Phytometrinae

Hampson, 1813

Phytometrinae is a of in the Erebidae (order Lepidoptera). Six have been documented from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where they occur across multiple elevations and localities. Nine species have been recorded in Israel, where studies indicate a mix of resident and migratory species. The subfamily has undergone taxonomic revision, with some authorities historically placing it within Noctuidae.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phytometrinae: //faɪtoʊmɛˈtraɪni//

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Habitat

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: occurs across elevational gradients with highest diversity in the Foothills Parkway area of Cocke County, Tennessee. Israel: highest capture rates in inner valleys, lowest in Eilat.

Distribution

North America: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee, USA). Palearctic: Israel, with additional records from Europe and Asia for migratory including Autographa gamma, Trichoplusia ni, and Plusia chalcites.

Seasonality

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: periods documented for each . Israel: of Autographa gamma and Syngrapha circumflexa renewed annually in autumn; other species have resident populations occasionally supplemented by external influx.

Behavior

Some exhibit migratory : Autographa gamma, Trichoplusia ni, Plusia chalcites, Plusia orichalcea, and Syngrapha circumflexa migrate into Israel. Autographa gamma and Syngrapha circumflexa are renewed annually through autumn .

Similar Taxa

  • AventiinaeAlso documented from Great Smoky Mountains National Park; distinguished by different composition (1 species recorded versus 6 Phytometrinae)
  • PangraptinaeCo-occurring in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Pangrapta decoralis was the most abundant and widespread erebid in the park, exceeding all Phytometrinae in specimen count

More Details

Taxonomic instability

Phytometrinae has been classified under different assignments. Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym at tribe rank within Boletobiinae, while NCBI places it as a of Noctuidae. The Great Smoky Mountains study treats it as a subfamily of Erebidae, reflecting ongoing systematic revisions in Noctuoidea.

Population dynamics in Israel

Autographa gamma constituted approximately 63% of Phytometrinae captures in Israel. Resident include Plusia circumscripta, Plusia transfixa, and Plusia accentifera.

Sources and further reading