The subfamily classification varies, but currently involves 8 subfamilies, with segregation into three groups: Oenosandrinina (for Oenosandrinae, with three species in Australia), Thaumetopoeinina (for Thaumetopoeinae, and Notodontinina (for the remaining six subfamilies). Dioptidae (including Doinae) are sometimes included in Notodontidae.
Synapomorphies supporting the monophyly of Notodontidae include the following (Miller 1991): Adults. sclerotized apices of tibial spurs with margins serrate; metascutal bulla present, teardrop-shaped; forewing vein R2 stalked with R3-5, no accessory cell present; pleuron of female abdominal segment 8 paritally membranous.
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The subfamily classification varies, but currently involves eight subfamilies, with segregation into three groups: Oenosandrinina (for Oenosandrinae, with three species in Australia), Thaumetopoeinina (for Thaumetopoeinae, and Notodontinina (for the remaining six subfamilies). Dioptidae (including Doinae) are sometimes included in Notodontidae.
Notodontidae: Brief Summary. Notodontidae is a family of moths with approximately 3,800 known species. Moths of this family are found in all parts of the world, but they are most concentrated in tropical areas, especially in the New World (Miller, 1992). The Thaumetopoeidae (processionary moths) are sometimes included here as a subfamily.
Notodontidae are known for their larvae that can have highly unusual shapes, colours and defense mechanisms; they include the feared processionary caterpillars (Thaumetapoea) with urticating hairs that are major defoliators and a cause for health concerns across Europe, and species like the puss moth (Cerura vinula) that is famous for its beautiful shape and ability to spray formic acid.
The higher classification of the Noctuoidea (Oenosandridae, Doidae, Notodontidae, Strepsimanidae, Nolidae, Lymantriidae, Arctiidae, Erebidae, Micronoctuidae, and Noctuidae) is reviewed from the perspective of the classification proposed by K ITCHING and RAWLINS (1998). Several taxa are reinstated, described as new, synonymised, or redescribed.
Notodontidae is a family of moths with approximately 3,800 known species. This work gives a taxonomic treatment of the species known from South Africa. The Introduction sets out the way in which species are to be described, then follows an historical account of the study of these moths in South Africa with biographical details of the chief contributors.
In general, a silk moth caterpillar has a large body, which can be around 3 to 4 inches in length; most of these caterpillars have scoli (branched and thickened spines) along their back and sides. They live on trees and shrubs and descend to the ground during late summer and spin cocoons among the debris.