Overlooked South American noctuid species: revalidation of Feltia llanoi stat. rev. and redescription of Feltia brachystria (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Abstract

Feltia llanoi (Köhler, 1953) stat. rev. and its hitherto senior subjective synonym Feltia brachystria (Hampson, 1903) are two species of noctuid moths with unusual broadly bipectinate antenna and restricted distribution in central eastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. Examination of the type of specimens and further material from several collections indicates that these names are not synonyms, but valid species, and reveal the occurrence of F. llanoistat. rev. in Brazil. Therefore, F. llanoistat. rev. and F. brachystria are redescribed and the former name is reinstated to species, including taxonomic comments, illustration of some characters of taxonomic importance, and of structures of the male and female genitalia. The species are compared with similar-looking and supposedly closely related species, such as F. chilensis (Hampson, 1903), F. carolia (Schaus, 1929), and F. gypaetina (Guenée, 1852). Additionally, in order to stabilize nomenclature, a lectotype for F. llanoistat. rev. is designated, and Agrotis daguerrei Köhler, 1961 is here recognized as a junior subjective synonym of F. llanoistat. rev. (syn. nov.).