A literature review of the genus Euchaetes Harris (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Euchaetesa, members of the subfamily Arctiinae, are endemic to the New World, with their diversity spanning the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. The most complete checklist includes 21 species in the genus sensu lato, but Euchaetes is not currently convincingly monophyletic. Pareuchaetes and Pygoctenucha are possible junior generic synonyms of the group. Several species of Euchaetes are not well defined and there are at least three undescribed species. Many of the existing descriptions are inadequate. Habitus and genitalic illustrations for most species are non-existent. These inadequacies lead to confusion and inaccurate species identifications. This literature review will inform the taxonomic revision which is needed to address the systematic issues of this genus. The taxonomic revision will include: new species descriptions, species redescriptions, illustrations of male and female genitalia, identification keys, and distribution maps for all species. These results will inform a companion study testing the monophyly of Euchaetes. This study will also contribute to our knowledge of biodiversity and be an important contribution to arctiine taxonomic literature.