Thaumetopoeinae | |
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A male pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) | |
Scientific 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.