A survey of the genus Geometra Linnaeus (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Geometrinae)

Abstract

The type genus of the family Geometridae, Geometra Linnaeus, is reviewed. In addition to the 16 species known worldwide, two new species are described: Geometra neovalida sp. nov. from China, and Geometra burmensis sp. nov. from Burma (Myanmar). All the known species are redescribed. Genitalia of all species are described and illustrated, most for the first time. Generic characters based on all species are summarized. The monophyly of the genus and its relationship with allied genera are reviewed and discussed in detail. Most species fall into two species groups, named the papilionaria and smaragdus groups, on the basis of the morphology of the male genitalia. Biological information is provided where available. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented.

Keywords:

• Lepidoptera
• taxonomy
• new species
• Geometridae
• Geometra

Acknowledgements

We express our sincere thanks to the Trustees and staff of the Natural History Museum, London, to Dr Dieter Stüning, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany, and to Dr Axel Hausmann, Zoologische Staatssammlung München, Germany, for allowing examination of material under their curation, and for their assistance to various of the authors during visits to their respective institutions. We thank Dr Martin Lödl and Dr Sabine Gaal‐Haszler of the Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna, for loaning type and other material of G. purissima under their care, and Prof. Wang Xin‐li, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China, and Dr Liang Xing‐cai, the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China, for kindly providing the opportunity to examine specimens in their museums or collections. We thank especially Dr Malcolm Scoble and Dr Jeremy Holloway, the Natural History Museum, London, for their critical reading of the manuscript and helpful suggestions, and Dr Roger Booth for checking an obscure reference in the BMNH library. This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 30670238, 30470216), Key Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (30499340) and National Science Fund for Fostering Talents in Basic Research (NSFC‐J0030092).