Hypatima is a genus of the twirler mothfamily (Gelechiidae). Among these, it belongs to a distinct lineage, which is variously treated as tribeChelariini in subfamiliesDichomeridinae (like done here), Gelechiinae, or even Pexicopiinae, and historically was considered a subfamily in its own right, Chelariinae. Of this lineage, Hypatima – under its junior synonymChelaria – is the type genus. This genus has numerous species, but its exact limits are not quite clear (see below). This genus occurs mainly in the Southern Hemisphere, though one of the better-known species is the only member of this genus native to Europe, the lobster-clawed moth (H. rhomboidella).[1]
The genus Hypatima was established by Jacob Hübner about 1825, though some authors mistakenly credited G.A.W. Herrich-Schäffer to have done it about 1853. Herrich-Schäffer, however, only cited the genus as established by Hübner. As regards Chelaria, this has been treated as distinct genus by several authors. But this was based on the mistaken assumption that its type species, "Chelaria conscripta", was a distinct taxon. However, it is merely an unjustified name-change of Hypatima conscriptella, and hence Hypatima and Chelaria are objective synonyms.[2]
A group within this genus is remarkably similar to Chelophoba melaina, an enigmatic species that is generally assigned to the twirler moth subfamilyPexicopiinae, though its exact relationships therein are obscure. As remarked above, the Chelariini have occasionally been allied with the Pexicopiinae. In any case, it is not impossible that this group might be better assigned to Chelophoba.[3]
Synonyms
Due to its somewhat convoluted taxonomic history, there are many junior synonyms or otherwise invalid scientific names for Hypatima moths. Some of these might theoretically apply as subgenus names, but this is not usually done pending a thorough review of the genus. The obsolete scientific names are:[4]
Clarke, John Frederick Gates (1986): Pyralidae and Microlepidoptera of the Marquesas Archipelago. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology416: 1-485. PDF fulltextArchived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine (214 MB!)
