Please visit the About page, Using this tool, for more information on using the interactive and dichotomous keys.
Identifiers unfamiliar with Lepidoptera larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
should consult Stehr (1987) or Peterson (1948) for an overview of larval morphology and study techniques. In addition, an illustrated section on larval morphology is provided on this website. Larval characters can vary extensively, even in the same species, both between instars and in the same instarinstar:
the stage between molts
. Most of the characters discussed in the fact sheets and used in the keys are based on late or last instar larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
, and early instars of many species may be impossible to identify. When examining pinaculapinaculum:
a small, flat, or slightly elevated chitinized area bearing a seta or setae
and setal number, be sure to look at both sides of the larvalarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
, as some specimens are asymmetrical. When an asymmetrical individual is found, use the highest number of setaeseta:
a hairlike projection of the body wall that is articulated in a socket; compare to spine
when navigating the keys. Preservation of larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
can obscure characters, and even freshly preserved specimens may discolor and make color or pattern characters useless. All of the larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
illustrated in the fact sheets are preserved, so these specimens may appear very different from live and/or freshly collected individuals. It is also possible for pieces to break off specimens preserved in alcohol, and occasionally setaeseta:
a hairlike projection of the body wall that is articulated in a socket; compare to spine
or other structures (e.g., the anal combanal comb:
the mesal sclerotized prong ventrad of the anal plate and adjacent to the anus; used to eject frass
) may be missing because of breakage. Any determination made with the LepIntercept keys should be checked by an expert, and molecular analysis may be required to confirm identity in some cases.
Compare the laterallateral:
to the side, or at the side of
view of preserved larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
in the Gallery by selecting "body entire" in body part and "laterallateral:
to the side, or at the side of
" in view.
Characters of the mandibles and hypopharyngeal complexhypopharyngeal complex:
a structure consisting of the Hypopharynx, Labial palpi, and Spinneret
can be quite useful in separating closely related species. In his review of larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
in the Hadeninae (Noctuidae), Godfrey (1972) stated that the "most reliable characters are associated with the hypopharyngeal complexhypopharyngeal complex:
a structure consisting of the Hypopharynx, Labial palpi, and Spinneret
, left mandible, length and shape of the dorsaldorsal:
at the top or back or above
abdominal setaeseta:
a hairlike projection of the body wall that is articulated in a socket; compare to spine
, texture of the body integumentintegument:
the outer body wall (epidermis + cuticle); the "skin"
, and the spacing of the metathoracic setaeseta:
a hairlike projection of the body wall that is articulated in a socket; compare to spine
" (he found no difference between left and right mandibles). Other authors (e.g., Ahola and Silvonen 2005Ahola and Silvonen 2005:
Ahola, M. and K. Silvonen. 2005. Larvae of Northern European Noctuidae. Volume 1. KuvaSeppala Group Limited. Vaasa, Finland. 657 pp., 2008; Beck 1999-2000Beck 1999-2000:
Beck, H. 1999-2000. Die Larven der Europaischen Noctuidae. Revision der Systematik der Noctuidae (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). Herbipoliana 5/1(1): 1-864; 5/1(2): 1-448; 5/3(3): 1-512; 5/3(4): 1-336.; Passoa 1985Passoa 1985:
Passoa, S. 1985. Taxonomy of the larvae and pupae of economically important Pyralidae in Honduras. Master's Thesis. University of Florida. Gainesville. 486 pp.) have illustrated mandibles and/or the hypopharyngeal complexhypopharyngeal complex:
a structure consisting of the Hypopharynx, Labial palpi, and Spinneret
for a large number of species. Here we provide a pictorial comparison of these structures for the taxa treated in LepIntercept. Please consult the larval morphology page for terminology related to these structures.
Compare the mandibles of preserved larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
in the Gallery by selecting "mandibles" in body part.
Compare the hypopharyngeal complexes of preserved larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
in the Gallery by selecting "hypopharyngeal complexhypopharyngeal complex:
a structure consisting of the Hypopharynx, Labial palpi, and Spinneret
" in body part.