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To elucidate the evolutionary relationships of the major lineages within the moth family Nolidae, we analysed a molecular dataset comprising eight independent gene regions (6.4 kbp), cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) from the mitochondrial genome, and elongation factor-1a (EF-1a), ribosomal protein S5 (RpS5), carbamoylphosphate synthase domain protein (CAD), cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and wingless genes from the nuclear genome, using parsimony and model-based evolutionary methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference). Our analyses revealed a well-resolved phylogenetic hypothesis, again recovering the six previously recognized families within Noctuoidea (i.e. Oenosandridae, Notodontidae, Euteliidae, Erebidae, Nolidae and Noctuidae), and monophyly of the quadrifid Noctuoidea (i.e. Euteliidae, Erebidae, Nolidae and Noctuidae). The family Nolidae is diagnosed and characterized by two synapomorphies from morphology: construction of a ridged boat-shaped cocoon that bears a vertical exit slit at one end; and two other morphological character states: elongation of the forewing retinaculum into a bar-like or digitate condition and possession of a postpiracular counter-tympanal hood. We present a new phylogenetic hypothesis for Nolidae consisting of eight strongly supported subfamilies, two of which are erected here: Diphtherinae, Risobinae, Collomeninae subfam. nov., Beaninae subfam. nov., Eligminae, Westermanniinae, Nolinae and Chloephorinae. Where we are able, each monophyletic lineage is diagnosed by morphological autapomorphies and within each subfamily, monophyletic tribes and subtribes are circumscribed, most of which are also diagnosable by morphological apomorphies. We also describe two new taxa: Gelastocerini trib. nov. and Etannina subtrib. nov. The Neotropical subfamily Diphtherinae, here newly circumscribed, is considered to be the plesiomorphic sister lineage to the rest of Nolidae. Diphtherinae are characterized by loss of the proximal pair of metatibial spurs in males and by the presence of a frontal tubercle, which is presumably associated with a derived strategy of emergence from the cocoon. � The Willi Hennig Society 2012

Noctuidae are one of the world’s most diverse, ecologically successful, and economically important animal lineages with over 12,000 species in ~1,150 genera. We inferred a phylogeny using eight protein-coding genes for the global fauna, greatly expanding upon previous attempts to stabilize Noctuidae higher classification by sampling 341 genera (nearly half represented by their type species) representing 70/76 widely recognized family-group taxa: 20/21 subfamilies, 32/35 tribes, and 18/20 subtribes. We evaluated 17 subfamily-level taxa in detail, discussing adult and larval morphology, life histories, and taxonomic implications of our results. We significantly alter concepts of Acontiinae, Condicinae, Eustrotiinae, Metoponiinae, and Stiriinae. Our results supported recognition of two new subfamilies: Cobubathinae Wagner & Keegan, 2021 subf. nov. and Cropiinae Keegan & Wagner, 2021 subf. nov. Other nomenclatural changes we made are as follows. We moved: ‘Acontia’ viridifera (Hampson, 1910), ‘Azenia’ virida Barnes and McDunnough, 1916, Aleptinoides, Austrazenia, Chalcoecia, Megalodes, and Trogotorna to Chamaecleini in Acontiinae; Apaustis to, and reinstated Emmelia as a valid genus in Acontiinae; Allophyes and Meganephria to Cuculliinae; ‘Plagiomimicus’ navia (Harvey, 1875), Airamia, Alvaradoia, Hypoperigea, Neotarache, and Mesotrosta to Condicinae; Axenus, Azenia, Metaponpneumata, Sexserrata, and Tristyla to Metoponiinae; ‘Paramiana’ canoa (Barnes, 1907) to Noctuinae; Aucha, Cobubatha, and Tripudia to Cobubathinae; Anycteola and Supralathosea to Oncocnemidinae; Cropia to Cropiinae; Desmoloma to Dyopsinae; Eviridemas and Gloanna to Bryophilinae; Fota and Stilbia to Stiriinae; and Copibryophila, Homolagoa, and Tyta to Noctuidae incertae sedis. We conclude with discussion of instances where current understanding of noctuid biogeography and life histories were changed by our results.

A summary of all taxonomic and nomenclatural changes to the check list of the Noctuoidea of North America north of Mexico since the last update published in 2015 is provided. A total of 64 changes are listed and discussed, consisting of 26 recently published changes and additions, and an additional 38 presented herein. One stat. n., one stat. rev., six syn. n., and two comb. n. are proposed for the first time. Orthimella Schmidt & Lafontaine nom. n. is proposed here as an objective replacement name for Himella Grote, 1874 [Noctuinae: Orthosiini], a junior homonym of Himella Dallas, 1852 [Hemiptera: Coreidae].

Amphipyrinae have long been a catchall taxon for Noctuidae, with most members lacking discernible morphological synapomorphies that would allow their assignment to one of the many readily diagnosable noctuid subfamilies. Here data from seven gene regions (>5,500 base pairs) for more than 120 noctuid genera are used to infer a phylogeny for Amphipyrinae and related subfamilies. Sequence data for 57 amphipyrine genera—most represented by the type species of the genus—are examined. Presented here are: the first large-scale molecular phylogenetic study of Amphipyrinae and largest molecular phylogeny of Noctuidae to date; several proposed nomenclatural changes for well supported results; and the identification of areas of noctuid phylogeny where greater taxon sampling and/or genomic-scale data are needed. Adult and larval morphology, along with life history traits, for taxonomic groupings most relevant to the results are discussed. Amphipyrinae are significantly redefined; many former amphipyrines, excluded as a result of these analyses, are reassigned to other noctuid subfamily-level taxa. Four genera,ChamaecleaGrote,HeminocloaBarnes & Benjamin,HemioslariaBarnes & Benjamin, andThurberiphagaDyar are transferred to the tribe Chamaecleini Keegan & WagnerNew Tribein Acontiinae. Stiriina is elevated to StiriinaeRevised Status, Grotellina is elevated to GrotellinaeRevised Status, and Annaphilina is elevated to AnnaphiliniRevised Status.AcopaHarvey is transferred to Bryophilinae,AleptinaDyar is transferred to Condicinae,LeucocnemisHampson andOxycnemis gracillinea(Grote) are transferred to Oncocnemidinae,NacopaBarnes & Benjamin is transferred to Noctuinae, andNarthecophoraSmith is transferred to Stiriinae.AzeniaGrote (and its subtribe Azeniina),CropiaWalker,MetaponpneumataMöschler,SexserrataBarnes & Benjamin, andTristylaSmith are transferred to Noctuidaeincertae sedis.HemigrotellaBarnes & McDunnough (formerly in subtribe Grotellina) is retained in Amphipyrinae.This published work has been registered in ZooBank,http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4A140782-31BA-445A-B7BA-6EAB98ED43FA

In this study, we clarify the relationships between the basal lineages in the moth family Noctuidae using DNA sequence data from eight independent gene regions. Data matrices (6.4 kbp) are analysed using parsimony and model-based methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference). Our results support the family Noctuidae as a monophyletic group in which most subfamilies have hindwing vein M2 reduced or absent. Our phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that in the Noctuidae, the plesiomorphic condition is that in which vein M2 arises about one-third of the way up the discocellular vein between the origins of M1 and M3, mainly parallel to M3, and is of thickness similar to vein M3. Most Noctuidae lineages possess an apomorphic (derived) condition in which hindwing vein M2 is markedly reduced or totally absent, so that the cubital vein appears to be three-branched and these lineages are hence referred to as ‘trifine’. However, Noctuidae also include a number of lineages in which vein M2 is unreduced, or only slightly reduced, and these are more problematic for morphological association with the family Noctuidae. Our results also show that the subfamily Acronictinae is not closely related to Pantheinae, but instead shows a closer association with Amphipyrinae. Among the major lineages of Noctuidae, we postulate a general trend, with numerous exceptions, in larval host plants from woody plants in the basal groups towards herb feeding in derived groups. Similarly, the major radiations of monocot-feeding groups within the family Noctuidae are in the higher trifines. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Thiacidinae, syn. nov., a junior synonym of Pantheinae, and Dyopsinae, stat. nov., are reinstated as a subfamily.

As a step towards understanding the higher-level phylogeny and evolu- tionary affinities of quadrifid noctuoid moths, we have undertaken the first large-scale molecular phylogenetic analysis of the moth family Erebidae, including almost all subfamilies, as well as most tribes and subtribes. DNA sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (COI ) and seven nuclear genes (EF-1α, wingless, RpS5, IDH, MDH, GAPDH and CAD) were analysed for a total of 237 taxa, principally type genera of higher taxa. Data matrices (6407 bp in total) were analysed by parsimony with equal weighting and model-based evolutionary methods (maximum likelihood), which revealed a well-resolved skeleton phylogenetic hypothesis with 18 major lineages, which we treat here as subfamilies of Erebidae. We thus present a new phylogeny for Erebidae consisting of 18 moderate to strongly supported subfami- lies: Scoliopteryginae, Rivulinae, Anobinae, Hypeninae, Lymantriinae, Pangraptinae, Herminiinae, Aganainae, Arctiinae, Calpinae, Hypocalinae, Eulepidotinae, Toxocamp- inae, Tinoliinae, Scolecocampinae, Hypenodinae, Boletobiinae and Erebinae. Where possible, each monophyletic lineage is diagnosed by autapomorphic morphological character states, and within each subfamily, monophyletic tribes and subtribes can be circumscribed, most of which can also be diagnosed by morphological apomorphies. All additional taxa sampled fell within one of the four previously recognized quadrifid families (mostly into Erebidae), which are now found to include two unusual monobasic taxa from New Guinea: Cocytiinae (now in Erebidae: Erebinae) and Eucocytiinae (now in Noctuidae: Pantheinae).

Zahiri, R., Kitching, I. J., Lafontaine, J. D., Mutanen, M., Kaila, L., Holloway, J. D. & Wahlberg, N. (2010). A new molecular phylogeny offers hope for a stable family level classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 158–173. To examine the higher level phylogeny and evolutionary affinities of the megadiverse superfamily Noctuoidea, an extensive molecular systematic study was undertaken with special emphasis on Noctuidae, the most controversial group in Noctuoidea and arguably the entire Lepidoptera. DNA sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and seven nuclear genes (Elongation Factor-1α, wingless, Ribosomal protein S5, Isocitrate dehydrogenase, Cytosolic malate dehydrogenase, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and Carbamoylphosphate synthase domain protein) were analysed for 152 taxa of principally type genera/species for family group taxa. Data matrices (6407 bp total) were analysed by parsimony with equal weighting and model-based evolutionary methods (maximum likelihood), which revealed a new high-level phylogenetic hypothesis comprising six major, well-supported lineages that we here interpret as families: Oenosandridae, Notodontidae, Erebidae, Nolidae, Euteliidae and Noctuidae.

The North American species of Brachylomia Hampson, 1906 are revised and four new species (B. cascadiasp. nov., B. obscurifasciasp. nov., B. pallidasp. nov., and B. sierrasp. nov.) are described. The monotypic genus Lomilysis Franclemont, 1937 is synonymized with Brachylomia. Epunda onychina Guenée, 1852, which is currently placed in Brachylomia, is reclassified as a senior synonym of Egira alternans (Walker, [1857]), but Epunda onychina, not being associated with any known species in more than 150 years, is treated as a nomen oblitum, so Egira alternans is a nomen protectum under provisions of Article 23.9.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Adults and genitalia of Nearctic species of Brachylomia are figured.

A total of 124 additions and corrections are listed and discussed for the check list of the Noctuoidea of North America north of Mexico published in 2010. Twenty-eight species are added to the list, 16 through new species descriptions, eight as a result of taxonomic splits, and four based on newly recorded species. Forty-eight species are deleted from the list, 41 through synonymy, and seven that were based on misidentifications. Twelve changes are corrections in the spelling of names, or changes in parentheses on dates of publication. Twenty-seven are changes in taxonomy of names where no species are added or deleted; eight changes involve the renumbering of existing species for better taxonomic arrangement. Within the text 2 stat. n., 10 stat. rev., 27 syn. n., 5 syn. rev., and 1 comb. n. are proposed for the first time.

The genus Doryodes Guenée is revised to include ten species including six species described as new (Doryodes desoto Lafontaine & Sullivan; Doryodes okaloosa Sullivan & Lafontaine; Doryodes fusselli Sullivan & Lafontaine; Doryodes reineckei Sullivan & Lafontaine; Doryodes broui Lafontaine & Sullivan; and Doryodes latistriga Sullivan & Lafontaine). A key to species, descriptions, and illustrations of adults and genitalia are included.

Nous revisons la classification superieure des familles de Noctuoidea possedant une aile anterieure quadrifide (Nolidae, Strepsimanidae, Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, Erebidae et Noctuidae) a la lumiere de classifications recentes et des repartitions actuelles des etats derives des caracteres. D'apres des etudes morphologiques et moleculaires recentes, nous proposons une definition plus comprehensive de la famille des Noctuidae qui ajoute les sous-familles Nolinae, Strepsimaninae, Arctiinae, Lymantriinae et Erebinae a celles qui sont plus traditionnellement incluses dans les Noctuidae. La superfamille des Noctuoidea comprend donc les familles Oenosandridae, Doidae, Notodontidae, Micronoctuidae et Noctuidae. La tribu des Cosmiini, presentement dans la sous-famille des Xyleninae, est reduite au niveau de sous-tribu des Cosmiina et placee dans la tribu des Xylenini. La tribu des Balsini, couramment placee dans la sous-famille des Xyleninae, est elevee au rang de sous-famille des Balsinae. La tribu Phosphilini est transferee de la sous-famille des Psaphidinae a Xyleninae.

Alastriagen. nov. is described, and Callierges tropicalis Schaus is transferred to the genus. Alastria chicosp. nov. is described from western North America and Alastria machosp. nov. is described from Costa Rica. We provide illustrations of the adults and genitalia of all three species, as well as the male genitalia of two related genera, Nedra Clarke and Actinotia Hübner.

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.

The North American species previously treated as Xanthia togata (Esper) is shown to be a distinct species and described as new. Illustrations of adults and genitalia of X. togata and Xanthia tatago are provided.

The North American species of the genus Cosmia Ochsenheimer are reviewed and four species are recognized: Cosmia calami (Harvey), C. praeacuta (Smith) comb. nov., C. epipaschia (Grote) comb. nov., and C. elisaesp. nov.Achytonix McDunnough syn. nov. is synonymized with Cosmia subgenus Calymnia Hübner. Namangana praeacuta nigramaculata Barnes et Benjamin and Namangana praeacuta orae Barnes et Benjamin are synonymized with Cosmia praeacuta. Illustrations of adults and genitalia are provided.

The name Neoligiagen.nov. is proposed for the “Oligia” semicana (Walker) species group in North America and 12 species, N. rubirena sp.nov., N. pagosa sp.nov., N. hardwicki sp.nov., N. inermis sp.nov., N. invenusta sp.nov., N. albirena sp.nov., N. lancea sp.nov., N. elephas sp.nov., N. lillooet sp.nov., N. surdirena sp.nov., N. canadensis sp.nov., and N. atlantica sp.nov. are described. Hadenella laevigata Smith is synonymized (synonymy restored) under Hadena tonsa Grote and Hadena hausta Grote is synonymized (synonymy restored) under Miana semicana Walker. Adults of all species are illustrated as well as male and female genitalia, where known.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Xestia (Anomogyna) viridescens (Turati, 1919) stat. n. from the southern Alps is a species distinct from X. speciosa (Hi.ibner, 1813). The southern Fennoscandian subspecies of X. (A.) speciosa is ssp. baltica (Valle, 1940) stat. rev., and that of X. (A.) alpicola (Zetterstedt, 1839) is ssp. iveni (Hi.ibner, 1870) stat. rev.

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.

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.

The palearctic cutworm, Apamea ophiogramma (Esper), is reported from North America for the first time. Four specimens were collected at a light trap in Langley, British Columbia, in 1989, 19 in 1990, and 38 in 1991. Descriptions of wing markings and genitalic characters that distinguish A. ophiogramma from the nearctic Oligia fractilinea (Grt.) are provided.

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.