Azelinini
Encyclopedia
The Azelinini are a tribe
of geometer moth
s in the subfamily Ennominae
, with many species
in the Southern Hemisphere
, particularly in South America
. Several species are found in North America
as well. These stocky geometer moths seem to be closely related to other robust tribes, such as the Campaeini, Ennomini
, Lithinini and Nacophorini
– all of which might warrant to be subsumed in the Ennomini –, the genus Odontopera
, and perhaps the Caberini and Colotoini.
They rest with their wings stetched out parallel to the surface, and the hindwings hidden under the forewings unlike most related Ennominae. Though they are among the larger Geometridae, they are nonetheless not very conspicuous; the outer third of the forewings is usually conspicuously lighter than the middle third, and at the apical end of the forewing cell there is usually a white or black spot, altogether very much reminiscent of the Ennomini
's pattern.
At least some Azelinini lack the sensilla
e at the end of the adults' antennae found in most geometer moths. The foreleg tarsi
are relatively short, as in many of their relatives. The hindwing veins Sc and R1 are extensively fused in some Azelinini, reminding of the Larentiini
which are not very closely related. The characteristic comb of transverse
setae on the underside of the males' abdominal segment A3, found in many Ennominae, is apparently absent in the Azelinini, as is the associated "scent-brush" on the hindleg tibia
e.
The male genital's valva
e usually have complex autapomorphic modifications (such as a hypertrophied ampulla
and gnathos) in this tribe, but the valvula, like in their relatives, is not distally expanded. Unusually, they have both an elongated uncus and well-developed socii;, the sacculus is rarely hairy and the saccus' vinculum
is generally neither extened nor recurved. Some Azelilini, perhaps all, completely lack the cornuti
(spines) on the vesica
of the aedeagus
usually found in Lepidoptera
.
Of the female genitalia, the ovipostor is narrow. A robust funnel-shaped antrum
– the foremost part of the ostium bursae – is present and the interior of the corpus bursae is studded with small spines, while the ductus bursae is delicate and not sclerotized
much.
Like the Nacophorini, their caterpillar
s have many seta
e on the (vestigial) proleg
s of abdominal segment A6. And like the Ennomini and Nacophorini, their pupa
e have antennal tubercles. The chorion
cell walls of their eggs are visibly reticulated only around the micropyle.
Oratha
, usually placed in the Nacophorini
, might also belong here.
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
of geometer moth
Geometer moth
The geometer moths or Geometridae are a family of the order Lepidoptera...
s in the subfamily Ennominae
Ennominae
Ennominae is the largest subfamily of the geometer moth family with some 9,700 described species in 1,100 genera. They are usually fairly small moth species, though some grow considerably larger. This subfamily has a global distribution. It includes some species that are notorious defoliating...
, with many species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in the Southern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
, particularly in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Several species are found in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
as well. These stocky geometer moths seem to be closely related to other robust tribes, such as the Campaeini, Ennomini
Ennomini
The Ennomini are a tribe of geometer moths in the Ennominae subfamily. They are large-bodied and rather nondescript Ennominae, overall showing many similarities to the closely related Azelinini and Nacophorini....
, Lithinini and Nacophorini
Nacophorini
The Nacophorini are one of the smaller tribes of geometer moths in the subfamily Ennominae. They are the most diverse Ennominae of Australia and are widespread in the Americas...
– all of which might warrant to be subsumed in the Ennomini –, the genus Odontopera
Odontopera
Odontopera is a genus of moth in the family Geometridae.Aethiopodes is sometimes also included here.-References:*...
, and perhaps the Caberini and Colotoini.
Description
- See also Glossary of Lepidopteran termsGlossary of Lepidopteran termsThis glossary describes the terms used in the formal descriptions of insect species, jargon used mostly by professionals or entomologist....
They rest with their wings stetched out parallel to the surface, and the hindwings hidden under the forewings unlike most related Ennominae. Though they are among the larger Geometridae, they are nonetheless not very conspicuous; the outer third of the forewings is usually conspicuously lighter than the middle third, and at the apical end of the forewing cell there is usually a white or black spot, altogether very much reminiscent of the Ennomini
Ennomini
The Ennomini are a tribe of geometer moths in the Ennominae subfamily. They are large-bodied and rather nondescript Ennominae, overall showing many similarities to the closely related Azelinini and Nacophorini....
's pattern.
At least some Azelinini lack the sensilla
Sensilla
A sensillum is an insect sensory organ protruding from the cuticle, or sometime lying within or beneath it. Sensilla are divided in chemical, mechanical , thermal and visual....
e at the end of the adults' antennae found in most geometer moths. The foreleg tarsi
Arthropod leg
The arthropod leg is a form of jointed appendage of arthropods, usually used for walking. Many of the terms used for arthropod leg segments are of Latin origin, and may be confused with terms for bones: coxa , trochanter , femur, tibia, tarsus, ischium, metatarsus, carpus, dactylus ,...
are relatively short, as in many of their relatives. The hindwing veins Sc and R1 are extensively fused in some Azelinini, reminding of the Larentiini
Larentiini
Larentiini is a tribe of geometer moths under subfamily Larentiinae.-Recognized genera:* Anticlea* Antilurga* Ennada* Entephria* Herbulotina Pinker, [1971]* Idiotephria* Kuldscha* Kyrtolitha* Larentia...
which are not very closely related. The characteristic comb of transverse
Transverse plane
The transverse plane is an imaginary plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts. It is perpendicular to the coronal and sagittal planes....
setae on the underside of the males' abdominal segment A3, found in many Ennominae, is apparently absent in the Azelinini, as is the associated "scent-brush" on the hindleg tibia
Arthropod leg
The arthropod leg is a form of jointed appendage of arthropods, usually used for walking. Many of the terms used for arthropod leg segments are of Latin origin, and may be confused with terms for bones: coxa , trochanter , femur, tibia, tarsus, ischium, metatarsus, carpus, dactylus ,...
e.
The male genital's valva
Valva
In biology, a clasper is a male anatomical structure found some groups of animals, used in mating.Male cartilaginous fish have claspers formed from the posterior portion of their pelvic fin which serve as intromittent organs used to channel semen into the female's cloaca during mating...
e usually have complex autapomorphic modifications (such as a hypertrophied ampulla
Ampulla
An ampulla was, in Ancient Rome, a "small nearly globular flask or bottle, with two handles" . The word is used of these in archaeology, and of later flasks, often handle-less and much flatter, for holy water or holy oil in the Middle Ages....
and gnathos) in this tribe, but the valvula, like in their relatives, is not distally expanded. Unusually, they have both an elongated uncus and well-developed socii;, the sacculus is rarely hairy and the saccus' vinculum
Vinculum
A vinculum is a horizontal line used in mathematical notation. It may be placed over a mathematical expression to indicate that it is to be considered grouped together, or alternatively it may function as a binary connective between arguments appearing above and below it...
is generally neither extened nor recurved. Some Azelilini, perhaps all, completely lack the cornuti
Cornuti
The Cornuti was an auxilia palatina unit of the Late Roman army, active in the 4th and 5th century. It was probably related to the Cornuti seniores and the Cornuti iuniores.- History :...
(spines) on the vesica
Vesica
Vesica is Latin for "bladder", and may refer too:Anatomy* Vesica, mainly used for the urinary bladder, also used for the gall bladder and in entomology for a part of the male genitals....
of the aedeagus
Aedeagus
An aedeagus is a reproductive organ of male insects through which they secrete sperm from the testes during copulation with a female insect...
usually found in Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
.
Of the female genitalia, the ovipostor is narrow. A robust funnel-shaped antrum
Antrum
In biology, antrum is a general term for a cavity or chamber which may have specific meaning in reference to certain organs or sites in the body.In vertebrates, it may mean for example:...
– the foremost part of the ostium bursae – is present and the interior of the corpus bursae is studded with small spines, while the ductus bursae is delicate and not sclerotized
Sclerosis (medicine)
In medicine, sclerosis refers to the stiffening of a structure, usually caused by a replacement of the normal organ-specific tissue with connective tissue.Types include:...
much.
Like the Nacophorini, their caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
s have many seta
Seta
Seta is a biological term derived from the Latin word for "bristle". It refers to a number of different bristle- or hair-like structures on living organisms.-Animal setae:In zoology, most "setae" occur in invertebrates....
e on the (vestigial) proleg
Proleg
A Proleg is the small fleshy, stub structure found on the ventral surface of the abdomen of most larval forms of insects of the order Lepidoptera, though they can also be found on other larval insects such as sawflies and a few types of flies....
s of abdominal segment A6. And like the Ennomini and Nacophorini, their pupa
Pupa
A pupa is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation. The pupal stage is found only in holometabolous insects, those that undergo a complete metamorphosis, going through four life stages; embryo, larva, pupa and imago...
e have antennal tubercles. The chorion
Chorion (egg)
The chorion is the outermost membrane around the embryo in mammals, birds and reptiles. It develops from an outer fold on the surface of the yolk sac. In insects, the chorion is the outer shell of the insect egg, which lies outside the vitteline envelope and is developed by the follicle cells while...
cell walls of their eggs are visibly reticulated only around the micropyle.
Selected genera
As numerous ennomine genera have not yet been assigned to a tribe, the genus list is preliminary.- PeroPero (moth)Pero is a genus of moth in the family Geometridae.-References:*...
Herrich-Schäffer, 1855 - StenaspilatodesStenaspilatodesStenaspilatodes is a genus of moth in the family Geometridae.-References:*...
Franclemont & Poole, 1972
Oratha
Oratha
Oratha is a genus of moth in the family Geometridae.-References:*...
, usually placed in the Nacophorini
Nacophorini
The Nacophorini are one of the smaller tribes of geometer moths in the subfamily Ennominae. They are the most diverse Ennominae of Australia and are widespread in the Americas...
, might also belong here.