Herpetogrammatini
Mally, Hayden, Neinhuis, Jordal & Nuss, 2019
Genus Guides
6Herpetogrammatini is a tribe of in the Spilomelinae, Crambidae, containing seven and approximately 286 . The tribe was erected in 2019 based on molecular phylogenetic studies that resolved relationships within the species-rich Spilomelinae. It includes economically significant genera such as Herpetogramma, which contains species with leaf-rolling larval habits. The tribe represents a recently defined taxonomic grouping that reorganized previously scattered classifications within the Crambidae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Herpetogrammatini: /hɛrˌpiːtoˌgraməˈtaɪnaɪ/
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Identification
Distinguishing Herpetogrammatini from other Spilomelinae tribes requires examination of genitalic and molecular characters, as external features overlap broadly with related crambid . The constituent share derived features in male and female genitalia that supported their tribal placement, though these characters vary across the seven included genera. Field identification to tribe level is generally not practical without dissection or genetic analysis.
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Distribution
of Herpetogrammatini occur across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with representation in the Neotropical, Afrotropical, Oriental, and Australasian realms. The Herpetogramma has the broadest distribution, extending into temperate North America and Eurasia. Individual genus distributions vary: Blepharomastix and Pilocrocis are primarily Neotropical, while Eurrhyparodes and Hileithia are more broadly distributed in the Old World tropics.
Human Relevance
Some in the Herpetogramma are minor agricultural pests, with larvae that roll or tie leaves of various plants including grasses and crops. The leaf-rolling of Herpetogramma larvae can cause damage to ornamental plants and turf grasses. No species in the tribe are known to be of major economic importance.
Similar Taxa
- Other Spilomelinae tribesHerpetogrammatini was separated from previously undifferentiated Spilomelinae based on molecular and morphological data; external appearance is similar to related tribes such as Spilomelini and Udeini, requiring genitalic examination for reliable distinction.
- Schoenobiinae (Crambidae)Some Herpetogramma with grass-associated larvae were historically confused with this of grass moths, though and larval differ.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Prior to 2019, the now placed in Herpetogrammatini were distributed across various informal groupings or placed in Spilomelini. The tribal classification resulted from a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of Spilomelinae (Mally et al., 2019) that identified this clade as distinct from other lineages.
Included genera
The seven currently placed in Herpetogrammatini are: Blepharomastix (with synonyms Ichthyoptila, Sozoa), Cryptobotys, Eurrhyparodes (synonym Molybdantha), Herpetogramma (with ten synonyms including Acharana, Macrobotys, Pachyzancla, Piloptila), Hileithia, Metoeca, and Pilocrocis (synonyms Anisoctena, Pilocrosis).