Noctuid Nomenclature |
General description of forewing features:
Terms are often poorly defined in the reference literature - so I am defining the terms used on this site here.
Ground colour – the basic forewing colour on which various markings are overlaid.
Crosslines – run from costa to dorsum and range from fine to bold, may be complete, incomplete, dotted, dashed or blocked (formed from a line of blocks), straight, curved, scalloped, wavy, zigzag or sinuate.
· Basal – a short line meeting the dorsum at mid-thorax
· Subbasal – meets dorsum at posterior margin of thorax
· Antemedian – runs proximal to oval mark and meets dorsum distal to thorax
· Median – runs between oval and kidney marks
· Postmedian – runs immediately distal to kidney mark
· Subterminal – runs just proximal to the termen
Cross-bands (fasciae) – generally not as clear-cut or well-marked as in Geometridae or Tortricidae. When present the most frequently seen are:
· Median fascia – which may be broad: between antemedian and postmedian lines; or narrow: between median and either antemedian or postmedian lines.
· Subterminal fascia – between postmedian and subterminal lines
· Terminal fascia – which may be broad: between postmedian line and termen; or narrow: between subterminal line and termen.
Streaks run in the longitudinal direction of the the wing and are usually short, a black basal streak being the most regularly encountered.
Median paradorsal bar (usually black) – is a streak placed dorsal to the oval and kidney marks between antemedian and postmedian lines
Most species show oval and kidney marks and some show a dart mark (extending distally from the antemedian line).
The terminal fringe may be chequered or plain.
Forewing shape can be an important distinguishing feature but comparative differences can be difficult to describe in absolute terms.
The costa may be curved or straight; the apex may be rounded, pointed or hooked; the termen may be curved, straight, sinuate or scalloped
Whilst some species have a very constant ground colour and markings, others are very variable.
Terms are often poorly defined in the reference literature - so I am defining the terms used on this site here.
Ground colour – the basic forewing colour on which various markings are overlaid.
Crosslines – run from costa to dorsum and range from fine to bold, may be complete, incomplete, dotted, dashed or blocked (formed from a line of blocks), straight, curved, scalloped, wavy, zigzag or sinuate.
· Basal – a short line meeting the dorsum at mid-thorax
· Subbasal – meets dorsum at posterior margin of thorax
· Antemedian – runs proximal to oval mark and meets dorsum distal to thorax
· Median – runs between oval and kidney marks
· Postmedian – runs immediately distal to kidney mark
· Subterminal – runs just proximal to the termen
Cross-bands (fasciae) – generally not as clear-cut or well-marked as in Geometridae or Tortricidae. When present the most frequently seen are:
· Median fascia – which may be broad: between antemedian and postmedian lines; or narrow: between median and either antemedian or postmedian lines.
· Subterminal fascia – between postmedian and subterminal lines
· Terminal fascia – which may be broad: between postmedian line and termen; or narrow: between subterminal line and termen.
Streaks run in the longitudinal direction of the the wing and are usually short, a black basal streak being the most regularly encountered.
Median paradorsal bar (usually black) – is a streak placed dorsal to the oval and kidney marks between antemedian and postmedian lines
Most species show oval and kidney marks and some show a dart mark (extending distally from the antemedian line).
The terminal fringe may be chequered or plain.
Forewing shape can be an important distinguishing feature but comparative differences can be difficult to describe in absolute terms.
The costa may be curved or straight; the apex may be rounded, pointed or hooked; the termen may be curved, straight, sinuate or scalloped
Whilst some species have a very constant ground colour and markings, others are very variable.
