Revision of Achrocerides Hering, 1937 (Lepidoptera: Chrysopolomidae)

Abstract

The taxonomy of the monotypic genus Achrocerides Hering, 1937 is revised using a combination of morphological and genetic evidence. Achrocerides theorini (Aurvillius, 1891) was determined to be a widespread, forest-dwelling species which shows high levels of intraspecific variability in both the external and genital morphology. Examination of the holotype of Chrysopoloma flavoantennata Berio, 1937 revealed this to be a rare species of Achrocerides exhibiting a large body size, and a new combination is introduced thus: Achrocerides flavoantennata (Berio, 1937) comb. n. Finally, a new species is identified from the Central African Republic and is herein described: Achrocerides smithi sp. n. The adults and genitalia of all taxa are illustrated, and a distribution map provided to facilitate identification.