A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the lichen moth subtribe Cisthenina and its position within the tribe Lithosiini (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Arctiinae): using morphological data

Cisthenina is one of seven subtribes that have been proposed within the lichen moth tribe Lithosiini. The morphological characters used to define genera in this or any of the other six subtribes have never been analyzed within a phylogenetic context. The goals of this study are to identify morphological characters that are phylogenetically informative for defining genera currently placed in Cisthenina, as well as to examine patterns of character evolution. Specific questions to be addressed will also include: 1) whether the subtribe Cisthenina as presently defined represents a monophyletic group and 2) how Cisthenina is related to other subtribes in Lithosiini. This analysis will also provide the first higher-level phylogenetic assessment of the tribe Lithosiini.