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biodiversity explorer

the web of life in southern Africa

Macrolepidoptera

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Phylum: Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda > Insecta (insects) > Dicondyla > Pterygota > Metapterygota > Neoptera > Eumetabola > Holometabola > Panorpida > Amphiesmenoptera > Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) > Glossata > Coelolepida > Myoglossata > Neolepidoptera > Heteroneura > Ditrysia > Apoditrysia > Obtectomera

Classification of groups encountered in southern Africa

Geometroidea

 

 
 

Geometridae

221 Genera and 1105 species native to southern Africa

 

Drepanoidea

 

 
 

Drepanidae

5 Genera and 7 species native to southern Africa.

 

Uranioidea

 

 
 

Uraniidae

9 Genera and 18 species native to southern Africa.

 
 

Sematuridae

1 Genus and 1 species native to southern Africa: Apoprogones hesperistis

 

Calliduloidea

 

 
 

Pterothysanidae

1 Genus and 1 species native to southern Africa: Pterocerota virginea*

 

RHOPALOCERA (butterflies)

 

 

Bombycoidea

 

 
 

Lasiocampidae (lappet moths)

50 Genera and 127 species native to southern Africa.

 
 

Eupterotidae

21 Genera and 62 species native to southern Africa.

Jana tantalus
 

Hibrildidae

1 Genus and 2 species native to southern Africa: Hibrildes crawshayi and Hibrildes norax*

 
 

Bombycidae

2 Genera and 5 species native to southern Africa.

 
 

Lemoniidae

1 Genus and 2 species native to southern Africa: Sabalia picarina* and Sabalia thalia

 
 

Brahmaeidae

2 Genera and 2 species native to southern Africa: Dactyloceras widenmanni and Spiramiopsis comma*

 
 

Saturniidae (emperor moths)

29 Genera and 75 species native to southern Africa

 
 

Sphingidae (hawk moths)

48 Genera and 105 species native to southern Africa

Acherontia atropos (Death's head hawkmoth)

Noctuoidea

 

 
 

Notodontidae

94 Genera and 199 species native to southern Africa

 
 

Thyretidae

4 Genera and 33 species native to southern Africa

 
 

Lymantriidae

50 Genera and 180 species native to southern Africa

 
 

Arctiidae (tiger moths, footmen, larger ermines)

84 Genera and 227 species native to southern Africa

Utetheisa pulchella (Crimson-speckled Footman)
 

Herminiidae

9 Genera and 23 species native to southern Africa

 
 

Aganaidae

4 Genera and 12 species native to southern Africa

 
 

Noctuidae (owl moths, owlets, etc.)

459 Genera and 1608 species native to southern Africa

 

Publications

  • VÁRI, L., KROON, D.M., & KRÜGER, M. 2002. Classification and checklist of the species of Lepidoptera recorded in southern Africa. Simple Solutions, Chatswood Australia.