Noctuidae

Noctuidae
A Red Underwing, a Noctuid moth
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: Noctuidae
Author:	Latreille, 1809
Type species:	Noctua pronuba (Large Yellow Underwing)
Diversity:	4,200 genera 35,000 species
Subfamilies
Acontiinae - Acronictinae - Aganainae - Agaristinae - Amphipyrinae - Amphipyrinae - Bagisarinae - Bryophilinae - Calpinae - Catocalinae - Cocytiinae - Condicinae - Cuculliinae - Dilobinae - Eucocytiinae - Eustrotiinae - Euteliinae - Glottulinae - Hadeninae - Heliothinae - Herminiinae - Hypeninae - Noctuinae - Plusiinae - Psaphidinae - Raphiinae - Stictopterinae - Stiriinae - Strepsimaninae - Ufeinae

The Noctuidae are a family of robustly-built moths with more than 25,000 species. Most have drab forewings, although some have brightly coloured underwings. There are usually few differences beyween the sexes.

Several species have larvae (caterpillars) that live in the soil and are agricultural or horticultural pests. These are the "cutworms" that eat the bases of young brassicas and lettuces. They form hard, shiny pupae.

Species include:

• Red Underwing