Systematic revision of the tribe Ennadini (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in southern South America, with descriptions of new genera and species
Abstract
An integrative taxonomic revision of the tribe Ennadini is presented for southern South America, based on adult morphological characters and a time-calibrated molecular phylogeny inferred from 11 genetic regions. The tribe is recovered as monophyletic, with an estimated crown age of 29.8 million years (Oligocene), according to a relaxed lognormal molecular clock model. The genera Ennada Blanchard and Spargania Guenée are redefined, and Praeapodroma Heimlich is transferred to Ennadini. Three new genera are described: Antuluciella gen. nov., Incantia gen. nov., and Kuyenusia gen. nov. Five new combinations are proposed: Antuluciella vittata (Philippi) comb. nov., Incantia edmondsii (Butler) comb. nov., Kuyenusia ceres (Butler) comb. nov., Praeapodroma macerata (Felder & Rogenhofer) comb. nov., and Praeapodroma scarata (Felder & Rogenhofer) comb. nov. Two new synonymies are established: Fidonia incandescens Thierry-Mieg = Incantia edmondsii (Butler), syn. nov.; and Heterusia mesenata Felder & Rogenhofer = Antuluciella vittata (Philippi), syn. nov. The reinstatement of Spargania pastoralis (Butler) comb. rev. is also proposed, and Kuyenusia tenten Ramos-González & Parra sp. nov. is described. Diagnostic characters, redescriptions, and distributional data are provided for all treated species. Lectotypes are designated where necessary to stabilize nomenclature. This revision provides a robust and updated systematic and evolutionary framework for Ennadini moths in the temperate regions of South America.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Zootaxa
- Volume
- 5741
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 441–481
- Publication date
- 6 January 2026
- Language
- EN