Notodontinae

Stephens, 1829

Prominent moths

Genus Guides

6

Notodontinae is the nominate of the Notodontidae, established by Stephens in 1829. It represents a diverse group of prominent moths distributed across multiple continents. The subfamily's circumscription remains provisional, with the related Ptilodoninae sometimes merged herein and not all notodontid yet assigned to subfamilies. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have sought to clarify evolutionary relationships within the group.

Peridea basitriens by (c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John P Friel. Used under a CC-BY license.Notodontinae by (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Notodontinae by (c) Nigel Voaden, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Notodontinae: /nɔt̪ɔˈdɔnt̪inə/

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Habitat

Members of Notodontinae occupy diverse terrestrial . The Australian Gallaba inhabits forests, woodlands, and heathlands from sea level to montane forests reaching at least 1650 m elevation. In the Caucasus and Pontic Mountains region, notodontine occur in Euxine-Colchic broadleaf forests, mixed forests, lowland steppe, and montane zones. Tasmanian endemics occupy mesic montane and subalpine environments.

Distribution

Notodontinae has a broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents. In Australia, the Gallaba is confined to eastern and southern regions, with Tasmania representing the current global southern limit of the Notodontidae. The genus Ptilodontella occurs in the Greater Caucasus, Lesser Caucasus, and Pontic Mountains of northern Turkey and the Republic of South Ossetia. within this genus exhibit distributions with non-overlapping ranges.

Diet

Larval feeding habits are documented for few . The larva of Gallaba kirkpatricki feeds on Richea pandanifolia (Ericaceae: Epacridoideae), representing a novel hostplant record for Australian Notodontinae. Ericaceae is sparingly used by notodontines in tropical Asia.

Host Associations

  • Richea pandanifolia - larval Ericaceae: Epacridoideae; documented for Gallaba kirkpatricki

Similar Taxa

  • PtilodoninaeSometimes merged with Notodontinae; taxonomic boundaries remain under revision
  • Ptilodon Ptilodontella was historically synonymized with Ptilodon but restored based on genitalia and antennal differences

Sources and further reading