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Thaumetopoeinae

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

The etymology of the subfamily name derives from the 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.[clarification needed]

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

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kiriakoff, Serge G. (1970-01-01). Lepidoptera: Familia Thaumetopoeidae. Genera insectorum. Vol. 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. hdl:11577/3219150. PMID 34724760. S2CID 90534956.
  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.