Goaxis, SCHAUS, 1901

17. GOAXIS SCHAUS, 1901 View in CoL

Goaxis Schaus, 1901 . 262 (key), 316. Type species: Goaxis singularis Schaus, 1901 ; 316. pl. 11: 13.

Adults. ( Figure 2E View FIGURE 2 ) Head: male and female antennae simple filiform; antennal tufts present; male third segment of labial palpus short; ocelli reduced. Thorax: prothoracic scent pocket absent; tarsal claws simple. Wings: males 15 to 20 mm; thin-bodied moths with dark colors, geometrid-shaped wings; forewing with accessory cell present; hindwing with Sc-Rs stalked. Male terminalia ( Figure 6I View FIGURE 6 ): eighth sternite plain with short basal projections and tergite with midplate (these tergites are almost identical to those of E. argenteopunctata ). SSO absent; valvae long and thin, mostly membranous with costa more heavily sclerotized and separated from the rest of the valvae (based on G. fuscifasciata Dognin , which is not the type species of the genus, see comments below). Tegumen sclerotized with a wishbone-like shape. Uncus short, bent forward ending in a tip with no ornamentations. Socii short and sclerotized upturned tips. Juxta M-shaped. Aedeagus: long and thin, simple, callosum present (Y shape), vesica with spines.

Diagnosis. The genus can be recognized due to the unique shape of the valvae. However, due to similarity between G. fuscifasciata and E. balba , and our inability to examine genitalia of the type species of Goaxis , it is not currently clear how to differentiate these two genera.

Comments. Similar in habitus and in genitalia to Euxoga .In Euxoga we dissected two species, E.argenteopunctata , the type species, and E. balba . In Goaxis we were unable to dissect the type species and instead examined the genitalia of G. fuscifasciata . Remarkably, the genitalia of E. balba and G. fuscifasciata are nearly identical (narrow valvae with sharply pointed, curved, and more heavily sclerotized costa) and both are distinct from the genitalia of Euxoga type E. argenteopunctata which lacks valvae. Since we were unable to dissect the type species of Goaxis , it is not clear if E. balba should be transferred to Goaxis or if E. balba and G. fuscifasciata belong to a separate genus entirely. Synonymy of the two genera is also possible if the genitalia of the type of Goaxis reveals structures of the E. argenteopuntactata form, in which case E. balba and G. fuscifasciata could belong to a new genus.

Distribution. From Costa Rica to Brazil.

Species included (3).

Goaxis fertilis Dognin, 1911

Goaxis fuscifasciata Dognin, 1916

Goaxis singularis Schaus, 1901 *