Genus Zepherina Bechyné, 1958

Zepherina Bechyné, 1958: 590 (type species Malacosoma bellum Bowditch, 1925, by original designation).

Remarks

This genus is reported to occur in Central and South America. An undescribed species from the Bahamas may also belong here. However, the genus is composed of a heterogeneous mixture of species. Most notably, the aedeagi vary dramatically in form. The beetles are also very heterogeneous in their externally visible characters (hence, the numerous places the genus appears in the key). Future systematic study will surely result in the genus being subdivided into numerous smaller genera. The following key accounts for much of the heterogeneity, but may not allow for identification of all of the species currently in the genus. Moreover, minimal characters differentiate Zepherina from Masurius . Some of the species currently placed in Zepherina might more properly belong in Masurius . Together, the two genera currently contain approximately 60 named species. See Figs 52–55 and 155 for illustrations of Zepherina .