The genus Phiale includes 26 species, 4 of which are cited for Argentina (February 2017). It is very common for males of this genus to be confused with those of the genus Frigga. In males of the genus Phiale, the red dorsal spot on the opistosoma (abdomen) borders the white part, while in the genus Frigga, it borders the black part (this can only be seen from a dorsal or lateral view). This distinction can only be applied to specimens from the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe, Córdoba, San Luis, Mendoza, and La Pampa, mainly because in Misiones, Uruguay, or Brazil, there are species that "break" the rule of the abdomen color pattern (such as Phiale gratiosa).
In Argentina, Phiale gratiosa, Phiale quadrimaculata, and Phiale tristis are found only in the northern provinces, while Phiale roburifoliata is found in the central and northern parts of the country.
I believe it is most appropriate to refer to specimens from northern Argentina (Misiones, Chaco, Formosa, Salta, and Jujuy) and neighboring countries as Phiale sp., and to refer to those from other Argentine provinces as Phiale roburifoliata.
Comment by: Luciano Peralta, updated by Lucas Rubio (07/01/2019)