Neotuerta

Members of Neotuerta can be distinguished from related agaristine genera by genitalic characters and wing pattern elements, though specific diagnostic features require examination of type specimens. The genus is placed in Agaristinae based on structural characteristics shared with other noctuid subfamilies formerly treated as families. Species-level identification relies on geographic distribution and subtle differences in forewing maculation.

Species occurrence records suggest preference for open, dry habitats including coastal dunes, scrublands, and semi-arid regions. Neotuerta sabulosa (Latin: 'sandy') has been collected in sandy coastal areas of California and the Caribbean. N. collectiora occurs in Florida scrub and Cuban coastal habitats. N. platensis is associated with grassland and pampas regions of the Río de la Plata basin.

Neotuerta ranges from southern California and Florida through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to South America. Specific localities include: California, Florida, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The genus shows a disjunct distribution with populations in both Nearctic and Neotropical realms.

• Agaristinae (subfamily)Other genera in the subfamily Agaristinae share the robust body form and often striking wing patterns, but Neotuerta is distinguished by its New World distribution and specific genitalic morphology.
• SympistisSome Sympistis species share similar forewing pattern elements and occur in overlapping ranges, but differ in hindwing coloration and male genital structure.

• noctuidae
• agaristinae
• moths
• americas
• new world

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life