Reassessment of the Anerastiini and their status in the Phycitinae (Pyralidae): a century-long controversy

Abstract

The relationships of Anerastia Hübner, Peoria Ragonot and related Australian genera and their position in the Phycitinae are re-evaluated based on traditionally used characters and potential apomorphies. It is hypothesised that a bipartite uncus, a distally partially flattened gnathos and a dorsal excavation or associated modification in the hindmargin of T8 in the female are all apomorphies linking Anerastia with Peoria and related genera. Uniquely modified ovipositor lobes and the signum structure also link Maliarpha Ragonot, a close relative of Anerastia, with Peoria and related genera. The entire group is considered to be monophyletic and is tentatively retained at tribal level as the Anerastiini, with the Peoriini as a junior synonym. However, derived characters shared with other phycitine genera, and the lack of any synapomorphy characterising the rest of the Phycitinae as monophyletic, suggest that the Anerastiini is merely a grass-feeding group subordinate within the subfamily and may not deserve tribal rank.