HEMITHEINI

HEMITHEINI

The concept of Hemitheini recognized here is broader than that of Holloway (1996) due to the inclusion of several additional tribes: Rhomboristini , Lophochoristini , Heliotheini and Microloxiini (= Hierochthoniini). For this study, the main characters of Hemitheini are: the male antennae are usually bipectinate; the moths are mainly bluish, emerald green or greyish green in colour; the outer margin of the hindwing bears a tail process in many genera; veins M 3 and CuA 1 of the hindwing are usually stalked (separate or connate in Rhomboristiti genera); most genera have a frenulum, but some do not (such as Berta , Comostola Meyrick , Hemistola Warren , Jodis , Thalera Hübner and Eucrostes Hübner ); and the socii and uncus are similar in length and are usually closely adpressed (a strong uncus with weak socii in Rhomboristiti genera). Holloway (1996) stated that the larvae are usually slender and the resting posture is stick-like.

The concept of Hemitheini has long been controversial and the internal structure has not been resolved, though some researchers suggested a close relationship among some groups. Viidalepp (1996) indicated a close relationship between Thalerini and Hemistolini , Jodini and Hemitheini by including Hemistola in Thalerini and genera of Jodini in Hemitheini , respectively. Hausmann (1996) noted that Thalerini, Hemistolini , Comostolini, Jodini, Hemitheini and Microloxiini are linked by various genera. For example, he stated that the venation of Rhomboristini corresponds to that of Jodini and Comostolini, some features of Comostolini resemble those of Hemistolini , Jodini has a relationship to Hemitheini and Thalerini is close to Hemitheini . Holloway (1996) introduced a wide concept of Hemitheini , embracing Thalerini, Comostolini, Hemistolini , Jodini and Thalassodini. He also synonymized Lophochoristini with Rhomboristini . Pitkin (1996) still treated Lophochoristini as a valid tribe. Beljaev (2007) stated that the transtilla of the type genus of Hemitheini is quite different from that of the other genera, which is similar to that in Jodini, Microloxiini and Hemistolini (sensu Inoue, 1961 and Hausmann, 2001). He also indicated that Thalerini are probably subordinate to Hemitheini Bruand, 1946. The Hemitheini concept in Beljaev (2016) is wider, embracing Hemitheini Bruand, Comostolini, Jodini, Hemistolini , Thalassodini, Rhomboristini , Thalerini, Lophochoristini and Microloxiini (also Hierochthoniini).

In this analysis, the broad concept of Hemitheini is fully supported and the monophyletic Hemitheini embrace almost all tribes mentioned in Beljaev (2016); the concept of Hemitheini by Beljaev is accepted here by the addition of Heliotheini ( Petovia Walker ). As Hemitheini is extremely large, some previous tribes are treated as subtribes, with subtribes equal to previous tribes. After the branching off of the genera Rhomborista Warren (Rhomboristiti) and Petovia (Heliotheiti) , three well-supported subclades are recognized within Hemitheini : Hemistoliti + Comostoliti, Hemitheiti + Microloxiiti , and Joditi + Aporandria + Thalassoditi .