The possibility of using characters of the female genital armature for species diagnostics and classification of the genus Mellicta Billberg, 1820 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae): 1. Mellicta athalia (Rottemburg, 1775) species group

Abstract

The morphology of female genital armature of seven species of the genus Mellicta belonging to the M. athalia species-group from different localities of their ranges is analyzed. The main distinctive features are described and their variability and use for species identification are assessed. It is shown that some characteristics of female genitalia can be used to clarify the systematic position of species within the genus. Keys to species of the athalia group based on female genitalia are given.