The Callimorphini includes some of the most spectacular and well studied pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) sequestering moth species (Utetheisa Hübner, Amerila Walker). Some species use PA-based male pheromones, others use non-PA pheromones, and some use ultrasound in combination (as a redundant cue) or as a sole mating cue. Yet, the relationships and monophyly of the genera remain to be resolved despite several taxonomic treatments. We examined 136 adults representing 19 of 34 genera (56%) and 64 of 218 species. Two Arctiini were used to root the analysis, and nine pericopines were included to test tribe monophyly. Whole body dissections were examined, and 50 characters (140 states) were defined and scored. Data were analyzed using maximum parsimony implemented with Paup* (heuristic search, random reps), and standard jackknife and decay indices were obtained. Multistate characters were treated as unordered (non-additive). This preliminary analysis suggests that current generic limits poorly reflect phylogeny. The Callimorphini s.s. of Jacobson and Weller is recovered in some, but not all trees. Future research directions will be discussed.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Arctiidae (tiger moths)
Keywords: Systematics, Morphology
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