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Moths

Noctuidae

CATOCALINAE
Owl Moths

ACONTIINAE
Bird-dropping Moth

EUTELIINAE
Black Noctuid Moth
Brown Eutelin Moth

NOLINAE
Small Grey Moth
Gum-Leaf Skeletoniser

CHLOEPHORINAE
Transverse Moth

PLUSIINAE
Tobacco Looper

ACRONICTINAE
Green Blotched Moth
Cluster Caterpillar
Lawn Armyworm
Lily Caterpillar

AGARISTINAE
Affinis Dayflying Moth
Crow Moth
Joseph's Coat Moth

HADENINAE
Common Armyworm
Sugarcane Armyworm

HELIOTHINAE
Native Budworm
Tobacco Budworm

Unknown Noctuid

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Noctuid Moths - Family Noctuidae

This page contains pictures and information about moths and caterpillars in family Noctuidae that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.


Armyworm Caterpillar length 30mm

The Caterpillars of Noctuidae are usually smooth or with very little hairs. They are from small to very large size. Most of them are active at night.

Some Noctuidae caterpillar are called Cutworms or Armyworms and others called Semi-loopers. Cutworms live in soil surface. They bite off young plants at ground level and pull them into their burrow. Armyworms eat their way across like an army on the march. Semi-loopers loop their bodies when moving as the Lopper caterpillars of the family GEOMETRIDAE.


Caterpillars in family Noctuidae

Most Noctuid caterpillars pupate in soil but some pupate under leaf of their food plant.

The adult moths mainly fly at night although there are also the day flying species. All of them are strong fliers. They are from small to very large size. They usually feed on nectar from flowers, some feed on ripe fruit. They usually have strong proboscis. Their antennae are usually simple, held back under wings when rest. Usually they are dull brown in colour, but some have colourful hindwings. Day flying species are colourful.

Noctuidae is the largest family of moths. We found many of them in Brisbane and listed as follow.

Subfamily CATOCALINAE - Semi-loopers and Owl Moths

Moths in subfamily Catocalinae are usually medium to large in size. Most of them have robust body and broad wings. Some of the them have brightly coloured hind wings which are normally covered. Some other have eye-shaped patterns on their wings.



The caterpillars in this subfamily Catocalinae are usually smooth, lack of hairs, long and slender. Some of them have prolegs of segments 3, or 3-4 missing and known as semi-looper, move in looping action. They pupate in a rather scant silk cocoon.

Subfamily ACONTIINAE



The moths in this subfamily are small in size. The caterpillars are usually slender semi-looper.
Subfamily EUTELIINAE

Subfamily NOLINAE - Small Grey Moths



The moths in this subfamily are small in size. Most of them are grey in colour. Caterpillars have three pairs of prolegs, the one pair on abdomen 3 is missing. They pupate in cocoon formed by silk and plant bark with the shape of upturned boat. The moth comes out from a vertical slit at the board end.



The moths in this subfamily are medium in size. Caterpillars have four pairs of prolegs.





The adults of this two subfamilies, ACRONICTINAE and AMPHIPYRINAE, cannot not be readily separated from each other. Sometimes this two subfamilies are treated as one subfamily. They usually have stout body.



Caterpillars in this two subfamilies are called Cutworms and some called Armyworms. Cutworms live in soil surface. They bite off young plants at ground level and pull them into their burrow. Armyworms eat their way across like an army on the march.



Moths in this subfamily are medium in size. They are active during the day time. Most of them are in black and white colour, some are very colourful, flying around flowers and may be mistaken as butterfly. This subfamily was treated as family Agaristidae. Caterpillars are also colourful and feed openly during the day. They pupate under bark, in rotting wood or in soil.



Moths in this subfamily are medium in size, have stout body covered with long hairs. Their legs are without spines. Caterpillars of many species in this subfamily feed on grass (Poaceae). They have four pair of prolegs. Most have thick lines along the body. They hide during the day and feed at night. They pupate in soil.



Moths in this subfamily are medium in size, usually with stout body clothed with long hairs. Caterpillars usually feed on flower bud, fruits and foliage. They pupate in a cell in soil.

Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p910.
2. Moths of Australia - I. F. B. Common, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p443.
3. Family NOCTUIDAE - Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Water Resources, 2008.
4. A Guide to Australian Moths - Paul Zborowski, Ted Edwards, CSIRO PUBLISHING, 2007, p188.
5. Northern Territory Insects, A Comprehensive Guide CD - Graham Brown, 2009.