title: Polyphyly of Lichen-cryptic Dagger Moths: synonymy of Agriopodes Hampson and description of a new basal acronictine genus, Chloronycta, gen. n. (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae).
abstract: The taxonomic composition and systematic position of Agriopodes Hampson is examined through an integrated approach using adult and larval morphology, biology, and molecular sequence data. The type-species of Agriopodes, Moma fallax Herrich-Schäffer is shown to be derived within the Acronicta grisea Walker species-group; accordingly, Agriopodes is relegated to synonymy under Acronicta Ochsenheimer, syn. n. (Acronictinae). Additionally, molecular markers and morphology show that Agriopodes is not monophyletic: Agriopodes tybo (Barnes) is not closely related to A. fallax nor to Acronicta, and is transferred to a new genus, Chloronycta Schmidt & Anweiler, gen. n. The immature stages of Chloronycta tybo comb. n. are described and illustrated for the first time. Although previously treated as a valid species, we show that Agriopodes geminata (Smith) represents the northern terminus of clinal variation in wing pattern of A. fallax and synonymize A. geminata under A. fallax (syn. n.). The history and identity of Agriopodes corticosa (Boisduval), a nomen dubium, is discussed.
authors: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes, K.W. Neatby Bldg., 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0C6.
authors: B Christian
authors: BC
authors: Schmidt
authors: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269.
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Wagner
authors: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269.
authors: Brigette V
authors: BV
authors: Zacharczenko
authors: Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Zahiri
authors: E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum, 218 Earth Sciences Building, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E9.
authors: Gary G
authors: GG
authors: Anweiler
keywords: Agriopodes fallax; Agriopodes geminata; Agriopodes tybo; Arizona; Fraxinus; dagger moths