It is forty years since Burgeff published, in 1926, the first
comprehensive catalogue of the genus Zygaena Fabricius, forming part 33
of the Lepidopterorum Catalogus. Following the pattern and general
layout of Burgeff's work, we have attempted to produce a catalogue in
which all names in the genus Zygaena are included, with references to
the literature where these names were originally published. Additional
references are included when these refer to illustrations of a species,
subspecies or form, or to a taxonomic change, e.g., a change in status.
References to misidentifications are generally omitted unless a new
species has been described at a later date. In compiling this work we
have adhered to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature as
adopted by the XV International Congress of Zoology. However, although
the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature recognises the
necessity of names of lower rank than subspecies, they do not at present
deal with such names. The provisions of the Code do not apply to them
and, therefore, such names have no nomenclatural status. Every
subspecies is given equal status in the catalogue although their
relative value is not always the same. Certain authors have very often
separated sub- species on minute differences and a subsequent
examination of further material, taken over a number of years, has shown
that the differences are not always constant. In many cases, however, we
have been unable to verify the status of each subspecies.