Noctuidae subfamily Psaphidinae tribe Psaphidini

The formal description of the tribe Psaphidini given below is based on the genus Psaphida. Several other genera are included in the tribe based on; 1) the early flight period of the adults, 2) the irregular and heavy spining of the tarsal segments, and 3) the common occurrence of pectinate or strongly serrate male antennae. The male vesica is elongate and massively spiney, but the spines are not located on rugose patches. A large terminal spine is usually present at the apex of the vesica. The male valve is rectangular and simple. The apex of the valve is usually heavily haired and the corona is weak or absent. The uncus is often swollen over its entire length. The clasper is small and no basal process of the sacculus is present. The caudal half of the female ductus bursae is membranous, sometimes expanded, and its external margin is continuous with the intersegmental membrane of the seventh sternite. Consequently it is easy to tear the bursa away from the eighth abdominal segment and the ovipositor during dissection. But more importantly this feature of the ductus bursae appears to be fairly characteristic of the tribe Psaphidini. The tibial claw of the prothoracic leg is strong and associated with a plate along the outer margin of the tibia. The known larvae of the Psaphidini all feed on deciduous trees or shrubs.