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The taxonomic status and biogeography of the North American Raphia species is reviewed using adult morphology, larval host plants, geographic phenotypic variation, and variation of mtDNA COI barcode sequences. Lack of diagnostic morphological differences, combined with relatively low mtDNA barcode divergences and clinal phenotypic variation in key geographic regions indicate that the six previously recognized species of North American Raphia are best interpreted as parapatric subspecies. Raphia frater abrupta Grote, stat. n., R. f. coloradensis Putnam-Cramer, stat. r., R. f. piazzi Hill, stat. n., and R. f. elbea Smith, stat. n., are accordingly revised to subspecies of R. frater Grote. Type locality restrictions are provided for Raphia abrupta and Raphia frater and a neotype is designated for Raphia frater var. coloradensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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-Schäffer 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North American species of the genus Charadra Walker are reviewed, and the species of the yellowhindwing (C. pata) group are revised. Four species of the pata group are described as new: Charadra franclemonti sp. n. (Arizona), C. tapa sp. n. (Arizona), C. cakulha sp. n. (Mexico), and C. coyopa (Mexico) sp. n. A new species related to C. deridens (previously treated as C. ingenua) is described from Arizona / New Mexico / Texas, and Charadra ingenua syn. n. is synonomized with Charadra deridens. The types of Charadra pata, C. oligarchia, C. patafex and C. ingenua are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This checklist documents the 2367 Lepidoptera species reported to occur in the province of Alberta, Canada, based on examination of the major public insect collections in Alberta and the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes. Records from relevant literature sources published since 1950 and from selected older works are also included. Th e entry for each species includes the scientifi c name, the author and year of publication of the original description, occurrence status, provincial distribution (according to ecoclimatic region), and adult phenology. Th e most recent taxonomic references are given, and common names are listed for butterfl ies and conspicuous moth species. The sources of specimen- and literature-based records are provided for each species. An additional 138 species whose occurrence in Alberta is probable are appended to the list. For 1524 of the listed species and subspecies, annotations are given, with selected information on taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution, habitat, and biology. An additional section provides details on 171 species erroneously reported from Alberta in previous works. Introductory sections to the volume provide a general overview of the order Lepidoptera and review the natural regions of Alberta, the state of knowledge of their Lepidoptera faunas, and the history and current state of knowledge of Alberta Lepidoptera. Each of the 63 families (and selected subfamilies) occurring in Alberta is briefl y reviewed, with information on distinguishing features, general appearance, and general biology. A bibliography and an index of genus-level, species-level, and subspecies-level names are provided. Th e list is accompanied by an appendix of proposed nomenclature changes, consisting of revised status for 25 taxa raised from synonymy to species level, and new synonymy for 20 species-level and one genus-level taxa here considered to be subjective synonyms, with resultant revised synonymy for one taxon and formalization of seven new combinations. Status is revised for the following taxa, which were previously treated as junior subjective synonyms or as subspecies and are herein raised to species status: Carterocephalus mandan (Edwards, 1863); Hesperia manitoba (Scudder, 1874); Colias elis Strecker, 1885; Nymphalis j-album (Boisduval & LeConte, [1835]); Euphydryas bernadetta Leussler, 1920; Speyeria leto (Behr, 1862); Boloria myrina (Cramer, 1777); Coenonympha inornata Edwards, 1861; Colostygia circumvallaria (Taylor, 1906); Xanthorhoe delectaria Cassino & Swett, 1922; Xanthorhoe lagganata Swett & Cassino, 1920; Scopula quinquelinearia (Packard, 1870); Spodolepis danbyi (Hulst, 1898); Hyalophora gloveri (Strecker, 1872); Smerinthus ophthalmica Boisduval, 1855; Furcula borealis (Guérin-Méneville, 1844); Furcula occidentalis (Lintner, 1878); Acronicta cyanescens Hampson, 1909; Oligia rampartensis Barnes & Benjamin, 1923; Anarta nigrolunata Packard, 1867; Anarta columbica (McDunnough, 1930); Anarta montanica (McDunnough, 1930); Leucania dia (Grote, 1879); Euxoa adumbrata thanatologia (Dyar, 1904); and Euxoa furtivus (Smith, 1890). Th e following new synonymies are proposed, with the valid name presented fi rst: Xanthorhoe algidata (Möschler, 1874) (= Xanthorhoe dodata Cassino & Swett, 1920), Macaria signaria (Hübner, 1809) (= Melanolophia unipunctaria W. S. Wright, 1916; Semiothisa marmorata Ferguson, 1972; Macaria? submarmorata Walker, 1861), Speranza occiduaria (Packard, 1874) (= Diastictis andersoni Swett, 1916), Caenurgina crassiuscula (Haworth, 1809) (= Caenurgina distincta (Neumoegen, 1884)), Tarache augustipennis Grote, 1875 (= Conacontia fl avicosta Smith, 1900), Acronicta dactylina Grote, 1874 (= Acronicta hesperida Smith, 1897), Acronicta grisea Walker, 1856 (= Acronicta tartarea Smith, 1903), Acronicta lupini Grote, 1873 (= Merolonche ursina Smith, 1898), Fishia yosemitae (Grote, 1873) (= Fishia enthea Grote, 1877; Fishia betsia Smith, 1905; Fishia instruta Smith, 1910), Sutyna privata (Walker, 1857) (= Anytus profundus Smith, 1900), Mniotype ducta (Grote, 1878) (= Xylophasia versuta Smith, 1895), Mniotype tenera (Smith, 1900) (= Xylophasia miniota Smith, 1908; Hadena ferida Smith, 1908), Anarta decepta (Grote, 1883) (= Trichoclea postica Smith, 1891), Protorthodes incincta (Morrison, 1874) (= Taeniocampa utahensis Smith, 1888; Orthodes akalus Strecker, 1898). Th e following revised synonomy is proposed, with the valid name presented fi rst: Xanthorhoe lagganata Swett & Cassino, 1920 (= Xanthorhoe incursata var. harveyata Cassino & Swett, 1922). One new generic synonymy is proposed, with the valid name appearing fi rst: Idia Hübner, 1813 (= Reabotis Smith, 1903), resulting in one new combination. Six species are transferred from Trichoclea Hübner to Sideridis Hübner, resulting in six new combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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-Schäffer 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.

The taxonomic status and biogeography of the North American Raphia species is reviewed using adult morphology, larval host plants, geographic phenotypic variation, and variation of mtDNA COI barcode sequences. Lack of diagnostic morphological differences, combined with relatively low mtDNA barcode divergences and clinal phenotypic variation in key geographic regions indicate that the six previously recognized species of North American Raphia are best interpreted as parapatric subspecies. Raphia frater abrupta Grote, stat. n., R. f. coloradensis Putnam-Cramer, stat. r., R. f. piazzi Hill, stat. n., and R. f. elbea Smith, stat. n., are accordingly revised to subspecies of R. frater Grote. Type locality restrictions are provided for Raphia abrupta and Raphia frater and a neotype is designated for Raphia frater var. coloradensis.