Hadeninae

Hadeninae is a subfamily of moths in the family Noctuidae, a large group within the order Lepidoptera. Members are found worldwide, with the greatest diversity in temperate regions. The subfamily comprises a large number of genera and species that display a variety of life histories, but most share a nocturnal lifestyle and cryptic wing patterns that aid camouflage against bark and foliage.

Taxonomy and classification in Hadeninae have been affected by ongoing revisions in Noctuoidea. Traditionally, Hadeninae included several tribes and a broad range of genera. In contemporary treatments, it remains a valid subfamily within Noctuidae in many classifications, but molecular studies have prompted rearrangements. Some genera formerly placed in Hadeninae have been reassigned to other subfamilies, such as Noctuinae or Amphipyrinae, so the limits of Hadeninae vary among authorities.

Morphology and ecology are diverse within the group. Adults are typically medium-sized with muted or cryptic forewing coloration, and they often rest with wings folded flat. Larvae are generally smooth caterpillars that feed on a wide range of host plants, especially herbaceous vegetation, grasses, and crops; many are polyphagous, while others show more specific associations. Like other noctuids, Hadeninae species are mostly active at night and attracted to light.

Ecological and economic significance varies by region. In some areas, certain Hadeninae species are considered agricultural pests, while in others they play roles in ecosystems as herbivores, pollinators, and prey for predators such as bats.