Noctuidae
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| Missing image Redunderwing04.JPG Red Underwing Red Underwing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Acontiinae |
The Noctuidae are a family of robustly-built moths with more than 25,000 known species [possibly 100,000 in the family]. Most have drab forewings, although some have brightly coloured hindwings. There are usually few differences between the sexes. The overwhelming majority of noctuids fly at night and are almost invariably strongly attracted to light. Many are also attracted to sugar and nectar-rich flowers.
Several species have larvae (caterpillars) that live in the soil and are agricultural or horticultural pests. These are the "cutworms" that eat the bases of young brassicas and lettuces. They form hard, shiny pupae. Most noctuid larvae feed at night, resting in the soil or in a crevice in its food plant during the day.
Species include:
- Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa zea)
- Pasture Day Moth (Apina callisto)
- Garden Dart (Euxoa nigricans)
- Bogong Moth (Agrotis infusa)
- Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum)
- Heart and Club (Agrotis clavis)
- Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis)
- The Flame (Axylia putris)
- Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta)
- Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)
- Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes)
- Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthina)
- Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa)
- True Lover's Knot (Lycophotia porphyrea)
- Ingrailed Clay (Diarsia mendica)
- Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi)
- Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)
- Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum)
- Six-striped Rustic (Xestia sexstrigata)
- Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea)
- Red Underwing (Catocala nupta)