Macariini

Angle Moths and Allies

Genus Guides

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Macariini is a tribe of geometer moths within the Ennominae, commonly known as Angle and Allies. Molecular evidence indicates a close relationship with the tribe Boarmiini, though they retain ancestral characteristics that may resemble early Ennominae lineages. The tribe contains numerous distributed across temperate and subtropical regions, with larvae that are often associated with woody plants.

Macaria boreata by no rights reserved, uploaded by Ellyne Geurts. Used under a CC0 license.Digrammia irrorata pale by JerryFriedman. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.Digrammia pictipennata, det. R. Hannawacker (2), Roaring Springs, Grand Canyon, Arizona. June 1930, C.C. Searl (49552895171) by Robb Hannawacker. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Macariini: /ˌmæ.kəˈraɪ.aɪ.naɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Members of Macariini can be challenging to distinguish from related Ennominae tribes, particularly Boarmiini and Sterrhinae, due to shared plesiomorphic morphological traits. sequence data is often required for definitive tribal assignment. typically exhibit the slender body and broad wings characteristic of Geometridae, with many showing angular wing margins or patterns that contribute to their .

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Distribution

Widespread across temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with representation in North America, Europe, and Asia. Specific distributions vary considerably among constituent .

Similar Taxa

  • BoarmiiniMolecular indicates Boarmiini are the closest relatives of Macariini, making them particularly difficult to distinguish without genetic data.
  • SterrhinaeShares many morphological traits with Macariini, though these similarities are now understood to be plesiomorphic (ancestral) rather than indicative of close relationship.

More Details

Phylogenetic Significance

Macariini may represent one of the most ancestral living lineages within Ennominae, potentially preserving characteristics of the 's early evolutionary history. This makes the tribe of particular interest for understanding geometrid diversification.

Taxonomic Uncertainty

Numerous Ennominae remain unassigned to tribe, and the tribal placement of several listed genera (including Heliomata, Monocerotesa, and Neritodes) is considered tentative or disputed.

Sources and further reading