Tribe Phycitini (original) (raw)

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Pyraloidea (Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths)

Family Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)

Subfamily Phycitinae

Tribe Phycitini

Pronunciation

FIS-i-TEE-nee

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Phycitini Zeller, 1839

Acrobasiina Agenjo, 1958

Identification

There currently is no accepted classification scheme within Phycitini, though close relationships between certain sets of genera are clearly evident (Brian Scholtens, pers. comm. June 2023). With this in mind, I (ASH) have split this tribe in nine to facilitate easier identification here on BugGuide. My division is partly artificial, and at least a few of the groupings of genera I have made are surely polyphyletic. Each division consists of one or two nearby complete portions of the P3NA phylogenetic checklist. Each division is labeled with the range(s) of P3NA numbers included, which links to the relevant MPG pinned plate(s).

Acrobasis Group — 800150–800192 — Three genera, possibly monophyletic, share a distinctive ridge of raised scales proximally bounding the AM line of the forewing from near the costa to the inner margin; 41 of the 43 species in North America north of Mexico are in the large genus Acrobasis; Anabasis ochrodesma is found throughout FL and along the coast from eastern TX to SC, and Hypargyria slossonella occurs in FL and TX.

Euzophera Series — 800193–800222 — 15 genera, 29 species — Heterogeneous grouping

Ephestia Series — 800223–800264, 800270–800278 — 19 genera, 49 species — Probably mostly a natural grouping; most species are shades of gray and brown with complete AM and PM; palpi usually short to medium-length

Pima Series — 800265–800269, 800279–800295 — 6 genera, 22 species — Heterogeneous grouping

Nephopteryx Series — 800296–800408 — 22 genera, 112 species — Includes two potential monophyletic groups and a number of related genera; palpi recurved except in Pyla; antennae usually strongly modified at base in males, the source of a common name for Phycitinae (knot-horn moths); some with ridge of raised scales on forewing as in Acrobasis

Salebriaria Group — 7 genera, 35 species — Potentially monophyletic group closely related to the following group

Sciota Group — 4 genera, 35 species — Potentially monophyletic group closely related to the preceding group

Dioryctria — 800409–800448 — 40 species — discal spots fused fused and white, often conspicuous, uniquely among Nearctic Phycitinae

Sarata Series — 800449–800556 — 50 genera, 108 species — Heterogeneous grouping

Cactus-Feeding Group — 800557–800615 — 16 genera, 58 species — Gray and brown moths; most feed on cactus, and Laetilia on scale insects

Homoeosoma Series — 800616–800651 — 10 genera, 35 species — Most gray; AM line usually incomplete or poorly-marked