A global checklist of the Bombycoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Taxonomy
• Systematics

Background:

• Bombycoidea is a diverse moth superfamily with complex and historically unsettled taxonomy.
• Previous classifications have led to disarray, hindering research on model organisms within this group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a comprehensive global checklist for the Bombycoidea superfamily.
• To present a revised higher classification for the family Sphingidae.

Main Methods:

• Synthesizing existing taxonomic treatments and recent literature.
• Recognizing ten families within Bombycoidea, including reclassifications of former families and subfamilies.
• Utilizing phylogenomic studies to inform the new classification of Sphingidae.

Main Results:

• A global checklist of Bombycoidea comprising 12,159 names and author references.
• Recognition of ten families: Anthelidae, Apatelodidae, Bombycidae, Brahmaeidae, Carthaeidae, Endromidae, Eupterotidae, Phiditiidae, Saturniidae, and Sphingidae.
• A new higher classification for Sphingidae based on recent phylogenomic research.

Conclusions:

• The checklist provides the first synthesis of current Bombycoidea taxonomy.
• Recent taxonomic changes within Saturniidae are deemed premature; new taxa are treated as junior synonyms.
• The proposed Sphingidae classification integrates recent phylogenomic findings and reviewed genus/species level data.