger 2006). Aemilia ambigua was correctly associated with Hemihyalea Hampson by Franclemont (1983), who placed A. ambigua prior to Apocrisias Franclemont and Hemihyalea in the North American checklist.…”

A New Species of Rivula Guenée (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) from Southeastern United States

“…It has no known closely related genera (however, see Zebeeba Kirby in Speidel et al 1996) and has been placed in the Rivulinae, Hypeninae, Hermininae and near the arctiids and lymantriids (Kitching 1984;Mitchell et al 2005;Lafontaine and Fibiger 2006). Th e genus is characterized by unique larval characters, and in the adult by the rudimentary pockets of the tympanum (Richards 1933), and perhaps the microsculpturing of the proboscis (Speidel et al 1996).…”

“…None of the diagnostic characters is easy to score. Based on the hindwing venation (Forbes 1954), a fully scaled frons, and the simple, unsclerotized valves, Rivula is placed among the more primitive quadrifi ne noctuids (Lafontaine and Fibiger 2006).…”