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Here, we untangle an oversight surrounding the application of the name Papilio marcus Fabricius, 1787 (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae), currently in Troyus Warren & Turland, 2012, which has eluded taxonomists for nearly two centuries. First, we note that P. marcus is a junior primary homonym of Papilio marcus Schaller, 1785, a species currently in Morpho Fabricius, 1807 (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae). Second, we designate a lectotype for P. marcus Fabricius, 1787, and recognize it as conspecific with Papilio phyllus Cramer, 1777, a species currently in Vettius Godman, 1901. Therefore, P. marcus is also a junior subjective synonym of V. phyllus (new synonym). Third, aided by genomic sequencing of the lectotype of Vettius phyllides Röber, 1925, we find that this species is not conspecific with V. phyllus and represents instead a valid species of Troyus Warren & Turland, 2012, so that the relative epithet, currently considered as a junior subjective synonym of P. marcus, has to be reappreciated as Troyus phyllides (reinstated status, new combination). Moreover, T. phyllides is apparently the species that has been misidentified as P. marcus since 1832. As a result of this study, the name P. marcus Fabricius nec Cramer falls in synonymy with P. phyllus (currently in Vettius), and the species currently known as T. marcus becomes Troyus phyllides.

The genera Amauta Houlbert, 1918 and Divana J.Y. Miller, 1982 are revised, with discussion of diagnostic features of males and females of all taxa. Details on their nomenclatural history, biogeography, and biology are included to solve several nomenclatural issues. Lectotypes are designated for Castnia (Amauta) papilionaris affinis Rothschild, 1919 and Castnia tricolor C. Felder & R. Felder, 1874. The status of the following taxa is revised: Amauta procera (Boisduval, [1875]) stat. rest., Amauta angusta (H. Druce, 1907) stat. rest., Castnia ambatensis Houlbert, 1917 syn. nov. of Castnia papilionaris papilionaris Walker, [1865], Castnia velutina Houlbert, 1917 syn. nov. of Castnia papilionaris papilionaris Walker, [1865], and Castnia diva chiriquiensis Strand, 1913 syn. nov. of Castnia diva diva Butler, 1870. Other taxa are revised, and their taxonomic status clarified. A new genus Vadina gen. nov. is proposed for Castnia hodeei Oberthür, 1881, which is removed (comb. nov.) from Telchin Hübner, [1825], whilst Amauta stat. rest. and Divana stat. rest., subsumed into Telchin in the most recent revision of the family, are herein reinstated as valid genera.

Revision of the genus Glenopteris Hübner, 1821, with the description of two new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Erebinae). The genus Glenopteris Hübner, 1821, is revised and two new species are described: G. hampsoni n. sp. from French Guiana, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and Brazil, and G. medinae n. sp. from Peru, Brazil and Paraguay. Neotypes are designated for G. oculifera Hübner, 1821, and G. herbidalis Guenée, 1854. Habitus and genitalia of the five species of the genus are figured and compared with those of the closest taxa. An identification key is proposed.

The species Calyptra minuticornis is divided into two subspecies: C. minuticornis novaepommeraniae (Strand) and C. minuticornis minuticornis (Guenée) based on minor morphological differences, geographic distribution, and differential feeding behaviors in the adults. In this study, museum specimens were examined, including the holotypes of C. novaepommeraniae and C. minuticornis. A comprehensive distribution map was generated for C. minuticornis. A permutational multivariate analysis of variance provided some statistical evidence for minor differences between the male genitalic morphology. Additionally, the maximum parsimony analysis of the C. minuticornis subspecies complex resulted in a polytomy and did not represent natural groupings. From these results, it can be concluded that C. minuticornis novaepommeraniae and C. minuticornis minuticornis should be synonymized. A redescription of the species and a revised checklist for the genus is also provided. This includes synonymization of Wolframmeyia Behounek, Hacker & Speidel with Calyptra and evidence that Percalpe Berio is an unavailable name.

In order to provide information about the diversity and distribution of Eudocima species in Colombia, 261 specimens deposited in entomological collections were examined and identified. We found seven of the eight species of Eudocima recorded in the Neotropics: E. anguina, E. colubra, E. collusoria, E. memorans and E. serpentifera, all being recorded for the first time from the country. We provide a list of the species, comments on the biology and distribution data, illustrations of the adults, and keys for species identification.

Artena uncinata sp. n. from the Philippines (Luzon) is described. This species is a third member of the A. lacteicincta-A. eccentrica group and can readily be separated from its closest allies by the reduced secondary sexual characters of the male and differences in the male genitalia.

Noctuidae are one of the world’s most diverse, ecologically successful, and economically important animal lineages with over 12,000 species in ~1,150 genera. We inferred a phylogeny using eight protein-coding genes for the global fauna, greatly expanding upon previous attempts to stabilize Noctuidae higher classification by sampling 341 genera (nearly half represented by their type species) representing 70/76 widely recognized family-group taxa: 20/21 subfamilies, 32/35 tribes, and 18/20 subtribes. We evaluated 17 subfamily-level taxa in detail, discussing adult and larval morphology, life histories, and taxonomic implications of our results. We significantly alter concepts of Acontiinae, Condicinae, Eustrotiinae, Metoponiinae, and Stiriinae. Our results supported recognition of two new subfamilies: Cobubathinae Wagner & Keegan, 2021 subf. nov. and Cropiinae Keegan & Wagner, 2021 subf. nov. Other nomenclatural changes we made are as follows. We moved: ‘Acontia’ viridifera (Hampson, 1910), ‘Azenia’ virida Barnes and McDunnough, 1916, Aleptinoides, Austrazenia, Chalcoecia, Megalodes, and Trogotorna to Chamaecleini in Acontiinae; Apaustis to, and reinstated Emmelia as a valid genus in Acontiinae; Allophyes and Meganephria to Cuculliinae; ‘Plagiomimicus’ navia (Harvey, 1875), Airamia, Alvaradoia, Hypoperigea, Neotarache, and Mesotrosta to Condicinae; Axenus, Azenia, Metaponpneumata, Sexserrata, and Tristyla to Metoponiinae; ‘Paramiana’ canoa (Barnes, 1907) to Noctuinae; Aucha, Cobubatha, and Tripudia to Cobubathinae; Anycteola and Supralathosea to Oncocnemidinae; Cropia to Cropiinae; Desmoloma to Dyopsinae; Eviridemas and Gloanna to Bryophilinae; Fota and Stilbia to Stiriinae; and Copibryophila, Homolagoa, and Tyta to Noctuidae incertae sedis. We conclude with discussion of instances where current understanding of noctuid biogeography and life histories were changed by our results.

Thraumatagen. nov. is described to accommodate three South American species, two previously placed in Phuphena Walker, 1858, namely Thraumatapetrovna (Schaus, 1904), comb. nov. and Thraumatasubvenata (Schaus, 1914), comb. nov.; and one, Thraumataperuviensiasp. nov., newly described from Peru. Although the larval biology is unknown, these species share several features that suggest their placement in Eriopinae and, as a consequence, a potential association with ferns (Pteridophyta) as larval host plants.

Many insect species named by the Danish entomologist J.C. Fabricius remain enigmatic due to loss of the original type specimens, sketchy descriptions and lack of illustrations, but even some well-illustrated taxa remain unrecognized. This is the case for Hesperia busiris, a 'butterfly' illustrated by W.J. Jones, the identity of which has puzzled experts for 225 years. Here we argue that the description and illustrations of this species are a perfect fit to a colourful moth later described by F. Walker as Eusemia contigua. Furthermore, we present evidence that Walker unwittingly based his name on the same specimen as Fabricius, and that this is the only known example of this species. An extraordinary sequence of misconceptions led the geographic origin of this specimen to become thoroughly confused, so that it is currently unknown where on Earth this species may occur (although a substantial body of evidence points to West Africa) and if it is even still extant.

The generic level segregation of the formerly unified taxa Nyctobrya Boursin, 1957 and Bryopsis Boursin, 1970 is discussed; the second one is reinstated as a genus, on the basis of apomorphic features in the male genitalia (Bryopsis stat. rev.). The large genus Bryophila Treitschke, 1825 is briefly characterized, in order to assess the specific identity of the formerly misinterpreted Bryophila perloides Guenée, 1852, the only European member of its species-group. So far as is known, B. perloides (stat. rev.) inhabits the southernmost, pericoastal area of Andalusia (Spain), and is known to date from five specimens. It is, thus, to be included in the Iberian and European checklists of Noctuidae. All other described species of the perloides species-group are North African. They are reviewed and their types checked; the adults, as well as their genitalia, are illustrated. Genitalia of all holotypes/syntypes are studied. Also, lectotypes are designated for B. perloides, B. squamosa Schwingenschuss, 1936 and B. barbaria Schawerda, 1934.

The rivorum species-group of the genus Leucania (Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Leucaniini) is circumscribed and taxonomically revised, with the inclusion of three species. New taxonomic hypotheses were achieved through the morphological analysis of about 250 specimens allied to the type material of L. rivorum Guenée, 1852; L. pampa Schaus, 1894, stat. rev.; and Neleucania multistria Köhler, 1947, stat. rev., the last two resurrected from synonymy with L. rivorum and Dargida lithophilus (Butler, 1882), respectively. Adult habitus and morphology of the genitalia support the transfer of Neleucania multistria to Leucania, comb. nov. Lectotypes for L. rivorum and L. pampa are designated to ensure nomenclatural stability and recognizability of these taxa. Additionally, the similar, rust-colored species Leucania chejela (Schaus, 1921) is compared with species of the rivorum species-group, and is recorded from South America for the first time. All species of the rivorum group are re-described, with high-resolution images of taxonomic characters of the adults (head, patagium, and male and female genitalia), and updated distributional maps presented.

International audience; The noctuid genus Spodoptera currently consists of 31 species with varied host plant breadths, ranging from monophagous and oligophagous non-pest species to polyphagous pests of economic importance. Several of these pest species have become major invaders, colonizing multiple continents outside their native range. Such is the case of the infamous fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which includes two recognized host strains that have not been treated as separate species. Following its accidental introduction to Africa in 2016, it quickly spread through Africa and Asia to Australia. Given that half the described Spodoptera species cause major crop losses, comparative genomics studies of several Spodoptera species have highlighted major adaptive changes in genetic architecture, possibly relating to their pest status. Several recent population genomics studies conducted on two species enable a more refined understanding of their population structures, migration patterns and invasion processes. Despite growing interest in the genus, the taxonomic status of several Spodoptera species remains unstable and evolutionary studies suffer from the absence of a robust and comprehensive dated phylogenetic framework. We generated mitogenomic data for 14 Spodoptera taxa, which are combined with data from 15 noctuoid outgroups to generate a resolved mitogenomic backbone phylogeny using both concatenation and multi-species coalescent approaches. We combine this backbone with additional mitochondrial and nuclear data to improve our understanding of the evolutionary history of the genus. We also carry out comprehensive dating analyses, which implement three distinct calibration strategies based on either primary or secondary fossil calibrations. Our results provide an updated phylogenetic framework for 28 Spodoptera species, identifying two well-supported ecologically diverse clades that are recovered for the first time. Well-studied larvae in each of these clades are characterized by differences in mandibular shape, with one clade's being more specialized on silica-rich C4 grasses. Interestingly, the inferred timeframe for the genus suggests an earlier origin than previously thought for the genus: about 17-18 million years ago.Highlights:• Use of genome skimming to generate mitogenomic data for 14 Spodoptera species.• Inference of a high-quality backbone phylogeny for the genus Spodoptera.• We propose a new updated phylogenetic framework for 28 of the 31 Spodoptera species.• Two ecologically diverse Spodoptera clades are recovered for the first time.• Dating analyses indicate a more recent origin than previously thought for Spodoptera.

Accurate species delimitation is of primary importance in biodiversity assessments and in reconstructing patterns and processes in the diversification of life. However, the discovery of cryptic species in virtually all taxonomic groups unveiled major gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity. Mimicry complexes are good candidates to source for cryptic species. Indeed, members of mimicry complexes undergo selective pressures on their habitus, which results in strong resemblance between both distantly and closely related species. In this study, we used a multi-locus genetic approach to investigate the presence of cryptic diversity within a group of mimetic day-flying moths whose systematics has long been controversial, the Euro-AnatolianSyntomis. Results showed incongruence between species boundaries and currently accepted taxonomy of the group. Both mitochondrial and nuclear markers indicate presence of four, well-distinct genetic lineages. The genetic distance and time of divergence between the Balkan and Italian populations ofS. marjanaare the same as those found betweenS. phegeaandS. ragazzii, the last two being well-distinct, broadly sympatrically occurring species. The divergence between the two lineages ofS. marjanadates back to the Early Pleistocene, which coincided with substantial changes in climatic conditions and vegetation cover in Southern Europe that have likely induced geographic and ecological vicariance. Our results show that the species richness of mimicry complexes inhabiting temperate regions might still be severely underestimated.Syntomispopulations up to now designated as S.marjana albionica,S. m. querciiandS. marjana kruegeris. str. are here considered to represent a separate species from nominatemarjanaand are distinguished asSyntomis querciiVerity, 1914,bona sp.,stat. nov.

In the article by Gyulai et al. (2019) a primary homonymy was inadvertently established, that is amended herein as: Aliona nom. nov. pro Alena Gyulai, Saldaitis & Zilli, 2019 [Lepidoptera], preoccupied by Návas, 1916 [Raphidioptera].

Many insect species named by the Danish entomologist J.C. Fabricius remain enigmatic due to loss of the original type specimens, sketchy descriptions and lack of illustrations, but even some well-illustrated taxa remain unrecognized. This is the case for Hesperia busiris, a ‘butterfly’ illustrated by W.J. Jones, the identity of which has puzzled experts for 225 years. Here we argue that the description and illustrations of this species are a perfect fit to a colourful moth later described by F. Walker as Eusemia contigua. Furthermore, we present evidence that Walker unwittingly based his name on the same specimen as Fabricius, and that this is the only known example of this species. An extraordinary sequence of misconceptions led the geographic origin of this specimen to become thoroughly confused, so that it is currently unknown where on Earth this species may occur (although a substantial body of evidence points to West Africa) and if it is even still extant.

A new genus of Apameini (Noctuidae) from Western Sichuan, China, Alena gen. n. with a single species (Alena alena sp. n.), are described. The new species is strikingly similar in habitus to several unrelated Noctuidae.

The Amerila syntomina complex, comprising four similar species from the African tropics, is circumscribed and reviewed on the basis of external features, characters of the genitalia and strong molecular evidence. Amerila alexandraesp. nov. is described from West Africa, along with the hitherto unknown female of A. syntomina and previously unstudied features of female genitalia of A. thermochroa. Amerila rubondoistat. nov. is found to be distinct from A. syntomina and upgraded to specific level. The study provides a first molecular analysis of moths of the genus Amerila, with comparisons of 90 mtCOI sequences that allowed to discriminate 20 described species of Amerila, including those representing the core subject of this work, namely A. alexandrae, A. rubondoi, A. syntomina, and A. thermochroa. The intra- and interspecific variation of these closely related species is analysed from morphological and genetic viewpoints.

The Italian biodiversity is among the richest in Europe. In particular, the Italian butterfly fauna includes almost 300 native species, and within the Euro‐Mediterranean area is second in species richness only to Turkey. Italy, however, has suffered from the lack of suitable instruments to evaluate the extinction risk of individual butterfly species on the basis of internationally recognised standards. We have been working to create the first Italian Red List for butterflies. The achievement of this goal was divided into three actions: (i) the institution of a network of experts on butterfly conservation; (ii) the evaluation of the extinction risk for all Italian butterfly species; (iii) the integration of the baseline information provided by the Italian Red Lists of other taxa crucial for future evaluations of biodiversity trends in Italy. Assessments of extinction risks were based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria following their most updated guidelines and were discussed during workshops involving experts from different Italian regions. All native Italian butterflies were included in the evaluation. The whole national population of each species was evaluated, including those on large and small islands. Of 289 butterfly species assessed, one has become Regionally Extinct recently. Threatened species are 18 in total, corresponding to 6.3% of the species assessed. The majority of Italian butterfly populations are stable. The main threats to Italian butterflies are natural reforestation, as a consequence of rural land abandonment, agricultural intensification and climate change for species living at high altitude.

Processionary moths belong to a group of about 100 species well known for their social behaviour and their urticating systems. The genus Thaumetopoea s.l. includes about 15 species and has been divided into three genera (Helianthocampa, Thaumetopoea s.s., and Traumatocampa) in the last revision, based on key morphological features of the adults and on the host plants of the larvae. We performed a total evidence approach to resolve the phylogeny of the genus Thaumetopoea s.l., analysing all valid taxa included in this group, plus a broad array of close relatives. Thaumetopoea was monophyletic and supported by several apomorphies. Further subclades corroborated by synapomorphies were identified. Our phylogeny suggests that Thaumetopoea must be regarded as a single genus. The mapping of key life history traits on the total evidence tree allowed us to sketch a plausible identikit of the Thaumetopoea ancestor and to track the evolution of the genus. The ancestor originated in the eastern Mediterranean area, and used broadleaved host plants. Subsequently, a switch to conifers occurred, just once, in a large subclade. The ancestor pupated in the soil, like several current species, but in a few taxa this trait was lost, together with the related morphological adaptations.

The collection of five specimens of Haplopacha at Ndumo Nature Reserve in South Africa highlights unknown species diversity in the monotypic genus. A total of four new species; H. riftensis sp. nov., H. tangani sp. nov., H. lunata sp. nov. and H. ndoumoi sp. nov., were identified in the Natural History Museum of London collection and the study of fresh specimens also revealed the presence of uniquely characteristic alar scale patches absent from the original species description of the genus type species H. cinerea. Based on the new species the descriptions of Haplopacha is amended. The identification of the new species was done using conventional light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the general morphology, wing venation and genitalia observations.

The nomenclatural history for Pyrrhia aurantiago (Guenee 1852), Pyrrhia cilisca (Guenee 1852), and Pyrrhia exprimens (Walker 1857) is detailed to resolve confusion over the last 150 years concerning those names. Based on characters of the male and female genitalia and coloration and pattern of the fore- and hind wing, Pyrrhia adela Lafontaine and Mikkola 1996 is proposed as a new synonym of Pyrrhia cilisca (Guenee 1852).

The external morphology and chaetotaxy of the larvae of Heterogynidae (Lepidoptera) are described in order to provide information of potential phylogenetic value for the reconstruction of the systematic relationships within the Zygaenoidea. The most outstanding characteristics of heterogynid larvae are their modified habitus during diapause, the presence of an epipharyngeal lamella, the shape of the prothoracic shield, the presence in the first instar of an organ of unknown function on the middorsum of the mesothorax ("Chapman's organ"), the absence of V2, V3 and Va on the head, the absence of V1 on the prothorax and the presence of two primary setae on the inner side of the proleg, the last trait representing an autapomorphy of the family. A number of possible synapomorphies with the Zygaenidae (e.g. presence of cuticular cavities) suggest a close relationship between these two families, but other larval and adult traits are shared only with the "Phaudinae" and limacodid-group families of the Zygaenoidea (viz. absence of V1 on the prothorax with the "Phaudinae", reduced proboscis and absence of ocelli with them all). Nevertheless, a lack of knowl- edge of the preimaginal instars of species from some zygaenoid families, and of the homology and polarity of given characters of groups within and outside the Zygaenoidea, hamper a thorough comparison of larvae.