Taxonomic notes on Palearctic taxa of Galacticidae, a little-known family of Lepidoptera (Galacticoidea)

Abstract

Galacticidae is a poorly known family in the Palearctic Region. The range of the family covers the Mediterranean Zone of North Africa, as well as Western Asia, Eastern Russia, Central Asia and the Eastern Palaearctic. The included taxa are summarised in a checklist. Available type material was examined and redescriptions of some species are provided. Two genera are recognised and diagnosed: Homadaula Lower, 1899 with four species and Zarcinia Chrétien, 1915 with five species. Bahrlutia Amsel 1935, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Zarcinia and Galactica Walsingham, 1911 syn. nov., the name bearing type genus of the family, proves to be a junior synonym of Homadaula. The male and female genitalia are the principal characters for defining genera and diagnosing species in this family. The hitherto unknown genitalia of seven species are illustrated for the first time. Zarcinia stshetkini sp. nov. is described from Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Not all taxonomic problems could be solved. Three species remain as incertae sedis.