Goniographa
Encyclopedia
Goniographa 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.
This genus was only established in 2002, when a group of species
was newly described and discovered to be relatives of some long-known species traditionally placed in Eugraphe
.
shape, with a rather hairy and plump body. Their wingspan is about 30-35 mm, with a forewing length of about 15 mm or somewhat less. In color and pattern, they are quite similar to other Xestiini: their buff forewings typically have a dark brownish submarginal band and sprinkles, in particular two larger and angular dots in the cell are almost invariably present. The hindwings are creamy white or light buff, shading to a darker buffy hue towards the submargin, with the thin marginal band abruptly lighter again.
As was commented upon in the mid-20th century already, the genitalia of Goniographa resemble those of other Xestiini, most notably Eugnorisma
, more than they resemble the true Eugraphe (E. sigma
and any close allies it might have). The female genitalia are generally similar to Eugnorisma and Protognorisma in their strongly sclerotized bursal apparatus. While differing in some details it is roughly intermediate between the plump and more robust of the former and the slender and more delicate of the latter. The male genitalia are more characteristic; especially the valva
l tip with its three pointed projections is conspicuous (though at least in this general form found in other genera too). Furthermore, the unornamented vesica penis points dorsally and bears an evertible toothed bar. This combination of characters is unique, as far is hitherto known.
decussa-group
funkei-group
marcida-group
Some other members of Eugraphe
sensu lato, e.g. "E." versuta, are also probably not assigned to the correct genus. Whether they belong here is not yet determined.
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.
This genus was only established in 2002, when a group of species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
was newly described and discovered to be relatives of some long-known species traditionally placed in Eugraphe
Eugraphe
Eugraphe 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. It is closely related to Anagnorisma, Coenophila and Eugnorisma, and as it seems most closely to the...
.
Description
These moths have the usual noctuineNoctuinae
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....
shape, with a rather hairy and plump body. Their wingspan is about 30-35 mm, with a forewing length of about 15 mm or somewhat less. In color and pattern, they are quite similar to other Xestiini: their buff forewings typically have a dark brownish submarginal band and sprinkles, in particular two larger and angular dots in the cell are almost invariably present. The hindwings are creamy white or light buff, shading to a darker buffy hue towards the submargin, with the thin marginal band abruptly lighter again.
As was commented upon in the mid-20th century already, the genitalia of Goniographa resemble those of other Xestiini, most notably 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...
, more than they resemble the true Eugraphe (E. sigma
Eugraphe 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...
and any close allies it might have). The female genitalia are generally similar to Eugnorisma and Protognorisma in their strongly sclerotized bursal apparatus. While differing in some details it is roughly intermediate between the plump and more robust of the former and the slender and more delicate of the latter. The male genitalia are more characteristic; especially the valva
Valva
In biology, a clasper is a male anatomical structure found some groups of animals, used in mating.Male cartilaginous fish have claspers formed from the posterior portion of their pelvic fin which serve as intromittent organs used to channel semen into the female's cloaca during mating...
l tip with its three pointed projections is conspicuous (though at least in this general form found in other genera too). Furthermore, the unornamented vesica penis points dorsally and bears an evertible toothed bar. This combination of characters is unique, as far is hitherto known.
Species
The 8 hitherto known species fall into 3 groups:decussa-group
- Goniographa decussaGoniographa decussaGoniographa decussa is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in the western Tien-Shan Mountains.The wingspan is 27-34 mm.-External links:*...
- Goniographa discussaGoniographa discussaGoniographa discussa is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found from the Zeravshan Mountains and Hissar Mountains through the western Pamirs to north-eastern Afghanistan .The wingspan is 30-35 mm.-External links:*...
- Goniographa shchetkiniGoniographa shchetkiniGoniographa shchetkini is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is only known from a single location near the Liangar glacier.The wingspan is about 31 mm.-External links:*...
funkei-group
- Goniographa funkeiGoniographa funkeiGoniographa funkei is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in the western Tien-Shan Mountains , the Hissar Mountains and the western parts of the Pamir massif....
- Goniographa metafunkeiGoniographa metafunkeiGoniographa metafunkei is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is has a strictly limited distribution in the western part of the Tien-Shan Mountains and the Alai Mountains.The wingspan is 30-35 mm.-External links:*...
- Goniographa naumanniGoniographa naumanniGoniographa naumanni is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is confined to the Hissar Mountains, the western Pamirs and the north-eastern territories of Afghanistan ....
marcida-group
- Goniographa marcidaGoniographa marcidaGoniographa marcida is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found endemic to the Kopet-Dagh mountain system in Turkmenistan and Iran.The wingspan is 27-35 mm.-External links:*...
- Goniographa gyulaipeteriGoniographa gyulaipeteriGoniographa gyulaipeteri is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is widely distributed in the western Tien-Shan Mountains, in the Hissar and Alai Mountains, in the western Pamirs and also in north-eastern Afghanistan ....
Some other members of Eugraphe
Eugraphe
Eugraphe 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. It is closely related to Anagnorisma, Coenophila and Eugnorisma, and as it seems most closely to the...
sensu lato, e.g. "E." versuta, are also probably not assigned to the correct genus. Whether they belong here is not yet determined.