A phylogenetic study on Cossidae (Lepidoptera: Ditrysia) based on external adult morphology

A revised classification of the Cossidae is provided. Five cossid subfamilies, of which Chilecomadiinae is new, are recognized. The external adult morphology of many genera and species is described with special attention paid to the thoracic sclerites, including wing bases. Cladograms of the genera are proposed. In total 95 genera are recognized, of which the following 27 are new: Mirocossus, Hirtocossus, Alcterogystia, Planctogystia, Paracossulus, Brachygystia, Eogystia, Mormogystia, Semagystia, Eburgemellus, Relluna, Aramos, Voousia, Alophonotus, Bergaris, Rapdalus, Rugigegat, Pseudozeuzera, Paralophonotus, Hermophyllon, Cecryphalus, Tarsozeuzera, Brypoctia, Panau, Skeletophyllon, Trismelasmos and Aethalopteryx. Thirteen new generic synonymies and six new specific ones are established. Planctogystia gaedei is proposed as the objective replacement name for Cossus fuscibasis Gaede. Six new synonymies are proposed for species. Keys to the genera of the larger subfamilies and a check-list of all the genera included are given. Many genera previously placed in the family are excluded. The possible relationships of the Cossidae with other taxa are discussed. The author postulates that the subfamily Zeuzerinae was distributed over Gondwanaland in the Early Cretaceous. Migrations across Beringia and from South to North America or vice versa at various times, including the Early Tertiary, are discussed. Some zeuzerine distribution patterns as well as other data suggest a former forest connection across Peninsular Arabia. Turkestan is regarded to have been a main refugium during the Glacial Periods for the species of several cossine genera. Distribution patterns probably related to one or both Melanesian arcs are pointed out. The ranges of several species suggest a close relation between the (northern) Vogelkop and midnorth New Guinea.