Amphipyra
Ochsenheimer, 1816
Species Guides
4- Amphipyra brunneoatra
- Amphipyra glabella(Grey Amphipyra)
- Amphipyra pyramidoides(Copper Underwing)
- Amphipyra tragopoginis(Mouse Moth)
Amphipyra is a of in the Noctuidae, constituting the sole genus in the tribe Amphipyrini. The genus is the only remaining member of the Amphipyrinae, with other former members reassigned to subfamilies such as Hadeninae. Caterpillars of at least one , Amphipyra pyramidea, have been documented as prey for birds including the eastern bluebird. The genus has been recorded across multiple continents including Europe and North America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Amphipyra: //æmˈfɪpɪrə//
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Distribution
Recorded from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the United States (including Vermont), and other regions. The has a broad distribution across the Northern Hemisphere based on available occurrence records.
Ecological Role
Caterpillars of this serve as prey for insectivorous birds. In one documented case, an eastern bluebird was observed feeding an Amphipyra pyramidea caterpillar to nestlings. This places the genus within bird-insect as a food source for avian during the breeding season.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Amphipyra was originally described by Ochsenheimer in 1816. The Amphipyrinae has undergone significant revision, with most former removed to other subfamilies, leaving Amphipyra as the sole remaining genus in Amphipyrinae.