ARS | Publication request: Revision of the Genus Psectrotarsia Dognin 1907 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae)

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 31, 2007
Publication Date: November 14, 2007
Citation: Pogue, M.G. 2007. Revision of the Genus Psectrotarsia Dognin 1907 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae). Zootaxa. 1637:1-19.

Interpretive Summary: Cutworm moths are major agricultural pests causing billions of dollars of damage annually to agricultural crops. The genus treated in this paper belongs to the most destructive group of agricultural pests in this moth family. This group includes the corn earworm and tobacco budworm. The paper revises the taxonomy of the genus and provides identification tools, illustrations as well as updated nomenclature. The results will be useful for scientists, entomologists, and pest control researchers. APHIS-PPQ inspectors and identifiers will use this information as well.

Technical Abstract: Based on characters of the male and female genitalia the genus Erythroecia Hampson 1910 is a new synonym of Psectrotarsia Dognin 1907. Psectrotarsia now includes 5 species: the type species is P. flava Dognin, P. suavis (H. Edwards) new combination, P. hebardi (Skinner), new combination, P. euposis (Dyar), new combination and revised status, and P. rhodophora (Hampson), new combination. The species P. fuscirena Hampson and P. tamsi Giacomelli are new combinations, and are transferred to the genus Copitarsia Hampson 1906. The genus ranges from the northeast, midwest, and southwestern United States to Mexico and Guatemala. Adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated.