The Noctuidae or owlet moths are a massive family of stout-bodied, often hairy moths, considered taxonomically as the most evolutionarily recent moth lineage. Members of this family are generally medium to large, but a few are very tiny and could be confused with micromoths. Many fold their wings over their abdomen at rest, while others rest with their wings spread like members of the Geometridae. A large number are nondescript or even somber in appearance, clad in shads of gray or brown, often with intricate and contrasting patterns on forewing. Most are nocturnal and likely to be found only at lights or sugar bait, though a small number are diurnal.
Although there are about 35,000 species of Noctuidae worldwide; some speculate that there could be as many as 100,000 total species. Research shows that some Noctuids are able to hear the echolocation of bats, and this stimulates a reflex in the wing muscles to move the moth randomly in an attempt to avoid the bat. Some larvae of Noctuidae are able to eat poisonous plants, helping them be less desirable as food sources, many species have patterns that enable them to almost disappear when they are resting on the bark of a tree. Ponometia candefacta, the olive-shaded bird dropping moth, below, mimics bird feces to appear distasteful to potential predators.
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Moths in the subfamily Acontiinae are quite effective bird dropping mimics. Although many species are similar in appearance, the relationship of many genera is considered incertae sedis, which means “of uncertain placement.” This means that while some genera are placed in tribes (the classification below subfamilies and above genera), lepidopterologists are unsure of the relationship of other genera. Many moths in this subfamily are small in size and are longer than they are wide. There caterpillars can be likened in general shape and size to the caterpillars of moths in the Geometridae family.
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Many moths in the subfamily of Acronictinae are known as dagger moths. They are called dagger moths due to striking black or gray markings with sharp edges, similar to that of a dagger, as demonstrated by Acronicta psi, the grey dagger, above. The larvae of Acronictinae vary in appearance, with some being hairy, and others with just a few hairs. The caterpillars are usually quite colorful as well. The hairy caterpillars can be easily mistaken for members from the Erebidae subfamily of Lymantriinae.
The Agaristinae consist mostly of moths known as “foresters.” They are diurnal, usually nectaring in open fields, but can occasionally be found at lights in small numbers.
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Copper underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides)
Amphipyrinae Members of this global subfamily are either medium-sized moths that rest with wings held flat, or chunkier moths that usually rest with their wings tented above their back. These inhabitants of woodland and field edges often run around on bark in a mouselike fashion.
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The Balsinae are small, rounded-winged moths that can be commonly seen in woodlands and gardens in the northeast of North America. They are predominantly gray, patterned with black lines and streaks, like the many-dotted appleworm (Balsa malana), above.
Bryophilinae is a small subfamily of moths which come from various areas of the world. Some moths in this family feed solely on lichens!
Condicinae is a subfamily of small Noctuid moths known as groundlings. Although there are only a few genera, the subfamily is widespread throughout the world.
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Cuculliinae is a subfamily consisting of distinct moths, especially in the genus Cucullia. “Cucullus” is Latin for “hood,” describing the scales which point over the head of the moth. In North America, moths of the Cucullia genus are known as hooded owlets, while they are known as sharks in Europe. The caterpillars are usually vibrant yellows, and sometimes have blue or red! The larval form of the shark moth, (Cucullia lychnitis), above, is also known as the striped lychnis.
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Owlet moth (Cydosia nobilitella), a member of the Cydosiinae, a genus of just 3 species, all native to the Americas.
Dilobinae is a subfamily of moths best represented in Europe and North America. Its largest genus is Raphia, which contains many moths known as “Brothers.”
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Eriopinae are small complexly patterned noctuids that rest with their wings tightly folded. They have tufts of hairlike scales on the thorax and the inner margin of the wing sticks up at rest, as you can see on the pink shaded fern moth (Callopistria mollissima) above.
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Heliothinae are small to medium-sized, often beautifully patterned noctuids of woodlands, fields, and prairies. Many species, like the primrose moth (Schinia florida) above, are regularly encountered during the day taking nectar from flowers.
Plusiinae are a distinctive group of sleek noctuid moths that mostly occur in open habitats, such as old fields. A few species are active during the day, though most are nocturnal. Taxonomy is changing now that the scientific community is able to use DNA to determine relationships between species. There is speculation that in the future, Plusiinae might become a family, in which case it would be known as Plusiidae.
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Noctuinae are medium-sized moths with long, moderately narrow forewings. Many are late season fliers found in fields and gardens. They are mostly nocturnal, but a few can be found taking nectar from flowers during the day. The larvae of some Noctuinae species are generalist feeders which makes them potential agricultural pests. The vibrant Spanish Moth (Xanthopastis regnatrix), above, is a particularly colorful member of the Noctuinae family.
Oncocnemidinae contains moths known mostly as Sallows and Brocades. Common names are a little confusing in this subfamily because it is very similar to the Noctuinae subfamily, which also contains moths known as Sallows and Brocades! Their imagines (an imago is the adult form of a moth, the plural of this term is imagines.) are usually brown and gray. The larvae can be interesting yellows, grays, and blacks.
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The larvae of Pantheinae could be comparable to Acronictinae as some caterpillars could be mistaken for the Lymantriinae subfamily of Erebidae. The adults, especially in the genus Panthea, can have contrasting black, sometimes gray, and white markings. The moth above in the genus Panthea shows the characteristics found in many moths of the Pantheinae subfamily. Some scientists think this subfamily is distinct enough to be its own family.
The Noctuidae family is the largest family of all Lepidoptera; butterflies included. There are about 35,000 known species in this single family, which is about twice the number of butterfly species! Moths in the family Noctuidae have both caterpillars and adults which are variously shaped, colored, and patterned. The Latin root for Noctuidae is “Noctu,” which means “in the night,” and is derived from the observation that most moths in these families are nocturnal. Moths in the family Noctuidae are usually the most common visitors at lights. With 35,000 species and counting, there is a lot to discover right outside your door!
Sources
Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. Beadle, David and Seabrooke Leckie. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012
“Family Noctuidae: Owlet Moths.” North Dakota State University. Retrieved 9 Jul. 2013.
“An aerial-hawking bat uses echolocation to counter moth hearing.” Goerlitz, Holger R., Hannah M. ter Hofstede, Matt R.K. Zeale, Gareth Jones, and Marc W. Holderied. 19 Aug. 2010. Retrieved 10 Jul. 2013.