Nicotini

Nicotini is a tribe of moths in the family Noctuidae. The tribe was first described by Francis Walker in 1859. The tribe is named after the type genus Nicotiana, which was named in honor of Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal, who is credited with introducing tobacco to France in 1560.

Taxonomy

The tribe Nicotini is part of the subfamily Noctuinae, within the family Noctuidae. The tribe includes several genera, including Nicotiana, Heliothis, Helicoverpa, and Chloridea.

Description

Moths in the tribe Nicotini are typically medium-sized with a wingspan ranging from 30 to 40 mm. They are usually brown or gray in color, often with a mottled or speckled pattern. The larvae are typically green or brown and are known to feed on a variety of plants, including tobacco.

Distribution and habitat

Nicotini moths are found worldwide, with the highest diversity in the tropics. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields.

Economic importance

Several species within the tribe Nicotini are considered pests in agriculture, particularly in tobacco cultivation. For example, the tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) and the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) can cause significant damage to tobacco crops.

Conservation status

While some species within the tribe Nicotini are common and widespread, others are rare and may be threatened by habitat loss and pesticide use.

See also

• List of Noctuidae genera
• Tobacco
• Tobacco budworm
• Tobacco hornworm