Agrotis
| Agrotis | |
|---|---|
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| Heart and Dart, Agrotis exclamationis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Subfamily: | Noctuinae |
| Genus: |
Agrotis Ochsenheimer, 1816 |
| Species | |
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See text |
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| Synonyms | |
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See text
Agrotis is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family. A number of the species of this genus are extinct.
Eyes naked and without lashes. Proboscis 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. Fore wings with non-crenulate outer margin. Hind wings with veins 3 and 4 from cell.
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.
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