Lymantriinae

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Lymantriinae
Lymantria dispar, Lodz(Poland)04(js).jpg
Male (left) and female (right) Lymantria dispar
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Lymantriinae
Hampson, 1893
Diversity
About 350 genera,
2,500–2,700+ species
Synonyms
  • Lymantriidae Hampson, 1893

The Lymantriinae (formerly called the Lymantriidae) are a subfamily of moths of the family Erebidae. The taxon was erected by George Hampson in 1893.

Contents

Many of its component species are referred to as "tussock moths" of one sort or another. The caterpillar, or larval, stage of these species often has a distinctive appearance of alternating bristles and haired projections. Many tussock moth caterpillars have urticating hairs (often hidden among longer, softer hairs), which can cause painful reactions if they come into contact with skin.

The subfamily Lymantriinae includes about 350 known genera and over 2,500 known species found in every continent except Antarctica. They are particularly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and South America. One estimate lists 258 species in Madagascar alone. [1] Apart from oceanic islands, notable places that do not host lymantriines include the Antilles and New Caledonia. [1]

Description

The different forms of the male (top) and female (bottom) tussock moth Orgyia recens is an example of sexual dimorphism in insects. Orgyia recens.jpg
The different forms of the male (top) and female (bottom) tussock moth Orgyia recens is an example of sexual dimorphism in insects.

Adult moths of this subfamily do not feed. They usually have muted colours (browns and greys), although some are white, and tend to be very hairy. Some females are flightless, and some have reduced wings. Usually, the females have a large tuft at the end of the abdomen. The males, at least, have tympanal organs. [2] They are mostly nocturnal, but Schaefer [1] lists 20 confirmed diurnal species and 20 more likely diurnal species (based on reduced eye size).

The larvae are also hairy, often with hairs packed in tufts, and in many species the hairs break off very easily and are extremely irritating to the skin (especially members of the genus Euproctis [1] ). This highly effective defence serves the moth throughout its life cycle. The hairs are incorporated into the cocoon. An emerging adult female of some species collects and stores the hairs at the tip of the abdomen and uses them to camouflage and protect the eggs as they are laid. In other species, the eggs are covered by a froth that soon hardens or are camouflaged by material the female collects and sticks to them. [1] In the larvae of some species, hairs are gathered in dense tufts along the back and this gives them the common name of tussocks or tussock moths.

Lymantria means "destroyer", and several species are important defoliators of forest trees, including the spongy moth Lymantria dispar, the Douglas-fir tussock moth Orgyia pseudotsugata, and the nun moth Lymantria monacha. They tend to have broader host plant ranges than most Lepidoptera. Most feed on trees and shrubs, but some are known from vines, herbs, grasses, and lichens. [1]

Larva of a species of tussock moth, Lymantriinae, Orgyia definita Definite Tussock Moth (Orgyia definita), Larva - Guelph 02.jpg
Larva of a species of tussock moth, Lymantriinae, Orgyia definita

Tribes

Most genera are classified into the following tribes, [3] while others remain unclassified (incertae sedis):

See also the list of Lymantriinae genera.

Systematics

Illustration of tussock moth (1917) Tussock Moth Page 2947.jpg
Illustration of tussock moth (1917)

Taxonomy is a dynamic discipline, and recent phylogenetic studies have reclassified the family Lymantriidae as the subfamily Lymantriinae of the newly formed family Erebidae. [4] [5] [6] The studies found that the family Lymantriidae form a specialized lineage within the Erebidae and is part of a clade that includes the litter moths (Herminiinae), the Aganainae, and the tiger and lichen moths (Arctiinae). The reclassification affected the former family as a whole and largely kept the clade intact.

This description clarifies the standing of the former name "Lymantriidae" relative to other proposed names, e.g. Liparidae [7] and other currently unacceptable alternatives. It authoritatively explains the status of the family name Lymantriidae and its various alternatives as matters stood towards the end of the 20th century:

In the 1980 The Generic Names of Moths of the World: Volume 2, Allen Watson, D. S. Fletcher and I. W. B. Nye wrote:

Lymantriidae Hampson, [1893], Fauna Br. India (Moths) 1: 432. This family was first separated under the name Lariidae Newman, 1832, Sphinx vespiformis; an essay: 40, 44 (as Lariae), based on the nominal genus Laria Schrank, 1802, a junior homonym of Laria Scopoli, 1763. The next name established for this family was Liparidae Boisduval, 1834, Icon. hist. Lèpid. nouv. ou peu connus2: 134 (as Liparides), based on the nominal genus Liparis Ochsenheimer, 1810, a junior homonym of Liparis Scopoli, 1777. [8] Neither of these family-group names may be used as a valid name, the type-genus in each case being a junior homonym.

These names have also been established for the family:

(a) Orgyiidae Wallengren, 1861, K. svenska Fregatten Eugenies Resa ... C.A. Virgin aren 1851-1853 (Zool.)1 (10, Lepidoptera): 369 (as Orgyides), based on the nominal genus Orgyia Ochsenheimer, 1810;
(b) Dasychiridae Packard, 1864, Proc. ent. Soc. Philad.3: 331 (as Dasychirae), based on the nominal genus Dasychira Hübner, [1809];
(c) Lymantriidae Hampson, [1893], Fauna Br. India (Moths) 1: 432, based on the nominal genus Lymantria Hübner, [1819];
(d) Leucomidae Grote, 1895, Mitt. Roemermus. Hildesh.1: 3, based on the nominal genus Leucoma Hübner, 1822;
(e) Ocneriidae Meyrick, 1895, Handbk Br. Lepid.: 169 (as Ocneriadae), based on the nominal genus Ocneria Hübner, [1819];
(f) Hypogymnidae Grote, 1896, Mitt Roemermus. Hildesh.7: 3, based on the nominal genus Hypogymna Billberg, 1820.

Of the family-group names listed in the last paragraph Liparidae was the most widely used during the nineteenth century; Orgyiidae and Dasychiridae had minor usage, but neither name became widely adopted. During the present century, Orgyiidae has been used occasionally in contrast with Lymantriidae, which has been used many hundreds of times throughout the world. In North America, the use of Liparidae has continued until, in the most recent revision of the family by Ferguson, 1978, in Dominick et al., Moths Am. N. of Mexico22 (2), the family name Lymantriidae has been adopted. Because of the overwhelming worldwide use of the name Lymantriidae an application has been submitted by D. S. Fletcher, I. W. B. Nye and D. C. Ferguson to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature requesting them to rule that the family-group name Lymantriidae Hampson, [1893] is to be given nomenclatural precedence over the family-group names Orgyiidae Wallengren, 1861, and Dasychiridae Packard, 1864, when applied to the same taxon. [9]

As pointed out, "Liparidae" once was an alternative family name for the Lymantriidae, but nowadays "Liparidae" is firmly established as the name of a family of fish, [10] and according to the conventions of zoological taxonomy, family names have to be unique, even though they are permitted to coincide with botanical names.

Notable species and genera

Related Research Articles

<i>Lymantria dispar</i> Species of moth

Lymantria dispar, also known as the gypsy moth or the spongy moth, is an Eurasian species of moth in the family Erebidae. Lymantria dispar is subdivided into several subspecies, with subspecies such as L. d. dispar and L. d. japonica being clearly identifiable without ambiguity. Lymantria dispar has been introduced to several continents and is now found in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and South America. The polyphagous larvae live on a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and can cause severe damage in years of mass reproduction. Due to these features, Lymantria dispar is listed among the world's 100 worst invasive alien species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noctuoidea</span> Superfamily of moths

Noctuoidea is the superfamily of noctuid or "owlet" moths, and has more than 70,000 described species, the largest number of any Lepidopteran superfamily. Its classification has not yet reached a satisfactory or stable state. Since the end of the 20th century, increasing availability of molecular phylogenetic data for this hugely successful radiation has led to several competing proposals for a taxonomic arrangement that correctly represents the relationships between the major lineages.

<i>Orgyia leucostigma</i> Species of moth

Orgyia leucostigma, the white-marked tussock moth, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. The caterpillar is very common especially in late summer in eastern North America, extending as far west as Texas, California, and Alberta.

<i>Orgyia</i> Genus of moths

Orgyia is a genus of tussock moths of the family Erebidae. The genus was described by Ochsenheimer in 1810. The species are cosmopolitan, except for the Neotropical realm.

<i>Olene mendosa</i> Species of moth

Olene mendosa, the brown tussock moth or hairy tussock moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1823. It is found in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and Australia.

<i>Dasychira</i> Genus of moths

Dasychira is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae described by Jacob Hübner in 1809. They are well distributed all over Africa, Europe, North America, Madagascar, Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Java and Australia.

<i>Gynaephora</i> Genus of moths

Gynaephora is a genus of "tussock moths", also known as the Lymantriinae, within the family Erebidae. They are mainly found in the Holarctic in alpine, Arctic and Subarctic regions, and are best known for their unusually long larval development period. The life-cycle of Gynaephora groenlandica was once believed to take fourteen years, but subsequent studies reduced it to seven, still a very slow development rate that is extremely rare in the Lepidoptera. The caterpillars have five instars, with each instar lasting a year.

<i>Leucoma</i> Genus of moths

Leucoma is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae. The species are well distributed in Palearctic, Ethiopian, and Oriental regions along with New Britain and Ireland. It was described by Jacob Hübner in 1822.

<i>Teia</i> (moth) Genus of moths

Teia is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae first described by Francis Walker in 1855.

<i>Telochurus recens</i> Species of moth

Telochurus recens, the scarce vapourer, is a moth of the subfamily Lymantriinae found in Europe. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The wingspan is 35 to 40 millimetres (1.4–1.6 in) for the males; the females are wingless. The moth flies from June to July depending on the location. The larvae feed on various deciduous trees, such as Crataegus and Salix species. This species has commonly been placed in the genus Orgyia but molecular analyses support its exclusion from that genus, and placement in the genus Telochurus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erebidae</span> Family of moths

The Erebidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Noctuoidea. The family is among the largest families of moths by species count and contains a wide variety of well-known macromoth groups. The family includes the underwings (Catocala); litter moths (Herminiinae); tiger, lichen, and wasp moths (Arctiinae); tussock moths (Lymantriinae), including the arctic woolly bear moth ; fruit-piercing moths ; micronoctuoid moths (Micronoctuini); snout moths (Hypeninae); and zales, though many of these common names can also refer to moths outside the Erebidae. Some of the erebid moths are called owlets.

Lachana alpherakii is a species of moth of the subfamily Lymantriinae first described by Grigory Grum-Grshimailo in 1891. It is found in the high mountains of Tibet and China.

<i>Lymantria xylina</i> Species of moth

Lymantria xylina, the casuarina moth or casuarina tussock moth, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Charles Swinhoe in 1903. It is found in Japan, Taiwan and the Chinese provinces of Fujian and Guangdong.

<i>Orgyia postica</i> Species of moth

Orgyia postica, the cocoa tussock moth or hevea tussock moth, is a species of moth of the subfamily Lymantriinae of the family Erebidae found in the Oriental tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Borneo, Java, New Guinea, and Taiwan. It was described by Francis Walker in 1855.

<i>Somena scintillans</i> Species of moth

Somena scintillans, the yellow tail tussock moth, is a moth in the family Erebidae described by Francis Walker in 1856. It is found in northern India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Andaman Islands. Though considered a minor pest, larva can sporadically be a serious pest.

<i>Lymantria serva</i> Species of moth

Lymantria serva, the ficus tussock moth or serva tussock moth, is a moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793 and is found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Assam in India and Yunnan in China. It is possibly also found in Taiwan and Hongkong, but these records might be Lymantria iris.

Gynaephora rossii, in English known as Ross' tussock moth, is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae. It is widespread in the tundras and highlands of the Holarctic. It has large, furry caterpillars which seem to eat mostly saxifrages.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Schaefer, Paul (1989). "Diversity in form, function, behavior, and ecology", In: USDA Forest Service (ed.): Proceedings, Lymantriidae: A Comparison of Features of New and Old World Tussock Moths: 1-19. Broomall, PA
  2. Scoble, M. J. (1992). The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity. (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
  3. Wang, H. et al. (2015) Molecular phylogeny of Lymantriinae (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea, Erebidae) inferred from eight gene regions. Cladistics 31(6):579-592 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12108
  4. Zahiri R, Kitching IJ, Lafontaine JD, Mutanen M, Kaila L, Holloway JD, Wahlberg N (in press) A new molecular phylogeny offers hope for a stable family-level classification of the Noctuoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.
  5. Zahiri, Reza; et al. (2011). "Molecular phylogenetics of Erebidae (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea)". Systematic Entomology. 37: 102–124. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3113.2011.00607.x . S2CID   84249695.
  6. Lafontaine, Donald; Schmidt, Christian (19 Mar 2010). "Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico". ZooKeys (40): 26. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.40.414 .
  7. Forest and Shade Tree Entomology ENT 4251 Laboratory Manual Archived 2008-04-16 at the Wayback Machine University of Michigan. Liparidae is properly used as the name for the family that includes the snailfish
  8. This has been pointed out in Turner, A. J. (1924). "Revision of Australian Lepidoptera. Lasiocampidae". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 49 (198): 397–428.
  9. Watson, Allen; Fletcher, D. S.; Nye, I. W. B.; et al. (1980). Nye, I. W. B. (ed.). The Generic Names of Moths of the World. Vol. 2. British Museum (Natural History). p. x. ISBN   0565008110 via Internet Archive.
  10. see for example Smith, J. L. B., The Sea Fishes of Southern Africa, various editions since 1949 pub. Central News Agency

Further reading