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| Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Lepidoptera |
Including Thaumetopoeidae
Adults nocturnal; relatively medium-bodied to long-bodied; medium built (wingspan more than 8 and less than 15 times the thoracic width) to heavily built (wingspan less than 8 times the thoracic width). The abdomen conspicuously patterned (e.g., conspicuously banded in Cerura), or plain. Adults wings in repose packed with the forewings directed backwards to cover hindwings and abdomen.
Antennae very short to of medium length; extending to about 0.41–0.46 times the length of the forewing; not clubbed. Antennae of males bipectinate, or dentate; sometimes fasciculate-ciliate. Eyes hairy, or glabrous. Ocelli present (rarely, reduced), or absent. Chaetosemata absent. Maxillary palps much reduced (very small), or absent; when present 1 segmented, or 2 segmented. Labial palps well developed, or short or rudimentary; ascending; 3 segmented. Proboscis fully developed.
Wingspan 24–68 mm; 6–12 times the thoracic width. Forewings broad; (1.9–)2–2.5 times as long as wide. The outer and hind margins angled at 95–130 degrees. The outer margin slightly convexly curved to more or less straight, or concavely curved (slightly); forewings apically blunt (mostly), or pointed. Hindwings broadly rounded; similar in breadth to the forewings; with a rounded apex; the upper surfaces conspicuously patterned above (occasionally with dark markings at the inner angle), or plain (usually); with a discal spot, or with a discal spot and with transverse lines, or with neither discal spot nor transverse lines; without a frenulum.
Neuration of forewings and hindwings dissimilar. Forewings 11 veined (when 5 vestigial), or 12 veined; with 1 anal vein, or with 2 anal veins. The anal veins of the forewings representing 1b only, or comprising 1b and 1c (with Meyrick representing 1c in Cerura vinula as proximally vestigial, becoming tubular distally), or comprising 1a and 1b. Forewings exhibiting a tubular vein 1c, or lacking a tubular vein 1c. Vein 1b of the forewings furcate proximally. The transverse vein complete, or incomplete. Discal cell of the forewings without a tubular media (M) vein. Hindwings 7–9 veined; with 1 anal vein, or with 2 anal veins. The anal veins of the hindwings representing 1b only, or comprising 1a and 1b. Hindwings exhibiting vein 1a, or lacking vein 1a (vestigial in N. ziczac); lacking a tubular vein 1c. Vein 1b of the hindwings simple. The transverse vein complete, or incomplete. 6 veins arising from the hindwing cell. The cell-derived hindwing veins 3+4 proximally joined and 6+7 proximally joined (the former connate, the latter connate or stalked), or 6+7 proximally joined. Vein 8 of the hindwings completely independent of the cell (near its middle), or anastomosing with the upper margin of the cell (e.g., E. ziczac); not approximating to vein 7.
Fore-legs with a tibial epiphysis (males), or without a tibial epiphysis (females). Tibiae of middle legs 2-spurred. Posterior tibiae 2-spurred, or 4-spurred; hairy.
Tympanal organs present; metathoracic.
Eggs, larvae and pupae. Eggs not flattened; smooth or minutely pitted. Larval prolegs 8 (then the hind claspers modified into tail-like appendages), or 10. Larvae conspicuously, densely long-hairy, or not densely long-hairy; with urticating hairs (commonly), or without urticating hairs. Mainly on amentiferous Dicot trees, especially Salicaceae.
Pupae concealed; above the ground (in a cocoon above ground). Empty pupae not becoming protruded.
British representation. Genera 20 (2 adventive); 29 species (3 adventive). Cerura vinula (Puss Moth), Clostera anachoreta (Scarce Chocolate-tip), Clostera curtula (Chocolate-tip), Clostera pigra (Small Chocolate-tip), Diloba caeruleocephala (Figure of Eight), Drymonia dodonaea (Marbled Brown), Drymonia ruficornis (Lunar Marbled Brown), Eligmodonta ziczac (Pebble Prominent), Furcula bicuspis (Alder Kitten), Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten), Furcula furcula (Sallow Kitten), Gluphisia crenata (The Dusky Marbled Brown, British status uncertain), Harpyia milhauseri (Tawny Prominent, not illustrated), Leucodonta bicoloria (White Prominent - extinct in Britain), Notodonta dromedarius (Iron Prominent), Notodonta torva (Large Dark Prominent - adventive), Odontosia carmelita (Scarce Prominent), Peridea anceps (Great Prominent), Phalera bucephala (Buff-tip), Pheosia gnoma (Lesser Swallow Prominent), Pheosia tremula (Swallow Prominent), Pterostoma palpina (Pale Prominent), Ptilodon capucina (Coxcomb Prominent), Ptilodon cucullina (Maple Prominent), Ptilophora plumigera (Plumed Prominent), Stauropus fagi (The Lobster Moth), Ptilophora plumigera (Plumed Prominent), Trichiocercus sparshalli (Long-tailed Bombyx), Tritophia tritophus (Three Humped Prominent - adventive).
Classification. Macromoths. Suborder Ditrysia. Superfamily Notodontoidea.
Trichiocercus sparshalli (sometimes referred to the family Thaumatopoeidae) is tagged ‘of doubtful status’ by Bradley et al., but the provenance of Curtis's specimen - presented as British, with other exotic material, by Mr. Sparshall - is dubious.
Illustrations. • Larger Notodontidae and “Kittens”: Newman. 1, Phalera bucephala (Buff Tip); 2a-b, Cerura vinula (Puss Moth, male and female); 3a-b, Stauropus fagi (Lobster Moth, female and male); 4, Furcula furcula (Sallow Kitten); 5, Furcula bicuspis (Alder Kitten); 6, Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten). From Newman, 1869. • “Prominents” (1): Newman. 1a-b, Notodonta dromedarius (Iron Prominent, male and female); 2, Notodonta tritophus (Three Humped Prominent); 3, Peridea anceps (Great Prominent); 4a-b, Notodonta ziczac (Pebble Prominent, female and male); 5, Pheosia gnoma (Lesser Swallow Prominent); 6, Pheosia tremula (Swallow Prominent). From Newman, 1869. • “Prominents” (2): Newman. 1, Ptilodon capucina (Coxcomb Prominent); 2, Ptilodon cucullina (Maple Prominent); 3, Odontosia carmelita (Scarce Prominent); 4, Pterosoma palpina (Pale Prominent); 5, Leucodonta bicoloria (White Prominent); 6a-b, Ptilophora plumigera (Plumed Prominent, female and male). From Newman, 1869. • “Marbled Browns”, “Chocolate Tips”, “Figure of Eight”: Newman. 1a-b, Gluphisia crenata (Dusky Marbled Brown, male and female); 2, Drymonia dodonaea (Marbled Brown); 3, Drymonia ruficornis (Lunar Marbled Brown); 4a-b, Clostera pigra (Small Chocolate-tip, male and female); 5, Clostera anachoreta (Scarce Chocolate-tip); 6, Clostera curtula (Chocolate-tip); 7, Diloba caeruleocephala (Figure of Eight). From Newman, 1869. • Larvae of Drepanidae and Notodontidae: Newman. DREPANIDAE: 1, Sabra harpagula (Scarce Hook-tip); 2, Cilix glaucata (Chinese Character). NOTODONTIDAE: 3, Furcula furcula (Sallow Kitten); 4, Furcula bicuspis (Alder Kitten); 5, Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten); 6, Cerura vinula (Puss Moth); 7, "Hoplitis terrifica" (exotic); 8, Stauropus fagi (Lobster Moth); 9, Ptilodon capucina (Coxcomb Prominent); 10, Leucodon bicolor (White Prominent); 11, Ptilodon cucullina (Maple Prominent); 12, Notodonta ziczac (Pebble Prominent); 13, Notodonta tritopus (Three Humped Prominent). From Newman, 1869. • Clostera anachoreta (Scarce Chocolate-tip): B. Ent. 715. • Clostera anachoreta: B. Ent. 715, legend+text. • Clostera anachoreta: B. Ent. 715, text cont.. • Clostera pigra (Small Chocolate-tip): Stephens II, 1830. • Drymonia dodonaea (Marbled Brown, or Kitten Likeness): B. Ent. 755. • Drymonia dodonaea: B. Ent. 755, legend+text. • Drymonia dodonaea: B. Ent. 755, text cont.. • Furcula bifida (Poplar Kitten: B. Ent. 193). • Furcula bifida (legend+text: B. Ent. 193). • Furcula bifida (text, cont.: B. Ent. 193). • Notodonta dromedarius (Iron Prominent): B. Ent. 739. • Notodonta dromedarius: B. Ent. 739, legend+text. • Notodonta dromedarius: B. Ent. 739, text cont.. • Ptilophora plumigera (Plumed Prominent: B. Ent. 328). • Ptilophora plumigera: B. Ent. 328, legend+text. • Ptilophora plumigera: B. Ent. 328, text cont.. • Notodonta dromedarius, Odontonia carmelita, Ptilophora plumigera: Stephens II, 1830. • Phalera bucephala (Buff-tip: B. Ent. 530). • Phalera bucephala: B. Ent. 530, legend+text. • Phalera bucephala: B. Ent. 530, text cont.. • Stauropus fagi (Lobster Moth): B. Ent. 674. • Stauropus fagi: B. Ent. 674, legend+text. • Stauropus fagi: B. Ent. 674, text cont.. • Thaumetopoeinae. Trichiocercus sparshalli (Curtis): Long-tailed Bombyx: B. Ent. 336. • Trichiocercus sparshalli (B. Ent. 336, legend+text). Part of the intriguing story behind Curtis's publication of this, the original description of an Australian moth, and his assignment to it of the specific epithet sparshalli, is provided on the next page. See further discussion in the introduction to Curtis's British Entomology, attached to this package and accessible via the 'Introduction' button in the main toolbar. • Trichiocercus sparshalli (B. Ent. 336, text cont.). • Cerura vinula (Puss Moth: Shaw and Nodder, about 1812). • Cerura vinula (Puss Moth: Shaw and Nodder, text). • 12 genera ("Prominents", "Chocolate-tips", "Buff Tip"): Kirby 32. NOTODONTIDAE. British species: 1, Notodonta ziczac (Pebble Prominent); 2, Notodonta tritophus (Three Humped Prominent); 3, Peridea anceps (Great Prominent); 5, Notodonta dromedarius (Iron Prominent); 6, Drymonia ruficornis (Lunar Marbled Brown); 7, Drymonia dodonaea (Marbled Brown); 8, Leucodonta bicolora (White Prominent); 10, Odontosia carmelita (Scarce Prominent); 11, Ptilodon carmelina (Coxcomb Prominent); 12, Ptilodon cucullina (Maple Prominent); 13, Pterostoma palpina(Pale Prominent); 16, Ptilophora plumigera (Plumed Prominent); 17, Phalera bucephala (Buff Tip); 18 and 21, Clostera pigra (Small Chocolate-tip); 19, Clostera curtula (Chocolate-tip); 20, Clostera anachoreta (Scarce Chocolate-tip). Mainland European species: 4, Notodonta tritophus; 9, Spatalia argentina; 14, Drymonia velitaris; 15, Drymonia melagona. • Furcula, Stauropus (Kittens and Lobster): Kirby 31 (part). 8, Furcula bicuspis (Dark Barred Kitten); 9, Furcula bifida (Barred Kitten); 12, Stauropus fagi (Lobster-moth. • Cerura, Harpyia, Pheosia (Puss moth, Swallow Prominents): Kirby 31 (part). 11, Cerura vinula (Puss-moth); 14, Harpyia milhauseri (Tawny Prominent); 15, Pheosia tremula (Swallow Prominent); 16, Pheosia gnoma (Lesser Swallow Prominent). From Kirby 31. • Thaumatopoea (Processionary Moths): Kirby 33 (part). THAUMETOPOEINAE. 1, Thaumetopoea processionea (Processionary Moth); 2, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Pine Processionary Moth). • Larvae: Clostera anacoreta, Clostera curtula (Duponchel, 1849). Notodontidae. 2, Clostera curtula (Chocolate-tip). 3, Clostera anachoreta. (Scarce Chocolate-tip) Duponchel and Guénée, 1849. • Larvae: Notodonta ziczac, Pheosia gnoma, Pheosia tremula (Duponchel, 1849). Notodontidae. 1, Notodonta ziczac (Pebble Prominent). 2, Pheosia tremula (Swallow Prominent). 3, Pheosia gnoma (Lesser Swallow Prominent). Duponchel and Guénée, 1849. • Larvae: Gluphisia crenata, Philophora plumigera (Duponchel, 1849). Notodontidae. 1, Gluphisia crenata (Dusky Marbled Brown). 2, Ptilophora plumigera (Plumed Prominent). Duponchel and Guénée, 1849. • Larva and cocoon: Cerura vinula (Duponchel, 1849). Notodontidae. Cerura vinula (Puss Moth). Duponchel and Guénée, 1849. • Larva: Furcula bicuspis (Duponchel, 1849). Notodontidae. Furcula bicuspis (Alder Kitten). Duponchel and Guénée, 1849. • Larvae and pupa: Phalera bucephala (Duponchel, 1849). Notodontidae. Phalera bucephala (Buff-tip). Duponchel and Guénée, 1849. • Larvae: Pheosia tremula, Pterostoma palpina, Ptilodon capucina (Duponchel, 1849). Notodontidae. 1, Pterostoma palpina (Pale Prominent). 2, Pheosia tremula (Swallow Prominent). 3, Ptilodon capucina (Coxcomb Prominent). Duponchel and Guénée, 1849. • Larva, pupa, cocoon: Stauropus fagi (Duponchel, 1849). Notodontidae. Stauropus fagi (Lobster Moth). Duponchel and Guénée, 1849. • neuration: Notodonta, Cerura.
We advise against extracting comparative information from the descriptions. This is much more easily achieved using the DELTA data files or the interactive key, which allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, and distributions of character states within any set of taxa. See also Guidelines for using data taken from Web publications.
Cite this publication as: ‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2003 onwards. Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Lepidoptera. Version: 14th April 2022. delta-intkey.com’.
