S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 48. (Budapest, 1987)
FOLIA ENTOMOLOGICA HUNGARICA ROVARTANI KÖZLEMÉNYEK XLVIII 1987 p. 241-242 The main evolutional lines of the trihe Eupitheciini (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) By A. M. VOJNITS (Received March 4, 1986) Abstract: The main evolutional lines of the tribe Eupitheciini (Lepidoptera: Geometriridae). - By the presence of the falces, the tribe Eupitheciini proper comprises the genera Eupithecia Curt., Catarina Vojnits, Eva Vojnits, Heteropithecia Vojnits, Neopithe- cla Vojnits, and Propithecia Vojnits. In addition to genitalic configuration, the antennái structure of decisive importance, distinguishes larger groups: foci of their evolvement appear to be in tropical South America. The revision of the genus Eupithecia necessitates a short survey of the related genera; the more so as these taxa, traditionally constituting the tribe Eupithecini, have been placed "near each other" on several occasions on the ground only of some external morphological features. Within the cidaroid main group of the subfamily Larentiinae, I consider the appearance of the falces of egregious importance. In their configuration, they are unknown in every other lepidopterous group. With regard to its entirety and site of articulation this structure is highly homogenous, while its claviculate termination, the shape and sculpture of the claviculus varies between certain limits. The "characteristic" habit, brought forth so often in the diagnosis of the genus Eupithecia, and the presence of the falces designate together the confines of the tribe Eupithecini, a delimination acceptable also phylogenetically . In the organisation of Lepidoptera the antenna! structure is of great significance. However, it was studied in details only where the antennae displayed a striking appearance or a conspicuous diversity. As to the species of the genus Eupithecia , American authors investigated antennái structure. The study of the Palaearctic cidaroid groups, considered traditionally as "relations", and of the species occurring in South America imply that a differentiated antenna! structure is plesiomorphic, and a simplified one apomorphic. Accordingly, the tribe segregates into two main branches. On the basis of comparisons concerning the Geometrid groups, the highly heterogenous, differentiated and still characteristically eupithecoid female genitalia are apomorphic with respect to the genitalic configurations appearing in other groups of the Larentiinae. Accordingly, the two branches based on the antenna! structure also ramify. The eupithecoid, gymnoscelid, and asthenoid genital configurations of species in this subgroup, with differentiated antennae, represent the genera Hetero pithecia Vojnits, Neopithecia Vojnits and Propithecia Vojnits. Species of a chloroclytoid genital structure, with simple antennae, represent the subgroup consisting of the genus Eva Vojnits. The male sternite VIII of the preponderant majority of species with an eupithecoid genital structure is, even if rather varying, of a rather simple configuration (a plesiomorphic feature), this group is the genus Eupithecia Curtis proper. Sternite VIII of the males of some dozens of species is differentiated, and so is sternite VIII of the females, displaying a very characteristic form (an apomorphic feature); I relegated these species to the genus Catarina Vojnits. Earlier authors assigned some groups into the Eupitheciini which resemble the Eupithecia taxa only as regards external appearance (primarily their wing shape), or whose habits are similar: their larvae feeding on flowers, buds or fruits. Species of the Eupitheciini,* and also the Eupithecias themselves, represent a manifestly ancient group of an extraordinarily wide range, yet they are also strikingly plastic and specialized as to their ways of life (e.g. the predacious Eupithecias of Hawaii). It would be a wholly mistaken endeavour to look for their relations in groups with similar feeding
