Preliminary phylogeny of the tiger moth genus Phoenicoprocta (Noctuidae: Arctiinae: Euchromiina) for use in examining the evolution of male courtship signals

Members of Euchromiini are fascinating because of the variety of behaviors and modalities displayed during courting. To initiate courtship, females use long-range pheromones to attract males. Males will fly upwind and hone in on the female. When the male finds the female he will produce a short-range signal, either with ultrasound or a pheromone. Male tiger moths that use pheromones for communication synthesize these compounds from larval host plant secondary chemicals, storing them in specialized structures. Many species possess well developed, methathoracic tymbal organs as a means to “serenade” their mate. The genus Phoenicoprocta appears to be capable of utilizing either pheromones or ultrasound. Dissected specimens have abdominal scent pouches and well-developed tymbal organs. Evolution of these structures is not understood because a phylogeny of the genus is lacking. Phoenicoprocta was described by Hampson (1898) and was comprised of twelve species. Since then, the genus has expanded with many new additions, which may be synonyms. Depending on the treatment, the number of species within Phoenicoprocta can be as many as seventeen. This morphological study examines the phylogeny of this genus to better understand the evolution of male courtship structures. Characteristics of the thorax, abdomen and genitalia are scored to create a preliminary phylogeny in order to establish relationships within the genus, and its generic limits (=monophyly). Male courtship structures are mapped onto the phylogeny to examine the evolution of scent versus sound in Phoenicoprocta.