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The genus Protorthodes McDunnough is revised to include 15 species including P. ustulata Lafontaine, Walsh & Ferris, sp. n., from southwestern United States, P. texicana Lafontaine, sp. n., from Texas and Mexico, and P. mexicana Lafontaine, sp. n., from Mexico. A new genus, Nudorthodes Lafontaine, Walsh & Ferris, is proposed for two species formerly included in Protorthodes, P. texana (Smith, 1900), comb.n., and P. variabilis (Barnes & McDunnough, 1912), comb. n., and N. molino Lafontaine, Walsh & Ferris, sp. n., described from southern Arizona. A key to species, descriptions, illustrations of adults and genitalia, and distribution maps are included.

The genus Ufeus Grote is revised to include five species including U. felsensteini, sp. n. in southern Arizona. A key to species, descriptions, illustrations of adults and genitalia are included.

The species of the genus Ogdoconta Butler, 1891 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Condicinae, Condicini) from North America north of Mexico are reviewed, and a description of the genus is given. Ogdoconta satana Metzler, Knudson & Poole, sp. n., is described from New Mexico and Texas, Ogdoconta rufipenna Metzler, Knudson & Poole, sp. n., is described from Arizona, and Ogdoconta fergusoni Metzler & Lafontaine, sp. n., is described from Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. A key to the species of Ogdoconta of North America north of Mexico is provided. Adult moths and male and female genitalia of Ogdoconta satana, O. rufipenna, O. fergusoni, O. cinereola (Guenée, 1852), O. moreno Barnes, 1907, O. sexta Barnes & McDunnough, 1913, O. altura Barnes, 1904, and O. tacna (Barnes, 1904) are illustrated.

An attempt is made to bring consensus between the classifications of the Noctuoidea in Europe and North America. Twelve points of disagreement between the check lists from the two regions are discussed and solutions recommended.

In 1841, T. W. Harris published “A Report on the Insects of Massachusetts, Injurious to Vegetation,” a seminal work in North American Entomology and one of the first New World publications to describe Lepidoptera species. Although appearing in several subsequent editions, the eight family-group names proposed by Harris were largely overlooked. In summarizing Harris’ family-group names, we show that authorship for two Noctuidae names in current usage require changes: Acronictinae Harris, 1841 (originally as Acronyctadae) has priority over Heinemann, 1859, and Agrotini Harris, 1841 (as Agrotitidae) has priority over Rambur, 1848. Mamestradae Harris, 1841 is also a senior synonym of Mamestrinae Hampson, 1902 (Type genus: Mamestra Ochsenheimer, 1816), an available name that is currently a junior subjective synonym of Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Hadenini Guenée, 1837 (Type genus: Hadena Schrank, 1802). Geometridae: Ennominae: Hyberniini Harris, 1841 (as Hyberniadae), based on Erranis Hübner, [1825] (= Hybernia Berthold, 1827), has precedence over two family-group names with long-standing usage, Bistonini Stephens, 1850 and Boarmiini Duponchel, 1845, and a reversal of precedence for the latter two names over Hyberniini is proposed under ICZN guidelines.

A total of 64 additions and corrections are listed and discussed for the check list of the Noctuoidea of North America north of Mexico published in 2010. One family-group name is inserted, four are changed in rank, one is deleted, one is changed in name, and three are changed in authorship. Taxonomic changes to species are six new or revised synonymies, one new combination, and one revision in status from species to subspecies.

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A total of 115 additions and corrections are listed and discussed for the check list of the Noctuoidea of North America north of Mexico published in 2010. Thirty-two of these are changes in authorship and/or date of publication or spelling. Taxonomic changes are 33 new or revised synonymies, three new combinations, and six revisions in status from synonymy to valid species.

After examining the type specimens of species in the eastern North American genus Argyrostrotis the number of known species in the genus is reduced from 10 to six through synonymy. A key to species is included along with illustrations of the adults and genitalia of each species. Three Neotropical species currently included in Argyrostrotis (Argyrostrotis eurysaces Schaus, 1914; Argyrostrotis quadrata Dognin, 1910; and Celiptera surrufula Dyar, 1913) are transferred to other genera as Argyrosticta eurysaces (Schaus, 1914), comb. n. [Noctuidae: Bagisarinae], Heterochroma quadrata (Dognin, 1910), comb. n. [Noctuidae: Amphipyrinae], and Ptichodis surrufula (Dyar, 1913), comb. n. [Erebidae: Erebinae: Euclidiini].

An annotated check list of the North American species of Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) is presented, consisting of 3693 species. One-hundred and sixty-six taxonomic changes are proposed, consisting of 13 species- group taxa accorded species status (stat. n. and stat. rev.), 2 revalidated genus-group taxa (stat. rev.), and 2 family-group taxa raised to subfamily. Sixty-nine species-group taxa are downgraded to junior synonyms or subspecies (stat. n., syn. rev., and syn. n.), and 6 genera relegated to synonymy. Sixty-seven new or revised generic combinations are proposed. No new taxa are described. Six non-native species now believed to be established in North America are documented for the first time, namely Simplicia cornicalis (Fabricius, 1794), Nola cucullatella (Linnaeus, 1758), Tyta luctuosa ([Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775), Oligia latruncula ([Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775), Niphonyx segregata (Butler, 1878) and Hecatera dysodea ([Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775). The check list is arranged according to species membership in higher-level taxa (family, subfamily, tribe, subtribe), based on the most recent working hypotheses of a comprehensive phylogenetic framework for the Noctuoidea.

The genus Hypotrix Guenee, 1852 is synonymized with Trichorthosia Grote, 1883, Proteinania Hampson, 1905, Ursogastra Smith, 1906, and Trichagrotis McDunnough, [1929]. Four species are transferred from the genus Hexorthodes McDunnough [Hypotrix trifascia (Smith, 1891), comb. n., H. alamosa (Barnes, 1904), comb. n., T. hueco (Barnes, 1904), comb. n., and T. optima (Dyar, 1920), comb. n.]. Four new species are described (T. basistriga Lafontaine, Ferris & Walsh; T. naglei Lafontaine, Ferris & Walsh; T. ocularis Lafontaine, Ferris & Walsh; and T. rubra Lafontaine, Ferris & Walsh). A new genus, Anhypotrix Lafontaine, Ferris & Walsh, is proposed for Polia tristis Barnes & McDunnough, 1910, currently misplaced in Trichorthosia. A key to species, descriptions, illustrations of adults and genitalia are included.

The three known North American species of Bryolymnia Hampson, 1908 are reviewed and three additional species are described as new. Two additional species, Elaphria ensina (Barnes, 1907) and Cryphia viridata (Harvey, 1876) are transferred to Bryolymnia as new combinations. The North American species are compared with related species in Central America. Adults of 11 species and male and female genitalia, where available, are illustrated.

Two new species of Euxoa Hubner are described from northern and western Canada: Euxoa apopsis Troubridge & Lafontaine, related to E. macleani McDunnough, and E. muldersi Lafontaine & Hensel, related to E. churchillensis McDunnough. Euxoa chimoensis Hardwick, stat. rev., is recognized as a valid species rather than as a subspecies of Euxoa macleani. A diagnosis of the E. westermanni species-group is given with descriptions and illustrations of the new species and their relatives.

The taxonomic status of the 138 species of Acontiinae are reviewed and assigned to seven genera, Ponometia Herrich-Schaffer, Tarache Hubner, Acontia Ochsenheimer, Eusceptis Hubner, Pseudalypia H. Edwards, Spragueia Grote, and Trogotorna Hampson. A key to the genera, diagnoses of the genera, species groups of Tarache, illustrations of adults and genitalia of representatives of the seven genera, and a check list of the New World species are included.

Seven species of Marimatha Walker are examined, five of which occur in North America. In addition to the existing species M. nigrofimbria (Guenee), M. tripuncta (Moschler) is reported from North America for the first time and three new species are described from southwestern North America: M. piscimala, M. squala, and M. quadrata. Marimatha alboflava (Walker), M. botyoides (Guenee), and M. dinumeratalis (Walker) are discussed in terms of the generic name Marimatha, and M. aurifera (Walker) is discussed in relation to the identity of M. tripuncta. A generic diagnosis, key to species, descriptions, and illustrations of adults and genitalia are included. A new genus and species is proposed for a species currently placed as an undescribed species of Marimatha, but tympanal and genital characters and mtDNA suggest an association with the subfamily Noctuinae, tribe Elaphriini.

A new species of Baniana Walker related to B. gobar Druce is described from Arizona and Costa Rica and the status of Baniana, Anoba Walker, and the Anobinae are discussed. Adults and/or genitalia of Anoba trigonoides Walker, Anoba sp. trigonoides group, Baniana significans Walker, B. minor sp. n., B. gobar, and Deinopa delinquens (Walker) are illustrated.

The North American species of Lasionycta Aurivillius are revised to include 43 species and 13 subspecies using traditional methods and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) DNA sequence (barcode) analysis. Seven species-groups are recognized, and one group is further divided into seven sub-groups. Seventeen species and six subspecies of Lasionycta are described: L. anthracina Crabo & Lafontaine, L. benjamini medaminosa Crabo & Lafontaine, L. brunnea Crabo & Lafontaine, L. caesia Crabo & Lafontaine, L. carolynae Crabo, L. coracina Crabo & Lafontaine, L. fergusoni Crabo & Lafontaine, L. frigida Crabo & Lafontaine, L. gelida Crabo & Lafontaine, L. haida Crabo & Lafontaine, L. illima Crabo & Lafontaine, L. mono Crabo & Lafontaine, L. uniformis fusca Crabo & Lafontaine, L. uniformis handfieldi Crabo & Lafontaine, L. uniformis multicolor Crabo & Lafontaine, L. uniformis shasta Crabo & Lafontaine, L. perplexella Crabo & Lafontaine, L. pulverea Crabo & Lafontaine, L. sasquatch Crabo & Lafontaine, L. sierra Crabo & Lafontaine, L. silacea Crabo & Lafontaine, L. subalpina Crabo & Lafontaine, and L. subfuscula livida Crabo & Lafontaine. Lasionycta coloradensis (Richards), L. dolosaL. flanda (Barnes & Benjamin), (Smith), L. poca (Barnes & Benjamin), and L. subfumosa (Gibson) are elevated to species. The following new synonyms are recognized: Scotogramma albinuda Smith (= Lasiestra phoca Möschler), Lasiestra klotsi Richards (= Scotogramma discolor Smith), Scotogramma infuscata Smith (= Mamestra promulsa Morrison), Lasionycta alberta Barnes & Benjamin and Anytus marloffi Smith (= Scotogramma perplexa Smith), Scotogramma sedilis Smith (= Scotogramma subfuscula Grote), Mamestra rainieri Smith (= Mamestra mutilata Smith), Anarta zemblica Hampson (= Anarta staudingeri Aurivillius), and Anarta etacta Smith (= Mamestra arietis Grote). The Eurasian species are reviewed resulting in the following changes: Lasionhada proxima (Hübner), comb. rev., Eriopygodes imbecilla (Fabricius), comb. rev., Lasionycta dovrensis (Wocke), stat. rev. and L. fumida (Graeser), stat. rev. The genus Psammopolia Crabo & Lafontaine (type species: Polia wyatti Barnes & Benjamin) is described, resulting in the following new combinations: Psammopolia arietis (Grote), comb. n., Psammopolia insolens (Grote), comb. n., Psammopolia ochracea (Smith), comb. n., Psammopolia sala (Troubridge & Mustelin), comb. n., and Psammopolia wyatti (Barnes & Benjamin), comb. n. Two new species of the related genus Tricholita Grote are described: T. ferrisi Crabo & Lafontaine from southwestern Arizona and T. knudsoni Crabo & Lafontaine from western Texas. Adults and genitalia of all North American Lasionycta and Psammopolia species and the new Tricholita are illustrated. Keys to species-groups and species are presented. DNA barcodes of 39 of the 43 species were sequenced and are presented as neighbor-joining phylograms. The barcodes support the taxonomy at genus and species-group level, but not consistently at the sub-group level. At the species-level, performance of DNA barcodes was variable; 17 of the 39 barcoded species exhibited haplotype variation discordant with morphology, phenotype and distribution. A high frequency (43.6 %) of haplotypes were either shared among more than one species (representing eight species), or were closely similar and nested within haplotypic variation of other species (nine species).

A new species of a noctuid moth in the genus Lithophane is described and illustrated. Lithophane abita Brou & Lafontaine, sp. n. is known from the mid-Atlantic coastal states southward to Florida and the Gulf Coast states.

The six species of the Acontia areli group are examined. In addition to the existing species A. areletta, A. areli, and A. areloides, three new species are described from southwestern North America: A. toddi sp. n., A. geminocula sp.n., and A. albifusa sp.n.. A key to species, descriptions, illustrations of adults and genitalia, and distribution maps are included.

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This issue of ZooKeys marks the first of several planned volumes entitled “Contributions to the Systematics of New World Macro-Moths,” initiated as a compilation of alpha-taxonomic based projects on the New World macro-moths. The focus of this series will be the North American noctuoid and geometrid fauna, although several additional manuscripts on the Neotropical fauna are already in preparation for future volumes.

The species of the genus Hyppa Duponchel are revised and a new species is described. Adults of all species are illustrated, as are male and female genitalia where known. A neotype is designated for Hadena ancocisconensis Morrison. The concept of Hyppa contrasta is modified from that of a southern Appalachian endemic to that of a common transcontinental species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the authors discusses the series on systematics of taxa including erebidae, notodontidae, and noctuidae.

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This study reports the assembly of a DNA barcode reference library for species in the lepidopteran superfamily Noctuoidea from Canada and the USA. Based on the analysis of 69,378 specimens, the library provides coverage for 97.3% of the noctuoid fauna (3565 of 3664 species). In addition to verifying the strong performance of DNA barcodes in the discrimination of these species, the results indicate close congruence between the number of species analyzed (3565) and the number of sequence clusters (3816) recognized by the Barcode Index Number (BIN) system. Distributional patterns across 12 North American ecoregions are examined for the 3251 species that have GPS data while BIN analysis is used to quantify overlap between the noctuoid faunas of North America and other zoogeographic regions. This analysis reveals that 90% of North American noctuoids are endemic and that just 7.5% and 1.8% of BINs are shared with the Neotropics and with the Palearctic, respectively. One third (29) of the latter species are recent introductions and, as expected, they possess low intraspecific divergences.

This study provides a first, comprehensive, diagnostic use of DNA barcodes for the Canadian fauna of noctuoids or "owlet" moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) based on vouchered records for 1,541 species (99.1% species coverage), and more than 30,000 sequences. When viewed from a Canada-wide perspective, DNA barcodes unambiguously discriminate 90% of the noctuoid species recognized through prior taxonomic study, and resolution reaches 95.6% when considered at a provincial scale. Barcode sharing is concentrated in certain lineages with 54% of the cases involving 1.8% of the genera. Deep intraspecific divergence exists in 7.7% of the species, but further studies are required to clarify whether these cases reflect an overlooked species complex or phylogeographic variation in a single species. Non-native species possess higher Nearest-Neighbour (NN) distances than native taxa, whereas generalist feeders have lower NN distances than those with more specialized feeding habits. We found high concordance between taxonomic names and sequence clusters delineated by the Barcode Index Number (BIN) system with 1,082 species (70%) assigned to a unique BIN. The cases of discordance involve both BIN mergers and BIN splits with 38 species falling into both categories, most likely reflecting bidirectional introgression. One fifth of the species are involved in a BIN merger reflecting the presence of 158 species sharing their barcode sequence with at least one other taxon, and 189 species with low, but diagnostic COI divergence. A very few cases (13) involved species whose members fell into both categories. Most of the remaining 140 species show a split into two or three BINs per species, while Virbia ferruginosa was divided into 16. The overall results confirm that DNA barcodes are effective for the identification of Canadian noctuoids. This study also affirms that BINs are a strong proxy for species, providing a pathway for a rapid, accurate estimation of animal diversity.