Thaumetopoeinae
| Thaumetopoeinae | |
|---|---|
| |
| A male pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Notodontidae |
| Subfamily: | Thaumetopoeinae |
Thaumetopoeinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Notodontidae. This group is sometimes treated as a family Thaumetopoeidae with three subfamilies: Thaumetopoeinae, Anaphinae and Epicominae.[1] However, it is now commonly treated at subfamily rank based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence.[2]
The etymology of the subfamily name derives from the Ancient Greek words θαυματόεις (thaumatóeis, 'marvelous') and ποιέω (poiéō, 'to do') and literally means showing beautiful things.[3][4] This explains why the name is sometimes spelled Thaumatopoeinae, incorrectly from the taxonomic standpoint, but in accordance with etymology.[clarification needed]
The larval stage of some Thaumetopoeinae are known as processionary caterpillars, so named because they move in columns in search of food, resembling a procession.[5] Some of the species, like the pine and oak processionaries, can constitute a health hazard due to their urticating hairs.
Genera and some species
[edit | edit source]See also
[edit | edit source]- Comparison of butterflies and moths
- Ochrogaster lunifer, an Australian processionary caterpillar
References
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