Thaumetopoeinae

Thaumetopoeinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Notodontidae. This group is sometimes treated as a family Thaumetopoeidae with three subfamilies: Thaumetopoeinae, Anaphinae and Epicominae.^[1] However, it is now commonly treated at subfamily rank based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence.^[2]

Thaumetopoeinae
A male pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Notodontidae
Subfamily:	Thaumetopoeinae

The etymology of the subfamily name derives from the Ancient Greek words θαυματόεις (thaumatóeis, 'marvelous') and ποιέω (poiéō, 'to do') and literally means showing beautiful things.^[3][4] This explains why the name is sometimes spelled Thaumatopoeinae, incorrectly from the taxonomic standpoint, but in accordance with etymology.^{[clarification needed]}

The larval stage of some Thaumetopoeinae are known as processionary caterpillars, so named because they move in columns in search of food, resembling a procession.^[5] Some of the species, like the pine and oak processionaries, can constitute a health hazard due to their urticating hairs.