|
Xestia
Hubner
Type
species: ochreago Hubner, Palaearctic.
Synonyms
and subgenera: Agrotimorpha Barnes & Benjamin (type species staudingeri
Moeschler, Canada); Agrotiphila Grote (type species colorado Smith,
U.S.A.); Amathes Hubner (type species baja Denis &
Schiffermuller, Palaearctic); Anepilecta Warren (type species accipiter
Felder & Rogenhofer, India); Anomogyna Staudinger, 1871, type species
laetabilis Zetterstedt, Scandinavia); Archanarta Barnes &
Benjamin (type species quieta Hubner, Europe); Barrovia Barnes
& McDunnough (type species fasciata Skinner, Alaska); Epipsiliamorpha
Barnes & Benjamin (type species alaskae Grote, Alaska); Estimata
Kozhantschikov (type species herrichschaefferi Alpheraky, Mongolia); Hiptelia
Guenee (type species ochreago) ; Hypoestia Hampson (type species dilatata
Butler, Japan); Knappia Nye (type species poppiusi Herz = quieta
Hubner; replacement name for Lena Herz, praeocc.); Lytaea Stephens
(type species umbrosa Hubner, = sexstrigata Haworth, Europe); Megasema
Hubner (type species triangulum Hufnagel, Palaearctic); Pachnobia
Guenee (type species tecta Hubner, Europe); Perinaenia Butler
(type species lignosa Butler = accipiter); Perissandria
Warren (type species argillacea Alpheraky, China, Tibet); Platagrotis
Smith (type species speciosa Hubner, Europe); Pteroscia Morrison
(type species atrata Morrison, U.S.A.); Raddea Alpheraky (type
species digna Alpheraky, China); Schoyenia Aurivillius (type
species arctica Aurivillius, Novaya Zemlya I.); Segetia Stephens
(type species xanthographa Denis & Schiffermuller, Palaearctic); Spinipalpa
Alpheraky (type species maculata Alpheraky, China).
As
can be seen from the extensive generic synonymy, this is a large and complex
genus, most diverse in Holarctic regions. It is perhaps best defined on male
genitalia characters, particularly those of the valve: the ventral margin has a
narrow spur (sometimes two) at two-thirds; the harpe is reflexed towards the
costal margin, often angled apically. The peniculus of the tegumen is strongly
lobed. The aedeagus usually has apical spining; the vesica is short, with basal
lobes, often with associated scobinate patches.
In
the female genitalia the bursa and appendix bursae are usually globular,
the former larger than the latter and with up to four narrow bands of
scobination (the signa).
A
complex of species allied to the Palaearctic X. c-nigrum Linnaeus occurs
on the mountains of Sundaland and Wallacea as discussed in the specific account
below. Four montane New Guinea species (slide 12963, 14083 and one undissected
but with valve visible) may form a monophyletic group defined by narrowing of
the valve apex and loss of the corona; three have two processes from the ventral
edge of the valve. The aedeagus vesica in these taxa lacks basal lobes and has
a band of scobination extending in from the aedeagus apex.
Most
species have wide range of herbaceous plants in their larval diet.
<<Back
>>Forward
<<Return
to Contents page
|
