The African species of Heliocheilus Grote (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract. The heliothine genus Heliocheilus Grote is recalled from synonymy with Heliothis Ochsenheimer on the basis of a forewing modification in the male. Raghuva Moore and Canthylidia Butler are synonymized with Heliocheilus. Six species of Heliocheilus are recognized to occur in Africa, the adults of five are redescribed and the sixth described as new. Figures of the adults and genitalia of all species are provided. Lectotypes of Raghuva multiradiata Hampson, Raghuva thomalae Gaede, Raghuva albipunctella de Joannis and Heliocheilus mekrana Brandt are designated, and twelve specific synonymies are proposed.