|
This
family-group name of Wiltshire, though a nomen nudum (Kühne
& Speidel, 2004), could be used for the concept of the Polydesmini of Guenée
which is preoccupied in Myriopoda by Polydesmidae of Leach (Kühne & Speidel,
2004; Speidel & Naumann, 2005). The two included genera share a number of
unusual or unique features.
The male
genitalia of the externally rather dissimilar genera share the presence of a
bundle or bundles of long, robust setae just basal to a distinct narrowing of
the valve. The females of both have small spicules or spines within the bursa,
particularly in the basal part. The larvae share full development of abdominal
prolegs and possession of a complex internal armature of teeth on the mandible,
the first probably a reversal of the characteristic reduction seen in core
catocalines, and the second a unique feature, both probably adaptations for
bark-feeding on Leguminosae.
Other
general features such as the form of the juxta, position of the ostium and
observations in Polydesma Boisduval of a pupal bloom are consistent with
inclusion amongst the core catocalines; Fibiger (2003) placed both genera in his
subtribe Ophiusina, and associated Pandesma with
the Pericymini in his Zethes-Pericyma genus group. Swinhoe (1900) included both
genera in his Polydesminae, along with several other genera including
Leguminosae feeders such as Erygia Guenée (p. 130) and Ericeia
Walker
(p. 116).
>>Forward <<Return to Content Page
|
