Agrotis


Agrotis is a genus of moths of the family Noctuidae. The genus was erected by Ferdinand Ochsenheimer in 1816. A number of the species of this genus are extinct.

Description

The proboscis is well developed. Palpi obliquely porrect, where the second joint evenly scaled and third joint prominent. Thorax and abdomen without tufts. Abdomen somewhat flattened. Tibia very strongly spined. Forewings with non-crenulate outer margin. Hindwings with veins 3 and 4 from cell.

Ecology

Many of the species are of great importance as cutworms, major agricultural pests whose larvae hide by day and emerge at night to feed. The name cutworm refers to the habit of the larvae, of cutting down and partly eating garden and crop plants, especially seedlings. Not all cutworms are in the genus Agrotis, though it may well be the genus that includes the largest number of cutworm species, and the most agriculturally important cutworm species.
The bogong moth, itself a cutworm, also has been of importance as a seasonal food for humans, valued by indigenous Australians.

Species

Agrotis admirationis Guenée, 1868Agrotis alexandriensis Baker, 1894Agrotis alpestris Boisduval, 1837Agrotis alticaffer Krüger, 2005Agrotis altivagans Agrotis antica Crabo & Lafontaine, 2004Agrotis apicalis Herrich-Schäffer, 1868Agrotis amphora Hampson, 1903Agrotis andina Agrotis araucaria Agrotis arenarius Neil, 1983Agrotis arenivolans Butler, 1879Agrotis atrux Pinker, 1971Agrotis aulacias Meyrick, 1899Agrotis baliopa Meyrick, 1899Agrotis bilitura Guenée, 1852Agrotis bigramma Agrotis boetica Agrotis bosqui Agrotis brachystria Agrotis brachypecten Hampson, 1899Agrotis bryani Swezey, 1926Agrotis buchholzi Barnes & Benjamin, 1929 Agrotis caffer Agrotis canities Agrotis ceramophaea Meyrick, 1899Agrotis characteristica Alphéraky, 1892Agrotis charmocrita Agrotis chretieni Dumont, 1903Agrotis cinerea Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 - light feathered rustic mothAgrotis clavis Hufnagel, 1766 - heart-and-club mothAgrotis consentanea Mabille, 1880Agrotis coquimbensis Agrotis crassa Hübner, 1803

Until recently placed here

Agrotis dolli is now Eucoptocnemis dolli Agrotis repleta is now Feltia repleta Agrotis subterranea - tawny shoulder, granulate cutworm is now ''Feltia subterranea''