Noctuidae

{{Short description|Family of moths}} {{Use British English|date=November 2025}} {{Automatic taxobox | name = Noctuid moths | image = Noctua pronuba, Large Yellow Underwing, Minera, North Wales, July 2017 (35698935536).jpg | image_caption = ''Noctua pronuba'' | image2 = Panthea coenobita 01 (HS).jpg | image2_caption = ''Panthea coenobita'' | taxon = Noctuidae | authority = Latreille, 1809 | type_species = ''Noctua pronuba'' | subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies | subdivision = : Acontiinae Guenée, 1841 : Acronictinae Harris, 1841 : Aediinae : Agaristinae Boisduval, 1833 : Amphipyrinae Guenée, 1837 : Bagisarinae Crumb, 1956 : Balsinae Grote, 1896 : Bryophilinae Guenée, 1852 : Cobubathinae Wagner & Keegan, 2021 : Condicinae Poole, 1995 : Cropiinae Keegan & Wagner, 2021 : Cuculliinae Herrich-Schäffer, 1850 : Dilobinae : Dyopsinae : Eriopinae Herrich-Schäffer, 1851 : Eucocytiinae : Eustrotiinae Grote, 1882 : Grotellinae : Heliothinae Boisduval, 1828 : Metoponiinae Herrich-Schäffer, 1851 : Noctuinae Latreille, 1809 : Oncocnemidinae Forbes & Franclemont, 1954 : Pantheinae Smith, 1898 : Plusiinae Boisduval, 1828 : Raphiinae Beck, 1996 : Stiriinae | diversity = About 11,772 species }}

The '''Noctuidae''', commonly known as '''noctuid moths''' or '''owlet moths''', and their caterpillars as cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. Taxonomically, they are considered the most difficult family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because the classification of many of the clades is constantly changing with new research, along with that of other families of the Noctuoidea.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Regier|first1=Jerome C.|last2=Mitter|first2=Charles|last3=Mitter|first3=Kim|last4=Cummings|first4=Michael P.|last5=Bazinet|first5=Adam L.|last6=Hallwachs|first6=Winifred|last7=Janzen|first7=Daniel H.|last8=Zwick|first8=Andreas|date=1 January 2017 |title=Further progress on the phylogeny of Noctuoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera) using an expanded gene sample |journal=Systematic Entomology |volume=42|issue=1|pages=82–93|doi=10.1111/syen.12199|issn=1365-3113|doi-access=free|bibcode=2017SysEn..42...82R }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lafontaine|first1=J. Donald|last2=Fibiger|first2=Michael|date=1 October 2006 |title=Revised higher classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera)|journal=The Canadian Entomologist |volume=138|issue=5|pages=610–635|doi=10.4039/n06-012|s2cid=86122393|issn=1918-3240}}</ref><ref name="Michael">{{Cite book|title=A Review of the Higher Classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) With Special Reference to the Holarctic Fauna. Beilage zu Band 11: (Notodontidae, Nolidae, Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, Erebidae, Micronoctuidae, and Noctuidae): Gesamtinhaltsverzeichnis Bände 1-10: Indices Bände 1-10|last1=Michael|first1=Fibiger|last2=Donald|first2=Lafontaine, J.|last3=H.|first3=Hacker, Hermann|date=1 January 2005|publisher=Delta-Druck und Verlag Peks |isbn=978-3938249017|oclc=928877801}}</ref> It was considered the largest family in Lepidoptera for a long time, but after regrouping Lymantriinae, Catocalinae and Calpinae within the family Erebidae, the latter holds this title now.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Zahiri|first1=Reza|last2=Holloway|first2=Jeremy D.|last3=Kitching|first3=Ian J.|last4=Lafontaine|first4=J. Donald|last5=Mutanen|first5=Marko|last6=Wahlberg|first6=Niklas|date=1 January 2012 |title=Molecular phylogenetics of Erebidae (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea)|journal=Systematic Entomology |volume=37|issue=1|pages=102–124|doi=10.1111/j.1365-3113.2011.00607.x|s2cid=84249695|issn=1365-3113|doi-access=free|bibcode=2012SysEn..37..102Z }}</ref> Currently, Noctuidae is the second largest family in Noctuoidea, with about 1,089 genera and 11,772 species.<ref name = "Zhang2011">{{Cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r3_DVd5DtGEC&pg=PA217|title=Animal biodiversity: An outline of higher-level classification and survey of taxonomic richness|journal=Zootaxa|volume= 3148|editor-last=Zhang|editor-first=Z.-Q.|date=23 December 2011 |publisher=Magnolia Press|isbn=9781869778491 |page= 217}}</ref> This classification is still unsettled, as more changes continue to appear between Noctuidae and Erebidae.

==Description== [[File:Noctuidae Wings.png|alt=Labeled diagram|thumb|325px|Noctuidae wing venation (highlighting features specific to subfamily Pantheinae)|left]] Adult: Most noctuid adults have wings with a variety of shades of brown, grey, and other varied shades and colours but some subfamilies, such as Acronictinae and Agaristinae, are very brightly coloured, especially those from tropical regions (e.g. ''Baorisa hieroglyphica''). They are characterised by a structure in the metathorax called the nodular sclerite or epaulette, which separates the tympanum and the conjunctiva in the tympanal organ. It functions to keep parasites (Acari) out of the tympanal cavity. Another characteristic in this group is trifine hindwing venation, by reduction or absence of the second medial vein (M2).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=twVOAAAAYAAJ&q=lepidoptera+of+israel|title=The Lepidoptera of Israel|last=Fibiger|first=Michael|date=2007|publisher=Coronet Books Incorporated|isbn=9789546422880|access-date=2017-04-01|archive-date=2024-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517140550/https://books.google.com/books?id=twVOAAAAYAAJ&q=lepidoptera+of+israel|url-status=live}}</ref>{{page number needed|date=October 2025}}

Markings present on the wings of noctuid adults can be helpful in distinguishing species. From the basal location to the outer edge (proximal to distal) on the forewing, there is a horizontally oriented claviform (club-shaped) stigma located posterior to a discal (round) stigma.<ref name="hudson">{{cite book |year=1898 |title=New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera) |last=Hudson |first=G.V. |location=London |publisher=West, Newman & Co. |chapter=I.—The Caradrinina |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/44551/44551-h/44551-h.htm |access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> These are followed distally by a reniform (kidney-shaped) stigma,<ref name="rackham">{{cite web |title=Moths - Glossary |website=Identify British Moths |last=Rackham |first=Tony |url=http://www.bettonyb.co.uk/glossary.html |access-date=26 October 2025}}</ref> whose exact shape may vary, but is found on the distal edge of the forewing's cell.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Grote|first1=A.R.|title=Introduction to a Study of the North American Noctuidae|year=1883|volume=21|issue=114|pages=134–176|jstor=982370|journal=Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society}}</ref> It is often not possible to discern all of the stigmata on all specimens or species.<ref name="hudson" /> Crossbands or crosslines may be present, oriented longitudinally from the leading to the trailing edge of the wing.<ref name="rackham" />

Larva: Commonly green or brown; some species present bright colours, such as the camphorweed cucullia moth (''Cucullia alfarata''). Most are pudgy and smooth with rounded short heads and few setae, but there are some exceptions in some subfamilies (e.g. Acronictinae and Pantheinae).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F8Ur63KP538C|title=Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History|last=Wagner|first=David L.|date=25 April 2010|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1400834143|access-date=5 June 2020|archive-date=17 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517140403/https://books.google.com/books?id=F8Ur63KP538C|url-status=live}}</ref>

The pupae range from shiny brown to dark brown. When they newly pupate they are bright brownish orange, but after a few days start to get darker.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

The eggs vary in colour, but all have a spherical shape.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

==Etymology==

The word Noctuidae is derived from the name of the type genus ''Noctua'', which is the Latin name for the little owl, and the patronymic suffix -idae used typically to form taxonomic family names in animals.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Speidel|first1=W.|last2=Naumann|first2=C. M.|date=2004 |title=A survey of family-group names in noctuoid moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera)|journal=Systematics and Biodiversity |volume=2|issue=2|pages=191–221|doi=10.1017/S1477200004001409|bibcode=2004SyBio...2..191S |s2cid=85652010|issn=1477-2000}}</ref>

The common name "owlet" originally means a small or young owl. The names "armyworms" and "cutworms" are based on the behaviour of the larvae of this group, which can occur in destructive swarms and cut the stems of plants.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rice |first=Marlin E. |date=1 January 2004 |title=Armyworm defoliating young corn|journal=Integrated Crop Management News|url=http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cropnews/1502}}</ref>

==Ecology==

===Distribution and diversity=== [[File:Xestia c-nigrum (18543861830).jpg|thumb|left|202x202px|Setaceous Hebrew character]] This family is cosmopolitan and can be found worldwide except in the Antarctic region. Some species, such as the setaceous Hebrew character (''Xestia c-nigrum''), can be found in the Arctic Circle, specifically in the Yukon territory of western Canada, with an elevation 1,702 m above sea level, where the temperature fluctuates between 23/-25 °C (73/-13 °F).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hocking.biology.ualberta.ca/facilities/strickland/yukon.pdf |title=Butterflies and moths of the Yukon|author1=Lafontaine, J. D. |author2=Wood, D. M. |website=E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum}}</ref> Many species of dart moths have been recorded in elevations as high as 4,000 m above sea level (e.g. ''Xestia elisabetha'').<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gyulai|first1=P.|last2=Ronkay|first2=L.|last3=Saldaitis|first3=A.|s2cid=21336866|date=4 November 2013 |title=Two new ''Xestia'' Hübner, 1818 species from China (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)|journal=Zootaxa |volume=3734|issue=1|pages=96–100|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.3734.1.12|pmid=25277901|issn=1175-5334|doi-access=free}}</ref> Among the places where the number of species has been counted are North America and northern Mexico, with about 2,522 species. 1,576 species are found in Europe, while the other species are distributed worldwide.<ref name="Michael"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jc9zK8c3y3kC&q=Annotated+check+list+of+the+Noctuoidea+(Insecta,+Lepidoptera)+of+North+America+north+of+Mexico.&pg=PA6|title=Annotated Check List of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America North of Mexico|last1=Schmidt|first1=B. Christian|last2=Lafontaine|first2=J. Donald|date=19 March 2010|publisher=PenSoft Publishers LTD|isbn=9789546425355|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=17 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517140406/https://books.google.com/books?id=Jc9zK8c3y3kC&q=Annotated+check+list+of+the+Noctuoidea+(Insecta,+Lepidoptera)+of+North+America+north+of+Mexico.&pg=PA6#v=snippet&q=Annotated%20check%20list%20of%20the%20Noctuoidea%20(Insecta%2C%20Lepidoptera)%20of%20North%20America%20north%20of%20Mexico.&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T6nHD4W4a-cC&q=+Additions+and+corrections+to+the+check+list+of+the+Noctuoidea+(Insecta,+Lepidoptera)+of+North+America+north+of+Mexico&pg=PA145|title=Contributions to the Systematics of New World Macro-moths III|last1=Schmidt|first1=Bjorn Christian|last2=Lafontaine|first2=J. Donald|journal=ZooKeys|date=24 November 2011|issue=149|pages=1–4|publisher=PenSoft Publishers LTD|doi=10.3897/zookeys.149.2383|pmid=22207789|pmc=3234404|isbn=9789546426185|doi-access=free|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=17 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517140405/https://books.google.com/books?id=T6nHD4W4a-cC&q=+Additions+and+corrections+to+the+check+list+of+the+Noctuoidea+(Insecta,+Lepidoptera)+of+North+America+north+of+Mexico&pg=PA145#v=onepage&q=Additions%20and%20corrections%20to%20the%20check%20list%20of%20the%20Noctuoidea%20(Insecta%2C%20Lepidoptera)%20of%20North%20America%20north%20of%20Mexico&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lafontaine|first1=Donald|last2=Schmidt|first2=Christian|date=2 June 2013 |title=Additions and corrections to the check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico|url=https://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=3652|journal=ZooKeys |issue=264|pages=227–236|doi=10.3897/zookeys.264.4443|issn=1313-2970|pmc=3668382|pmid=23730184|doi-access=free |bibcode=2013ZooK..264..227L }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lafontaine|first1=J. Donald|last2=Schmidt|first2=B. Christian|date=15 October 2015 |title=Additions and corrections to the check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico III|journal=ZooKeys|issue=527|pages=127–147|doi=10.3897/zookeys.527.6151|issn=1313-2989|pmc=4668890|pmid=26692790|doi-access=free |bibcode=2015ZooK..527..127L }}</ref>

===Mutualism=== {{further|Mutualism (biology)}} [[File:The larva of Hadena bicruris is feeding on the seeds of Red Campion (Silene dioica).jpg|left|thumb|A ''Lychnis'' moth caterpillar feeding on the seeds of red campion (''Silene dioica'').|255x255px]] Members of Noctuidae, like other butterflies and moths, perform an important role in plant pollination. Some species have developed a stronger connection with their host plants. For example, the lychnis moth (''Hadena bicruris'') has a strange mutualistic relationship with pink plants or carnation plants (Caryophyllaceae), in that larvae feed on the plant while the adults pollinate the flowers.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bopp|first1=Sigrun|last2=Gottsberger|first2=Gerhard|date=1 January 2004 |title=Importance of ''Silene latifolia'' ssp. ''alba'' and ''S. dioica'' (Caryophyllaceae) as Host Plants of the Parasitic Pollinator ''Hadena bicruris'' (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) |journal=Oikos |volume=105|issue=2|pages=221–228|doi=10.1111/j.0030-1299.2004.12625.x|jstor=3548083|bibcode=2004Oikos.105..221B }}</ref> [[File:Eight Spotted Forester Moth (3471438093).jpg|thumb|The eight-spotted forester moth (''Alypia octomaculata'') puddling on water from a leaf of firebush (''Croton lucidus'').|213x213px]]

===Food guilds=== Herbivory: Caterpillars of most Noctuidae feed on plants; some feed on poisonous plants and are unaffected by their chemical defences; for example, the splendid brocade moth (''Lacanobia splendens'') feeds on cowbane (''Cicuta virosa''), a plant that is notoriously toxic to vertebrates.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jacobs|first=Maarten|date=2005|title=''Lacanobia splendens'', a new species for the Belgian fauna (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)|url=http://www.phegea.org/Phegea/2005/Phegea33-3_83-85.pdf|journal=Phegea|volume=33 |issue=3 |pages=83–85}}</ref>

Predation and cannibalism: During the larval stage, some cutworms readily feed on other insects. One such species is the shivering pinion (''Lithophane querquera''), whose larvae commonly feed on other lepidopteran larvae.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Schweitzer |first=D. F. |date=1 January 1979 |title=Predatory behavior in ''Lithophane querquera'' and other spring caterpillars|url=http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=US201302089978 |journal=Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society |issn=0024-0966}}</ref> Moreover, many noctuid larvae, such as those of the fall armyworm (''Spodoptera frugiperda'') and of genera such as ''Heliothis'' and ''Helicoverpa'', aggressively eat their siblings and often other species of caterpillar.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Chapman|first1=Jason W.|last2=Williams|first2=Trevor|last3=Martínez|first3=Ana M.|last4=Cisneros|first4=Juan|last5=Caballero|first5=Primitivo|last6=Cave|first6=Ronald D.|last7=Goulson|first7=Dave|date=1 January 2000 |title=Does Cannibalism in ''Spodoptera frugiperda'' (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Reduce the Risk of Predation?|journal=Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology |volume=48|issue=4|pages=321–327|doi=10.1007/s002650000237|jstor=4601817|bibcode=2000BEcoS..48..321C |s2cid=3947934}}</ref>

Nectarivory and puddling: Like many Lepidoptera, many species of adult Noctuidae visit flowers for their nectar. They also seek other liquid food resources such as plant juices, honeydew, dung, urea and mud, among others.<ref name=":2" />

As is common in members of the order Lepidoptera, courtship in many Noctuidae includes a set of movements in which the female evaluates the male's reproductive fitness.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Birch|first=Martin|date=1 May 1970 |title=Pre-courtship use of abdominal brushes by the nocturnal moth, ''Phlogophora meticulosa'' (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)|journal=Animal Behaviour|volume=18, Part 2|pages=310–316|doi=10.1016/S0003-3472(70)80043-4 |bibcode=1970AnBeh..18..310B }}</ref>

Most noctuid moths produce pheromones that attract the opposite sex. Female pheromones that attract males occur widely and have long been studied, but the study of male pheromones has further to go.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Heath|first1=R. R.|last2=Mclaughlin|first2=J. R.|last3=Proshold|first3=F.|last4=Teal|first4=P. E. A.|date=1 March 1991 |title=Periodicity of Female Sex Pheromone Titer and Release in ''Heliothis subflexa'' and ''H. virescens'' (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)|journal=Annals of the Entomological Society of America |volume=84|issue=2|pages=182–189|doi=10.1093/aesa/84.2.182|issn=0013-8746}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ronkay, L.|year=2005|title=Revision of the genus ''Lophoterges'' Hampson, 1906 (s. l.) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Cuculliinae). Part II. The genus ''Lophoterges'' s. str.|url=http://actazool.nhmus.hu/51/1/ac51_1.html|journal=Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae |volume=51|pages=1–57}}</ref>

===Reproduction=== [[File:Noctua comes (2946739146).jpg|thumb|Lesser yellow underwing]] Noctuid moths commonly begin the reproductive season from spring to fall, and mostly are multivoltine, such as the eastern panthea moth (''Panthea furcilla''), which reproduces over the year.<ref name=":3" /> Nevertheless, some species have just one brood of offspring (univoltine); among the best known is the lesser yellow underwing (''Noctua comes'').<ref name=":3" />

===Defence=== [[File:Polytela gloriosae, feeding on amaryllis.jpg|alt=''Polytela gloriosae'' (Fabricius, 1781), feeding on amaryllis|left|thumb|''Polytela gloriosae'' caterpillars feeding on ''Amaryllis'' sp.]] This group has a wide range of both chemical and physical defence. Among the chemical defences three types stand out. First, the pyrrolizidine alkaloid sequestration usually present in Arctiinae is also found in a few species of noctuids, including the Spanish moth (''Xanthopastis timais'').<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Vilanova|first1=Cristina|last2=Baixeras|first2=Joaquín|last3=Latorre|first3=Amparo|last4=Porcar |first4=Manuel|date=1 January 2016 |title=The Generalist Inside the Specialist: Gut Bacterial Communities of Two Insect Species Feeding on Toxic Plants Are Dominated by ''Enterococcus'' sp.|journal=Frontiers in Microbiology |volume=7|pages=1005|doi=10.3389/fmicb.2016.01005|issn=1664-302X|pmc=4923067|pmid=27446044|doi-access=free }}</ref> Another chemical defence is formic acid production, which was thought to be present only in Notodontidae, but later was found in caterpillars of ''Trachosea champa''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nakamura |first=M. |year=1998 |title=The eversible cervical gland and the chemical component of its secretion in noctuid larvae |url=http://ci.nii.ac.jp/els/110007630802.pdf?id=ART0009450170&type=pdf&lang=jp&host=cinii&order_no=&ppv_type=0&lang_sw=&no=1490645969&cp= |journal=Transactions of the Lepidopterological Society of Japan |volume=49 |pages=85–92 |access-date=2017-04-01 |archive-date=2024-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517140923/http://ci.nii.ac.jp/els/110007630802.pdf?id=ART0009450170&type=pdf&lang=jp&host=cinii&order_no=&ppv_type=0&lang_sw=&no=1490645969&cp= |url-status=live }}</ref> Finally, the last type of chemical defence is regurgitation of plant compounds, often used by many insects, but the cabbage palm caterpillar (''Litoprosopus futilis'') produces a toxin called toluquinone that deters predators.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Smedley|first1=Scott R.|last2=Ehrhardt|first2=Elizabeth|last3=Eisner|first3=Thomas |title=Defensive Regurgitation by a Noctuid Moth Larva (''Litoprosopus futilis'')|journal=Psyche: A Journal of Entomology |volume=100|issue=3–4|pages=209–221|doi=10.1155/1993/67950|issn=0033-2615|year=1993|doi-access=free}}</ref>

On the other hand, the main physical defence in caterpillars and adults alike is mimicry. Most noctuid moths have drab colours with a variety of patterns suitable to camouflage their bodies.<ref name=":3" /> The second physical defence consists in thousands of secondary setae that surround the body. The subfamilies that present this mechanism are Pantheinae and Acronictinae. The third is aposematism, represented by species of Cucullinae.<ref name=":3">{{cite book |first1=David L. |last1=Wagner |first2=Dale F. |last2=Schweitzer |first3=J. Bolling |last3=Sullivan |first4=Richard C. |last4=Reardon |name-list-style=amp |date=2011 |title=Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0691150420}}</ref> Finally, all adults have another mechanism for defence, a tympanal organ available to detect the echolocation produced by bats, so the moths can avoid them.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8fMgAAAAQBAJ&q=lepidoptera+kristensen&pg=PA231|title=Handbook of Zoology|volume=2: Morphology, Physiology, and Development|last=Kristensen|first=Niels|date=1 January 2003|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=9783110893724|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=17 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517140945/https://books.google.com/books?id=8fMgAAAAQBAJ&q=lepidoptera+kristensen&pg=PA231#v=snippet&q=lepidoptera%20kristensen&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Human importance== [[File:Helicoverpa armigera (23882185162).jpg|thumb|A ''Helicoverpa armigera'' caterpillar feeding on a strawberry.]]

===Agriculture===

Many species are considered agricultural problems around the world. Their larvae are typically known as "cutworms" or "armyworms" due to swarms that destroy crops, orchards and gardens every year. The scarce bordered straw ''Helicoverpa armigera'' produces losses in agriculture every year that exceed US$2 billion.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Narayanamma|first1=V. Lakshmi|last2=Sharma|first2=H. C.|last3=Gowda|first3=C. L. L.|last4=Sriramulu|first4=M.|date=1 December 2007 |title=Incorporation of lyophilized leaves and pods into artificial diets to assess the antibiosis component of resistance to pod borer ''Helicoverpa armigera'' (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in chickpea|journal=International Journal of Tropical Insect Science |volume=27|issue=3��4|pages=191–198|doi=10.1017/S1742758407878374|s2cid=86757646|issn=1742-7592|url=http://oar.icrisat.org/736/1/InterJouTropInsectSci_27%283-4%29_191-198_2008.pdf}}</ref> Additionally, the variegated cutworm (''Peridroma saucia'') is described by many as one of the most damaging pests to vegetables.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Entomology|last=Capinera|first=John L.|chapter=Variegated Cutworm, Peridroma saucia (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) |date=2008|publisher=Springer Netherlands|isbn=9781402062421|editor-last=Capinera|editor-first=John L.|pages=4038–4041 |doi=10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_3936}}</ref>

In West Africa, species including ''Busseola fusca'', ''Heliocheilus albipunctella'', ''Sesamia calamistis'', ''Helicoverpa armigera'', and ''Spodoptera exempta'' are major pests of staple crops such as pearl millet, sorghum, and maize.<ref name=insects>{{cite web |last=Heath |first=Jeffrey |author-link=Jeffrey Heath (linguist) |title=Guide to insects, arthropods, and molluscs of northern Dogon country |url=https://dogonlanguages.org/sources/insectarthropodmolluscnotesmalijh |access-date=2021-02-23 |archive-date=2021-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307232421/https://dogonlanguages.org/sources/insectarthropodmolluscnotesmalijh |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Systematics==

Since molecular analysis began to play a larger role in systematics, the structure of many Lepidoptera groups has been changing and Noctuidae is not an exception. Most recent studies have shown that Noctuidae ''sensu stricto'' is a monophyletic group, mainly based on trifine venation. Some clades within Noctuidae ''sensu lato'' have yet to be studied. This taxonomic division represents the subfamilies, tribes and subtribes considered so far.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=Keegan2021/><ref name=Wagner2019/> ; Family Noctuidae Latreille, 1809 : Subfamily Acontiinae Guenée, 1841 :: Tribe Acontiini Guenée, 1841 :: Tribe Armadini :: Tribe Chamaecleini : Subfamily Acronictinae Harris, 1841 : Subfamily Aediinae : Subfamily Agaristinae Boisduval, 1833 : Subfamily Amphipyrinae Guenée, 1837 :: Tribe Amphipyrini Guenée, 1837 :: Tribe Psaphidini Grote, 1896 ::: Subtribe Feraliina Poole, 1995 ::: Subtribe Nocloina Poole, 1995 ::: Subtribe Psaphidina Grote, 1896 ::: Subtribe Triocnemidina Poole, 1995 : Subfamily Bagisarinae Crumb, 1956 : Subfamily Balsinae Grote, 1896 : Subfamily Bryophilinae Guenée, 1852 : Subfamily Cobubathinae Wagner & Keegan, 2021 : Subfamily Condicinae Poole, 1995 :: Tribe Condicini Poole, 1995 :: Tribe Leuconyctini Poole, 1995 : Subfamily Cropiinae Keegan & Wagner, 2021 : Subfamily Cuculliinae Herrich-Schäffer, 1850 : Subfamily Dilobinae : Subfamily Dyopsinae : Subfamily Eriopinae Herrich-Schäffer, 1851 : Subfamily Eucocytiinae : Subfamily Eustrotiinae Grote, 1882 : Subfamily Grotellinae : Subfamily Heliothinae Boisduval, 1828 : Subfamily Metoponiinae Herrich-Schäffer, 1851 :: Tribe Cydosiini Kitching & Rawlins, 1998 : Subfamily Noctuinae Latreille, 1809 :: Tribe Actinotiini Beck, 1996 :: Tribe Apameini Guenée, 1841 :: Tribe Arzamini Grote, 1883 :: Tribe Caradrinini Boisduval, 1840 ::: Subtribe Athetiina Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005 ::: Subtribe Caradrinina Boisduval, 1840 :: Tribe Dypterygiini Forbes, 1954 :: Tribe Elaphriini Beck, 1996 :: Tribe Episemini :: Tribe Eriopygini Fibiger & Lafontaine, 2005 :: Tribe Glottulini Guenée, 1852 :: Tribe Hadenini Guenée, 1837 :: Tribe Leucaniini Guenée, 1837 :: Tribe Noctuini Latreille, 1809 ::: Subtribe Agrotina Harris, 1841 ::: Subtribe Axyliina ::: Subtribe Noctuina Latreille, 1809 :: Tribe Orthosiini Guenée, 1837 :: Tribe Phlogophorini Hampson, 1918 :: Tribe Phosphilini Poole, 1995 :: Tribe Prodeniini Forbes, 1954 :: Tribe Pseudeustrotiini Beck, 1996 :: Tribe Tholerini Beck, 1996 :: Tribe Xylenini Guenée, 1837 ::: Subtribe Antitypina Forbes & Franclemont, 1954 ::: Subtribe Cosmiina Guenée, 1852 ::: Subtribe Ufeina Crumb, 1956 ::: Subtribe Xylenina Guenée, 1837 : Subfamily Oncocnemidinae Forbes & Franclemont, 1954 : Subfamily Pantheinae Smith, 1898 : Subfamily Plusiinae Boisduval, 1828 :: Tribe Abrostolini Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978 :: Tribe Argyrogrammatini Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978 :: Tribe Plusiini Boisduval, 1828 ::: Subtribe Autoplusiina Kitching, 1987 ::: Subtribe Euchalciina Chou & Lu, 1979 ::: Subtribe Plusiina Boisduval, 1828 : Subfamily Raphiinae : Subfamily Stiriinae :: Tribe Annaphilini :: Tribe Stiriini Grote, 1882 ::: Subtribe Annaphilina Mustelin, 2006 ::: Subtribe Azeniina Poole, 1995 ::: Subtribe Grotellina Poole, 1995 ::: Subtribe Stiriina Grote, 1882

Genera with intervening taxonomy not available include: * ''Alastria'' * ''Epilitha'' * ''Fabula'' * ''Lanatopyga'' * ''Lenisa'' * ''Neoligia'' * ''Orohadena'' * ''Orthomoia'' * ''Protapamea'' * ''Proxenus'' * ''Pseudluperina''

==References== {{Reflist|33em| refs= <ref name=Keegan2021>{{Cite journal | title = Toward a Stable Global Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) Taxonomy | date = 2021 | last1 = Keegan | first1 = Kevin | last2 = Rota | first2 = Jadranka | last3 = Zahiri | first3 = Reza | last4 = Zilli | first4 = Alberto | last5 = Wahlberg | first5 = Niklas | last6 = Schmidt | first6 = B. | last7 = Lafontaine | first7 = J. | last8 = Goldstein | first8 = Paul | last9 = Wagner | first9 = David | display-authors = 4 | journal = Insect Systematics and Diversity | volume = 5 | issue = 3 | article-number = 1 | url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351287266 | doi = 10.1093/isd/ixab005 | doi-access = free | access-date = 2021-11-19 | archive-date = 2024-05-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240517141003/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351287266_Toward_a_Stable_Global_Noctuidae_Lepidoptera_Taxonomy | url-status = live }}</ref>

<ref name=Wagner2019>{{Cite journal | title = A Tale of Two Caterpillars and Reclassification of Cerathosia Smith and Cydosia Duncan [& Westwood] (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) | date = 2019 | last1 = Wagner | first1 = David L. | last2 = Keegan | first2 = Kevin | last3 = Bugh | first3 = Valerie G. | journal = Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society | volume = 73 | issue = 1 | page = 1 | url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332580930 | doi = 10.18473/lepi.73i1.a1 | doi-access = free | access-date = 2021-11-19 | archive-date = 2024-05-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240517141934/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332580930_A_Tale_of_Two_Caterpillars_and_Reclassification_of_Cerathosia_Smith_and_Cydosia_Duncan_Westwood_Lepidoptera_Noctuidae | url-status = live }}</ref> }}

==External links== *On University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Featured Creatures web site: ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/black_cutworm.htm ''Agrotis ipsilon'', black cutworm] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/potato/hieroglyphic_moth.htm ''Diphthera festiva'', hieroglyphic moth] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/palms/cabbage_palm_caterpillar.htm ''Litoprosopus futilis'', cabbage palm caterpillar] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/field/true_armyworm.htm ''Pseudaletia unipuncta,'' true armyworm] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/southern_armyworm.htm ''Spodoptera eridania'', southern armyworm] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/field/fall_armyworm.htm ''Spodoptera frugiperda'', fall armyworm] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/yellowstriped_armyworm.htm ''Spodoptera ornithogalli'', yellowstriped armyworm] ** [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/flowers/spanish_moth.htm ''Xanthopastis timais'', Spanish moth or convict caterpillar] * [http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/large-moths/image-gallery/noctuidae Images of Noctuidae species in New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107081121/http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/large-moths/image-gallery/noctuidae |date=2015-11-07 }}

Category:Noctuidae Category:Moth families Category:Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille