''Goniographa'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

noctuid moth The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly changing, along with the other f ...

s (

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Noctuidae). They belong to the

tribe The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English language, English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in p ...

Xestiini of the typical noctuid subfamily

Noctuinae The Noctuinae are a subfamily of the family Noctuidae, and is composed of moths. The larvae of many species feed on roots or stems of various grasses. Some are generalist feeders which makes them potential pests. Noctuid systematics is in a ...

, though some do not separate this tribe and include the genus in the

Noctuini Noctuini is a tribe of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae. There are at least 520 described species in Noctuini. Noctuini genera * ''Abagrotis'' Smith, 1890 * '' Actebia'' Stephens, 1829 * '' Adelphagrotis'' Smith, 1890 * ''Agnorisma'' Lafontai ...

. This genus was only established in 2002, when a group of

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

was newly described and discovered to be relatives of some long-known species traditionally placed in ''

Eugraphe ''Eugraphe'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They belong to the tribe Xestiini of the typical noctuid subfamily Noctuinae, though some do not separate this tribe and include the genus in the Noctuini. It is closely related to '' ...

''.Varga & Ronkay (2002)

Description

These moths have the usual noctuine shape, with a rather hairy and plump body. Their wingspan is about 30–35 mm, with a forewing length of about 15 mm or somewhat less. In color and pattern, they are quite similar to other Xestiini: their buff forewings typically have a dark brownish submarginal band and sprinkles, in particular two larger and angular dots in the cell are almost invariably present. The hindwings are creamy white or light buff, shading to a darker buffy hue towards the submargin, with the thin marginal band abruptly lighter again. As was commented upon in the mid-20th century already, the genitalia of ''Goniographa'' resemble those of other Xestiini, most notably '' Eugnorisma'', more than they resemble the true ''Eugraphe'' ('' E. sigma'' and any close allies it might have). The female genitalia are generally similar to ''Eugnorisma'' and '' Protognorisma'' in their strongly sclerotized (hardened) bursal apparatus. While differing in some details it is roughly intermediate between the plump and more robust of the former and the slender and more delicate of the latter. The male genitalia are more characteristic; especially the valval tip with its three pointed projections is conspicuous (though at least in this general form found in other genera too). Furthermore, the unornamented vesica penis points

dorsal Dorsal (from Latin ''dorsum'' ‘back’) may refer to: * Dorsal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location referring to the back or upper side of an organism or parts of an organism * Dorsal, positioned on top of an aircraft's fuselage * Dorsal co ...

ly and bears an evertible toothed bar. This combination of characters is unique, as far is hitherto known.

Species

The 8 hitherto known species fall into 3 groups: ''decussa''-group * '' Goniographa decussa'' * '' Goniographa discussa'' * '' Goniographa shchetkini'' ''funkei''-group * '' Goniographa funkei'' * '' Goniographa metafunkei'' * '' Goniographa naumanni'' ''marcida''-group * '' Goniographa marcida'' * '' Goniographa gyulaipeteri'' Some other members of ''

sensu lato ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...

'', e.g. '' "E." versuta'', are also probably not assigned to the correct genus. Whether they belong here is not yet determined.

Footnotes

References

* (2003): A revision of the Palaearctic species of the ''Eugraphe'' Hübner,

821 __NOTOC__ Year 821 ( DCCCXXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Byzantine general Thomas the Slav leads a revolt, and secures control ...

1816 generic complex. Part I. The genera ''Eugraphe'' and ''Goniographa'' (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). ''Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae'' 48(4): 333–374
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{{Taxonbar, from=Q5581934 Noctuinae Noctuoidea genera