Endothenia Stephens
Type species: gentiana Hübner = gentianeana Hübner
DIAGNOSIS
External characters:
Venation:
venation E. gentianaeana
Forewing: Chorda originating equidistant from R 1 and R 2, terminating between R 4 and R 5; M -stem to base of M 3 or terminating between M 2 and M 3.
Hindwing: R - M 1 stalked or approximate basally; M 3 and CuA 1 connate or separate.
Forewing shape and markings:
Endothenia spp.
Forewing triangular; markings located primarily on costal two-thirds of wing.
Additional characters:
Posterior tibia with pencil of scent scales in some species; anal fold in hind wing present in those species.
Genitalia:
Male:
male gen. E. quadrimaculana
Tegumen subtriangular or rounded posteriorly, in majority of species strongly expanding anteriorly; socii fused with tegumen; uncus distinctly sclerotized, expanding apically, provided with spines and setae; tuba analis membranous. Valva slender, a sclerotic lobe armed with spines beyond basal cavity; cucullus long and slender, bristled, not angulate. Aedeagus short, linked to lateral parts of tegumen by slender bands; caulis broad; juxta very short; cornuti short or absent.
Female:
female gen. E. quadrimaculana
Sterigma cup-shaped, somewhat expanding posteriorly, or with well-developed lateral plates forming a collar like prominence around ostium bursae or beyond it. In some species lamella postvaginalis with concavities and transverse ribs, occasionally a membranous sac anterior to sterigma. Ductus bursae long, often weakly sclerotized near base of ductus seminalis; colliculum short and slender or absent; ductus seminalis postmedian or subterminal, with large sac. Signum a single basket-shaped, aciculate or granulate sclerite.
Early stages:
The diagnosis of Swatschek, 1958, is based on the chaetotaxy of species belonging in 3 genera, including Endothenia.
L1 and L2 approximately equal in length or suture coronalis more than width of adfrontals at tip of clypeus. Crochets on abdominal prolegs uniordinal.
Biology:
Larvae live in twigs, stems, roots as well as in flowers and seeds of various plants, e.g. Dipsacus, Gentiana, Euphrasia and Mentha. Hibernation in larval stage; one or two generations yearly.
Distribution:
Chiefly known from the Palaearctic and Nearctic Regions; a few species are know from the Oriental Region.