The complete mitochondrial genome of Clostera anastomosis (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) and implication for the phylogenetic relationships of Noctuoidea species

Characterization and Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Subfamily Erebinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae) Using Five Complete Mitochondrial Genomes

In this study, the complete mitogenomes of Sympis rufibasis, Lacera noctilio, Oxyodes scrobiculata, Mocis undata, and Artena dotata were newly sequenced to bring up-to-date the database using the next-generation sequencing methods. The gene order of all sequenced mitogenomes was identical consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and a non-coding A+T-rich region, which were common to other Lepidopteran insects. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiated with a canonical ATN codon and ended with TAN or an incomplete stop codon, single T. The A+T-rich region of S. rufibasis, L. noctilio, O. scrobiculata, M. undata, and A. dotata are 406 bp, 462 bp, 372 bp, 410 bp, and 406 bp long, respectively, containing number of characteristics that are distinctive to Noctuoidea moths. We analyzed concatenated amino acid sequences of protein-coding genes not including rRNAs, using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses indicated that the tribe relationships within Erebinae were reconstructed as (Sypnini+((Erebini 1+Poaphilini 1)+((Euclidiini+Catocalini+(Hypopyrini+Erebini 2))+((Hulodini+(Poaphilini 2+Ophiusini))))). Phylogenetic analyses supported and confirmed the monophyly of the subfamilies' relationships as follows: (Hypeninae+Lymantriinae)+((Scoliopterginae+((Calpinae+Erebinae)+((Herminiinae+Aganainae)+Arctiinae)))) within Erebidae.

Mitochondrial genomes of four slug moths (Lepidoptera, Limacodidae): Genome description and phylogenetic implications

The family Limacodidae belongs to the superfamily Zygaenoidea, which includes 1672 species commonly referred to as slug moths. Limacodidae larvae are major pests for many economically important plant species and can cause human dermatitis. At present, the structure of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), phylogenetic position, and adaptive evolution of slug moths are poorly understood. Herein, the mitogenomes of Parasa lepida, Phlossa conjuncta, Thosea sinensis, and Setora sinensis were sequenced and compared with other available mitogenome sequences to better characterize the mitogenomic diversity and evolution of this moth family. The mitogenomes of P. lepida, P. conjuncta, T. sinensis, and S. sinensis were confirmed to be circular in structure with lengths of 15,575 bp, 15,553 bp, 15,535 bp, and 15,529 bp, respectively. The Limacodidae mitogenomes exhibited similar nucleotide composition, codon usage, RNA structure, and control region patterns, indicating the conservation of the mitogenome in the family Limacodidae. A sliding window, Ka/Ks, and genetic distance analyses revealed that the atp8 and nad6 genes exhibited the highest levels of variability and the most rapid evolutionary rates among the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) encoded in these Limacodidae mitogenomes, suggesting that they may offer value as candidate DNA markers. The phylogenetic analysis recovered the overall relationship as Tortricoidea + (Sesiidae + (Zygaenoidea + (Cossoidea/+Choreutoidea + (others)))). Within Zygaenoidea, Limacodidae was recovered as monophyletic, and the phylogenetic relationships were recovered as (Phaudidae + Zyganidae) + Limacodidae in all six phylogenetic trees. The analysis indicated that P. lepida, P. conjuncta, T. sinensis, and S. sinensis are members of the Limacodidae.

Virus-host coevolutionary analyses of an Alphabaculovirus with a wide host range

Baculoviruses are highly host specific, and their host range is usually restricted to a single or a few closely related insect species, except for few virus species, e.g. Alphabaculovirus aucalifonicae and Alphabaculovirus mabrassicae. In this study, two new alphabaculovirus isolates were isolated from the larvae of Mamestra brassicae and Mythimna separata, which were named as Mamestra brassicae multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate QD (MbMNPV-QD) and Mythimna separata multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate Hb (MyseMNPV-Hb), respectively. The Kimura two-parameter values based on the concatenated 38 core genes of baculovirus revealed that MbMNPV (isolates QD/CHb1/K1/CTa), MyseMNPV-Hb, Helicoverpa armigera multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearMNPV) and Mamestra configurata nucleopolyhedrovirus B (MacoNPV-B) were different isolates of a same virus species. A phylogenetic tree of baculoviruses and nudiviruses constructed from their 20 homologous gene sequences, and that of their isolated hosts constructed from 13 protein-coding genes of the insect mitochondrial genomes, were used to analyse the coevolution of baculoviruses with their isolated hosts. The results showed that M. brassicae was the most likely ancestral host of these virus isolates, included MbMNPV isolates, MyseMNPV-Hb, HearMNPV, and MacoNPV-B. Therefore, we concluded that these virus isolates belong to the existing virus species - Alphabaculovirus mabrassicae with M. brassicae as their ancestral host.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the agricultural pest Micromelalopha sieversi (Staudinger, 1892) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

Micromelalopha sieversi (Staudinger, 1892) is a significant pest of Poplar trees in China. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to sequence the whole mitochondrial genome of M. sieversi. The length of the genome was 15,373 base pairs. The nucleotide composition was 39.8%, 11.5%, 8.0%, and 40.7% for A, C, G, and T, respectively. We used the maximum-likelihood method to construct a molecular phylogenetic tree based on complete mitogenome sequences of 19 Noctuoidea species as ingroups and five Geometroidea species as outgroups. The results indicate that the genus Micromelalopha is closely related to the genus Clostera in family Notodontidae.

Phylogenomics including the newly sequenced mitogenomes of two moths (Noctuoidea, Erebidae) reveals Ischyja manlia (incertae sedis) as a member of subfamily Erebinae

We sequenced the mitogenomes of two Erebid species, namely Ischyja manlia (Cramer, 1776) and Rusicada privata (Walker, 1865) to analyse the phylogenetic relationship and to establish the taxonomic position of incertae sedis members of the family Erebidae. The two circular genomes of I. manlia and R. privata were 15,879 bp and 15,563 bp long, respectively. The gene order was identical, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an A + T-rich region. The nucleotide compositions of the A + T-rich region of both mitogenomes were similar: 80.65% for R. privata, and 81.09% for I. manlia. The AT skew and GC skew were slightly positive in I. manlia and negative in R. privata. In I. manlia and R. privata, except for cox1 which started with CGA and TTG codons, all the other 12 PCGs started with ATN codon. The A + T-rich regions of I. manlia and R. privata were 433 and 476 bp long, respectively, and contained common characteristics of Noctuoidea moths. At present, Ischyja is treated as Erebinae incertae sedis. However, phylogenetic analysis conducted in the present study reveals that the genus Ischyja is most likely to be a member of the subfamily Erebinae.

Characterization of four mitochondrial genomes from superfamilies Noctuoidea and Hyblaeoidea with their phylogenetic implications

In the present study, the newly sequenced mitogenomes of three Noctuoid and one Hyblaeoid (Insecta: Lepidoptera) species were annotated based on next-generation sequence data. The complete mitogenome lengths of Oraesia emarginata, Actinotia polyodon, Odontodes seranensis, and Hyblaea puera were 16,668 bp, 15,347 bp, 15,419 bp, and 15,350 bp, respectively. These mitogenomes were found to encode 37 typical mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNA, 2 ribosomal RNA) and a control region, similar to most Lepidoptera species. Maximum likelihood (ML) methods and Bayesian inference (BI) were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of the moths. This study showed the relationships of Noctuoid families as follows: (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)))). Furthermore, the species H. puera was separately clustered from the Noctuoidea member groups. Till now, the species from the superfamily Hyblaeoidea have not been discussed for their phylogenetic relationships. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of one species from the superfamily Hyblaeoidea was analysed.

Characterization of Seventeen Complete Mitochondrial Genomes: Structural Features and Phylogenetic Implications of the Lepidopteran Insects

Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) are widely distributed in the world, but high-level phylogeny in Lepidoptera remains uncertain. More mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) data can help to conduct comprehensive analysis and construct a robust phylogenetic tree. Here, we sequenced and annotated 17 complete moth mitogenomes and made comparative analysis with other moths. The gene order of trnM-trnI-trnQ in 17 moths was different from trnI-trnQ-trnM of ancestral insects. The number, type, and order of genes were consistent with reported moths. The length of newly sequenced complete mitogenomes ranged from 14,231 bp of Rhagastis albomarginatus to 15,756 bp of Numenes albofascia. These moth mitogenomes were typically with high A+T contents varied from 76.0% to 81.7% and exhibited negative GC skews. Among 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), some unusual initiations and terminations were found in part of newly sequenced moth mitogenomes. Three conserved gene-overlapping regions and one conserved intergenic region were detected among 17 mitogenomes. The phylogenetic relationship of major superfamilies in Macroheterocera was as follows: (Bombycoidea + Lasiocampoidea) + ((Drepanoidea + Geometroidea) + Noctuoidea)), which was different from previous studies. Moreover, the topology of Noctuoidea as (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + Noctuidae)) was supported by high Bayesian posterior probabilities (BPP = 1.0) and bootstrapping values (BSV = 100). This study greatly enriched the mitogenome database of moth and strengthened the high-level phylogenetic relationships of Lepidoptera.

Enhanced Resolution of Evolution and Phylogeny of the Moths Inferred from Nineteen Mitochondrial Genomes

The vast majority (approximately 90%) of Lepidoptera species belong to moths whose phylogeny has been widely discussed and highly controversial. For the further understanding of phylogenetic relationships of moths, nineteen nearly complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of moths involved in six major lineages were sequenced and characterized. These mitogenomes ranged from 15,177 bp (Cyclidia fractifasciata) to 15,749 bp (Ophthalmitis albosignaria) in length, comprising of the core 37 mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) + 22 tRNAs + two rRNAs) and an incomplete control region. The order and orientation of genes showed the same pattern and the gene order of trnM-trnI-trnQ showed a typical rearrangement of Lepidoptera compared with the ancestral order of trnI-trnQ-trnM. Among these 13 PCGs, ATP8 exhibited the fastest evolutionary rate, and Drepanidae showed the highest average evolutionary rate among six families involved in 66 species. The phylogenetic analyses based on the dataset of 13 PCGs suggested the relationship of (Notodontidae + (Noctuidae + Erebidae)) + (Geometridae + (Sphingidae + Drepanidae)), which suggested a slightly different pattern from previous studies. Most groups were well defined in the subfamily level except Erebidae, which was not fully consistent across bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Several formerly unassigned tribes of Geometridae were suggested based on mitogenome sequences despite a not very strong support in partial nodes. The study of mitogenomes of these moths can provide fundamental information of mitogenome architecture, and the phylogenetic position of moths, and contributes to further phylogeographical studies and the biological control of pests.

Complete mitochondrial genome analysis and molecular phylogenetic implications of Kennelia xylinana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Kennelia is a small genus in Tortricidae that is distributed in the Oriental and Palaearctic regions, and its taxonomic position within the subfamily Olethreutinae is controversial. For a comprehensive understanding of the genus, we sequenced the mitogenome of Kennelia xylinana, the type species of Kennelia, and Ancylis unculana, a species of Enarmoniini; analyzed the mitogenome characteristics of K. xylinana; and explored its phylogenetic position. Similar to other members of Lepidoptera, the mitogenome of K. xylinana is 15,762-bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a noncoding control region. In particular, we found a structure (TATAATTAATAA)₁₁ in the middle of the AT-rich region. Based on the Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses of the 13 PCGs of 40 tortricid species, representing 8 tribes of 2 subfamilies, K. xylinana was clustered with two members of Enarmoniini, A. unculana and Loboschiza koenigiana, and formed highly supported monophyly. The results indicate that Kennelia should be placed in the tribe Enarmoniini.

Complete mitogenome data from a summer population specimen of the urticating pine defoliator Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae, Thaumetopoeinae, Thaumetopoea)

We present a de novo mitogenome assembly obtained from specimens sampled in the so-called summer population (SP) of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775) in Portugal. Contrary to the typical larval development occurring in winter in this species, the larvae of this unique population develop during summer. The sequencing data used were obtained from genomic libraries originally generated to assemble the nuclear genome of T. pityocampa[1]. We also provide a complete annotation and a phylogenetic representation which positions the Portuguese summer population of T. pityocampa and an Italian typical individual of the same species among the Notodontidae family and more distant Noctuoidea species. This data represents a valuable new resource for an expanding and urticating insect pest.

A supertree of Northern European macromoths

Ecological and life-history data on the Northern European macromoth (Lepidoptera: Macroheterocera) fauna is widely available and ideal for use in answering phylogeny-based research questions: for example, in comparative biology. However, phylogenetic information for such studies lags behind. Here, as a synthesis of all currently available phylogenetic information on the group, we produce a supertree of 114 Northern European macromoth genera (in four superfamilies, with Geometroidea considered separately), providing the most complete phylogenetic picture of this fauna available to date. In doing so, we assess those parts of the phylogeny that are well resolved and those that are uncertain. Furthermore, we identify those genera for which phylogenetic information is currently too poor to include in such a supertree, or entirely absent, as targets for future work. As an aid to studies involving these genera, we provide information on their likely positions within the macromoth tree. With phylogenies playing an ever more important role in the field, this supertree should be useful in informing future ecological and evolutionary studies.

The complete mitogenome of Lysmata vittata (Crustacea: Decapoda: Hippolytidae) with implication of phylogenomics and population genetics

In this study, the complete mitogenome of Lysmata vittata (Crustacea: Decapoda: Hippolytidae) has been determined. The genome sequence was 22003 base pairs (bp) and it included thirteen protein-coding genes (PCGs), twenty-two transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and three putative control regions (CRs). The nucleotide composition of AT was 71.50%, with a slightly negative AT skewness (-0.04). Usually the standard start codon of the PCGs was ATN, while cox1, nad4L and cox3 began with TTG, TTG and GTG. The canonical termination codon was TAA, while nad5 and nad4 ended with incomplete stop codon T, and cox1 ended with TAG. The mitochondrial gene arrangement of eight species of the Hippolytidae were compared with the order of genes of Decapoda ancestors, finding that the gene arrangement order of the Lebbeus groenlandicus had not changed, but the gene arrangement order of other species changed to varying degrees. The positions of the two tRNAs genes (trnA and trnR) of the L. vittata had translocations, which also showed that the Hippolytidae species were relatively unconserved in evolution. Phylogenetic analysis of 50 shrimp showed that L. vittata formed a monophyletic clade with Lysmata/Exhippolysmata species. This study should be helpful to better understand the evolutionary status, and population genetic diversity of L. vittata and related species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Dudusa sphingiformis (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) and phylogenetic analysis

Dudusa sphingiformis is an important lepidopteran pest widely distributed in tropical and subtropical zones of Asia. In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of D. sphingiformis was determined by next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome was 15,806 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an AT-rich control region (D-loop). The gene arrangement of this mitogenome was identical to that of the previous studies of Notodontidae moths. Almost all the PCGs initiated with typical ATN codons, except for cox1 with CGA. Among them, nine PCGs terminated with TAA or TAG, while other four PCGs (cox1, cox2, nad5, and nad4) with incomplete stop codon T. All the 22 tRNAs had the typical cloverleaf structure, except for trnS1, whose dihydrouridine (DHU) arm forms a simple loop. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs indicated that D. sphingiformis was more closely related to other species of family Notodontidae, forming a monophyletic group, with well-resolved relationships among five family of Noctuoidea.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Eudocima salaminia (Cramer, 1777) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea), novel gene rearrangement and phylogenetic relationship within the superfamily Noctuoidea

The species Eudocima salaminia (Cramer, 1777) commonly known as the fruit-piercing moth belongs to family Erebidae. Its distribution varies from India and across South-east Asia, pacific islands and parts of Australia. The insect is a devastating pest of citrus, longans and lychees. In the present study, complete mitochondrial genome of Eudocima salaminia was sequenced and analyzed using Illumina sequencer. The phylogenetic tree was reconstructed based on nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs using Maximum likelihood method-General Reversible mitochondrial (mtREV) model. The mitogenome has 15,597 base pairs (bp) in length, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and A + T-rich region. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with canonical start codon ATN. The gene order (trnQ-trnI-trnM) of tRNA shows a different rearrangement compared to ancestral insect gene order (trnI-trnQ-trnM). Almost all tRNAs have a typical cloverleaf secondary structure except for trnS1 (AGN) which lacks the dihydrouridine arm. At the beginning of the control region, we observed a conserved polyT", motif "ATTTA" and microsatellite (TA)n element. There are 21 intergenic regions and five overlapping regions ranging from 1 to 73 bp and 1 to 8 bp, respectively. The phylogenetic relationships based on nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs using Maximum likelihood method showed the family level relationships as (Notodontidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae + (Erebidae + Nolidae))). The present study represents the similarity to phylogenetic analysis of Noctuoidea mitogenome. Moreover, the family Erebidae is the sister to the families of (Euteliidae + Noctuidae + Nolidae).

Organization and phylogenetic relationships of the mitochondrial genomes of Speiredonia retorta and other lepidopteran insects

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Speiredonia retorta, which is a pest and a member of the Lepidoptera order. In total, the S. retorta mitogenome was found to contain 15,652 base pairs encoding 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, as well as an adenine (A) + thymine (T)-rich region. These findings were consistent with the mitogenome composition of other lepidopterans, as we identified all 13 PCGs beginning at ATN codons. We also found that 11 PCGs terminated with canonical stop codons, whereas cox2 and nad4 exhibited incomplete termination codons. By analyzing the mitogenome of S. retorta using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) models, we were able to further confirm that this species is a member of the Erebidae family.

Phylogenetic relationships of Limacodidae and insights into the higher phylogeny of Lepidoptera

To determine the systematic status of family Limacodidae within Lepidoptera, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Thosea sinensis (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Limacodidae) was sequenced. The genome is 15,544 base pairs (bp), including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and an AT-rich region. These characteristics are similar to of other lepidopterans. The gene order of T. sinensis is identical to that of Ditrysia lepidopterans. The nucleotide composition of the T. sinensis mitochondrial genome is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (81.1%) and exhibits negative AT and GC skew. All the other 13 PCGs except cox1 are initiated by ATN codons. All tRNA genes are folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnS1, which lacked the dihydrouridine (DHU) stem. There are 20 intergenic spacer regions ranging from 1 to 56 bp in length, and two gene overlap regions throughout the entire genome. The AT-rich region includes the ATAGA motif, followed by a 19-bp poly T stretch, a microsatellite-like (AT)₁₀, and a poly-A element. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships indicated that T. sinensis belongs to the Limacodidae, and the monophyly of each lepidopteran family was well supported.

Complete mitochondrial genome of two Thitarodes species (Lepidoptera, Hepialidae), the host moths of Ophiocordyceps sinensis and phylogenetic implications

Thitarodes (Lepidoptera, Hepialidae) is the only genus that hosts to the Ophiocordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine considered as a powerful medicinal supplement. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of two species, T. damxungensis and T. pui, have been sequenced, which are 15,928 bp and 15,362 bp in size respectively, and both contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and an AT-rich region. Like other hepialoids, the gene arrangement of the mitogenomes of T. damxungensis and T. pui is identical to the ancestral arrangement but differs from those of other lepidopteran species on account of the different arrangements of trnM, trnI, and trnQ. The size of AT-rich region is 545 bp in T. damxungensis and 1030 bp in T. pui. Tandem repetition in the AT-rich region is responsible for the length difference of the A + T-rich region in both species. In Hepialidae, the phylogenetic study based on the dataset of the sequences that combined the protein-coding genes and RNA genes suggested that the species T. yunnanensis should still belong to the genus Thitarodes rather than Ahamns, which is different from the results based on the traditional phylogeny.

The complete mitochondrial genome of a medicinal insect, Hydrillodes repugnalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae), and related phylogenetic analysis

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of an important medicinal insect Hydrillodes repugnalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) was sequenced and analyzed. The mitogenome is circular with 15,570 bp long, and shows typical gene content and arrangement. Nucleotide composition is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (81.1%). All protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with canonical start codon ATN, except for cox1 being CGA. The typical stop codon TAA is used for most PCGs, while the nad4l uses the TAG, and cox1 and cox2 use incomplete termination codon T. All tRNAs have a typical clover-leaf structure, except for trnS1 (AGN) lacking the dihydrouridine arm. Comparative mitogenome analysis showed that the motif "ATGATAA" between atp8 and atp6, and the motif "ATACTAA" between trnS2 and nad1 are commonly present in noctuoid mitogenomes. In A + T-rich regions, the motif "ATAGA" and subsequent poly-T structure, the motif "ATTTA" and followed macrosatellite (AT)_n element and an "A"-rich 3' end upstream of the trnM gene can be recognized across noctuoid mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analyses showed that H. repugnalis is nested into the Erebidae clade, consistently being sister to the Aganainae. Within Noctuoidea, the (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)))) was consistently recovered firstly based on multiple mitochondrial datasets.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Grammodes geometrica and other noctuid insects reveals conserved mitochondrial genome organization and phylogeny

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) plays an important role in revealing molecular evolution. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Grammodes geometrica (G. geometrica) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) was sequenced and characterized. The nucleotide composition of the genome is highly A + T biased, accounting for 80.49%. Most protein-coding genes (PCGs) are initiated by ATN codons except for the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, which was initiated by CGA. The order and orientation of genes with the order trnM-trnI-trnQ-nad2 is a typical rearrangement compared with those ancestral insects in which trnM is located between trnQ and nad2. Most tRNA genes were folded into the typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1 (AGN). The A + T-rich region contains the conserved motif "ATAGA" followed by a 19 bp poly-T stretch, which was also observed in other Noctuoidea species. In addition, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees among the nucleotide alignments of five families of Noctuoidea species except the Oenosandridae. Finally, we achieved a well-supported tree, which showed that G. geometrica belongs to the Erebidae family. Moreover, the relationships at the family-level can be displayed as follows: (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)))).