The possibility of using characters of the female genital armature for species diagnostics and classification of the genus Mellicta Billberg, 1820 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae). 2. Mellicta aurelia (Nickerl, 1850) species group

Abstract

The morphology of female genitalia is described for eight species of the genus Mellicta belonging to the M. aurelia species group from different localities within their ranges. The distinctive features, their variability, and possible use for species identification are assessed. It is shown that some characteristics of female genitalia can be used to clarify the position of species within the genus and, in some cases, to outline the species groups. Keys to species of the aurelia group are given.