Abstract

Two Miocene zygaenid moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera), »Zygaena« miocaenica Reiss andZygaenites controversus BuRGEFF, both from the Schwabiscne Alb in south-western Germany, are redescribed and illustrated in detail. Comparison with a cladogram of the Zygaeninae illustrates that they belong to two different genera, i. e. to two different evolutionary lines of the subfamily. Characters in the venation ofZygaenites controversus demonstrate its close relationship to the extant genusEpizygaenella. However, there are no specific characters in »Zygaena« miocaenica which would allow a precise assignment of that species, altough it clearly shows derived characters of the (Praezygaena + Reissita + Epizygaenella + Zygaena) group. This ist the most advanced subdivision of the Zygaeninae, which orginated in the Afrotropics, although the main radiation occurred in Eurasia.

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