The genus Euchaetes Harrison (Arctiidae: Arctiinae: Callimorphini) uses chemical and ultrasound for defense and mating, and has been extensively studied by chemical ecologists. Cycnia exhibits similar behavior, with males producing courtship pheromones in addition to species' specific ultrasound signals. Cycnia Hübner and Pygarctia Grote are possible congeners. A morphological study is timely given the confusion over the reciprocal monophyly of Euchaetes, Cycnia and Pygarctia and their relevance to ongoing behavioral studies. This study will clarify the placement of Euchaetes within the Arctiinae and its relationship to Cycnia, and Pygarctia. To date, 28 adults representing 15 of 18 species have been dissected. Outgroup taxa included callimorphines, percopines, and phaegopterines. Data were analyzed using maximum parsimony implemented with Paup*. Preliminary results suggest that Euchaetes, Cycnia, and Pygarctia Grote are commonly misplaced among genera.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Arctiidae Euchaetes
Species 2: Lepidoptera Arctiidae Cycnia
Species 3: Lepidoptera Arctiidae Pygarctia
Keywords: tiger moth, systematics
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