Pachyodes

PACHYODES-COMPLEX View in CoL IN PSEUDOTERPNINI S. L.

In this study, many of the genera previously included within Pseudoterpnini in Pitkin et al. (2007) form a separate clade: Herochroma , Metallolophia , Actenochroma , Absala , Metaterpna , Limbatochlamys , Psilotagma , Dindica , Dindicodes , Lophophelma and Pachyodes . Although these genera are always clustered together and branch after the clade composed of Dysphaniini + Xenozancla + Pseudoterpnini s.s., the support value is weak. They are also difficult to deliminate from Pseudoterpnini s.s. morphologically, as sharing many features, including: fairly large moth with a robust build, wings undersides usually with strong terminal bands; the socii/uncus complex often present; and valvae often divided into two parts (a costal lobe and a sacculus) ( Pitkin et al., 2007). Further research tends to separate Pseudoterpnini s.s. and these genera and studies, including more taxa, are needed. We tentatively treat these genera as a generic group, Pachyodescomplex, in Pseudoterpnini s.l.

In the Pachyodes-complex, Herochroma and Metallolophia are the two most basal genera. The close relationship between the genera Limbatochlamys and Psilotagma is fully supported and was first discovered in this study. Although these genera are very different externally, the male genitalia of both have a slender uncus and socii, and the female genitalia of both possess a short ductus bursae and a large concave corpus bursae ( Han & Xue 2011a: fig. 110–112, 143, 733, 734 and 755). Sphagnodela Warren (not sampled in this study) probably belongs to this group, based on its similar uncus and socii. Dindica , Dindicodes , Lophophelma and Pachyodes form a monophyletic group within the Pachyodes -complex. This relationship was first found in this study. These genera are mainly characterized by the presence of a bifid uncus and usually a divided valva in the male genitalia. The sister relationship between Absala and Actenochroma was also established here. It is possible that the monotypic genera Pachista and Calleremites Warren (not sampled in this study) also belong to this generic group, as Calleremites shares the presence of both uncus and socii with Actenochroma , Limbatochlamys , Metaterpna and Psilotagma , and Pachista shares divided costal and saccular lobes with Pachyodes , Metallolophia , Dindica and Dindicodes .

The monophyly of most genera is fully supported, except for that of Lophophelma , which is paraphyletic, as two species of Pachyodes (type species not sampled) are nested within Lophophelma . The male genitalia of Lophophelma vary between species and are quite different from those of Pachyodes , which are characterized by a valva divided into two large lobes of similar length or with the costal lobe a little shorter. Further study, including the type species of both genera and more species, is needed to resolve the monophyly of Lophophelma and its relationship with Pachyodes .