Thaumetopoeinae

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)
  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference subfamily-rank was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference family rank was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference etymology1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference etymology2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Amazing caterpillar parade spotted marching around Australia - Trending Now - AccuWeather Videos". accuweather.com. August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.