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]

Thaumetopoeinae
A male pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Notodontidae
Subfamily: Thaumetopoeinae

The etymology of the subfamily name derives from the two 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.

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.

Caterpillars of the pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)

Genera and some species

See also

References
  1. Kiriakoff, Serge G. (1970-01-01). Lepidoptera: Familia Thaumetopoeidae. Genera insectorum. 219. Anvers: Mercurius.
  2. Andrea Basso; Enrico Negrisolo; Alberto Zilli; Andrea Battisti; Pierfilippo Cerretti (2017). "A total evidence phylogeny for the processionary moths of the genus Thaumetopoea (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae: Thaumetopoeinae)". Cladistics. 33 (6): 557-573. doi:10.1111/cla.12181.
  3. Bailly, Anatole (1981-01-01). Abrégé du dictionnaire grec français. Paris: Hachette. ISBN 2010035283. OCLC 461974285.
  4. Bailly, Anatole. "Greek-french dictionary online". www.tabularium.be. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  5. "Amazing caterpillar parade spotted marching around Australia - Trending Now - AccuWeather Videos". accuweather.com. August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.


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