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Identification key to the Notodontidae occurring in the Dakotas

  

    The Notodontidae, as a member of the Superfamily Noctuoidea are characterized by having a metathoracic tympanum (1) and are the only North American family in this group possessing trifid forewing venation (2).  In most species (43 of 44 covered here) veins Sc+R and Rs run parallel above the discal cell or slightly convergent (3).  In only a single species of Notodontidae do these veins converge and so form a basal areole as found in other quadrifid moth families  (Noctuidae, Lasiocampidae, Drepanidae: Drepaninae) and in other families of trifid Lepidoptera (Geometridae, Bombycidae, Drepanidae: Thyatirinae). 

                




1

Metathoracic tympanum of a notodontid (left); basal abdominal tympana of a geometrid (top right) and a drepanid (bottom right).

 

 


2

Ventral forewing of a notodontid showing trifid venation (left). Ventral forewing of a noctuid showing quadrifid venation (right).  In each image, the discal cell is indicated by blue shading.  Arrows indicate the veins from top to bottom as M2, M3, CuA1 and CuA2, respectively.  Dots at midpoint indicate the course of each vein.  Pink dots indicate the vein bases.  In trifid wing venation, vein M2 (green arrow) arises from the discal cell at midpoint or higher. 

 


3

Ventral hindwing of a notodontid, Schizura ipomoea (left) showing veins Sc+R and Rs running parallel above the discal cell.  Ventral hindwing of an aberrant notodontid, Macrurocampa marthessia (right) showing venins Sc+R and Rs anatomosing for part of their lengths above the discal cell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Return to Family Notodontidae

 

 

 


Last updated: 04/14/09

Good web citizens cite their sources. 


This resource is to be cited as: Fauske, G. M.  [date of cited page]. cited page
 in Moths of North Dakota: an online identification guide. 
< http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/ndmoths/ >



Dr. Gerald M. Fauske
collection manager, NDSIRC
research specialist, NDSU
216 Hultz Hall
Fargo, ND 58105
E-Mail: Gerald.Fauske@ndsu.edu

 
Published by the Department of Entomology 


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