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The Erebinae are a subfamily of moths in the Erebidae family. Erebine moths are found on all continents except Antarctica, but reach their greatest diversity in the tropics. While the exact number of species belonging to the Erebinae is not known, the subfamily is estimated to include around 10,000 species. Some well-known Erebinae include Underwing moths (Catocala), and Witch moths (Thermesiini). The White Witch moth (Thysania agrippina) has the widest wingspan of any moth, with some specimens measuring nearly 30 centimeters. Erebine caterpillars feed on a broad range of plants; many species feed on grasses and legumes, and a few are pests of castor bean, sugarcane, rice, as well as pistachios and blackberries. Erebine moths also possess a number of adaptations for predator defense. Most Erebinae, such as Zale, have mottled, drably colored wings to better blend in with grass and tree trunks. However, some Erebinae, such as Catocala, possess brightly colored hindwings which are suddenly revealed when the moth is disturbed from rest. The sudden exposure of these bright colors is thought to startle vertebrate predators, giving the moths extra time to escape. Like other Noctuoidea, erebine moths possess hearing organs (tympana), which can detect the calls of echolocating bats or other approaching predators. The tympana of Erebinae are among the most sensitive in the superfamily.

Taxonomy
Erebine moths belong to the superfamily Noctuoidea. Prior to the recent reclassification of Noctuoidea, most erebine moths were assigned to the noctuid subfamily Catocalinae, based on a classification proposed by Hampson at the turn of the 20th century. A summary of the taxonomic history of this group of moths is provided by Holloway., and a more detailed review of Erebinae taxonomy can be found in Homziak et al. Based on mounting evidence from molecular phylogenetic studies, Fibiger and Lafontaine transferred erebine moths and relatives from the Noctuidae to the Erebidae, and reinstated Erebinae as a subfamily. Later, Catocalinae was synonymized with Erebinae in the classifications proposed by Lafontaine and Schmidt, and Zahiri et al. The most recent study by Zahriri et al. forms the basis for the current definition of the Erebinae. On the basis of consistent molecular support, Zahiri et al. identified several potential The current definition of the Erebinae is based on the results of the molecular phylogenetic study of who recognized several morphological synapomorphies for the subfamily: proboscis with smooth apex and sensilla styloconica dorsally, modified seventh abdominal sternite in the female, divided in to two lobes surrounding the ostium bursae (female copulatory opening). In the larvae, dorsolateral tubercles on segment A8, and pupae often with waxy bloom. Within the Erebinae, Zahiri et al. recognized the following 19 tribes:

Tribes

 * Acantholipini
 * Audeini
 * Catephiini
 * Catocalini
 * Cocytiini
 * Ercheiini
 * Erebini
 * Euclidiini
 * Hulodini
 * Hypopyrini
 * Melipotini
 * Ommatophorini
 * Omopterini
 * Ophiusini
 * Pandesmini
 * Pericymini
 * Poaphilini
 * Sypnini
 * Thermesiini
 * Incertae sedis