Systematics of the genus heterothera inoue (Lepidoptera, Geometridae: Larentiinae)

Abstract

The genus Heterothera Inoue, occurring widely in the Palaearctic and in the high mountains of the Oriental region, is revised and twenty-three species are recognized. Nine species are described as new: Heterothera hoenei Choi sp. n., H. yunnanensis Choi sp. n., H triangulata Choi sp. n., H. eclinosis Choi sp. n., H stamineata Choi sp. n., H obscurata Choi sp. n., H distinctata Choi sp. n., H. mussooriensis Choi sp. n. and H. kurenzovi Choi, Viidalepp & Vasjurin sp. n., and five new combinations are suggested: Heterothera tephroptilus (Fletcher) comb. n., H. serrataria (Prout) comb. n., H. etes (Prout) comb. n., H. comitabilis (Prout) comb. n. and H. undulata (Warren) comb. n. A key and illustrations of adults and genitalia are given. The monophyly of Heterothera and the species relationships are discussed. In addition, four poorly known taxa of Thera sensu Prout, T. cyphoschemaProut (= atrinotata Joannis syn. n.), T. exangulata Warren, and Pennithera distractata Sterneck comb. n., are redescribed and the taxonomy of these species is briefly discussed.