Work

Re-Examination: No True Tabidia Snellen, 1880 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in China, with Descriptions of Two New Genera and Three New Species

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Many species within the genus Tabidia Snellen, 1880 exhibit significant differences in wing pattern and genital morphology, which are inconsistent with the definition of Tabidia, indicating that the genus is not monophyletic. To address this, the present study revises the taxonomy of the Chinese species previously placed in Tabidia based on wing morphological characteristics, differences in male and female genitalia, and phylogenetic relationships inferred from the mitochondrial COI gene and mitochondrial genomes. As a result, two new genera are established: Melanoleucagen. nov. and Scintillagen. nov. These new genera are confirmed to belong to the tribe Agroterini Acloque, 1897. Furthermore, three cryptic new species are discovered: Melanoleuca luteamacula sp. nov., Melanoleuca qianshanensis sp. nov., and Melanoleuca yingshanensis sp. nov. Based on the morphological characteristics of adult appearance and genitalia, an identification key to the species of these two new genera is provided. Illustrations of adult specimens and their genital structures are provided, along with a world catalog of the species for the three relevant genera: Tabidia, Melanoleuca, and Scintilla.

Source: Insects

DOI: 10.3390/insects17020149

Authors: Jia-Xin Wang, Jun Wu, Wan-Lu Liu, Yun-Li Xiao

Institutions: Huanggang Normal University, Northeast Forestry University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137