In my research I'm constantly running into old Latin names that require considerable sleuthing to figure out what species is being referred to. Sometimes I get lucky and find it using a search on
ITIS or
ZipcodeZoo, or by scanning through the right family in
Nearctica; other times I can figure it out eventually with a Google search. Sometimes, though, especially in 19th century literature, I come across names that I just can't place. Just now, for instance, I came across a mention of
Gramatophora trisignata, which at least in 1876 was a noctuid, but I have no clue what it's called now.
So I'm looking for advice on other databases and references to try for translations of these outdated synonyms. I'm studying North American insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, so sources for any and all taxa would be helpful.
Then, of course, there is the issue of what is the current "correct" name, but I can do that fine-tuning later...
Thanks for any thoughts!
