Eugraphe
Encyclopedia
Eugraphe is a genus
of noctuid moths (family
Noctuidae). They belong to the tribe
Xestiini of the typical noctuid subfamily Noctuinae
, though some do not separate this tribe and include the genus in the Noctuini. It is closely related to Anagnorisma, Coenophila
and Eugnorisma
, and as it seems most closely to the first of these (see also below). The geographic range is Palearctic
, north of the Alpides but including the Caucasus
, and between the Arctic
and the arid lands of Central Asia
.
Serving for some time to assemble some more or less superficially Xestiini, more recently most species have been moved elsewhere, e.g. to the newly-established Goniographa
and Pseudohermonassa
, to the revalidated Ammogrotis
, Coenophila and Hypernaenia
(which had all been included in Eugraphe earlier), or to the long-known Xestia
(though placement there is still provisional). Indeed, it may be that the genus is monotypic
, or turn out to be better considered a junior synonym or some earlier-described taxon
. On the other hand, considering it was established early in the 19th century, it might also eventually come to include later-described genera as junior synonyms. And of course, given that Noctuidae are still being described on a regular basis, additional as of yet discovered species might exist.
, the type
and possibly only species, is a mid-sized noctuine
with a stout body and almost uniformly dark brown wings. There is some reddish or buffy suffusion on the leading edge of the forewings and a thin cream-colored margin to the hindwings. The forewing markings are indistinct except for a roundish and a kidney
-shaped stigma, which are blacker than the rest of the wing and surrounded by a thin band of reddish-brown. Altogether, the moths do not resemble their closest relatives much (arguing for retention of the genus as monotypic, at least for the time being), rather appearing somewhat like certain species of Graphiphora
and Spaelotis
.
The male genitalia resemble those of Anagnorisma, most conspicuously differing in the vesica penis. In Eugraphe, this has a number of sclerotized ribs in the inner curve and a shorter and more delicate subbasal cornutus; the latter also serves to differentiate Eugraphe from Coenophila
. The lack of subterminal cornuti is a tell-tale mark of the present genus versus Eugnorisma
. Most characteristic in the female genitalia is the ostium bursae, which has posterolateral
extensions shaped like a bear
's ears. However, similar extensions is also present in some Anagnorisma, whose female genital structure is generally comparable (but never entirely alike).
Tentatively placed here:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of noctuid moths (family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Noctuidae). They belong to the tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Xestiini of the typical noctuid subfamily Noctuinae
Noctuinae
Noctuinae is a subfamily of the family Noctuidae. The larvae of many species feed on roots or stems of various grasses. Some are generalist feeders which makes them potential pests....
, though some do not separate this tribe and include the genus in the Noctuini. It is closely related to Anagnorisma, Coenophila
Coenophila
Coenophila is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-Species:* Coenophila opacifrons Grote, 1878* Coenophila subrosea – Rosy Marsh Moth -References:* *...
and Eugnorisma
Eugnorisma
Eugnorisma is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-Species:*Eugnorisma puengeleri Varga and Ronkay, 1987*Eugnorisma ignoratum Varga and Ronkay, 1994*Eugnorisma chaldaica Boisduval, 1840*Eugnorisma insignata Lederer, 1853...
, and as it seems most closely to the first of these (see also below). The geographic range is Palearctic
Palearctic
The Palearctic or Palaearctic is one of the eight ecozones dividing the Earth's surface.Physically, the Palearctic is the largest ecozone...
, north of the Alpides but including the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
, and between the Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
and the arid lands of Central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
.
Serving for some time to assemble some more or less superficially Xestiini, more recently most species have been moved elsewhere, e.g. to the newly-established Goniographa
Goniographa
Goniographa is a genus of noctuid moths . They belong to the tribe Xestiini of the typical noctuid subfamily Noctuinae, though some do not separate this tribe and include the genus in the Noctuini....
and Pseudohermonassa
Pseudohermonassa
Pseudohermonassa is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family. Some species were formerly placed in Xestia.-Species:*Pseudohermonassa bicarnea *Pseudohermonassa flavotincta Pseudohermonassa is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family. Some species were formerly placed in...
, to the revalidated Ammogrotis
Ammogrotis
Ammogrotis is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-References:*...
, Coenophila and Hypernaenia
Hypernaenia
Hypernaenia is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-References:*...
(which had all been included in Eugraphe earlier), or to the long-known Xestia
Xestia
Xestia is a genus of noctuid moths . They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clay", "dart" or "rustic", but such names are commonplace among Noctuidae...
(though placement there is still provisional). Indeed, it may be that the genus is monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
, or turn out to be better considered a junior synonym or some earlier-described taxon
Taxon
|thumb|270px|[[African elephants]] form a widely-accepted taxon, the [[genus]] LoxodontaA taxon is a group of organisms, which a taxonomist adjudges to be a unit. Usually a taxon is given a name and a rank, although neither is a requirement...
. On the other hand, considering it was established early in the 19th century, it might also eventually come to include later-described genera as junior synonyms. And of course, given that Noctuidae are still being described on a regular basis, additional as of yet discovered species might exist.
Description
E. sigmaEugraphe sigma
Eugraphe sigma is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found from most of Europe to the Ural, Siberia, Transcaucasia, Armenia and Korea.The length of the forewings is 17-20 mm...
, the type
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
and possibly only species, is a mid-sized noctuine
Noctuinae
Noctuinae is a subfamily of the family Noctuidae. The larvae of many species feed on roots or stems of various grasses. Some are generalist feeders which makes them potential pests....
with a stout body and almost uniformly dark brown wings. There is some reddish or buffy suffusion on the leading edge of the forewings and a thin cream-colored margin to the hindwings. The forewing markings are indistinct except for a roundish and a kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
-shaped stigma, which are blacker than the rest of the wing and surrounded by a thin band of reddish-brown. Altogether, the moths do not resemble their closest relatives much (arguing for retention of the genus as monotypic, at least for the time being), rather appearing somewhat like certain species of Graphiphora
Graphiphora
Graphiphora is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-References:**...
and Spaelotis
Spaelotis
Spaelotis is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-Species:* Spaelotis bicava Lafontaine, 1998 * Spaelotis clandestina * Spaelotis demavendi * Spaelotis deplorata...
.
The male genitalia resemble those of Anagnorisma, most conspicuously differing in the vesica penis. In Eugraphe, this has a number of sclerotized ribs in the inner curve and a shorter and more delicate subbasal cornutus; the latter also serves to differentiate Eugraphe from Coenophila
Coenophila
Coenophila is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-Species:* Coenophila opacifrons Grote, 1878* Coenophila subrosea – Rosy Marsh Moth -References:* *...
. The lack of subterminal cornuti is a tell-tale mark of the present genus versus Eugnorisma
Eugnorisma
Eugnorisma is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-Species:*Eugnorisma puengeleri Varga and Ronkay, 1987*Eugnorisma ignoratum Varga and Ronkay, 1994*Eugnorisma chaldaica Boisduval, 1840*Eugnorisma insignata Lederer, 1853...
. Most characteristic in the female genitalia is the ostium bursae, which has posterolateral
Anatomical terms of location
Standard anatomical terms of location are designations employed in science that deal with the anatomy of animals to avoid ambiguities that might otherwise arise. They are not language-specific, and thus require no translation...
extensions shaped like a bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
's ears. However, similar extensions is also present in some Anagnorisma, whose female genital structure is generally comparable (but never entirely alike).
Species
- Eugraphe sigmaEugraphe sigmaEugraphe sigma is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found from most of Europe to the Ural, Siberia, Transcaucasia, Armenia and Korea.The length of the forewings is 17-20 mm...
([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Tentatively placed here:
- Eugraphe versuta (Püngeler 1909) (sometimes in Xestia; actually Goniographa?)
- Xestia versuta agalmona Bryk, 1949