Acronicta

Abstract: The present paper is the third in a series of articles on the genus Acronicta Ochsenheimer, 1816 (Volynkin et al. 2015; Volynkin 2015). Here we focus on the taxonomy of the Acronicta lutea species group, designating the lectotype of Acronicta lutea (Bremer & Grey, 1852), revising synonym status of Acronycta metaxantha funesta Draudt, 1950 and Pharetra leucoptera Butler, 1881, transferring Acronicta nigricans (Leech, 1900) to the subgenus Viminia Chapman, 1890 and introducing the new synonymy A. nigricans = Acronicta regifica Draudt, 1937 syn. n.

Abstract: Two new species of the genera Acronicta Ochsenheimer, 1816 and Craniophora Snellen, 1867 (A. naxi, sp. n. and C. draudti, sp. n.) are described from China. The adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated and compared to allied taxa. In addition, the following new synonymies are introduced: Acronicta lilacina (Hampson, 1914) =succedens Draudt, 1937, syn. n.; A. pulverosa (Hampson, 1909) =expergita Draudt, 1937, syn. n.; A. albistigma (Hampson, 1909) =cavillatrix Draudt, 1950, syn. n.; A. digna (Butler, 1881) =agnata Draudt, 1937, syn. n. =metaxantha Hampson, 1909, syn. n.; A. lutea (Bremer & Grey, 1852) =metaxantha funesta Draudt, 1950, syn. n.; Acronicta cinerea (Hufnagel, 1766) =korlana Draudt, 1931 =cinerascens Kozhanchikov, 1950. Lectotypes for A. cavillatrix Draudt, 1937, A. metaxantha funesta Draudt, 1950, Craniophora tapaishana Draudt, 1950, C. simillima Draudt 1950 and C. ligustri gigantea Draudt, 1937 are designated, and preliminary synonymic checklists of Acronicta and Craniophora in China are presented.

Abstract: Comachara cadburyi Franclemont has been classified as a sarrothripine (Noctuidae), lithosiine (Arctiidae), and afridine (Nolidae). Larval morphology and behavior indicate a close phylogenetic relationship with Polygrammate hebraeicum Hubner, an acronictine noctuid. The egg and larva of Comachara are described and illustrated with line drawings and scanning electron micrographs. Photographs of last instars of both Comachara and Polygrammate are provided. Larval feeding and pupation habits of C. cadburyi are briefly described and compared with those of Polygrammate. Larvae of both Polygrammate and Comachara exhibit a dramatic coloration change in the last instar, transitioning from a green phase to a mottled, steely gray form. As the color change progresses, the larva ceases feeding and enters a wandering phase, during which it seeks out wood in which to pupate. Interpretation of L group setal homologies on the ninth abdominal segment is briefly addressed. Comachara provides a poignant example of t...

Abstract: The taxonomic composition and systematic position of Agriopodes Hampson is examined through an integrated approach using adult and larval morphology, biology, and molecular sequence data. The type-species of Agriopodes, Moma fallax Herrich-Schaffer is shown to be derived within the Acronicta grisea Walker species-group; accordingly, Agriopodes is relegated to synonymy under Acronicta Ochsenheimer, syn. n. (Acronictinae). Additionally, molecular markers and morphology show that Agriopodes is not monophyletic: Agriopodes tybo (Barnes) is not closely related to A. fallax nor to Acronicta, and is transferred to a new genus, Chloronycta Schmidt & Anweiler, gen. n. The immature stages of Chloronycta tybo comb. n. are described and illustrated for the first time. Although previously treated as a valid species, we show that Agriopodes geminata (Smith) represents the northern terminus of clinal variation in wing pattern of A. fallax and synonymize A. geminata under A. fallax (syn. n.). The history and identity of Agriopodes corticosa (Boisduval), a nomen dubium, is discussed.