ARRANGEMENT of MOTH NAMES in the Website

 (referring here only to Backyards No.1 and No.7 – CA and AZ):

All of the MOTHS are simply arranged alphabetically, by the currently-applicable genus (always capitalized) and then by species (never capitalized).  NO attempts are made here to sort out the Family NOCTUIDAE into its various subfamilies, because the higher classification of this immense group is currently undergoing major revisions, by several different specialists, worldwide.  When (if !) the “dust” finally settles, I may someday decide to adopt one of the proffered revisions, which could then lead to a major re-shuffling of the noctuid photos at this website....But please don't hold your breath awaiting that (hypothetical) event!....Always be sure to check the two parallel lists of GENERIC SYNONYMS [click here], if a certain genus name that you are seeking is not present in the main alphabetical listings.  The name that you had in mind may have been changed, or perhaps shifted to some other genus.  Or, it may not be represented in the fauna at either of the two localities being documented here!....

The English alphabet is simple and “user-friendly”!  Everyone knows the 26 letters and their sequence, so why tolerate the harassment of having to learn and memorize any particular “expert's” concept, of an intricate theoretical phylogeny (which may or may not accurately reflect the actual evolutionary history of a group), when all you wish to do is locate the particular species that you are seeking, and as quickly as possible???  There are appropriate venues for presenting one's current theories, regarding the evolution or “correct” phylogeny of a group, and there are other places (like this one), where that approach serves only to complicate and delay access.  The vast array of generic names now in use should JUST be rendered quickly available to anyone - trained taxonomist or not.  Anyway, that is the intent at this site !....(So, guess where you'll find the noctuid generic name, Zotheca, in my Backyard No.1 study??)....

If you wish to learn the noctuid SUBFAMILY ASSIGNMENTS, as they were last interpreted in the MONA checklist (1983), just scan the sets of MONA-numbers below, and locate the set that includes the list-number of the species you have in mind.  The applicable McDunnough numbers (1938) are also included, in parentheses (for the convenience of those studying older specimens, that may still be carrying those numbers).

Superfamily  NOCTUOIDEA   (pp. 112-159 in MONA)

The 18 Subfamilies of the Family NOCTUIDAE   (pp. 120-159 in MONA), arranged in the sequence given in MONA (no's. 8322-11233) (under Fam. Phalaenidae in McD.)

(1) Sbf. Herminiinae:  8322-8403  (McD. 3733-3813)

(2) Sbf. Rivulinae:  8404-8419  (McD. 3710-3715; 3720-3726; 3730-3732)

(3) Sbf. Hypenodinae:  8420-8440 (Not listed as a separate Sbf. in McD.; the
equivalent McD. no's. were:  896, 3065-68, 3070-72, 3716-19, 3727-29, 4185)

(4) Sbf. Hypeninae:  8441-8489  (McD. 3623-3709)

(5) Sbf. Catocalinae:  8490-8879  (McD. 3311-3622)

(6) Sbf. Plusiinae:  8880-8953  (McD. 3243-3310)

(7) Sbf. Euteliinae:  8954-8968.1  (McD. 3220-3233)

(8) Sbf. Sarrothripinae:  8969-8982  (McD. 3234-3242)

(9) Sbf. Nolinae:  8983-8998  (McD. 886-904)

(10) Sbf. Acontiinae:  8999-9176  (McD. 3060-3219)

(11) Sbf. Pantheinae:  9177-9198  (McD. 1122-1146)

(12) Sbf. Acronictinae:  9199-9297  (McD. 1147-1223)

(13) Sbf. Agaristinae:  9298-9324  (McD. 1106-1121)

(14) Sbf. Amphipyrinae:  9325-9812  (McD. 2327-2891)

** (“Unassociated Genera”:  9813-9872 - see below)

(15) Sbf. Cuculliinae:  9873-10217  (McD. 2001-2326)

(16) Sbf. Hadeninae:  10218-10640  (McD. 1616-2000)

(17) Sbf. Noctuinae:  10641-11054  (McD. 1224-1615, under Sbf. Phalaeninae) (formerly Sbf. Agrotinae)

(18) Sbf. Heliothinae:  11055-11233  (McD. 2892-3059)

** Alphabetical listing of the 25 “Unassociated Genera” of Noctuidae, as treated
in MONA (no's. 9813-9872); the subfamily affiliations of these genera were not clear in 1983:

Other families in the Spf. NOCTUOIDEA   (pp. 112-120 in MONA)

- Fam. Notodontidae:  no's. 7895-8030  (McD. 3822-3940)

- Fam. Dioptidae:  8031-8032  (McD. 3821)

- Fam. Arctiidae:  8033-8288  (McD. 861-885; 905-1105; 3815-3819)

- Fam. Lymantriidae:  8289-8321  (McD. 3941-3968, under Fam. Liparidae)

Spf.  BOMBYCOIDEA  (pp. 107-112 in MONA)

- Fam. Sphingidae, Sbf. Sphinginae, Smerinthinae, Macroglossinae:   7771-7894  (McD. 693-799)
- Fam. Lasiocampidae, Sbf. Macromphaliinae, Gastropachinae, Lasiocampinae:  7669-7703   (McD. 3969-3999)
- Fam. Saturniidae, Sbf. Citheroniinae, Hemileucinae, Saturniinae:  7704-7770  (McD. 800-841)

- Fam. Bombycidae, Sbf. Apatelodinae:  7663-7667  (McD. 4001-4003, under Fam. Zanolidae)

Spf.  MIMALLONOIDEA   (p.107 in MONA)

- Fam. Mimallonidae:  no's. 7659-7662  (McD. 5227-5229, under Fam. Lacosomidae)

Spf.  GEOMETROIDEA   (pp. 88-107 in MONA)

Subfamilies of the Fam. GEOMETRIDAE (no's. 6256-7648), as given in MONA   (pp. 88-107)

(1) Sbf. Archiearinae:  6256-6257  (McD. 4023-4025, under Sbf. Brephinae)

(2) Sbf. Oenochrominae:  6258-6260  (McD. 4026-28)

(3) Sbf. Ennominae:  6261-7011  (McD. 4605-5221)

(4) Sbf. Geometrinae:  7012-7085  (McD. 4029-4108; formerly Sbf. Hemitheinae)

(5) Sbf. Sterrhinae:  7086-7181  (McD. 4109-4212)

(6) Sbf. Larentiinae:  7182-7648  (McD. 4213-4604)

Spf.  URANIOIDEA   (pp. 88 and 107 in MONA)

- Fam. Epiplemidae:  7649-7656  (McD. 5222-5226)

- Fam. Sematuridae:  7657  (McD. - ); under Fam. Manidiidae in some texts

Spf.  DREPANOIDEA   (pp. 88 in MONA)

- Fam. Thyatiridae: 6235-6250  (McD. 4004-4016)
- Fam. Drepanidae:  6251-6255 (McD. 4017-4022)