Macrolepidoptera
1151604
207578611
2008-04-23T11:16:22Z
Dysmorodrepanis
303688
{{Taxobox
| name = Macrolepidoptera
| image = Acronicta.psi.7153.jpg
| image_width = 220px
| image_caption = [[Grey Dagger]], ''Acronicta psi''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| classis = [[Insect]]a
| ordo = [[Lepidoptera]]
| subordo = [[Glossata]]
| infraordo = [[Heteroneura]]
| unranked_familia = '''Macrolepidoptera'''
| unranked_familia_authority =
| subdivision_ranks = [[Superfamilies]]
| subdivision =
see text
}}
'''Macrolepidoptera''' is a group within the [[insect]] [[Order (biology) |order]] [[Lepidoptera]]. Traditionally used for the larger [[butterflies]] and [[moths]] as opposed to the "[[Microlepidoptera]]", this group is unnatural. However, it seems that by moving some [[taxa]] about, a [[monophyletic]] Macrolepidoptera can be easily achieved. The two superfamilies [[Geometroidea]] and [[Noctuoidea]] account for roughly one-quarter of all known Lepidoptera.
In the reformed Macrolepidoptera, the following [[superfamilies]] are included:
*[[Mimallonoidea]] - sack bearers
*[[Lasiocampoidea]] - lappet moths
*[[Bombycoidea]] - bombycoid moths
*[[Noctuoidea]] - owlet moths
*[[Drepanoidea]] - drepanids
*[[Geometroidea]] - inchworms
*[[Axioidea (Lepidoptera)|Axioidea]] - European gold moths
*[[Calliduloidea]] - Old World butterfly-moths
*[[Hedyloidea]] - New World butterfly-moths (or moth-butterflies)
*[[Hesperioidea]] - skippers
*[[Papilionoidea]] - true butterflies
The last three make up the [[Rhopalocera]], or butterflies.
== External links ==
* {{ITIS|ID=117234}}
{{Lepidopteran superfamilies}}
[[Category:Lepidoptera]]
[[de:Großschmetterlinge]]
[[es:Macrolepidoptera]]
[[fr:Macrolepidoptera]]
[[no:Storsommerfugler]]