Taxonomy of the Lepidoptera

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Micropterix aureatella, a micropterigid moth

The

derived group, mainly day-flying, called butterflies (superfamily Papilionoidea). Within Lepidoptera as a whole, the groups listed below before Glossata contain a few basal families accounting for less than 200 species; the bulk of Lepidoptera are in the Glossata. Similarly, within the Glossata, there are a few basal groups listed first, with the bulk of species in the Heteroneura
. Basal groups within Heteroneura cannot be defined with as much confidence, as there are still some disputes concerning the proper relations among these groups. At the family level, however, most groups are well defined, and the families are commonly used by hobbyists and scientists alike.

Unassigned fossil lepidopterans

Suborder
Zeugloptera

Suborder
Aglossata

  • Superfamily
    Agathiphagoidea
    • Family
      Agathiphagidae

Suborder
Heterobathmiina

  • Superfamily
    Heterobathmioidea
    • Family
      Heterobathmiidae

Suborder Glossata

Infraorder
Dacnonypha

Dyseriocrania subpurpurella, an eriocranid moth

Clade Coelolepida, encompassing all remaining groups

Infraorder
Acanthoctesia

Infraorder
Lophocoronina

Clade Myoglossata, encompassing all remaining groups

Infraorder
Neopseustina

Clade Neolepidoptera, encompassing all remaining groups

Infraorder Exoporia

Oncopera brunneata, a hepalialid moth

Infraorder Heteroneura

Clade Nepticulina

Clade Eulepidoptera, encompassing all remaining groups

Clade Incurvariina
Clade Etimonotrysia
Clade Ditrysia, encompassing all remaining groups
Clade
Apoditrysia
, encompassing all remaining groups
Clade Obtectomera, encompassing all remaining groups
Clade Macroheterocera (Macrolepidoptera sensu sticto), encompassing all remaining groups
Catocala nupta
, red underwing, a noctuid moth
Drymonia ruficornis, a notodontid moth

References