Nota lepidopterologica

A journal devoted to the study of Lepidoptera

Published by the Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica e.V.

Volume 29 No. 3/4 Dresden, 19.01.2007 ISSN 0342-7536

Editor

Dr Matthias Nuss, Staatliches Museum fuer Tierkunde Dresden,

Koenigsbruecker Landstr. 159, D-01109 Dresden;

e-mail: matthias.nuss@snsd.smwk.sachsen.de

(1 MAR 09 2007

Editorial Board >

LIBRARIES

Dr Enrique Garcia-Barros (Madrid, E), Dr Roger L. H. Dennis (Wilmslow, UK),

Dr Thomas Fartmann (Münster, D), Dr Axel Hausmann (Munich, D), Dr Peter Huemer (Innsbruck, A)... ++

Ole Karsholt (Copenhagen, DK), Dr Bernard Landry (Genève, CH), Dr Yuri R Nekrutenko (Kiev, UA)... ._

Dr Erik van Nieukerken (Leiden, NL), Dr Thomas Schmitt (Trier, D), Dr Wolfgang Speidel (Bonn, D),

Dr Niklas Wahlberg (S)

Contents

Peder Skou

Menophra annegreteae Sp. n., a new ennomine well established

in southern Spain, with notes on the status of Sardocyrnia fortunaria

(Vazquez, 1905) (Geometridae: EnnOMINAE ES... leurs enr. 137

Martin Konvicka, Petr Vlasanek & David Hauck

Absence of forest mantles creates ecological traps for

Barnassius TINEMOSVNE | Papi Ontdac) scene ne betntt 145

Norbert Poll & Franz Pühringer

Stamnodes depeculata (Lederer, 1870) — Erstnachweis fiir Europa

MG omeindae ent ac nennen 153

Reinhard Gaedike

New and poorly known Lepidoptera from the West Palaearctic

(Tineidae, Acrolepiidae, Douglasiidae, Epermeniidae) .................... ee: 159

Helen Alipanah & Peter Ustjuzhanin

A new species, a new synonym, and new distribution records in the genus

Agdistis Hübner, 1825 from Iran (Pterophoridae: Agdistinae) .................e..... eg)

Wolfgang Speidel, Erik J. van Nieukerken, Martin R. Honey & Sjaak (J. C.) Koster

The exotic pyraloid moth Diplopseustis perieresalis (Walker) expanding

in the West Palaearctic Region (Crambidae: Spilomelinae) .............................. 185

Michael Fibiger, Paul Sammut, Anthony Seguna, & Aldo Catania

Recent records of Noctuidae from Malta, with five species

new to the European fauna, and a new subspecies ...eeeeeeeeeeeeeessssessnnnnnnnnn

Michael Fibiger & Reza Zahiri

A new species of Gortyna Ochsenheimer, 1816 from Golestan forests

OF Iran (Noctulidäae) ss een anna ne aan

Matthias Dolek, Anja Freese-Hager, Oldrich Cizek & Patrick Gros

Mortality of early instars in the highly endangered butterfly

Euphydryas maturna (Linnaeus, 1758) (Nymphalidae) ..........................

Eyjolf Aistleitner

Biotopbindungen der Macrolepidoptera — Versuch einer Darstellung

(LEPIGOPtera) remettre den ES

BOOK TOVIEWS u. nennen nee ue ee

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 137-144 137

Menophra annegreteae sp. n., a new ennomine well established

in southern Spain, with notes on the status of Sardocyrnia

fortunaria (Vazquez, 1905) (Geometridae: Ennominae)

PEDER SKOU

Kirkeby Sand 19, 5771 Stenstrup, Denmark; e-mail: apollobooks@ vip.cybercity.dk

Abstract. Menophra annegreteae sp. n. is described on material from south-eastern Spain. The new

species is superficially similar to Sardocyrnia bastelicaria (Bellier, 1862) and Sardocyrnia fortunaria

(Vazquez, 1905). All three species are illustrated.

Zusammenfassung. Menophra annegreteae sp. n. wird aus Südostspanien beschrieben. AuBerlich ähnelt

die neue Art Sardocyrnia bastelicaria (Bellier, 1862) und S. fortunaria (Vazquez, 1905). Alle drei Arten

werden zusammen mit ihren männlichen und weiblichen Genitalien abgebildet.

Key words. Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae, Menophra, annegreteae, Spain, new species,

morphology, distribution, Sardocyrnia, bastelicaria, fortunaria.

Introduction

So far the ennomine genus Menophra Moore, 1887 comprises 65 described species

distributed in the Old World from Japan and Taiwan in the east to western Europe

(incl. Madeira) in the west; southwards it ranges to the Cape province. A single New

World taxon, M. angustipennis (Dognin, 1907), described from Peru, is also currently

assigned to the genus (Scoble 1999). So far a mere six species have been recorded from

Europe (Müller 1996). Little is known about the biology of these moths and host-plant

records seem available only for eight species, including one European.

During a trip to Spain in April-May 2000 I collected Geometridae close to the village

of Cabo de Gata in the province of Almeria. Among these were three specimens that

looked superficially most similar to what I then considered as Sardocyrnia bastelicaria

(Bellier, 1862). Despite the rather worn state of the three specimens, they did look

different from S. bastelicaria and I decided to spread them. At home I compared them

with S. bastelicaria specimens in my collection and I noticed that the antennae were

different, and the newly collected specimens had palps that were hardly visible. Shortly

after I found two fresh specimens with the same type of antennae and very short palps

among unidentified material from Tabernas (labelled ‘Mini Hollywood’), province of

Almeria; they had been collected by the Danish lepidopterist Fritz Schepler in June

1994. Though their wing markings were difficult to compare with those of the three worn

specimens from Cabo de Gata, they looked considerably darker. The antennal structure

and the reduced palps made me suppose that these five specimens could belong to an

overlooked Menophra species. This was later confirmed by Dr. Dieter Stiining, ZFMK,

who compared the male genitalia from one of the Spanish specimens with those of

the comprehensive genitalia slide collection of western Palaearctic Menophra species

in ‘Museum Koenig’. In late April 2001, in order to obtain more detailed knowledge

of the new species I arranged another collecting trip to south-eastern Spain with my

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

138

SKOU: À new ennomine species from Spain

friends Bjarne Skule and Carsten Hviid. The trip was a great success with 8 specimens

obtained from Cabo de Gata and 14 from Tabernas. Later the new species was found

also by other lepidopterists (see below).

Abbreviations

ZFMK Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany

ZMUC Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

MNMS Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain

Menophra annegreteae sp. n.

Material. Holotype, ©, Spain, Almeria, Cabo de Gata, 10 m, 16.-17.v.2001, leg. Skou & Skule, coll.

ZMUC. — Paratypes: 60°, 19, same data as holotype, leg. et coll. Skou and Skule; 80, 19 same data as

holotype, but 5 m, 2., 4.v.2000, 30.v11.2003, leg. et coll. Skou (© prep. Fibiger 4143); 39, 19, same data as

holotype, but, 0 m, 29.111., 3.v1.2002, 19.1v.2003, leg. et coll. Viehmann; 10°, same data, but 4.111.2003, leg.

et coll. Schmitz; 110°, 29, Almeria, 2 km SW Tabernas, [Rambla de Tabernas], 350 m, 18., 23., 25.1v.2001,

leg. Skou, Hviid & Skule, (Q prep. Fibiger 4144), coll. Skou and Hviid; 450°, 179 same data, but 400 m,

31.v11.2003, 15., 24.-25., 29.v.2006, leg. et coll. P. Skou; 40° same data, but 5.vi.2002. leg. Schmitz, coll.

Viehmann and ZFMK. 6, 29, same data, but 10 km W Tabernas, 300 m, 19.v.2003, leg. Jeppesen, coll.

Jeppesen and Fibiger. 10° Almeria, Mini Hollywood, 1000 m, 2.vi.1994, leg. Schepler; 10 same data, but

600 m, 3.vi.1994, ZMUC.

Description. Labial palps reduced as in other Menophra species (here shorter than

largest eye diameter), porrect, with all segments equally long. Male antenna bipectinate,

with long lamellae; female antenna filiform. Habitus (Figs 1-2). Wingspan: 22-30

mm. Forewing brownish, suffused with black scales; transverse lines blackish brown;

antemedial line oblique, not reaching costa; postmedial line oblique, wavy, angular

shortly before reaching costa; terminal line blackish brown; discal spot small, black.

Hindwing concolorous with forewing, with darker transverse line beyond indistinct

discal spot. Undersides of both wings greyish; on hindwing with weak distal spot and

transverse line.

Variability. The ground colour of the wings is variable, and so is the distinctness

of the blackish brown markings. It 1s remarkable that specimens of M. annegreteae

from Cabo de Gata are lighter brown than the specimens from Tabernas. The distance

between the two localities is only 32 km. The specimens from late July are considerably

smaller than those flying earlier and later in the year: only 22—24 mm. This could

indicate the occurrence of at least three generations.The males are a little smaller than

the females.

Male genitalia (Figs 7-8). Uncus triangular, dorsally setose. Gnathos prominent,

apically smoothly truncate. Saccus v-shaped. Valva with strongly sclerotised costal

bar with bifurcate tip; proximal ends of bars bluntly tapered and weakly sclerotised,

not transversely united. Area immediately below costal bar membraneous. Lower

part of valva lightly sclerotised; a broad thick-walled groove extending from middle

of valva into rounded cucullus; lower margin of groove appearing as prominent line

in slide mounts. Juxta large, strongly sclerotised, shield-shaped. Aedeagus straight,

widest at coecum, tapered towards apex and ending ventrally in spine-like process;

vesica membranous without diverticulum or cornuti, only with small subapical field of

spinules (n=3).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 137-144 139

Figs 1-6. Adults of Menophra and Sardocyrnia species. 1. Menophra annegreteae sp. n., holotype, ©,

Spain. 2. Menophra annegreteae sp. n., paratype, 9, Spain. 3. Sardocyrnia fortunaria, ©, Spain.

4. Sardocyrnia fortunaria, 9, Spain. 5. Sardocyrnia bastelicaria, 9, Corsica. 6. Sardocyrnia bastelicaria,

9, Corsica.

Female genitalia (Fig. 13). Ovipositor lobes rounded, slightly sclerotised, den-

sely covered with setae; another patch of setae present on mid-ventral area in front

of ovipositor lobes. Segment A8 dorsally sclerotised, ventrally largely membranous.

Postvaginal area transversely wrinkled. Lamella antevaginalis slightly sclerotised,

shortest in middle, with longitudinal (laterally curved: longitudinal/transverse) wrinkles.

Ductus bursae moderately sclerotised, sub-cylindrical, almost as long as apophyses

anteriores. Corpus bursae ovoid, membranous, with very weakly sclerotised signum.

Ductus seminalis arising close to ductus bursae ventrally (n=2).

140 SKOU: À new ennomine species from Spain

Figs. 7-12. © genitalia of Menophra and Sardocyrnia species. 7-8. Menophra annegreteae sp. n.

9-10. Sardocyrnia fortunaria. 11-12. Sardocyrnia bastelicaria.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 137-144 141

Figs 13-15. Q genitalia of Menophra and Sardocyrnia species. 13. Menophra annegreteae sp. n. 14. Sar-

docyrnia fortunaria. 15. Sardocyrnia bastelicaria.

Differential diagnosis. In habitus, the other European Menophra species clearly differ

from M. annegreteae. Only some very dark extreme forms of M. abruptaria (Thunberg,

1792) and M. japygiaria (O. Costa, 1849) may, very superficially, be confused with the

new species. These species, together with M. berenicidaria (Turati, 1924) (=trypanaria

Wiltshire, 1948) may in fact be phylogenetically close to the new species, but differ

structurally in male genitalia in the stout cornuti of the aedeagus, the smaller dorsal

process of the costal furca of the valva, and in the digitiform, slightly bill-shaped uncus;

in female genitalia the signum is well sclerotised. Also the north-western African

species M. dubiosa (Albers & Warnecke, 1941) and M. undulosa (Albers & Warnecke,

1941) recorded from south-eastern Spain, bear cornuti in the aedeagus, the latter being

longer and narrower than in M. annegreteae.

The new species is superficially most similar to Sardocyrnia bastelicaria (Bellier, 1862)

(Figs. 5-6), occurring only on Sardinia and Corsica, and S. fortunaria (Vazquez, 1905)

(Figs. 3-4) from Spain. The status of the latter taxon will be dealt with below.

The two Sardocyrnia species can be separated from M. annegreteae sp. n. by the

course of the costal part of the post-medial line (dentate in Sardocyrnia, angled in M.

annegreteae), the different antennae of the males, and the well developed palps. The

differences in genitalia are distinctive: the males of both S. bastelicaria (Figs. 11-12)

and S. fortunaria (Figs. 9-10) are rather similar to each other and differ from those

of M. annegreteae in having no gnathos, a long cone-like uncus, an extremely broad

tegumen, a costa with two ventral processes, and a long, medially constricted juxta.

Females of these Sardocyrnia species differ from that of M. annegreteae in having a

142 SKOU: À new ennomine species from Spain

Fig. 16. Habitat of Menophra annegreteae sp. n. Cabo de Gata.

heavily sclerotised ostium ring, a very short ductus bursae (as long as wide), and an

elongate, pear-shaped corpus bursae.

Distribution. Menophra annegreteae sp. n. is only known from the Almeria province in

south-eastern Spain. All specimens labelled “Tabernas’ have been found in the Rambla

de Tabernas at an altitude of 400 m. The different altitudes indicated on the labels

reflect different ways of altitude recording. Apparently the new species is becoming

more and more abundant at Tabernas. In May 2006 a total on 101 specimens came to

light in four nights, with a maximum of 37 specimens in one night.

Derivatio nominis. The new species is named after my life companion, Anne-Grete

Klausen.

Life history. The early stages are unknown. The habitat at Cabo de Gata (Fig. 16) is

a salt marsh and the habitat at Tabernas (Fig. 17) is a dry and extremely warm canyon

both situated in the Almeria province, the driest and warmest region in Europe. The

moth appears to fly in several generations as it was so far found in early and late

March through April, in early, mid, and late May, in early June, in late July, and in late

October. It is attracted to ultraviolet light. Sugaring was used, but no specimens of M.

anne greteae were attracted in this manner.

Remarks. The taxon name S. fortunaria has apparently been unused from the date

of its description until 1999, when it was listed at the species rank by Scoble (1999).

Subsequently it was used by Redondo & Gastön (2004), but without a differential

diagnosis with regards to S. bastelicaria. It has not been possible to trace the type-

specimen(s) of S. fortunaria. There is no type material in MNMS, and Dr. Carolina

Martin of that museum informed me that the fate of Vazquez’s collection is unknown.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 137-144 143

Fig. 17. Habitat of Menophra annegreteae Sp. n. Tabernas.

The male genitalia of S. bastelicaria (Figs 11-12; n = 3) differ from those of S. for-

tunaria (Figs 9-10; n = 3) in the smooth surface between the outer process and apex

of costa of the valva? (this surface is jagged with small broad spines in S. fortunaria).

Moreover the juxta is less constricted medially and the pointed apex of the aedeagus

is shorter. The female genitalia of S. bastelicaria (Fig. 15; n=2) and S. fortunaria

(Fig. 14; n=2) are rather similar to each other and differ mainly in the sclerotisation

adjacent to the ostium.

S. fortunaria appears to be an Iberian endemic occurring over a large part of the

peninsula where it is found from sea level at Cabo de Gata, Almeria Province and up to

at least 1200 m at Albarracin, Teruel Province. S. bastelicaria is endemic to Corsisa and

Sardinia where it apparently occurs at lower altitudes. S. fortunaria and S. bastelicaria

are superficially very similar, but in S. bastelicaria the postmedial line is in general

more bent close to dorsum. The colour of both species is brownish, but S. bastelicaria

has a more greyish tint.

Acknowledgements

First of all, I wish to thank my life companion and travelling partner on so many field trips, Anne-Grete

Klausen, for her support and forbearance. Moreover I am especially grateful to Michael Fibiger, Sorg,

Denmark, and Ole Karsholt, ZMUC for much help and encouragement to finish this paper, Michael Fibiger

also did the genitalia preparations. I also wish to thank Vladimir Kononenko, Vladivostok, for photos of the

imagines, Dieter Stiining, ZFMK, for confirming the validity of the new species by checking the genitalia

collection of ZFMK. Thanks are also due to Niels Peder Kristensen and Axel Hausmann, Zoologische

Staatssammlung, Munich, Germany, for help in different ways, to Carolina Martin, MNMS for providing

information, to Bjarne Skule, Veks¢, Denmark, and Carsten Hviid, Virum, Denmark, for joining me on

the 2001 field trip, and to Gert Jeppesen, Elkengre, Denmark, Willibald Schmitz and Joachim Viehmann,

Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, for permission to include their material.

144 SKOU: À new ennomine species from Spain

References

Albers, T. & G. Warnecke 1941. Beiträge zur Kenntnis marokkanischer Boarmien (Lep. Het. Geo-

metr.). — Mitteilungen der Münchener Entomologischen Gesellschaft 31: 110-145, 4 pls.

Müller, B. 1996. Geometridae. Pp. 218-249. — In: O. Karsholt & J. Razowski (ed.), The Lepidoptera of

Europe, a Distributional Checklist. - Apollo Books, Stenstrup.

Redondo, V. & F. J. Gastön 2004. Catalogo de los Geometridae de Aragon. — Catalogus de la Entomofauna

Aragonnesa 30: 3-47.

Scoble, M. J. (ed.), M. S. Parsons, M. R. Honey, L. M. Pitkin & B. R. Pitkin, 1999. Geometrid Moths

of the World. A Catalogue. 2 Vols. — Collingwood & Stenstrup. XX V + 1016 + 129 pp.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 145-152 145

Absence of forest mantles creates ecological traps for

Parnassius mnemosyne (Papilionidae)

MARTIN KONVICKA !?, PETR VLASANEK ” & DAVID Hauck *

! Department of Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences,

Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; e-mail: konva@entu.cas.cz

2 Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Bohemia,

Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

> Slavickova 12, 638 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Abstract. During an intensive mark-recapture study of a woodland population of Parnassius mnemosyne,

we observed dozens of butterflies occurring at intensively farmed wheat fields that adjoined the wood but

clearly did not constitute their habitat. Worn individuals prevailed at the field, suggesting that they arrived

there during dispersal. Behaviour of the individuals occurring at the field did not differ from behaviour

within the wood, suggesting that the butterflies did not recognise unsuitability of the farmland biotope.

This implies that P. mnemosyne assesses suitability of its habitat using broad landscape features, rather

than detailed clues. Such assessment fails to perform in modern landscapes, where sharp woodland edges

replaced wide mantels of a past. We advocate restoration of wide and structurally rich woodland mantels

as a conservation tool that may, besides of maintenance of open conditions in forest interiors, contribute

to survival of this species.

Introduction

Parnassius mnemosyne (Linnaeus, 1758) is an endangered butterfly in most of Central

Europe (Kudrna & Seufert 1991; van Helsdingen et al. 1996; Benes et al. 2002). It

has declined due to substantial changes in woodland management practices, such as

coniferisation and demise of short-rotation coppicing (Konvicka & Kuras 1999; Kuras

et al. 2000). In the Czech Republic, it has disappeared from over two thirds of its

historical distribution and became limited to fourteen population systems, most of

which are small and isolated (Benes et al. 2002; Konvicka & Benes 2005).

While studying demography of one of the largest Czech population using mark-

recapture methods, we observed a striking phenomenon of dozens of butterflies

occurring at large and intensively farmed crop fields outside of their woodland habitat.

The fields were clearly unsuitable for such activities as nectaring or patroling of males.

In this report, we discuss the implications of the phenomenon for our understanding of

butterfly ability to recognise suitable habitats, as well as for conservation of the species

in modern landscapes.

Material and methods

P. mnemosyne depends on presence of open structures, such as clearings, wide and

sunny rides and roadside verges, within deciduous forests. Its females limit egg-laying

to host plants growing at such sites (Konvicka & Kuras 1999; Konvicka et al. 2000)

and larval development slows down under closed canopy (Bergstrôm 2005; Valimaki

& Itamies 2005). The larval host plants include several species of Corydalis: C. solida,

C. fabacea and C. pumilla are used in the study area. Males patrol over woodland

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

146 Konvicka et al.: Ecological pitfalls for Parnassius mnemosyne

Fig. 1. Male Parnassius mnemosyne (wing wear 2) settling on blades of wheat amidst of a vast wheat

field.

openings in search for fresh females (Konvicka & Kuras 1999; Konvicka et al. 2000),

multiple insemination is prevented via a solidified male-derived sphragis.

In May and June, 2005, we carried out a mark-recapture study of a large P. mnemosyne

population that inhabits the Milovicky wood, a large (24 km”) complex of Pannonian

oak-hornbeam forests in southernmost corner of Moravia, Czech Republic (48°49’N,

16°42’E, altitude 250 m). The wood used to be low coppice (“Niederwald”) until the

World War II, has been allowed to overgrow afterwards and now is used as a deer

enclosure. Two of us marked the butterflies on everyday basis between May 11 and

June 11, 2005, covering eleven distinct colonies within a central part (ca 3 x 3 km)

of the wood. For each capture, sex, position, wing wear (4-grade scale from mint to

heavily worn) and behaviour prior to capture were recorded; 1,873 individuals (1320,

5539) were captured in total.

Detailed demography results will be reported elsewhere. Here, we refer to captures

made in May 21 and 22, when the senior author conducted some additional marking

in peripheral parts of the wood. At those peripheral sites, 164 butterflies (1380, 269)

were marked during 229 capture events (2020, 279). These records are compared with

same-days records by the two other recorders from central part of the wood (marked:

158,699; capture events: 3289, 1059). The single-day estimates of population sizes

are based on assumed Poisson’s distribution of frequencies of recaptures per individual

(details in Thomas et al. 1983).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 145-152 147

Results

In afternoon hours of May 21 and 22, dozens of butterflies occurred at wheat fields

adjoining the wood (Fig. 1). Field-forest edge is sharp and abrupt there (Fig. 2),

interrupted only by a mouth of a sunny ride. Outside of the wood, intensive crop fields

stretch to vast distance, the closest woody structure (a windbreak hedgerow) being

2 km apart (Fig. 3).

The butterflies occurred within a strip ca 200 m wide that reached to some | km along the

field-forest boundary. Zigzagging this area returned 45 new captures and 10 recaptures

(42/10, 3/09) between 14:30 and 15:30 h (May 21), and 19 captures / 8 recaptures

(14/80, 5/09) between 12:00 and 13:30 h (May 22). A crude single-day estimates

of numbers of butterflies at the field, sexes combined, were 240 (+ 80 SE) for May 21,

and 60 (+ 20 SE) for May 22. Within the wood, the respective estimates were 1,780

(+ 342 SE) and 2,420 (+ 624 SE).

Males prevailed at the field, constituting 90.2% of capture events, compared to 72.8%

within the wood (x? = 6.08, d.f. = 1, P < 0.05). Majority of males exhibited charac-

teristic patrolling behaviour, flying back and forth in a low height above the crop,

rather than in a straightway manner as during dispersal. Activities prior to capture

(i.e. frequencies of patrolling, nectaring and basking) did not differ between the field

and the wood (x = 0.61, d.f. = 2, P = 0.74; analysis restricted to records between

14:00 and 16:00 h). These observations suggest that the butterflies perceived the field

as their habitat, rather than as a hostile non-habitat.

The individuals captured at the field were more heavily worn than those captured

in the wood. Mean wing wears of males were 2.30 (+0.893 SD) (field) compared

to 1.72 (40.810 SD) (wood), the difference being significant (t = 4.43, d.f. = 192,

P < 0.0001). In females, the respective means were 2.00 (+0.000 SD) and 1.32

(+0.455 SD) (t = 4.42, d.f. = 52, P < 0.0001). All females handled at the field were

inseminated. Limiting the analysis to records by the same recorder and thus avoiding

personal bias in wear assessment gave less pronounced differences, still significant

for males (2.30 +0.893 SD vs. 1.68 +0.850 SD, t = 3.45, d.f. = 95, P < 0.01) but not

for females (2.00 + 0.000 SD vs. 1.73 + 0.647 SD, 1.18, d.f. = 17, P=0.25).

It was unlikely that the butterflies visited the field for nectar. The proportions of handled

butterflies that nectared before capture (field: 24 records/ 10.5% of capture events,

wood: 64 records / 14.8 % of capture events) did not differ (P = 0.07). There were

very few flowers available at the field and only two species were used there (Viola

arvensis: 18, Lamium purpureum: 6). Within the wood, seven plant species were used,

the most frequent being Ajuga reptans (35), Lithospermum purpureocoreuleum (10)

and Lamium maculatum (N: 10). V. arvensis was the only plant used in both biotopes

(one record in the wood).

Discussion

The main day-round activity of males of P. mnemosyne is search of females, which

are most likely encountered at sites of their emergence, 1.e. at woodland openings

containing Corydalis plants (Konvicka et al. 2001). Patrolling outside such habitats

148 Konvicka et al.: Ecological pitfalls for Parnassius mnemosyne

Fig. 2. Woodland-forest edge at the Milovicky wood locality, adjoining wheat fields where multiple

individuals of Parnassius mnemosyne occurred. Note that the edge is narrow and shady and that nitrophilous

weedy grass, Agropyron repens, prevails in its herbaceous vegetation.

clearly decreases reproductive output of individual males. As the butterflies could not

have developed at the fields, it is reasonable to assume that they arrived there during

dispersal. This is supported by the fact that they were more heavily worn (1.e., older)

than those encountered within the wood — dispersal of individuals that already invested

into reproduction at their native locality is a logical bet-hedging strategy in insects. The

same should apply for inseminated females.

Although based on limited data, our observation suggests that patrolling males of

P. mnemosyne cannot distinguish habitat from non-habitat. Cognitive clues influencing

selection of patrolling sites were never examined in detail in this butterfly, but there

are indices that the species relies on coarse landscape patterns, such as canopy cover,

plus presence of conspecifics (e.g., Valimaki & Itamies 2003; Luoto et al. 2001;

Heikkinen et al. 2005). If general appearance rather than such resources as host plants

or nectar guide behavioural decisions, than any open space within and/or near occupied

woodland can attract dispersing males, despite unsuitable local conditions. We found

some supportive evidence from another locality in the Czech republic, the Bori wood

(45°44’N, 16°49’E), where we observed males patrolling over clearings that had been

freshly ploughed and planted by conifers. Because ploughing totally destroys forest

floor vegetation, including Corydalis, chances to encounters females at such sites are

close to zero (Fig. 4).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 145-152 149

Fig. 3. View of the field-woodland transition, Milovicky wood locality of Parnassius mnemosyne.

It is notable that host plant density acts as an important predictor of movements in two

related species, Parnassius clodius (Ménétriés, 1855) and P. smintheus (Doubleday,

1847) (cf. Auckland et al. 2004; Matter & Roland 2002). A difference between these

species and P. mnemosyne stems from the fact that host plants of P. mnemosyne are

already senescent in time of adult flight (Konvicka & Kuras 1999: Bergstrôm 2005).

Considering, further, that larval development is more constrained by microclimate than

by host abundance (Valimaki & Itamies 2005), relying on broad biotope features 1s

quite expectable, at least for males.

Such simple habitat-detecting clues likely sufficed the species in ancient European

landscapes. These were dominated by sparse woodlands, maintained in open conditions

by large animals and/or natural disturbances (cf. Vera 2000). It is presumable that

after fragmentation of primeval landscapes restricted populations of P. mnemosyne

to individual forest fragments, short-rotation coppicing maintained the openness of

remaining woods, whereas traditional farming rendered separating matrix considerably

less hostile than it is in present. Individual forests were surrounded by wide and sunny

mantles (“softe edges” sensu Duelli et al. 1990), providing the species both safe dispersal

routes and breeding habitats. In modern landscapes, such mantles practically ceased

to exist. Falloffs of farm nutrients promote vigorous nitrophillous vegetation there,

whereas foresters manage every bit of their land for the highest possible yields. The

150 Konvicka et al.: Ecological pitfalls for Parnassius mnemosyne

2 ta ARE EE fie £4 a cs a eee: Ped KEN ete

Fig. 4. Ploughed and recently coniferised clearing in the Bori wood, Czech Republic. A single individual of

Primula elatior remained from a formerly rich forest ground vegetation. Males of Parnassius mnemosyne

patrolled at this clearing, apparently not recognising its inhospitable state.

replacement of wide and structurally diverse mantles of a past by “sharp edges” typical

for intensively used landscapes constitutes a widely recognised threat to biodiversity

(Duelli et al. 1990; Hanski 2005: 35-36).

From a point of view of P. mnemosyne, and perhaps other woodland butterflies (e.g.,

Greatorex-Davies et al. 1993; Konvicka et al. 2005), sharp forest-farmland edges

represent ecological traps. When dispersing males encounter such an edge, they may

perceive the adjoining crop field as a grassland or forest opening, a biotope that should

“normally” be there. While attempting to locate females at crop field, they are effectively

lost for reproduction. The same applies for hostile sites within the wood, such as ploughed

clearings. In terms of reproductive output and genetic diversity, such losses are probably

not too high, especially because they mainly affect already worn individuals. Still,

detrimental effect can arise in already weakened populations (1.e., Meglecz et al. 1999).

The message for conservation is clear: besides of maintaining open conditions in

forest interiors, restoring wide and structurally rich woodland mantels may contribute

to sustaining sensitive species of open woodlands. Available measures include setting

aside of strips of fields bordering the woods, opening the mantels via shrub removal

and canopy thinning, or establishment of coppiced borderline strips. Such measures

may considerably increase the areas inhabitable by endangered woodlands species,

thus contributing to halting their declines.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 145-152 151

Acknowledgements

We thank the Zidlochovice Forest Enterprise (and particularly Mr. Jan Martinasek) for access to their

woods, free accommodation and excellent logistic support. Funding was provided by the Grant Agency of

the Czech Republic (526/04/0417).

References

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in rides of conifersized lowland woods in southern England and implications for conservation

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Hanski, I. 2005. The Shrinking World: Ecological Consequences of Habitat Loss (Excellence in Ecology,

14). — International Ecology Institute, Oldendorf/Luhe. 307 pp.

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tionships using partitioning methods. — Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 272: 2203-2210.

Konvicka, M. & J. Benes (2005): Zachranny program jasone dymnivkoveho (Parnassius mnemosyne) v

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endangered butterfly Parnassius mnemosyne (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in the Litovelské Pomoravi,

Czech Republic. — Journal of Insect Conservation 3: 211-23.

Konvicka, M., M. Duchoslav, M. Harastova, J. Benes, S. Foldynova, M. Jirku & T. Kuras 2001. Habitat

utilization and behaviour of adult Parnassius mnemosyne (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in the Litovelské

Pomoravi, Czech republic. — Nota Lepidopterologica 24: 39-51.

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For whom the bells toll: Demography of the last population of the butterfly Euphydryas maturna in the

Czech Republic. — Biologia 60: 551-557.

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Rhön. — Oedippus 2: 1-44.

Kuras, T., J. Benes, A. Celechovsky, V. Vrabec & M. Konvicka 2000. Parnassius mnemosyne (Lepidoptera:

Papilionidae) in North Moravia: review of present and past distribution, proposal for conservation.

— Klapalekiana 36: 93-112.

Luoto, M., M. Kuussaari, H. Rita, J. Salminen & T. von Bonsdorff 2001. Determinants of distribution

and abundance in the clouded apollo butterfly: a landscape ecological approach. — Ecography 24:

601-617.

Matter, S, F & J. Roland 2002. An experimental examination of the effects of habitat quality on the

dispersal and local abundance of the butterfly Parnassius smintheus. — Ecological Entomology 27:

308-316.

Meglecz, E., G. Neve, K. Peczenye & Z. Varga 1999. Genetic variations in space and time in Parnassius

mnemosyne (L.) (Lepidoptera) populations in north-east Hungary: implications for conservation. —

Biological Conservation 89: 251-259.

Valimaki, P. & J. Itamies 2003. Migration of the clouded Apollo butterfly Parnassius mnemosyne in a

network of suitable habitats — effects of patch characteristics. -Ecography 26: 679-691.

Valimaki, P. & J. Itamies 2005. Effects of canopy coverage on the immature stages of the Clouded Apollo

butterfly [Parnassius mnemosyne (L.)] with observations on larval behaviour. — Entomologica Fennica

16: 117-123.

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van Helsdingen, P. J., L. Willemse & M. C. D. Speight (eds.) 1996. Background information on inverte-

brates of the Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention. Part I — Crustacea, Coleoptera and Lepi-

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Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 153-158 [53

Stamnodes depeculata (LEDERER, 1870) — Erstnachweis fiir

Europa (Geometridae, Larentiinae)

NORBERT POLL! & FRANZ PUHRINGER ”

! Dürrenbachweg 4, 4820 Bad Ischl, Austria; e-mail: poell@inode.at

> Im Feld 17, 4644 Scharnstein, Austria; e-mail: sesiidae@mywave.at

Abstract. Stamnodes depeculata (Lederer, 1870) with the hitherto known most western distribution in

Caucasus, East-Turkey and Iran, is recorded for the first time from Greece, which is the first record from

Europe.

Zusammenfassung. Stamnodes depeculata (Lederer, 1870) mit den bisher bekannten westlichsten

Vorkommen im Kaukasus, der Osttürkei und dem Iran wird erstmals für Griechenland und damit auch für

Europa nachgewiesen.

Résumé. La Stamnodes depeculata (Lederer, 1870), dont les espaces vitaux les plus occidentaux étaient

jusqu” à présent la Caucasie, la Turquie de l’Est et l’Iran, a été découverte pour la première fois en Grèce

et ainsi en Europe.

Key words. Stamnodes depeculata, Greece, Europe.

Einleitung

Durch Zufall entdeckte der Erstautor in der Sammlung von Siegfried Aumayr (Wels)

ein 15 und 19 einer Stamnodes-Art vom Parnaß (Griechenland). Im Zuge späterer

Nachforschungen wurde ein weiteres, von Arthur Lingenhöle (Biberach) gefangenes

o vom gleichen Fundort bekannt. Die drei Exemplare konnten Stamnodes depeculata

(Lederer, 1870) zugeordnet werden. Bisher war aus Europa noch kein Vertreter der

Gattung Stamnodes bekannt. Die neuen Funde aus Griechenland kommen hiermit zum

ersten Mal zur Veröffentlichung, auch wenn sie in die Datenbank Fauna Europaea

(www.faunaeur.org) bereits eingearbeitet sind.

Aumayr und Lingenhöle konnten präzise Angaben über die Lage des Fundortes

in Griechenland machen, beide erbeuteten die Tiere am Licht. Der Vergleich ihrer

Schilderungen zeigte, dass alle drei Tiere exakt an der gleichen Stelle gefangen

worden waren. Um mehr Material zu erhalten und Wissenswertes über die Biologie

in Erfahrung zu bringen, erfolgte vom 15. bis 30. Juni 2002 und vom 29. Juni bis 12.

Juli 2003 durch die Autoren eine Nachsuche am Parnaß. Der Witterungsverlauf in den

beiden Wintern vor den Exkursionen war vergleichbar und geprägt durch sehr starke

Schneefälle, wodurch es im Frühjahr in den Hochlagen sehr lange eine geschlossene

Schneedecke gab. So wurde etwa im Jahr 2002 der Skibetrieb am Parnaß erst um den

8. Mai eingestellt.

Nachsuche und mögliche Futterpflanzen

Anhaltspunkte für die Suche boten Angaben zur Biologie zweier verwandter Arten.

Stamnodes danilovi Erschoff, 1877 schwärmt in der Zeit des Sonnenunterganges um

die Futterpflanze Nepeta sibirica L. (Lamiaceae), S. pauperaria (Eversmann, 1848)

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

154 PÔLL & PÜHRINGER: First record of Stamnodes depeculata from Europe

wurde ebenfalls am Tag beobachtet, die Raupe lebt an Dracocephalum altaiense Laxm.

(Lamiaceae). Beide Arten kommen auch zum Licht, im Vergleich zur Zahl der am Tag

nachgewiesenen Individuen aber deutlich seltener (Mikkola, Ahola & Zolotarenko

1987). Bernd Müller (pers. Mitt.) fing Einzeltiere von Stamnodes depeculata narzanica

Alpheraky, 1877 ım Kaukasus auf etwa 1300 m am Licht.

Für die weltweit etwa 60 Stamnodes-Arten finden sich darüber hinaus nur wenige

Hinweise zur Futterpflanze. In Nordamerika werden recht unterschiedliche Familien

als Nahrungspflanzen genutzt (Anzahl der Stamnodes-Arten in runder Klammer):

Lamiaceae (1), Hydrophyllaceae (3), Rosaceae (5), Asteraceae (1) und Cupressaceae

(1) (Furniss et al. 1988; Scoble 1999).

Für den Parnaß leitete sich daraus der Verdacht auf einen Vertreter der Lamiaceae als

Futterpflanze ab. Gereiht nach ıhrer Häufigkeit fielen am Fundort auf etwa 1700 m

Marrubium velutinum Sm., Nepeta parnassica Boiss., Nepeta nuda L. und Salvia

argentea L. auf. Der stärkste Verdacht lag bei der dort endemischen, blaßgelb blühenden

Nepeta parnassica Boiss., die in den höheren Lagen stellenweise häufig vorkommt,

so etwa an den Straßenrändern und -böschungen in der Umgebung des Kelaria-

Skigebietes. Auffällig war auch Salvia argentea L. mit ihren großen weißen Blüten,

die in den Hochlagen sehr lokal und einzeln anzutreffen war, was gut zur offenbaren

Seltenheit von S. depeculata am Parnaß gepaßt hätte.

Am Fundort und an Lokalitäten in der weiteren Umgebung in einer Höhe von 1700 m

bis 2070 m wurde Lichtfang betrieben sowie etliche Begehungen am Tag bzw. in

der Dämmerung durchgeführt. Trotz intensiver Suche konnte jedoch kein weiteres

Exemplar von S. depeculata gefangen werden.

Abkürzungen

ZSM Zoologische Staatssammlung, München

SMNK _ Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Karlsruhe

HERB C. Herbulot in ZSM.

Material. Stamnodes depeculata narzanica: 1%, Griechenland, Parnaß, 1720 m, 22.V1.1987,

Lichtfang, leg. S. Aumayr, coll. N. Poll, GP 162 (Abb. 1, 7-10); 19, Parnaß, 1720 m, 22.VI.1987, Lichtfang,

leg. S. Aumayr, coll. S. Ortner, GP 453 (Abb. 2); 19, Parnaß-Geb. (Wests.), 1750 m, 3.VII.1994, Lichtfang,

leg. & coll. A. Lingenhöle (Abb. 3); 10°, Russland, Anf. VIII., Kaukasus sept., Tindi, Rogos mont.,

4000 m, e. coll. Cl. Hörhammer (ZSM), GP 161 (Abb. 4); 19, 39 VII.[19]71, 30.VI., 6., 8.VIIL.1974,

[Zentralkaukasus], Itkol, 2000 m, ZSM; 19, 6.VIII.1976, [NW-Kaukasus], Teberda, ZSM; 29, 19, W-

Iran, Lorestan, Dorud, 4 km SE Saravand, “Nermyeh”, [Zagrosgebirge], 2400 m, 4.-6.VIIL.1975, leg.

Ebert & Falkner, SMNK (Abb. 5). — Stamnodes depeculata symmora: 10, 19, Iran, Nissa m. [Elburs],

1936, leg. Brandt, ex coll. Hörhammer, ZSM; 10°, Sardab-Tal, Elburs mts.c.s., Hercarcal-Tal, 2300-3200

m, 3.7.[19]36, leg. E. Pfeiffer, ZSM; 19, Sardab-Tal, Elburs mts.c.s., Vandarbad, 14.-18.VII.[19]37, leg.

E. Pfeiffer & W. Forster, ZSM; 39, Sardab-Tal, Elburs mts.c.s.,Tacht 1 Suleiman, 19.-23.7.[19]37, leg. E.

Pfeiffer & W. Forster, ZSM; 19, 21.-27.VI1.1936, Demavend, Elburs, 2700-3800 m, leg. Schwingenschuss,

ZSM; 19, 22.-27.VII.[19]36, Kendevan-Pass, [westl. Demavend], 2800-3000 m, leg. E. Pfeiffer, ZSM;

29,19, Sardab-Tal, Elburs mts.c.s., 3000 m, 27.VI.[19]37, leg. E. Pfeiffer, ZSM; 19, Sardab-Tal, Elburs

mts.c.s., Tacht 1 Suleiman, Hecarcal-Tal, 3000 m, 27.V11.[19]37, leg. E. Pfeiffer & W. Forster, ZSM; 1,

Sardab-Tal, Elburs mts.c.s., Tacht i Suleiman, Hecarcal-Tal, 3000 m, 27.VII.[19]37, leg. Ch. Fischer, ex

coll. E. Pfeiffer& W. Forster, HERB.; 68 09, Elburs-Mts., Prov. Tehran, 15 km E Gatschsar, 2800 m,

17.VIIL.1972 (Abb. 6), 1100°9, gleiche Daten, aber 7.VI11.1972, 17409, gleiche Daten, aber 5. VIII.1972

leg. Ebert, SMNK; 10°, Türkei, Erzurum, Palandöken, 2000-2500 m, 8.-9.V11.1997, leg. J.U. Meineke,

coll. J. Gelbrecht. Literaturnachweise: 2 Ex., Bayburt, Kopdagi Gecidi, 2100-2300 m, 20.—22. VII.1989; 1

Ex., ibid. 2200-2400 m, 14.VII.1991; 1. Ex., ibid. 2400-2600 m, 22.VII.1993 (Riemis, 1996).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 153-158 155

Abb. A. Fundort von S. depeculata am Parnaß.

Diskussion

Verbreitung. Neben einigen wenigen Gebirgsarten aus dem paläarktischen und orien-

talischen Raum ist die Gattung Stamnodes vor allem aus Nord- und Südamerika be-

kannt. Vor den neuen griechischen Funden lag die bekannte westliche Arealgrenze der

Gattung in der Paläarktis mit Stamnodes depeculata narzanıca Alpheraky, 1877 im

Kaukasus und mit Stamnodes depeculata symmora Prout, 1938 in der Ost-Ttirkei und

dem Elburs-Gebirge im Iran.

Biotop und Flugzeit. Der Fundort am Parnaß ist ausgesprochen felsig, hat alpinen

Charakter und liegt Knapp über der Baumgrenze auf etwa 1720 m. Das vorherrschende

Gestein ist Kalk, der von dünnen Roteisenerz-Adern durchzogen ist. Der Biotop

(Abb. A) befindet sich am Fuß eines südwest-exponierten Felshanges in der Nähe

des Kelaria-Skigebietes. Relativ häufig war im Biotop Daphne oleoides Schreber

(Thymelaeaceae) zu sehen, die mit ihren weißen, stark duftenden Blüten besonders an

Geländekanten große Polster bildete.

Im Kaukasus fliegt S. depeculata narzanica von 1300 bis 4000 m, meist sind es

Steppenbiotope mit mehr oder weniger alpinem Charakter. Die Waldgrenze liegt dort

bei etwa 2000 m. In der Ostürkei liegen die Funde von S. depeculata symmora auf

ca. 2000-2300 m, auch hier sind es Steppenbiotope, aber mit etwas reichhaltigerer

Vegetation (pers. Mitt. Jörg Gelbrecht). Aus dem Iran sind uns keine genauen Be-

schreibungen des Lebensraumes bekannt.

156 POLL & PÜHRINGER: First record of Stamnodes depeculata from Europe

Abb. 1-6. Stamnodes depeculata, US = Unterseite. 1. S. depeculata narzanica ©, Parnaß, 22.V1.1987.

2. S. depeculata narzanica 9, Parnaß, 22.V1.1987. 3. S. depeculata narzanica 9, Parnaß, 3.VII.1994.

4. S. depeculata narzanica © ‚Kaukasus, Tindi, Anf. VII. 5. S. depeculata narzanica ©, W-Iran, Lorestan,

Dorud, 4.-6. VIII.1975. 6. S. depeculata symmora 9, N-Iran, Elburs, 17.V111.1972.

Abb. 7-10. Männliches Genital von Stamnodes depeculata vom Parnaß. 7. Gesamtansicht. 8. Phallus

(aberrativ ?). 9. Sternum A8. 10. Cornutus (aberrativ ?).

Habituelle Merkmale. Die drei vorliegenden Tiere (19, 29, Abb. 1-3.) aus Griechen-

land werden vorläufig S. depeculata narzanica zugeordnet, wenngleich geringe Unter-

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 153-158 157

schiede bestehen. Im Vergleich zu kaukasischen S. depeculata narzanica (Abb. 4)

ist die Ausdehnung der dunklen Zeichnungselemente auf der Flügel-Oberseite etwas

reduziert, vor allem die dunkelgraue Saumbinde auf den Hinterflügeln ist bei den

griechischen Tieren beinahe verschwunden, die dunkle Färbung der Adern hingegen

ist kräftiger und wird zum Saum hin intensiver. Auf allen Flügeln ist etwa ab der

Flügelmitte eine hellgraue, zur Basis hin dichter werdende Beschuppung sichtbar. Auf

der Flügelunterseite sind kaum Unterschiede zu Tieren aus dem Kaukasus erkennbar.

Das in Abb. 5 gezeigte Tier aus dem Zagrosgebirge ist auf der Ober- und der Unterseite

deutlich aufgehellt, entspricht aber ansonsten im Habitus S. depeculata narzanica.

Bei der typischen S. depeculata aus dem Transkaukasus sind oberseits die dunklen

Zeichnungselemente auf den Vorderflügeln viel ausgedehnter sowie am Hinterflügel

ein breites dunkles Marginalband vorhanden. Der Basalbereich aller Flügel ist weiß,

zur Basis hin verdunkelt. Sie grenzt sich damit habituell deutlich von den drei Tieren

vom Parnaß ab. Aus der Osttürkei haben wir nur ein Tier vom Palandöken bei Erzurum

gesehen, welches eindeutig zu 5. depeculata symmora gehört (coll. Gelbrecht). Die

Meldung der typischen S. depeculata vom Kopdagi Gecedi (Riemis 1996), nur 60 km

westlich von Erzurum, konnten wir leider nichtüberprüfen. Mithoher Wahrscheinlichkeit

gehören diese Tiere zu S. depeculata symmora.

Eines der griechischen Tiere kommt S. depeculata narzanica im Habitus sehr nahe

(Abb. 2), bei den beiden anderen (Abb. 1, 3) ist die Zeichnungsreduktion klarer

erkennbar. Die Variationsbreite des wenigen Materials rechtfertigt die Beschreibung

einer eigenen Unterart vorerst nicht.

Genitalien. Beide Geschlechter wurden genitaliter überprüft. Dabei war beim einzigen

d eine Besonderheit festzustellen. Alle bisher bekannten Vertreter von Stamnodes aus

der Paläarktis haben einen einfachen Cornutus mit einer Spitze, beim griechischen

Männchen ist der Cornutus aber tief eingeschnitten und hat deutlich sichtbar zwei

Spitzen. Sehr wahrscheinlich stellt diese Auffälligkeit eine Aberration oder auch

eine Beschädigung bei der Präparation dar. Alle anderen Merkmale stimmen im

Wesentlichen mit kaukasischem Material (S. depeculata narzanica) überein, auch beim

Weibchen konnten keine Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Der Vergleich mit anderen

paläarktischen und orientalischen Stamnodes-Arten erfolgte an Hand der Abbildungen

in Xue Dayong & Zhu Hongfu (1999) und Djakonov (1915).

Sobald weiteres Material aus Griechenland vorliegt, sollte dieses Merkmal überprüft

werden. Erweist sich die vermutete Aberration beim Cornutus als konstanter Unter-

schied, hätten wir es hier sogar mit einer von S. depeculata verschiedenen Art zu

tun.

Danksagung

Für die hilfreiche Unterstützung mit Material und/oder faunistischen Informationen danken wir

Siegfried Aumayr (Wels), Dr. Jörg Gelbrecht (Königs Wusterhausen), Dr. Axel Hausmann (München),

Arthur Lingenhöle (Biberach), Dr. Bernd Müller (Berlin), Mag. Siegfried Ortner (Bad Ischl),

Dr. Robert Trusch (Karlsruhe) und Jaan Viidalepp (Tartu). Für die Übersetzung der französischen

Zusammenfassung bedanken wir uns herzlich bei Frau Daniela Zimmermann (Bad Ischl).

158 POLL & PÜHRINGER: First record of Stamnodes depeculata from Europe

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Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 159

New and poorly known Lepidoptera from the West Palaearctic

(Tineidae, Acrolepiidae, Douglasiidae, Epermeniidae)

REINHARD GAEDIKE

Florusstraße 5, 53225 Bonn, Germany; e-mail: tinagma@msn.com

Abstract. As the result of the study of extensive material from several countries of the West Palaearctic,

26 species are newly recorded from 28 countries. Additionally, the following new taxa are described:

Dryadaula minuta sp. n., Nemapogon arcosuensis Sp. n., Nemapogon similella sp. n., Nemapogon grossi

sp. n., Eudarcia hellenica sp. n., and Crypsithyris turcica sp. n.. A description of the female genitalia

of Eudarcia echinata and Eudarcia lobata is given for the first time. Two species are transferred from

Paratinea Petersen, 1957, to Crypsithyris Meyrick, 1907, Crypsithyris sarobiella (Petersen, 1959) comb.

n. and Crypsithyris trimaculata (Petersen, 1973) comb. n. Tinea angustipennis Staudinger, 1871 syn.

n. is a junior primary homonym of Tinea angustipennis Herrich-Schäffer, 1854 and regarded as a junior

subjecive synonym of Stenoptinea cyaneimarmorella (Milliere, 1854). Tinea trichophagoides Zerny, 1935

syn. n. is regarded as a junior subjective synonym of Xeranthica tephroclysta Meyrick, 1930.

Key words. West Palaearctic; new records; new species; new combinations.

Introduction

In the past I have had the opportunity to study moths of the Acrolepiidae, Douglasiidae,

Epermeniidae, and Tineidae from 28 countries of the West Palaearctic. As a result I

am able to give first country records for 26 species. Additionally, some new species

were recognized. They are described below. The material comes from the collecting

trips of several colleagues; and is now deposited in various museums or in the private

collections of the collectors.

Abbreviations

coll. Arenberger collection Ernst Arenberger, Vienna, Austria

coll. Baisch collection Giinter Baisch, Biberach-Mettenberg, Germany

coll. Baldizzone collection Giorgio Baldizzone, Asti, Italy

coll. Bettag collection Erich Bettag, Dudenhofen, Germany

coll. Graf collection Friedmar Graf, Großdubrau, Germany

coll. Keller collection Rudolf Keller, Sulzemoos, Germany

coll. Requena collection Emili Requena Miret, Igualada, Spain

coll. Speidel collection Wolfgang Speidel, Munich, Germany

coll. Triberti collection Paolo Triberti, Verona, Italy

coll. Werno collection Andreas Werno, Nunkirchen, Germany

DEI Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Müncheberg, Germany

FMNH Finnish Museum of Natural History (Lauri Kaila), Helsinki, Finland

LMAD Löbbecke Museum und Aquazoo (Siegfried Löser +), Düsseldorf, Germany

SMNK Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe (Robert Trusch), Karlsruhe, Germany

NMW Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (Martin Lödl), Vienna, Austria

RMNH Nationaal Natuurhistorische Museum (,,Naturalis) (Erik van Nieukerken), Leiden,

Netherlands

ZMHB Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität (Wolfram Mey), Berlin

ZMUC Zoological Museum (Ole Karsholt), Copenhagen, Denmark

ZMUK Universität Kiel, Zoologisches Museum (Dietger Hausenblas), Kiel, Germany

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

160 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

TINEIDAE

Dryadaula minuta sp. n.

Material. Holotype ©, “Türkei, Prov. Mugla 15 km N Marmaris Gelibolu 23.8.2002 leg. W. Mey”;

“Gen.[ital]präplarat] [genital slide] Gaed.[ike] Nr. 5082”; “Holotypus © Dryadaula minuta sp. n. det. R.

Gaedike 2006”; Coll. ZMHB. — Paratypes: 19, same data, prep. Gaedike 5085; coll. ZMHB; 19, Turkey,

Mugla, Torunc, 650-750 m, 20.-21.1x.1995, leg. Finn Iversen, prep. Gaedike 5440, coll. ZMUC.

Description (Fig. 1). Wingspan 6 mm; head light brownish-ochre, laterally and beyond

palpı wıth some darker scales; antennae nearly as long as forewing; thorax -brownish-

grey as head, ground colouration of forewing also brownish-grey, with scattered light

brownish-ochre dots: two below costa in basal half, one beyond and one below cell at

1/2, and one at costa near apex.

Male genitalia (Figs 12-13). Uncus broad, laterally with two rounded lobes

with thin bristles; base of tegumen with two lateral hook-shaped bands; with structure

of complicated shape (probably the anellus-complex) between arms of vinculum;

valvae asymmetrical: right valva longer than left valva, narrow, middle of costal edge

with blunt bristled process, dorsal edge with wedge-shaped short process, transtilla and

dorsal edge prolonged proximally; first half of left valva broad, proximal half narrower,

tip blunt; phallus with rounded base, first third of length with raised sclerotized edges,

then curved and turned, apex with thin process, below apex with a few very small

thorns; obscure nearly triangular sclerotization at base of genital apparatus apparently

part of segment VIII.

Female genitalia (Fig. 14). Ovipositor short, papillae analis rounded, bristled;

beyond the ostium a higher sclerotized area with a field of very short thin thorns, and

two rounded bristled lobes; the apical end of the last segment with a higher sclerotized

edge; ostium broad, somewhat impressed, ductus bursae clearly more highly sclerotized,

from ostium to the corpus bursae narrowed, curved in the middle .

Differential diagnosis. Superficially, the new species is distinguishable from the other

known Palaearctic representatives of Dryadaula by having as the only one only some

scattered light brownish-ochre dots on forewing. The shape of the phallus (curved and

turned, apex with thin process) and valvae in the male genitalia and the shape of the

ductus bursae in the female genitalia (more highly sclerotized) are characteristic and

absent in the other known species. The bilobed uncus shows similarities to that of

irinae (Savenkov, 1989), caucasica (Zagulajev, 1970), and heindeli Gaedike & Scholz,

1998.

Derivatio nominis. The new species 1s the smallest known European member of the

genus.

Nemapogon agenjoi Petersen, 1958

Material. 29, France, Corsica, Saint Florent, Marines du soleil, 1.-12.v1.1993, leg. N. Keil, coll.

Keller: First record from France.

The following two new species were discovered by Giorgio Baldizzone and Paolo

Triberti during their exploration of the fauna of the “Oasi WWF Monte Arcosu” in

Sardinia. Both species were recorded from the same localities, sometimes on the same

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 161

dates, but differences in the male genitalia clearly separate them. The samples from

several of the localities also contain females, but it was impossible to assign these to

species. For this reason the female specimens were excluded from the type series.

Nemapogon arcosuensis Sp. n.

Material. Holotype ©, Italy “Sardegna merid. Mte Arcosu (CA) Sa Canna 150 m 24.06.2004 (lux)

G. Baldizzone & P. Triberti leg.”; “Gen.[ital]prap[arat] [genital slide] Gaed.[ike] Nr. 5218”; “Holotypus

merid., Domusnovas (CA) Sa Duchessa 350 m 02.v11.2004 (at light), Baldizzone & Triberti leg.;

prep. Gaedike 5039, DEI; 10°, same data, but prep. Baldizzone 13741, coll. Baldizzone; 10, Sardegna

(CA) 2.vii.2004, Domusnovas 350 m Sa Duchessa (at light), Triberti & Baldizzone leg., prep. Gaedike

5253, coll. Triberti; 10°, Sardegna (CA) 28.v1.2004, Domusnovas 350 m Sa Duchessa (at light), Triberti

& Baldizzone leg. , prep. Gaedike 5251, DEI; 19, Sardegna (CA) 30.vi.2004, Domusnovas 350 m Sa

Duchessa (at light), Triberti & Baldizzone leg., prep. Gaedike 5263, coll. Triberti; 10°, Sardegna merid.

Mte Arcosu (CA) Su Tragu 130 m 01.v11.2004 (at light), Baldizzone & Triberti leg., prep. Gaedike 5023,

coll. Baldizzone.

Material excluded from the type series: 29, Sardegna merid. Domusnovas (CA) Sa Duchessa, 350 m,

30.v1.2004 (at light), Baldizzone & Triberti leg., coll. Baldizzone, DEI; 29, Sardegna, Domusnovas (CA)

Sa Duchessa, 350 m, 30.vi..2004, (at light), Triberti & Baldizzone leg., coll. Triberti; 49, Sardegna merid.

Mte Arcosu (CA), Sa Canna 150 m, 24.vi.2004 (at light), Baldizzone & Triberti leg., coll. Baldizzone,

DEI; 19, Sardegna merid. Mte Arcosu (CA), Su Tragu 130 m, 27.vi2004 (at light), Baldizzone & Triberti

leg., coll. Baldizzone.

Description (Figs 2-3). Wingspan 12-14 mm; head white, with some darker scales

beyond palpi and beside eyes; lateral sides of palpi white, medial sides dark; scape

and first three flagellomeres nearly black; thorax and tegulae white except for dark,

nearly black base of tegulae nearly black; forewing white with characteristic black

pattern, typical of genus; large black patch at 1/2 oblique, from costa to cell, obliquely

prolonged below cell, and narrowly connected with black base on costa; small black dot

on costa before apex, some very small black dots along costa, subapical area overlaid

with scattered black scales; ciliae white; hindwing shining light grey.

Male genitalia (Figs 15-24). Uncus widely truncated, in middle slightly notched,

widely rounded; arms of gnathos with wide base, at 1/3 of length angularly protruded,

apex narrow, sharply pointed; saccus narrow and long; transtilla long and narrow

‚valvae as long as saccus, corpus valvae terminating in strongly sclerotized tip, digitus

broad, clearly projecting beyond tip of valva; anellus shell-shaped, connected with

valva by pointed, strongly sclerotized tip; phallus more than twice as long as valva,

basal half more strongly sclerotized, with break submedially, with long, slightly bent

tooth laterally at apical fourth, opposite this (lateral) are one or two smaller, broad

blunt, triangular thorns, surface from tooth to apex with numerous, very small pointed

thorns; shape of large tooth and triangular thorns variable (Figs 21-24).

Female genitalia (Figs 25-32). Apophyses terminating in elongated sclerotized

plate connected with edge of ostium; ostium mushroom-shaped, somewhat variable

(Figs. 27-32), apically with two long and two short bristles, inside with few very small

short thorns; ductus bursae below the ostium with ring-shaped sclerotization, first 1/4

of ductus more strongly sclerotized than the other part. The shape of the ostium and the

first fourth of the ductus bursae is somewhat variable (Figs 27-32).

Differential diagnosis. The new species belongs to the gravosaella species-group

(phallus very long, with lateral teeth, (ostium mushroom-shaped), but the shape of the

162 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

tooth distinguishes arcosuensis from the other members of that group. Superficially it

is not definitely distinguishable from similella, described below. The presence of darker

scales on the head, and the shape of the pattern of the forewing (connection of the

black patches of the base of the costa through the stripe below cell to the patch at 1/2

on costa) could be indicative, but the shape of the tooth, and the existence of the small

thorns clearly distinguish arcosuensis from similella, together with the narrower apical

part of the arms of the gnathos and the slightly notched uncus.

Derivatio nominis. Named after the collecting locality of the type series, the “Oasi

WWF Monte Arcosu”.

Nemapogon similella sp. n.

Material. Holotype ©, Italy “Sardegna merid. Domusnovas (CA) Sa Duchessa 350 m 02.07.2004 (lux),

G. Baldizzone & P. Triberti leg.”; “Gen.[ital]präp[arat] [genital slide] Gaed.[ike] Nr. 5216”; “Holotypus

OS Nemapogon similella sp. n. det. R. Gaedike 2006”; Coll. Baldizzone. — Paratypes: 10°, same data, but

prep. Gaedike 5032, coll. Baldizzone; 20°, same data, but 30.vi.2004 (at light), prep. Gaedike 5264, coll.

Baldizzone, and prep. Gaedike 5217, DEI; 10°, Sardegna (CA), Domusnovas 350 m Sa Duchessa (at light),

30.v1.2004, Triberti & Baldizzone leg., prep. Gaedike 5252, coll. Triberti.

Description (Figs 4-5). Wingspan 13-14 mm; head white, without darker scales

beyond palpi and beside eyes; medial sides of palpı white, lateral sides dark; scape and

three flagellomeres nearly black; thorax and tegulae white except for dark, nearly black

base of tegulae; forewing white with characteristic black pattern, typical of genus; with

large black patch at 1/2 vertical from costa to cell, one black patch below cell, and one

before apex, costa with black base, apical edge and apex with black scales, ciliae white;

hindwing shining light grey.

Male genitalia (Figs 33-38). Uncus widely truncated, without notch medially;

widely rounded, arms of gnathos with wide base, angularly protruded at 1/3 of, apical

part narrower than basal part, pointed; saccus as long as tegumen, basally broad, apically

pointed; transtilla long and narrow, valva longer than saccus, corpus valvae terminated

in strongly sclerotized blunt tip, digitus projecting beyond tip of valva; anellus shell-

shaped, connected with valva by strongly sclerotized band; phallus more than twice as

long as valva, first half more strongly sclerotized, with break submedially, with strong

tooth of variable shape (Figs 37-38) laterally at apical fourth, apically without any

thorns.

Female genitalia. Unknown.

Differential diagnosis. The new species belongs to the gravosaella species-

group(phallus very long, with lateral teeth), but the shape of the tooth distinguishes

similella from the other members of that group. Superficially it is not definitely

distinguishable from arcosuensis. The absence of darker scales on the head, and the

shape of the pattern of the forewing (without connection of the black patches) could

be indicative, but the shape of the tooth, the absence of thorns, the absence of a notch

on the uncus, and the less narrow apical part of the gnathos arms clearly distinguish

similella from arcosuensis.

Derivatio nominis. Named to reflect the similarity of this species with N. arcosu-

ensis.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 163

Nemapogon arenbergeri Gaedike, 1986

Material. 19, 29, Greece, Parnassos Oros, Umg. Delfi, 500-700 m, 19.1x.2002, leg. Baisch, coll.

Baisch, DEI; 10°, Parnassos Oros, Paßstraße bei Kosmas, 900 m, 12.1x.2004, leg. et coll. Baisch; 10

Croatia, Drnis, 15.v111.2001, leg. et coll. Graf. First records other than the type series and first records for

Europe.

Nemapogon anatolica Gaedike, 1986

Material. 19, Greece, Hellas, Evro, Kaviros, 100 m, 9.v11.1986, leg. Fibiger, ZMUC. First record

other than the type series and first record for Europe.

Nemapogon kasyi Gaedike, 1986

Material. 19, Turkey, Prov. Icel, Taurus, Road Ermenek — Mut, 600 m, 15.v11.1986, leg. Fibiger,

ZMUC. New country record.

Nemapogon grossi sp. n.

Material. Holotype ©, “NO-Türkei Kars; 2200 m 8 km S Sarıkamis 13.8.1976; leg. Groß”,

“Gen.[ital]prap[arat] [genital slide] Gaed.[ike] Nr. 3939”, “Holotypus © Nemapogon grossi sp. n. det.

R. Gaedike 2006”, LMAD. - Paratype: 19, same data, but prep. Gaedike 3920, DEI.

Description (Figs 6-7). Wingspan 15 mm; head yellow-ochre, with a few dark brown

scales laterally from base of antennae to below palpı; antennae and palpi dark brown,

but medial sides of palpi and tips of last palpomeres yellow; fore and midlegs brown,

with yellow at tip of each segment, hind legs shining yellowish-brown, base of tarsal

segments brown; forewing whitish, with brown pattern: short stripes on costa at 1/4,

1/2, after 3/4 (reaching cell), and before apex, additional patches at base, below dorsum

at 1/4, and before ciliae; rest of forewing overlaid with brown scales; hindwing shining

whitish.

Male genitalia (Figs 39-43). Uncus truncated, notched in middle; arms of gna-

thos with rounded base, evenly bent to pointed tip; saccus short, with part of vinculum

Opposite saccus bent; transtilla long and narrow, valva sturdy, broadest at middle,

corpus valvae terminated in strongly sclerotized and pointed hook-shaped tip, digitus

projecting beyond tip of valva; anellus with broad, rounded bilobed base, proximally

narrower, terminated in a-conical part with edged base and blunt rounded end; phallus

more then twice as long as valva, with break before one third of length, proximal part

more strongly sclerotized, at 3/4 laterally with a-large, strongly sclerotized tooth, with

two pointed tips and somewhat variable in shape (see Fig. 43).

Female genitalia. Unknown.

Differential diagnosis. The new species is characterized by the very long phallus with a

break and characteristic teeth. Superficially it differs from the majority of the members

of the gravosaella species-group with a similar phallus by its yellow-ochre head and by

the colouration of the forewing. The shape of the tooth on the phallus is similar to that

of N. hispanica, but there are differences in the shape of the valva (blunt tip), and the

gnathos arms, angularly protruded at 1/3. Also, the head of hispanica is white.

Because the female genitalia are still unknown, it is impossible to say exactly to which

Species-group this new species belongs.

164 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

Derivatio nominis. The new species is named in honour of its collector, Franz Joseph

Groß (1928-1985).

Nemapogon granella (Linné, 1758)

Material. 10, Greece, bei Mavrothalassa, Strymonasufer, Pilz an Weide [fungus on willow], 21.v.2004

(e.l.), leg. Lichtmannecker, DEI. New country record.

Nemapogon signatella Petersen, 1957

Material.1¢, Cyprus, Kykko, 15.-17.vii.1939, leg. Hakan Lindberg; FMNH; 20°, Umg. Paphos,

29.1v.-13.v.1994, leg. Wimmer, coll. Arenberger. New country record.

Nemapogon scutifera sp. n.

Material. Holotype 9, Turkey “12.6.[19]69 Asia min.[or] 5 km NW v.[on] Gümüschane, 1050 m

F. Kasy leg.”, “Gen.[ital-]Prap.[arat] Pet.[ersen] Nr. 2598”; “Holotypus 9 Nemapogon scutifera sp. n. det.

R. Gaedike 2006”, NMW. — Paratypes: 49, same data, two of them with prep. Petersen 2599 and Gaedike

1685, NMW, DEI; 19, same data, but prep. Gaedike 2784, leg. Arenberger, SMNK; 19, Asia minor,

Turcia Aksehir 1200 m Sultan daglari 25.-27.v1.1968 leg. M. & W. Glaser, prep. Gaedike 4007, SMNK;

19, Anatolia, Egridir, 1600 m 27.-28.v11.1963, prep. Gaedike 2835, leg. et coll. Arenberger; 19, Greece,

Arkadia Menalo Gebirge, westlich Tripoli Davia, 5.v111.1985, M. und E. Arenberger, prep. Gaedike 3270,

coll. Arenberger; 19, Hellas, Lakonia, Mt. Taygetos, 1700 m, 28.—29.vi.1982 leg. Skule & Langemark,

prep. Gaedike 2657, ZMUC; 19, Hellas, Lakonia, Mt. Taygetos, 1000 m 16.v111.1979, leg. Christensen,

prep. Petersen 2941, ZMUC; 19, Peloponnes, Pamon-Oros Paßstraße bei Kosmas, 13.x1.2004, Lichtfang,

900-1100 m, Baisch leg., prep. Gaedike 5060, DEI; 19, Peloponnes, 6 km östlich Kalavrita, 800 m,

21.x1.2003, Lichtfang, prep. Gaedike 5070, leg. et coll. Baisch.

Description (Figs 8-9). Wingspan 9-14 mm; head from light whitish-ochre to yel-

lowish-ochre, with darker brown scales laterally around eyes, palpi dark brown, median

side and tip of last segment light ochre; thorax whitish-ochre, tegulae overlaid with

dark brown scales; fore and mid legs dark brown, median side and apices of seg-

ments light ochre; hind legs shining yellowish-brown, with some darker scales only

laterally; forewing yellow-ochre, with pattern of dark brown stripe-shaped patches

at costa near base, 1/4, 1/2 (reaching cell), and before apex, also with oblique patch

at 1/3 on dorsum; rest of forewing more or less overlaid with brown scales; light yel-

low-ochre only at apex and on some short sections of costa on second half; hindwing

shining grey.

Male genitalia. Unknown.

Female genitalia (Fig. 44). Ostium shield-shaped, base narrow, with more

strongly sclerotized ring, widened postmedially, distally rounded, notched in middle,

area beyond ostium with rows of small transverse sclerotizations; ductus bursae near

corpus bursae; with ring of three rows of small blunt thorns, distally with area of very

small sclerotizations.

Differential diagnosis. The shape of the ostium is similar to that of N. brandti Gaedike,

1986, but the enlarged, more strongly sclerotized area at the base of the ostium in

brandti is absent in scutifera. The area of small sclerotizations beyond the ring of thorns

in the ductus bursae is larger in brandti than in scutifera.

Derivatio nominis. The new species is named after the shield-shaped ostium (Latin:

scutum).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 165

Nemapogon orientalis Petersen, 1961

Material. 19, Cyprus, Umg. Paphos, 8.-20. V. 1993, leg. J. Wimmer; Coll. Arenberger: New country

record.

Gaedikeia kokkariensis Sutter, 1998

Material.1, Spain, Madrid, Cadalso de los Vidrios, 2 km E. UK8062, 7.viii. 1986, leg. S. Richter, E.

J. van Nieukerken, RMNH: First record other than the type series from Greece.

Tenaga rhenania (Petersen, 1962)

Material. 10, Greece, Corfu, Benitses, 1978-06-14, leg. Vesa Varis, FMNH. New country record.

Eudarcia (Meessia) nigraella (Mariani, 1937)

Material. 19, Italy, Sardegna merid., Mte Arcosu (CA), Su Tragu, 130 m, 1.v11.2004, leg. Baldizzone

& Triberti, coll. Baldizzone. New country record

Eudarcia (Meessia) hellenica sp. n.

Material. Holotype ©: “Greece: Pelopönnisos 15 km E Tripolis 14.v.1990, 650 m Zool.[ogical]

Mus.[eum] Copenh.[agen] Exp.[edition]”; “Gen.[ital]prap[arat] [genital slide] Gaed.[ike] Nr. 3959”;

“Holotypus © Eudarcia hellenica sp. n. det. R. Gaedike 2005”, ZMUC. — Paratypes: 19, same data,

but prep. Gaedike 3955, ZMUC; 1, Hellas, Parnassos Delfi, 25.1v.1990, Langohr leg., prep. Gaedike

4052, DEI.

Description (Fig. 10). Wingspan 5 mm; head whitish-grey, with brown-grey scales

around base of antennae and on neck; antennae as long as forewing; palpi whitish;

thorax black; forewing with pattern of white bands and patches on black background:

white band at 1/3 from costa to dorsum, white patch at costa beyond 1/2, reaching cell,

white patch beyond 1/2 at dorsum, third white patch before apex at costa; ciliae dark,

tips white; hindwing grey.

Male genitalıa (Figs 47-49). Uncus bilobate, rounded, tegumen broad, vinculum

basally with higher sclerotized edge, saccus short, wıth blunt tip; valva as long as

uncus-tegumen, with narrow pointed transtilla, basally broad, apically notched, costal

part rounded, bristled, ventral part tooth-shaped; phallus as long as valva, with short

drop-shaped cornutus.

Female genitalia. Unknown.

Differential diagnosis. The absence of a gnathos or a similar structure is also found in

E. alberti (Amsel, 1957); and E. gallica (Petersen, 1962), but the shape of the valva,

and the presence of only one cornutus on the vesica are useful characters to separate

the new species.

Derivatio nominis. The name of the new species is from the Latin word for the country

of origin of the type series.

Eudarcia (Obesoceras) echinata (Petersen & Gaedike, 1985)

Material.5©, 49, West-Cyprus, Avakas gorge, cases 8.111.1999, ex pupa 12., 20., 29., 31.v., 1.,

11.vi.1999, leg. Henderickx, DEI: First records other than the type series from Cyprus.

166 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

This material enables for the first time the description of the female genitalia (Fig. 45).

Anterior apophyses ending in strongly sclerotized dorsal band; apical edge of segment

VIII with more strongly sclerotized strip; ostium with two pointed tips ventrally and two

rounded sclerotizations dorsally; ductus bursae broad, strongly sclerotized, narrower

toward corpus bursae; corpus bursae with (about ten) rows of very small blunt thorns.

The shape of the genitalia ıs similar to that of E. lattakiana (Petersen, 1968) and E.

aureliani (Capuse, 1967).

Eudarcia (Neomeessia) lobata (Petersen & Gaedike, 1979)

Material.19, Greece, Olymp, Karia, 1200 m, 6.viii.1974, leg. et coll. Arenberger; 20°, Cyprus,

west, Cape Drepana, 10 m, case 8.111.1999, imago 29.1v.1999, leg. Henderickx; DEI; 30°, 19, W-Cyprus,

Akamas peninsula, Avakia gorge, case 8.111.1999, ex pupa 14., 20.iv., 25.v.1999, leg. Henderickx, DEI;

30, 29, NW-Cyprus, Akamas peninsula, area Baths of Aphrodite, case 9.111.1999, ex pupa 25., 28.iv., 1.,

3.v.1999, leg. Henderickx, DEI. First records other than the type series (Rhodos, Jerusalem), new record

for Cyprus.

This material enables the description for the first time of the female genitalia of a

member of subgenus Neomeessia (Fig. 46). Apical edges of segment VIII ventrally and

dorsally with strong sclerotized band connected with anterior apophyses; area beyond

ostium with longitudinal and oblique wrinkles; ductus bursae broad, become narrow

medially, sclerotization in apical half stronger than in proximal half; corpus bursae with

numerous rows of very small pointed thorns.

Infurcitinea captans Gozmany, 1960

Material.1©, Spain, Catalunya, Vall d’Aran, Salardü, presa Aiguamaix, 23.vi1.2004, leg. et coll.

Requena. New country record.

Infurcitinea finalis Gozmany, 1959

Material. 10, Spain, Catalunya, Alt Camp, Punta Blaya, bosc grévol, 2.vi11.2004, leg. et coll. Requena.

New country record.

Karsholtia marianii (Rebel, 1936)

Material. Germany, numerous specimens, Schleswig-Holstein, Schierensee, Bollhusen, ex larva

Fagus sylvatica, 21.-26.v.2003, leg. Hausenblas, ZMUK, DEI; 19, Saarland, TK 6706-112, Felsberg, östl.

Steinbruch, 3.v11.2005, leg. ét coll. Werno. New country record.

Myrmecozela ochraceella (Tengstrôm, 1848)

Material. 19, Andorra, Arinsal, 1500 m, 1.viii.1997, leg. Baingaard, ZMUC. New country record.

Trichophaga bipartitella (Ragonot, 1892)

Material. 19, Spain, Mallorca, 19.-31.111.1984, leg. Naser, coll. Speidel. New country record.

Tinea basifasciella Ragonot, 1895

Material. 19, France, Corsica, 16 km SE Calvi, Forêt du Bonifatu, 400 m, 22.vi.1994, leg. Skule &

Skou, ZMUC. New country record.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 167

Crypsithyris turcica sp. n.

Material. Holotype ©, Turkey “ 21.V.[19]69 Asia min.[or], Kanlidivane 30 km südwestl.[ich] Mersin,

[leg. W. Glaser]”; “Gen.[ital]prap.[arat] [genital slide] Gaed.[ike] Nr. 4021”; “Holotypus © Crypsithyris

turcica sp. n. det. R. Gaedike 2005”, SMNK. — Paratypes: 10°, Asia minor, Ciftehan, Taurus 11.viii.1965,

1100 m leg. M. u. E. Arenberger, prep. Gaedike 3891, coll. Arenberger; 10, Asia minor, Silifke/Güinar, 20

km W v. Silifke, Phlomis-Macchie, 23.vi.1990, at light, 16/90, leg. Lédl, prep. Gaedike 4423, DEI; 2¢,

same data, without genital slide, NMW; 1, Turkey, Prov. Mersin, 5 km nw Erdemli, 200 [m] 16.vii.1966,

leg. Fibiger, prep. Gaedike 4308, ZMUC; 19, 19.v.1969, Asia min., Taurus, 50 km N v. Tarsus, leg.

Arenberger, prep. Gaedike 5196, coll. Arenberger.

Description (Fig. 11). Wingspan 11-12 mm; head, antennae, palpi, and thorax ochre,

lateral sides of palpi and base of tegulae brown; antennae longer than forewing; forewing

ochre with brown on costa from base to 1/4, on base of ciliae, and as dot apically the

hyaline dot; hindwing whitish-yellow.

Male genitalia (Figs 50-54). Uncus shell-shaped, apically cutted, without notch;

gnathos arms strong, with rounded base, behind 1/2 curved, with pointed tip; vinculum

narrow, basal edge strongly sclerotized; saccus broad, rounded; transtilla short, with

blunt tip, valva large, transtilla and the costal edge of valva strongly sclerotized, with

nearly triangular projection of variable shape on ventral edge at %-(Figs 52-54), apex

of valva broadly rounded, sometimes with small projection ventrally (Figs 52-53);

phallus as long as valva, vesica with small, narrow cornutus and with numerous very

small scale-shaped sclerotizations.

Female genitalia. Unknown.

Differential diagnosis. The new species is superficially distinguishable by having one

dark dot on the forewing (trimaculata has three dots and sarobiella has none). The

projection on the ventral edge of the valva, the incised uncus, the strong gnathos arms,

and the small cornutus in vesica are additional characteristics.

Derivatio nominis. The name of the new species is from the Latin word for the country

of origin of the type series.

The two following species were described in the genus Paratinea. Examination of the

genitalia shows that they belong to the genus Crypsithyris Meyrick, 1907.

Crypsithyris trimaculata (Petersen, 1973), comb. n.

Paratinea trimaculata Petersen, 1973: 67-68, figs. 33-37. Type locality: Afghanistan: Barikot.

Crypsithyris sarobiella (Petersen, 1959), comb. n.

Paratinea sarobiella Petersen, 1959: 570, fig. 16. Type locality: Afghanistan: Sarobi.

Monopis weaverella (Scott, 1858)

Material. 19 Greece, Parnassos Oros, Paßstraße Ostseite, 1800 m, 12.xi.2005, leg. et coll. Baisch.

New country record.

Monopis imella (Hübner, 1813)

Material. 19, Malta, 11.11.1951, coll. Amsel, SMNK. New country record.

168 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

Dinica endochrysa (Meyrick, 1935)

Material. 10, Iraq, Baghdad, 4.v.1980, leg. Linnavuori, FMNH. New country record.

This species was hitherto known only from Japan. The other four species of this genus

are members of the Afrotropical fauna (see Petersen, 1983).

Stenoptinea cyaneimarmorella (Milliere, 1854 [12.vii.])

Argyresthia cyaneimarmorella Milliere, 1854 [12.vii.]: 64

= Tinea angustipennis Herrich-Schäffer, 1854: 73, Suppl. fig. 601

= Tinea angustipennis Staudinger, 1871: 288-289, syn. n.

Material. First syntype of T. angustipennis Staudinger: Germany “München Hart.[mann]”; “Petersen

det.; hiervon mikr.[oskopisches] Präp.[arat] © Kopulat.[ions]-Apparat, [reverse:] Nr. 352”; “angustipennis

H.-S. ©”; “Syntypus Tinea angustipennis Stdgr. ©, det. R. Gaedike 2006”; “Stenoptinea cyaneimarmorella

Mill. ©, det. R. Gaedike 2006”, ZMHB. — Second syntype of T. angustipennis Staudinger: “München

99. CG

Hart.[mann]”; “Petersen det.”; “siehe mikroskop.[ische] Präparate, [reverse:] Nr. 351”; “angustipennis

H.-S. 9”; “Syntypus Tinea angustipennis Stdgr. 9, det. R. Gaedike 2006”; “Stenoptinea cyaneimarmorella

Mill. ©, det. R. Gaedike 2006”, coll. ZMHB.

In the final part of his paper “Beschreibung neuer Lepidopteren des europäischen

Faunengebietes”, Staudinger described under number 68 a “Tinea Angustipennis n.

sp.” on pages 288-289. The description refers to two specimens; collected by Hart-

mann at Munich. Petersen (1957: 339) listed these two specimens under the name

Celestica angustipennis (Herrich-Schaffer, 1854), without any indication that they

were types because they lacked label, which is typical for the types in the Staudinger

collection (ZMHB). There are no indications to the description of Herrich-Schäffer,

who described the same species under the same name in 1854. Both specimens are

syntypes; because no holotype was selected in the description and there is no needs

for a lectotype designation; because there is no taxonomic necessity (ISZN 74.7.3.).

Tinea angustipennis Staudinger, 1871 is a synonym to Stenoptinea cyaneimarmorella

(Milliere, 1854) and a primary homonym of Tinea angustipennis Herrich-Schäffer,

1854.

Xeranthica tephroclysta Meyrick, 1930: 553-554

Tinea trichophagoides Zerny, 1935: 155, syn. n.

Material. Holotype of Tinea trichophagoides Zerny: [red label]“Typus”; “Marokko, Gr.[osser] Atlas,

Goundafa, 1200 m 15.-20.V1.[19]33, Zerny”; “[with red ink] Tinea trichophagoides Zerny Type 9”;

“siehe mikroskop.[ische] Präparate, [reverse] G.[enital]U.[ntersuchung] Pe[tersen] 790”; “Xeranthica

tephroclysta Meyrick 9 det. R. Gaedike 2006”. The slide is renumbered: “Gen.Prap. 6042 Mus. Vind.”,

NMW.

After the discovery of Xeranthica tephroclysta Meyrick, 1930 as a new member of

the Palearctic fauna (Robinson et al. 2006), it was possible to settle the taxonomic

status of the taxon described by Zerny (1935: 155) as Tinea trichophagoides. Petersen

studied the female holotype preserved in the Zerny collection (NMW), and gave a

drawing of the genitalia (Petersen 1958: 418-419, fig. 266). In the original description

the locus typicus is “Tjjoukak, Mitte VI, ein @ am Licht (Z.).” On page 23 of his paper

Zerny described this location: “Ijjoukak (ca. 1200 m), im Goundafa-Gebiet, an der

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 169

Einmündung des Agoundis-Tales in das Fis-tal, 3 km unterhalb kasbah Goundafa, ca

70 km sw. von Marrakech.” A comparison of the holotype, drawing and genitalia of T.

trichophagoides with specimens of X. tephroclysta (including the holotype) shows that

these specimens are members of the same species Therefore, Tinea trichophagoides

Zerny, 1935 is a synonym of Xeranthica tephroclysta Meyrick, 1930.

ACROLEPIIDAE

Digitivalva (Inuliphila) pulicariae (Klimesch, 1956)

Material.19, Cyprus, Umg. Paphos, 27.1v.-2.v.1998, leg. Wimmer, coll. Arenberger. New country

record.

DOUGLASIIDAE

Tinagma perdicellum Zeller, 1839

Material.1, Spain, M. Sagra (Granada), 11.v.1980, leg. Gianasso, coll. Baldizzone. New country

record.

Tinagma ocnerostomellum (Stainton, 1850)

Material. 19, Spain, Odena, 10.vii.2004, leg. et coll. Requena. New country record.

EPERMENIIDAE

Epermenia (Calotripis) aequidentella (Hofmann, 1867)

Material. Spain, Mallorca (M. Honey, in litt.). New country record.

Epermenia (Calotripis) strictella (Wocke, 1867)

Material. 10, Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Barranco de Badajoz, Güimar, 17.x.1993, leg. M. u.

E. Arenberger, coll. Arenberger. New country record.

Ochromolopis staintonella (Milliere, 1869)

Material. Spain, Mallorca (M. Honey, in litt.). New country record.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my thanks to the following collectors and custodians for sending their material for

my studies: Ernst Arenberger, Günter Baisch, Giorgio Baldizzone, Erich Bettag, Friedmar Graf, Dietger

Hausenblas (ZMUK), Lauri Kaila (FMNH), Ole Karsholt (ZMUC), Rudolf Keller, Martin Lödl (NMW),

Siegfried Löser + (LMAD), Wolfram Mey (ZMHB), Erik van Nieukerken (RMNH), Emili Requena Miret,

Wolfgang Speidel, Paolo Triberti, Robert Trusch (SMNK), and Andreas Werno. My special thanks to my

former assistent, Christian Kutzscher for preparing the colour pictures, to Andrew Liston (Miincheberg)

and especially Bernard Landry (Genève) for linguistic corrections.

170 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

Figs 1-5. Adults of Tineidae. Fig. 1. Dryadaula minuta, holotype. Figs 2-3. Nemapogon arcosuensis.

2. Paratype. 3. Holotype. Figs 4-5. Nemapogon similella. 4. Paratype. 5. Holotype.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 171

Figs 6-11. Adults of Tineidae. Figs 6-7. Nemapogon grossi. 6. Holotype. 7. Paratype. Figs 8-9. Nemapo-

gon scutifera, paratypes. Fig. 10. Eudarcia hellenica, holotype. Fig. 11. Crypsithyris turcica, holotype.

172 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

Figs 12-14. Dryadaula minuta, genitalia. 12. Male, uncus-tegumen complex, and right valva. 13. Male,

left valva and phallus. 14. Female.

2910223

Figs 15-24. Nemapogon arcosuensis, male genitalia. 15. Uncus-tegumen complex. 16-17. Variable

shape of the gnathos arms. 18. Valva with anellus. 19. Phallus, the apical half. 20. Basal half of phallus.

21-24. Variability in the apical half of the phallus.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 173

Figs 25-32. Nemapogon arcosuensis, female genitalia. 25. Complete view. 26. Ostium and first part of the

ductus bursae, at higher magnification. 27-32. Variability in the shape of the ostium.

Figs 33-38. Nemapogon similella, male genitalia. 33. Uncus-tegumen complex. 34. Valva and anellus.

35. Apical. 36. Basal half of phallus. 37-38. Variability in the shape of the apical half of the phallus.

174 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

Figs 39-43. Nemapogon grossi, male genitalia. 39. Uncus-tegumen complex. 40. Valva and anellus.

41. Apical half of phallus. 42. Basal half of phallus. 43. Variability in the shape of the apical half of the

phallus. |

ip EE

i \

Figs 44-46. 44. Nemapogon scutifera, female genitalia. 45. Eudarcia echinata, female genitalia (corpus

bursae separated). 46. Eudarcia lobata, female genitalia (corpus bursae separated).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 159-176 171

Figs 47-49. Eudarcia hellenica, male genitalia. 47. Utncus-tegumen complex and phallus. 48. Valva.

49. Variability in the shape of the cornutus in the vesica.

Figs 50-54. Crypsithyris turcica, male genitalia. 50. Uncus-tegumen complex and one valva. 51. Phallus.

52-54. Variability in the shape of the valva.

176 GAEDIKE: New species and records of Microlepidoptera

References

Herrich-Schaeffer, G. A. W. 1847-1855 ["1853-1855”]. Systematische Bearbeitung der Schmetterlinge

von Europa, zugleich als Text, Revision und Supplement zu J. Huebners Sammlung europäischer

Schmetterlinge. Die Schaben und Federmotten. — Regensburg, Manz 5: [1]-2-394 + (Index) 1-52,

pls. 1-124 (Tineides) + 1-7 (Pterophides) + 1 (Micropteryges).

Meyrick, E. 1930. Exotic Microlepidoptera 3 (18): 545-576.

Milliere, P. 1854. Description de nouvelles espèces de Microl&pidopteres.-Annales de la Société Ento-

mologique de France (ser. 3) 2: 59-68, pl. 3.

Petersen, G. 1957. Die Genitalien der paläarktischen Tineiden [II] (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). — Beiträge zur

Entomologie 7 (3/4): 338-379, pl. 6.

Petersen, G. 1958. Die Genitalien der paläarktischen Tineiden [V] (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). — Beiträge zur

Entomologie 8 (3/4): 398-430, pls. 2-3.

Petersen, G. 1959. Tineiden aus Afghanistan mit einer Revision der paläarktischen Scardiinen (Lepidoptera:

Tineidae). — Beiträge zur Entomologie 9 (5/6): 558-579, pl. 32.

Petersen, G. 1973. Dritter Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Tineiden von Afghanistan (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). —

Beiträge zur Entomologie 23 (1/4): 57-69.

Petersen, G. 1983 (1.viil.). Revision der Gattung Dinica Gozmäny (Lepidoptera, Tineidae). — Entomologi-

sche Abhandlungen, Dresden 47: 35—41.

Robinson, G. S.,R. Gaedike, R. Bläsius & E. Bettag 2006. Xerantica tephroclysta Meyrick, 1930 (Tineidae),

a new member of the Palaearctic fauna, with description of its life history and early stages. — Nota

lepidopterologica 29 (1/2): 67-77.

Staudinger, ©. 1871. Beschreibung neuer Lepidopteren des europäischen Faunengebiets. (Schluß). — Ber-

liner Entomologische Zeitschrift 14 (1870) (3/4): 273-330.

Zerny, H. 1935. Die Lepidopterenfauna des Grossen Atlas in Marokko und seiner Randgebiete. Mit Bei-

trägen von L. Schwingenschuss. — Mémoires de la Société des Sciences Naturelles du Maroc 42

(31.X11.1935): 1-163, pls 1-2.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 177-184 IR

A new species, a new synonym, and new distribution records

in the genus Agdistis Hübner, 1825 from Iran (Pterophoridae:

Agdistinae)

HELEN ALIPANAH ! & PETER USTJUZHANIN 2

! Insect Taxonomy Research Department, Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute,

P. ©. Box 19395-1454, Tehran, Iran; e-mail: alipanah@ ppdri.ac.ir, halipanah@ yahoo.com

2 Siberian Division of the Russian Entomological Society; e-mail: alucita@online.sinor.ru

Abstract. Sixteen species of Agdistis Hübner, 1825 are at present known from Iran. In this paper previous

studies are summarised and new data on the distribution of the Iranian species of Agdistis are provided.

Agdistis iranica sp. n. is newly described; Agdistis caradjai Arenberger, 1975, Agdistis karakalensis

Zagulajev, 1990 and Agdistis sissia Arenberger, 1987 are newly reported from Iran; the hitherto unknown

female of Agdistis caradjai Arenberger, 1975 is described, and Agdistis frankeniae (Zeller, 1874) and

Agdistis urmijensis Zagulajev, 1996 are newly synonymized.

Key words. Pterophoridae, Agdistinae, Agdistis, taxonomy, new species, new synonymy, new

records.

Introduction

Species of the genus Agdistis Hiibner, 1825 are very difficult to separate on external

characters. Their wing pattern is very uniform and rarely provides useful diagnostic

characters. However, the male and female genitalia are very characteristic and diagnostic

(Gielis 1996). About 100 species of Agdistis are recognised to date; these are known

from the Palaearctic region, mainly in the Mediterranean area, and from Africa, North

America, and South Asia (Gielis 2003).

The study of Agdistis species in Iran was initiated back in 1901 with the publication of

a catalogue on the Lepidoptera of the Palaearctic region and at that time, A. tamaricis

(Zeller) was the first record of this genus from Iran (Staudinger & Rebel, 1901). Bigot

(1968) published a paper on the Pterophoridae of Iran, which included four new records

except A. tamaricis. During the last fifteen years, about seven species have been added

to the list (Sutter 1991; Arenberger 1990, 1995, 2002).

The current research reveals further data on the pterophorid fauna of Iran based on

a total of 100 Agdistis specimens collected from different parts of the country. This

study was based mostly on material preserved in the Lepidoptera collection of the

Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum (HMIM), Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute

(PPDRI), Iran. Additional material was borrowed from the Zoological Institute of St.

Petersburg, Russia.

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

178 ALIPANAH & USTJUZHANIN: On Agdistis in Iran

Agdistis Hübner, 1825

Agdistis adenensis-group

Agdistis adenensis Amsel, 1961

Material. 10,19 Dalaki, Hormozgan prov., 130 m., 20.11.1973, leg. Abäi; 20°, Bruck, 300 m.,

21.11.1973, leg. Abäi; Minab (km 15), Hormozgän prov., 150 m., 1.1v.1973, leg. Abäi; 40°, 79 Kangän,

Bidkhun, Bushehr prov., 0 m., 18.xi.1997, leg. V. Nazari, Mofidi-Neyestanak, Baräri.

Distribution. Yemen, Oman, Iran, Bahrain (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. The specimens collected in Kangan (Bushehr province) are uniformly

smaller than the others (wingspan 14.0-15.5 mm, n=11). The species has also been

recorded from Kazerun and Semnan (Arenberger 1995)

Agdistis sissia Arenberger, 1987

Material. 19, Anarak (8 km N E), Esfahan prov., 33°22’43.5”N 53°43’13.5”E, 1560 m., 31.v.2005,

leg. Zahiri, Fibiger.

Distribution. Turkey, Armenia, Turkmenistan (?), Azerbaijan (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. The specimens collected in Iran have the same data as the type series of A.

iranica Sp. n. The males and females differ from A. iranica in the shape of the frons and

the colour of its scales. This is the first record for this species from Iran.

Agdistis caradjai Arenberger, 1975

Material. 10,19 Shährud, Kälpush, Semnän prov., 1300 m., 25.—-26.vin. 1982, leg. Hashemi.

Description of the female. Wingspan 23 mm. Head smoothly scaled, grey-brown.

Thorax and abdomen greyish brown. Very similar to male in grey-brown ground colour

of forewing.

Genitalia (Fig. 1). Antrum wider than long, caudal margin convex, lateral margins

with two short projections; ductus bursae, bursa copulatrix, and ductus seminalis

missing on slide preparation; without anterior apophyses.

Diagnosis. By the shape of the antrum in the female genitalia, A. caradjai somewhat

resembles A. karakalensis Zagulajev, 1990, but differs by the presence of a prominent

hole in the centre of the antrum, and by the shapes of the ventral plate and sternum VI.

These two species were previously considered to belong to two different groups, but

according to their female genitalia they are now placed in the same group, although to

confirm this, the male of A. karakalensis should be found.

Distribution. Turkey, Russia (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. Agdistis caradjai was described from one male specimen collected by

Korb in Turkey (Kagizman Kasikoparan in 1901), and hitherto the female remained

unknown. Along with a male collected from Shahrud in Semnan province, there was

an unidentified female specimen having the same collecting data and features. Since

this female specimen did not match any other species and is very similar to the male

of A. caradjai on external appearance, we considered it to represent the female of this

species. This is the first record for this species from Iran.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 177-184 179

Fig. 1. Female genitalia of Agdistis caradjai

Arenberger.

Agdistis olei Arenberger, 1976

Material. 1, Abädän, Minu Island, Khuzestan prov., 12 m., 11.v.1975, leg. Pazuki, Borumand; 10,

Dalaki, Hormozgän prov., 130 m., 20.11.1973, leg. Amsel, (Coll.Ustjuzhanin).

Distribution. Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. This species is also recorded from Fars province (Arenberger 1995).

Agdistis iranica sp.n.

Material. Holotype: ©, Anärak (8 km N E), Esfahan prov., 33°22°43.5”N 53°43’13.5”E, 1560 m.,

31.v.2005, leg. Zahiri, Fibiger (gen. prep. N. 230, HMIM); Paratypes: 5°, same data as the holotype.

Description. Adult (Fig. 2). Wingspan 17-20 mm. Head appressedly scaled, with

some brown scales on frontal region, forming prominent brown strip in middle (Fig.

3a); frons conical (Fig. 3b); labial palps directed upward, basal segment with white

drooping scales, second and third segments white with some brown scales dorsally;

collar with some erect scales. Antenna more or less ringed brown and white; shortly

ciliated. Prothorax and mesothorax white with some mixed brown scales. Metathorax

white laterally with brown scales. Tegula white, light brown at base of spurs.

180 ALIPANAH & USTJUZHANIN: On Agdistis in Iran

1818 km NE Anarak, ©

#\150m., Fibiger & Zahiri leg,

s ESFAHAN

Fig. 2. Agdistis iranica sp. n., holotype, male.

Fig. 3. Head of Agdistis iranica sp .n., holotype, male, a. dorsal view, b. lateral view.

Forewing grey-brown with four spots in apical portion of costal edge, more closely

spaced distally. Upper margin of lower fold with three spots proximally. Hindwing

greyish.

Male genitalia (Figs da-c). Valvae symmetrical; costal arms of equal length,

bi-furcated apically with curved arms; uncus longer than each projection of costal

arms; tegumen wider than long; 8th sternite with V-shaped indentation forming two

unequal prongs, the right one more or less longer and more slender than the left; phallus

curved, hook-shaped, and wider apically.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 177-184 181

Diagnosis. According to the male genitalia, the new species is close to A. falkovitshi

Zagulajev, 1986 in the shape of the 8th sternite and its V-shaped indentation, and the

shape of the valvae and valvulae, but it differs by the following characters: the shape of

the tegumen, anellus arms and costal arms. Thus, this species might be considered as

a member of the adenensis-group based on similarities with A. falkovitshi in the shape

of the male genitalia.

Remarks. Among the other Agdistis specimens collected at the same locality, we found

two females with the same collecting data, and one of them was determined as A. sissia

Arenberger. The other one was very similar to the male of A. iranica in wing pattern

and shape and pattern of the frons. However, in female genitalia it was very similar to

A. falkovitshi. So we leave describing the female of A. iranica until more specimens are

collected, preferably from the type locality.

Agdistis parvella-group

Agdistis insidiatrix Meyrick, 1936

Material. There was no specimen available for study.

Distribution. Iran, Semnan (Arenberger 1995). Yemen (Gielis 2003).

Agdistis parvella Amsel, 1958

Material.10,19,Bandar Abbas (20km N E), Baghou, Hormozgän prov., 50 m., 30.1v.1986, leg.

Mirzayans, Borumand.

Distribution. Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. The specimens collected from Iran are somewhat smaller (with a wingspan

of 9.8 mm, n=2) than those reported by Arenberger (1995).

Agdistis tenera Arenberger, 1976

Material. 19,S Iran, 30 km E Bandar Abbas, Hormozgän prov., 8.v.1974, Exped. Mus. Vind.

(coll. Ustjuzhanin).

Distribution. Iran, Bahrain, Yemen (Gielis 2003). Iran, Hormozgan province, Isin

(Arenberger 1995) .

Agdistis frankeniae-group

Agdistis frankeniae (Zeller, 1874)

Agdistis urmijensis Zagulajev, 1996: 130-131, fig. 12. syn. nov.

Material. 19, Moghan, Ardabil prov., 18.1x.1974, leg. Damanabi; 2¢, Damghan (20 km N),

Cheshmeh Ali, Semnan prov., 35°19’01’”N, 054°27°17”E, 1560 m., 23.-24.v.2005, leg. Trusch,

Petschenka, Miiller.

Distribution. From Siberia in the East, through Central Asia, northern parts of Asia,

North Africa along the Mediterranean, and in the west from the Canary Islands to

southern France (Gielis 2003).

182 ALIPANAH & USTJUZHANIN: On Agdistis in Iran

Fig. 4. Agdistis iranica sp. n., holotype, male genitalia. a. ventral view, b. phallus, c. 8th sternite of

paratype.

Remarks. Wingspan 29 mm. The species has also been recorded from the Caspian

region: Mian Kaleh (Arenberger, 1995). Our examination of the holotype of A. urmi-

jensis, which originated from Iran (Heidar-Abad, Orumieh Lake) and deposited in

the Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia (gen. prep.

N. 16623), revealed its conspecificity with A. frankeniae.

Agdistis adactyla-group

Agdistis adactyla (Hübner, 1819)

Material. 49, Sulgerd, Golestan National Park, Golestän prov., 1100 m., 16.-18.v11.1985, leg. Pazuki;

19, 1150 m., 20.-21.v11.1996, leg. Ebrähimi, V. Nazari, 30, Almeh, 1600 m., 19.-20.v111.1985, leg.

Pazuki; 40, 1700 m., 25.vii.2001, leg. Gilasian, Mofidi-Neyestänak, Ghayurfar; 19, Shahkuh-e Bala,

Gorgan, Golestän prov., 2400 m., 19.v11.2003, leg. Ebrähimi, Alipanah.

Distribution. This species is distributed in much of the Palaearctic region (Gielis

2003).

Remarks. This species has also been recorded from Amol (Mazandaran province),

Gorgan (Golestan province), and Fars (Bigot 1968; Arenberger 1995).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 177-184 183

Agdistis nanodes Meyrick, 1906

Material. 10, Alafdun Island (Negin), Bushehr prov., 17.iv.1999, leg. Kalänaki, Mofidi-Neyestänak.

Distribution. Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. The species has also been recorded from Bandar Abbas (Hormozgan pro-

vince) and Chabahar (Sistan & Baluchestan province) (Bigot 1968; Arenberger 1995).

Agdistis karakalensis Zagulajev, 1990

Material. 19, Eivanakey, Ahmadabad, Semnän prov., 1450 m., 26.v.1982, leg. Hashemi.

Distribution. Iran, Turkmenistan, Tadzhikistan (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. This is the first record for this species ın Iran.

Agdistis tamaricis-group

Agdistis arabica Amsel, 1958

Material. 20, Bandar Taheri, Bushehr prov., 0 m., 8.vi11.1996, leg. Ardeh, Badii, V. Nazari; 19,

Borazjan, Darvahi, Bushehr prov., 50 m., 22.-23.x11.1999, leg. Badii, Mofidi-Neyestanak; 19, Kangan,

Bidkhun, Bushehr prov., 0 m., 18.x1.1997, V. Nazari, Mofidi-Neyestanak, Barärı; 19, Harra Jungle, Bushehr

prov., 0 m., 9.1.1996, leg. Ardeh, Badii, V. Nazari; 29, Bandar Abbas (20 km N E) Baghou, Hormozgän

prov., 50 m., 30.1v.1986, Mirzäyäns, Borumand; 19, Isin, 150 m., 26.1v.1986, leg. Mirzäyäns, Borumand;

29, Gheshm Island, Dargähän, Hormozgän prov., 27.-28.11.1999, leg. Ghayurfar, Manzari: 10°, Salakh,

50 m., 6.111.2002, leg. Häjesmailiän, Mofidi-Neyestänak, Sadeghi; 10°, Lärak Island, Hormozgän prov.,

6.111.1999, leg. Ghayurfar, Manzari.

Distribution. Tunisia, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Somalia

(Gielis 2003).

Remarks. The species has also been recorded from Chabahar (Bigot 1968; Arenberger

1995).

Agdistis tamaricis (Zeller, 1847)

Material.10,Maräveh Tappeh, Gävändar, Golestän prov., 250 m., 30.1x.1992, leg. Ebrähimi, Badii; 10°,

Bandar Abbas, Rudän, Hormozgän prov., 400 m., 4.1v.1973, leg. Abai; 10°, Gurband, Minäb, Hormozgän

prov., 50 m., 1.1.2000, leg. Badii, Mofidi-Neyestänak; 20°, Abadan, Hayer, Khuzestan prov., 8.v.2002, leg.

Moghaddam, Serri, Nematiän; 19, Ahwäz, Hamidiyeh dam, Hormozgän prov., 20 m., 20.-21.x1.1995, leg.

Mirzäyäns, Badii; 19, Iränshahr (13 km W), Rig Kabud, Sistän & Baluchestän prov., 500 m., 15.v.1972,

leg. Abäi, Ebert; 1 ©, Firuzkuh, Hesärbon, Tehran prov., 1600 m., 5.-6.x.1981, leg. Pazuki.

Distribution. The whole Mediterranean region to Central Asia. From south-west

Europe to near the borders of Germany (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. The species has also been recorded from Shadegan (Khuzestan province)

and Kashan (Esfahan province) (Arenberger 1995).

Agdistis huemeri Arenberger, 2002

Material.2d, Natanz-Targh, Karkas Mt., Mazdeh, Esfahan prov., 2150 m., 15.vi.2005, leg. Zahiri,

Nematiän, Falsafi; 5, 19 Damghän (20 km N), Cheschmeh Ali, Semnän prov., 35°19’01”N,054°27’17”E,

1560 m., 23.-24.v.2005, leg. Trusch, Petschenka, Müller; 20, 20 N Moallemän, Damghan (95 km S),

Därestän Mt., N 35°19’01”, E 054°27’17”, 1540 m., 15.v.2005, leg. Trusch, Petschenka, Müller; 1 9,

Moallemän, Semnan prov., 1070 m., 17.v.2005, leg. Falsafi, Nematian.

Distribution. Iran, Turkmenistan: Kopet-Dagh (Gielis 2003).

184 ALIPANAH & USTJUZHANIN: On Agdistis in Iran

Agdistis protecta Arenberger, 1999

Material. 19, Bashägard Mts., Angohrän vill., Hormozgan prov., 25.111.-5.1v.2000, leg. Siniaev &

Plutenko; 19, Bashagard Mts., Davari vill., 25.111.-5.1v.2000, leg. Siniaev & Plutenko, coll. Ustjuzhanin;

8 ex. same locality, coll. Kovtunovich.

Distribution. Turkmenistan, Iran (Gielis 2003).

Remarks. This species was described from Turkmenistan and according to Wieser et

al. (2001), it is found in Golestan National Park, Iran.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. W. Gerald Tremewan (Natural History Museum, London)

for kindly and carefully checking the manuscript. We are also grateful to Dr. Cees Gielis (National

Natuurhistorisch Museum: Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands) for his valuable suggestions, to Dr. Shahab

Manzari (Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute of Iran) for critically reading the manuscript, and to

Reza Zahiri (Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute of Iran) and Dr. Michael Fibiger (Denmark) for

collecting the new species.

References

Arenberger, E. 1990. Vorarbeiten für die ,, Microlepidoptera Palaearctica“: Der Pselnophorus Komplex. —

Nachrichtenblatt der Bayerischen Entomologen 39: 13-20.

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arctica Vol. 9. - George Fromme, Vienna, XXV+ 258 pp., 153 pls.

Arenberger, E. 2002. Eine neue Agdistis aus Zentralasien (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae). — Carinthia II:

607-614.

Bigot, L. 1968. Les Pterophoridae de l’Iran (Lep.). — Arkiv for Zoologi 20 (12) 8: 243-251.

Gielis, C. 1996: Microlepidoptera of Europe, vol. 1: Pterophoridae, — Apollo Books, Stenstrup. 222 pp.

Gielis, C. 2003: World Catalogue of Insects.vol. 4: Pterophoroidea & Alucitoidea, — Apollo Books, Sten-

strup. 198 pp.

Staudinger, O. & Rebel, H. 1901: Katalog der Lepidopteren des palaarktischen Faunengebietes 2. — Berlin.

368 pp.

Sutter, R. 1991. Beiträge zur Insektenfauna der DDR: Lepidoptera-Pterophoridae. — Beiträge zur Entomo-

logie 41: 27-121.

Wieser, C., P. Huemer & G. Stangelmaier 2001. Schmetterlinge (Lepidoptera). — /n: B. Gutleb & C. Wieser,

Nordiran. Ergebnisse einer zoologischen Exkursion, 2001. — Carinthia II: 52-81.

Zagulajev, A. K. 1996. New and little known species of moths (Lepidoptera: Psychidae, Tineidae,

Pterophoridae, Alucitidae) of the fauna of Russia and neighbouring territories. — Entomologicheskoe

Obozrenie 75 (1): 117-131. (in Russian)

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 185-192 185

The exotic pyraloid moth Diplopseustis perieresalis (Walker)

expanding in the West Palaearctic Region (Crambidae:

Spilomelinae)

WOLFGANG SPEIDEL |, ERIK J. VAN NIEUKERKEN ?, MARTIN R. HONEY * &

SJAAK (J. C.) KOSTER ?

! Museum Witt, Tengstrasse 33, 80796 München, Germany; e-mail: speidel-wolfgang@ web.de

? National Museum of Natural History Naturalis, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands;

e-mail: nieukerken@naturalis.nl

> Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; e-mail: M.Honey@nhm.ac.uk

Abstract. The widespread Oriental and Australian pyraloid moth Diplopseustis perieresalis (Walker,

1859), recently found once on the Scilly Isles, U.K., is here recorded for the first time from the Canary

Islands, mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and Portugal. Furthermore, we report an adventive record

for The Netherlands. The species is probably established on the Canary Islands of La Gomera and Tenerife,

where it may have been accidentally introduced by man, while records from the Iberian Peninsula and

Balearic Islands probably refer to adventive or migrating specimens. Species of Carex are possibly the

larval host plant.

Zusammenfassung. Die weit verbreitete Orientalische und Australische Zünsler-Art Diplopseustis

perieresalis (Walker, 1859), die erst kürzlich einmal auf den Scilly Inseln, Großbritannien gefunden

wurde, wird hier erstmals von den Kanarischen Inseln, dem spanischen Festland, den Balearen und

Portugal gemeldet. Weiterhin melden wir einen Fund von den Niederlanden. Die Art ist wahrscheinlich

auf den Kanarischen Inseln La Gomera und Teneriffa bodenständig geworden, wohin sie wahrscheinlich

zufällig durch den Menschen eingeschleppt wurde; die anderen Meldungen beziehen sich wahrscheinlich

auf verschleppte oder verdriftete Tiere. Carex-Arten sind möglicherweise die Futterpflanze der Raupe.

Key words. Areal expansion, Distribution, Oriental region, Palaearctic region, Canary Islands, Spain,

Balearic Islands, Portugal, Netherlands.

Introduction

During the last few decades in Europe many Lepidoptera have undergone range

expansions, often attributed to global warming (Parmesan eral. 1999). In addition, several

species from other continents have been found in Europe, in most cases probably aided

by man, and some of these have successfully established populations. These species

tend to show an explosive increase in their distribution area and can become harmful

to ornamental plants and trees. Examples are the horse chestnut leafminer (Cameraria

ohridella Deschka & Dimië, 1986) (reviewed by Hellrigl 2001), the castniid palm

borer, Paysandisia archon (Burmeister, 1880) (Sarto i Monteys 2002) and the geranium

bronze, Cacyreus marshalli (Butler, 1898) (Sarto i Monteys 1992). These three species

have become a real problem in Europe and represent an economic threat in the order

of magnitude of millions of Euros annually. In this light, it is important to monitor and

report the arrival of new species in Europe.

The exotic pyraloid moth Diplopseustis perieresalis (Walker, 1859) was recorded in

Europe for the first time from the Scilly Isles (Mackay & Fray 2002).

The discovery of an unknown pyraloid moth in a flower shop in The Netherlands

was the immediate reason for writing this paper: the senior author recognised it as

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

186 SPEIDEL et al.: The adventive Diplopseustis perieresalis in Europe

D. perieresalis, a species for which he also had a few, unpublished, recent records from

the Western Palaearctic region. We report here on these findings and summarise our

knowledge of this species, in order for it to become known and recognised and in order

that its spread can be monitored.

Methods

Photographs were taken by E. van Nieukerken with an AxioVision camera attached to

a Zeiss Axioskop H for the genitalia or a Zeiss Stemi SV 11 for the moths. The map was

prepared with DMap 7.0 (Morton 2000) and edited with Adobe Illustrator.

Diplopseustis perieresalis (Walker, 1859) Figs 1-6

Ambia perieresalis Walker, 1859: 958. Type locality: Borneo, Sarawak (Oxford University Museum of

Natural History).

Cymoriza minima Butler, 1881: 684. Type locality: [Taiwan] Formosa, Takow (Natural History Museum,

London) (synonymised by Hampson 1896: 489).

Sufetula nana Warren, 1896: 225. Type locality: India, Bombay (Natural History Museum, London)

(synonymised by Hampson 1896: 489).

Diplopseustis minima; Meyrick 1884: 285 [new genus, recombination].

Diplopseustis perieresalis; Hampson 1896: 489 [revision]; Inoue 1982: 230 [Japan]; Dugdale 1988:

143 [New Zeeland]; Heppner & Inoue 1992: 83 [Taiwan]; Patrick 1994: 100 [Antipodes, Chatham

island, biology]; Shaffer et al. 1996: 190 [Australia]; Hong Kong Lepidopterist’s Society 2005: online

catalogue [Hong Kong]. 5;

Diplopseustis perieralis [sic]; Dugdale 1973: 202 [Kermadec Islands].

Diplopseustis periersalis [sic]; Mackay & Fray 2002: 26 [first published record West Palaearctic].

Diploseustis [sic] perieresalis; Evenhuis 2006: 6 [Fiji].

Material. West Palaearctic: The Netherlands: 10, [prov. Gelderland], ‘s Heerenberg, in flower

shop, 9.1x.2003, C. Naves, genitalia slide JCK5777 (coll. C. Naves). — Portugal: 19, Algarve/Luz, near

Lagos, 12.-22.x.2000, G. Achenbach, genitalia slide Schmitz (coll. W. Schmitz). — Spain: 19, Prov.

Alicante, Parcent, 500 m, 29.x1.2003, H. Rietz (coll. H. Rietz); 19, Tarragona, El Torn, L’Hospitalet,

8.v11.2003, N. M. Hall (coll. N. M. Hall). Balearic Islands: 19, Mallorca, s’ Albufera, Sa Roca, 26.iv.2006,

M. R. Honey (coll. M. R. Honey). Canary Islands: 19, La Gomera, Loma de Tecina, at light, 24.11.2001,

A. Werno, genitalia slide JCK6201 (coll. W. Speidel); 10°, La Gomera, Guarimiar, at light, 1.111.2001,

A. Werno (coll. A. Werno); 19, Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz, at light, 2.111.2001, A. Werno (coll. A. Werno).

— Other regions: China: 10°, West Tien Mu Shan, Prov. Chekiang [Zhejiang], 9.1x.1932, H. Höne; genitalia

slide Speidel 652 (Zoological Research Institute and Museum A. Koenig, Bonn). — New Zealand: 10,

Christchurch, 26.111.1882, Meyrick coll., genitalia slide JCK6144 (National Museum of Natural History

Naturalis, Leiden).

Identification. A Canary Island specimen was compared by the senior author with

the Diplopseustis species in the Natural History Museum collection in London, in

order to exclude the possibility that an Afrotropical species was involved. The external

appearance of D. perieresalis proved to be sufficiently distinctive to enable exclusion

of other related species, and no identical Afrotropical species could be found. Later,

specimens from China and from New Zealand were carefully compared and found

to be identical with the West-Palaearctic specimens; the male genitalia were also in

agreement (but see below).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 185-192 187

Figs 1-2. Diplopseustis perieresalis, adult habitus. 1. Male: Netherlands, ‘s Heerenberg. 2. Female: Spain,

Mallorca.

Recognition. Diplopseustis perieresalis superficially (Figs 1-2) resembles some Euro-

pean Pyralidae, Pyralinae, e.g. some Pyralis species (which are easily separated by the

separate Sc+R, in the hindwing, which is stalked with Rs in Diplopseustis), or melanistic

Endotricha flammealis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775), from which it is easily

separated by the combination of long porrect palpi, the position of the dark marking on

the hindwing, and the sinuous forewing termen. The male genitalia (Figs. 3-5) have

a strongly reduced gnathos, a characteristic of the Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae, and

the aedeagus (= phallus) is characterised by a pair of hairy lobes and a single strong

cornutus. The female genitalia (Fig. 6) lack a rhomboid signum, a condition that refers

the species to the Spilomelinae; otherwise the corpus bursae is globular, the ductus

bursae is elongate, and the ovipositor has long apophyses.

The photographs of the male genitalia show some slight differences, notably in some

details of the valva, the Dutch and New Zealand specimens being most similar. With

the low number of slides studied we cannot decide whether this is due to intraspecific

variation alone. This observation, however, stresses the need for a systematic revision

of the genus Diplopseustis.

Distribution. Diplopseustis perieresalis as currently defined is widely distributed in the

Oriental and Australian regions and in the eastern parts of the Palaearctic region; there

being records from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, coast of mainland China (Zhejiang,

Shanghai), India, Malaysia (Borneo, Sarawak - the type locality), Australia, Fiji, New

Zealand and several of its off-shore islands (Antipodes, Chathams, Kermadec). Records

from India, Assam, refer to other closely related species that were once considered

to be synonyms (see below). For a map showing the known records in the Western

Palaearctic, see Fig. 7.

188

SPEIDEL et al.: The adventive Diplopseustis perieresalis in Europe

Figs 3-6. Diplopseustis perieresalis, male (3-5) and female (6) genitalia. 3. Netherlands, ‘s Heerenberg,

genitalia slide JCK5777; aedeagus not separated. 4. New Zealand, Christchurch, genitalia slide JCK6144;

aedeagus in ventral view. 5. China: West Tien Mu Shan, genitalia slide WS652; aedeagus in lateral view.

6. Canary Islands, La Gomera, Loma de Tecina, genitalia slide JCK6201.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 185-192 189

Life history. Not much is known about the life history. Meyrick (1884: 285), when

writing about adult D. minima, stated “frequenting rushes in damp places.” There are no

direct references to the larvae of this species but Patrick (1994) provides evidence that,

on the Antipodes at least, it is very likely that the species feeds on Carex secta Boott.,

a tussock forming species that is widely distributed in New Zealand. Interestingly, this

is one of the more widely available cultivated species of Carex, as a search of Google

quickly shows. The wetland site of the Mallorcan specimen, described below, fits with

this picture. Adults have been found in most months of the year, the Canarian specimens

are from February-March, the Mallorcan specimen from April, the Tarragona specimen

in July, and the other Western Palaearctic records from September to November.

Systematics. The genus Diplopseustis Meyrick, 1884 contains a number of species.

The Global Lepidoptera Names Index (Beccaloni et al. 2005) cites eight names (one of

which is a manuscript name!), of which two are regarded as synonyms of perieresalis

(see above), resulting in five valid species, from Africa, India, New Guinea, and

Australia. A further name (eucosmeta Turner, 1939) is regarded as a synonym of one of

the Australian species (prophetica Meyrick, 1887) (Shaffer et al. 1996). Related genera

may well prove to contain more true Diplopseustis species that are misplaced at present

and we know of a few additional, unnamed, species from Southeast Asia, though the

number of species within the genus will probably remain low.

Hampson (1896) synonymised four species with perieresalis but we consider that those

described from Assam and Khasi Hills (D. constellata Warren, 1896 and D. pallidalis

Warren, 1896), should be regarded as different species. The genus was for a long

time regarded as belonging to the Pyralinae but its genitalia clearly place it in the

Spilomelinae. As to the rank of the family group name Spilomelinae, we follow Nuss

et al. (2004), the most recent list of European Lepidoptera. Previously it was often cited

as the tribe Spilomelini within the Pyraustinae (e.g., Shaffer et al. 1996).

Discussion. The first specimen collected in the West Palaearctic was taken in October

2000 in Portugal. In the early spring of 2001 several specimens were taken in the

Canary Islands and on 19 October of that year, the Scilly Isles specimen was found.

The Spanish and Dutch specimens were found in 2003 and the specimen on Mallorca

was found in April 2006.

The widespread occurrence on the Canary Islands suggests that Diplopseustis perieresalis

was established there by the year 2000, or earlier. It is uncertain whether the specimens

along the Portuguese and Spanish coasts belong to resident populations. The specimen

found on the Scilly Isles was considered to be an adventive, possibly imported with plants

into the Abbey gardens (Mackay & Fray 2002), but the geographic position of these

islands (Figure 7), and the fact that it was collected together with several migrant species,

make it more likely that it too arrived there by natural dispersal from the Canary Islands.

The record from the Netherlands flower shop, however, is almost certainly adventive:

the fresh condition of the specimen indicating that it had just emerged, brought in as

a caterpillar or pupa with imported plant material. There is a frequent trade of plants

190 SPEIDEL et al.: The adventive Diplopseustis perieresalis in Europe

between the Canary Islands,

Spain, and the Netherlands.

The Mallorcan specimen was

taken at a lighted window in

the middle of s’Albufera, a

wetland reserve of over 1700

ha. The habitat adjacent to the

capture site comprises over

500 hectares of dense Cladium

mariscus reed bed intersper-

sed with Phragmites australis.

Arundo donax borders some

of the tracks fringing the reed

beds and the tracks also sup-

port several patches of Carex

(mainly C. extensa and C. dis-

tans, With some C. otrubae).

The probability of it being an

adventive there is highly un-

likely.

How an oriental insect could

have reached the Canary Is-

lands is open to debate. Two

Fig. 7. Diplopseustis perieresalis, records in West Palaearctic, possibilities deserve further

WI DEALS Ce discussion and research. The

first, transport aided by man,

seems at present to provide the best explanation. The trade of plants between Australia,

New Zealand, and Japan, all home to this species, and the Canary Islands is probably

frequent. If Carex is indeed the hostplant, then it could easily become established, since

Carex species occur almost everywhere. Moreover, the New Zealand Carex secta is a

popular garden plant and transport of larvae with imported plants of this species is a

distinct possibility (a similar situation occurred with the introduction of C. marshalli

to Europe from South Africa with garden Pelargonium). The second possibility is

that the species reached the Canary Islands on its own. It has a very wide distribution

and, apparently, a strong dispersal power. It is quite possible that the presence of

D. perieresalis somewhere between India and West Africa has been overlooked. We

hope that this paper will provoke further search for the species in both private and

museum collections and the field, hopefully bridging some of the current gaps in its

distribution.

It is open to speculation as to whether the species can establish permanent populations

in the more northern countries and whether we can expect further expansion or, indeed,

damage to garden plants. If the larval host plant is correct, it cannot be the limiting

factor for range expansion.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 185-192 191

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to G. Achenbach (Wermelskirchen, Germany), Norman M. Hall (Reading, Berkshire, U.K.),

Charles Naves (Drempt, the Netherlands), H. Rietz (Schwarzenbeck near Lauenburg, Germany), Willibald

Schmitz (Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany), and Andreas Werno (Landsweiler-Reden, Germany) for the loan

of material and for permission to publish their data. Michael Shaffer (Natural History Museum, London,

U.K.) provided important information on taxonomy and nomenclature of this species. M. R. Honey is

grateful to the Balearic Government’s Conselleria de Medi Ambient and its S’Albufera Parc Director,

Maties Rebassa, for providing access to laboratory facilities and for permission to conduct studies in the

Parc and also thanks Nick Riddiford (Schoolton, Fair Isle, U. K.), the volunteers and other participants

in The Albufera Initiative for Biodiversity for their enthusiastic help in collecting and sorting material.

Matthias Nuss and Bernard Landry are acknowledged for their critical remarks on the manuscript.

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Recent records of Noctuidae from Malta, with five species new

to the European fauna, and a new subspecies

MICHAEL FIBIGER !, PAUL SAMMUT ?, ANTHONY SEGUNA °, & ALDO CATANIA *

Molbecha Alle 49, 4180 Sorg, Denmark; e-mail: fibiger@stofanet.dk

137, ‘Fawkner/2’, Dingli Rd., Rabat, RBT 07, Malta; e-mail: farfett@onvol.net

‘Redeemer’, Triq |-Emigrant, Naxxar, Malta; e-mail: lepseg@onvol.net

‘Rama Rama’, Triq Mons. Anton Cilia, Zebbug, Malta; e-mail: ramarama@ global.net.mt

> w N -

Abstract. Recent records of Noctuoidea from Malta are given. Five noctuid species are recorded from Europe

for the first time: Eublemma conistrota Hampson, 1910, Eublemma deserti Rothschild, 1909, Anumeta

hilgerti (Rothschild 1909), Hadula deserticula (Hampson 1905), and Euxoa canariensis Rebel, 1902. New

synonyms are stated: Leptosia velocissima f. tarda Turati, 1926, syn. n. and Leptosia griseimargo Warren,

1912, syn. n., both synonyms of Metachrostis velox (Hübner, 1813); and Pseudohadena (Eremohadena)

roseonitens espugnensis Lajonquiere, 1964, syn. n., a synonym of P. (E.) roseonitens roseonitens

(Oberthür, 1887). A new subspecies of Xylena exsoleta (Linneaus, 1758), Xylena exsoleta maltensis ssp.

n., is established. The literature on Maltese Noctuoidea is reviewed and erronuousely reported species are

indicated. The revised number of Noctuidae (s.l.) recorded from the Maltese archipelago is 158. To date

no Notodontidae have been recorded. For some species, some additional iformation is given on their life

history and distribution. Araeopteron ecphaea (Hampson, 1914) is recorded for the first time from France

(Corsica).

Key words. Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea, Malta, faunistics, systematics, new subspecies, new synonyms,

ecology.

Introduction

The Maltese Islands are a group of small, low-lying islands situated almost at the centre

of the Mediterranean, from 35°48’28” to 36°0’0” N and 14°11’04” to 14°34°37” E.

They are 92 km south of Sicily and 252 km north of the Libyan coast. The Maltese

archipelago is composed of three inhabited islands, Malta (246 km’), Gozo (61 km?)

and Comino (3 km?) and a number of smaller, uninhabited islets and rocks. From the

ecological point of view, the most important of these are Cominotto, Filfa, St. Paul’s

Island and Hagra tal-General.

Malta is the main island. The highest point is at Dingli, on the west side of Malta and

is 253m above sea level. The island is tilted towards the southeast, with numerous

harbours and creeks on the east side. Lakes and rivers are lacking and only a few

permanent freshwater springs are to be found.

Geologically the Maltese Islands form part of the European plate. The rock which now

is the Maltese archipelago was deposited under the sea during the Eocene, Oligocene

and Miocene periods of the Tertiary epoch, some 35 million years ago. The Maltese

Islands emerged from the sea about 7 to 5 million years ago, when the African plate

pushed against the European plate. The islands are composed of sedimentary rocks,

which except for the blue clay layer, are wholly limestone. (Pedley et al. 2002)

The Maltese climate is typically of the Mediterranean type, with mild, wet winters

and hot dry summers. Annual rainfall is variable and the average for the last forty

years is about 500 mm. Most of the rain (c. 85%) falls between October and March.

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

194 FIBIGER et al.: Noctuidae from Malta

The period between April and September make up the dry season. The mean temperature

for the last 45 years was 18.7 °C. The average for February, the coldest month is

12.36 °C, while that for August, the hottest month is 26.39 °C. The lowest temperature

ever recorded was 1.4°C in January 1981 while the highest, 43.8 °C was recorded in

August of 1999. Snow never falls. Relative humidity is generally high (65-80%) all

the year round. Windy conditions are the norm. About 92% of the days of the year have

a minimum of 1.85km per hour of wind. The prevailing wind is the the northwesterly

wind or mistral.

The ıslands have been settled since Neolithic times. According to the National Statistics

Office, the population in 2004 was 402,668 and the population density reached

approximately 1274 inhabitants per km’. These figures do not take into account the

number of tourists who visit the islands every year. In the same year the estimated

number of tourists who visited Malta was 1,127,407.

The natural vegetation of the Maltese Islands is dominated by the Mediterranean

scrub communities of which the best representatives are the various types of garigue

typical of rocky ground and characterized by such species as Coridothymus capitatus,

Anthyllis hermanniae, Teucrium fruticans, Erica multiflora and the endemic Euphorbia

melitensis (Lanfranco 1995). Garigue ecosystems, such as at Ras il-Pellegrin, Il-Kortin

tal-Mellieha in Malta, and Ta’ Cenc in Gozo, make up to about 10% of the natural

environment. (Lanfranco 2002). In favoured situations, such as under cliff faces, scrub

community occurs as maquis, with Ceratonia siliqua, Olea europaea, Pistacia lentiscus,

Rhamnus oleoides, Teucrium flavum, Prasium majus, Lonicera impexa, Smilax aspera,

Acanthus mollis, Capparis orientalis and others (Lanfranco 1995). Less than 3% of the

natural environment is of this type (Lanfranco 2002).

No natural woods occur, although remnants of a few Quercus ilex woods, such as at

Buskett, near Dingli, at Wardija and Mellieha still remain or are reduced to maquis.

The semi-artificial woodland at Buskett is fairly characteristic of a Mediterranean

evergreen wood (Lanfranco 1995). Wooded areas account to only 1.4% of the natural

environment. (Lanfranco 2002).

Freshwater habitats are scarce in Malta, especially during the summer months.

Permanent streams, such as at Wied il-Lug in Buskett, Wied tal-Bahrija in Bahrija and

Wied il-Lunzjata in Gozo are dominated by plant communities comprising Arundo

donax, Cyperus longus, Holoschoenus vulgaris, Populus albus, Salix pedicellata,

Ulmus canescens, sometimes accompanied by Laurus nobilis.

Dune communities are even rarer and are largely degraded. These are characterized by

species belonging to Salicornia, Suaeda, Crithmum, Limonium, Phrgamites australis,

Juncus acutus, Pancratium maritimum, Euphorbia, Salsola, Medicaga, and others

(Lanfranco 1995). Dune areas still exist at Ghadira Bay and Rdum il-Hmar in Mellieha,

at Armier Bay in Malta and at Ramla in Gozo.

Agricultural land accounts for 46.8% while built up areas and roads account for 30.6%

of the land area. Only about 20% is still in its natural state. (Schembri et al. 1998).

The fauna of the Maltese Islands, like its flora is numerous, varied and very interesting.

Considering the insects alone, no less than 4200 species have been recorded so far

from the Maltese Islands (Schembri 1996), of which about 600 species belong to

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 195

the Lepidoptera. There exists a large literature on Lepidoptera. The first mention of

lepidoptera from the Maltese Islands is by De Reville (1750) of a larva feeding on

the vine, later named by Stainton as Antispila rivillei in 1855. Notable summaries

which contain references to Noctuidae include the contributions of Valletta (1950a,

1950b, 1951, 1955, 1973), DeLucca (1949, 1956, 1969), Sammut (1984, 1985, 2000)

and Sammut et al. (2003). Other important contributions are those of Caruana Gatto

(1905), Borg (1932), Boursin (1952) Berio (1976), DeLaever (1980) and Karsholt and

Razowski (1996). Passim references on Noctuidae from Malta are also found ın nearly

all the volumes of Noctuidae Europaeae. So far 158 species of Noctuidae have been

recorded from the Maltese Islands.

Being in close proximity both to Italy and Africa, Malta has also biologically served as

a stepping stone for distribution of butterflies and moths from either south or north, and

because Malta is among the southernmost islands of Europe (actually Crete is a little

further to the south) it has drawn special attention for faunistists searching to find out

the diversity and number of the total European fauna.

A short visit during early October of 2004 of the senior author and Mrs. Fibiger to

Malta, gave us the opportunity to re-evalutate the noctuid material in the collections

of the co-authors. These are the three major lepidoptera collections on the island, with

approximately 9000 noctuid specimens between them (coll. Catanıa 2240 specimens,

coll. Sammut 3900 specimens and coll. Seguna 3296 specimens). Three other sizeable

collections, those of Jonathan Agius, Denis Magro and Michael Zerafa were also studied

and findings are included also here.

It became evident from the start that some material represented new records for Malta

and Europe. It was also evident that some species reported in literature were incorrectly

determined or that a particular series contained two species. This was particularly so

with some of the Eublemma species and the Caradrinini. These corrections are also

included here. It was decided that species which needed determination by genitalia

were to be further studied by the senior author at home in Sgro. The object of this

work is to describe the findings.

Material and Methods

This publication refers to Sammut (2000) and the more recently published records of

Noctuoidea from Malta by Sammut et al. (2003).

The present paper will compile all records made by the authors and include the most

remarkable here. Also records made by Bjarne Skule, Denmark in the spring of 2004,

and Äke Selling, Sweden in late December 2003 are included.

For a correct identification of the material, genitalia preparations if necessary have been

performed and material deposited at various museums has been studied.

Following, the species are listed systematically, according to Fibiger & Hacker (2005)

and Lafontaine & Fibiger (in print). Unless otherwise indicated, all cited material

has been collected at light, either in moth traps with 15W actinic lights or at 160W

M.V. light.

196 FIBIGER et al.: Noctuidae from Malta

Abbreviations

AC coll. A. Catania

AS coll. A. Seguna

AV coll. A. Valletta

BMNH The Natural History Museum London

BS coll. B. Skule

coll. Collection

DM coll. D. Magro

EAS coll. E. Ake Selling

e.0 bred ex-ova

JA coll. J. Agius

MF coll. M. Fibiger

M.V. mercury vapour light source

NMNH National Museum of Natural History, Malta

prep. Genitalia preparation

PS coll. P. Sammut

TMB Termeszettudomanyi Musuem, Budapest

ZMUC Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen

Results

Noctuidae Latreille, 1809 s. I. (Lafontaine & Fibiger, in print)

Araeopteroninae Fibiger, 2005

Araeopteron ecphaea (Hampson, 1914) Fig. 1

Material. Several specimens Malta, Bahrija, Wied tal-Bahrija, 8.vii.2000, 15.v111.2001, 6.vii., 5.,

23.v111.2003, leg. Catania (AC); several specimens, Buskett, Wied il-Luq, 6.v11.2001, 10., 17.vii.2003,

6.vil., 2., 15.v111.2004, leg. Agius (JA), Catania (AC), Seguna (MF), Sammut (PS, EAS); Dingli, Dingli

Cliffs, 13.v11.2001, leg. Sammut (PS); Rabat, Wied ta’ I-Isgof, 11.v11.1999, 28.vi., 16.vii.2002, 28.vi.2002,

9.v11.2003, 8.1x.2004, leg. Agius (JA), Catania (AC), Sammut (PS), Seguna (AS).

This mainly afrotropical species appears to be quite common in Malta, especially in

wet biota. It readily comes to light. It is known from Yemen, Nigeria, Congo, Malawi,

Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia (Fibiger & Hacker 2001), Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Greece

(incl. Crete), southern Italy, mainland Spain and Mallorca (Fibiger & Agassiz 2001;

Requena 2002), as well as Corsica (D. Nilsson & P. Skou, pers. comm.). The latter is

the first record of this species from France.

Remarks. The recent discovery of A. ecphaea in Europe (Fibiger & Agassiz 2001) still

raises some questions. Has the species had a surprisingly rapid spread to most of the

Mediterranean area just recently or has it been generally overlooked by lepidopterists

formerly? In general, there are not many records of species of the genus Araeopteron

available yet, which might be due to the small size of these animals, which may have

contributed that these species have often been overlooked.

Eublemminae Forbes, 1954

Eublemma deserti (Rothschild, 1909) Fig. 2

Material. 10, Malta Pembroke, 13.x1.2003, leg. Seguna (AS), prep. Fibiger 5202.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 197

To date only one specimen has been recorded from the Maltese Islands. Pembroke

Ranges are very close to the sea and with a typical garigue vegetation. The specimen

was collected at an actinic moth trap.

The type species, a male, labelled, Algeria, Mraier, 105 km south of Biskra, 17.1v.09

(W. R. & E. H.), is in the BMNH collection. This taxon resembles Eublemma debilis

Christoph, 1884, which is described from the Achal-Tekke region in southern Turk-

menistan. A colour photo of a possible E. debilis from Syria, 20 km NE of Damascus,

is illustrated by Hacker (2001). The name of the Maltese specimen becomes even more

dubious as Staudinger (1901) established the taxon Thalpochares (today a synonym

of Eublemma) debilis var. (= subspecies) deleta Staudinger, 1901, which has as the

type locality Algeria, Biskra. However, if E. debilis is not conspecific with E. deserti,

the correct name for the Maltese specimen could very well be EF deleta. Two more

names need to be considered: E. purulenta (Turati, 1926), described from Libya, Oası

de Augila, and EF. purinula (Turati, 1926) from Libya, Oasi dei Carcura. Judging from

the relatively good black and white photos by Turatı (1926) they are probably both

synonyms of E. deserti; however, the types are not included by Berio (2002), and could

also not be traced elsewhere. If these five taxa are identical, this report does only concern

a very interesting record, not a new species to Europe, because two male specimens

of E. debilis are reported from Crimea in the Ukraine, and from Sarepta in Russia

respectively (Fibiger & Hacker 1998). But because the E. siticulosa species-group,

to which E. deserti and E. debilis belong, is so difficult to determine, and because the

species therein are so many and variable, the true identity cannot be stated before all

the species have been revised. In the European list (Fibiger & Hacker 2005) it should

be placed after E. debilis (Christoph, 1884).

New record to the fauna of Europe.

Eublemma conistrota Hampson, 1910 Fig. 3

Material. 19, Malta, Pembroke, 22.1v.1990, leg. Catania (AC), prep. Fibiger 5201.

The only specimen recorded so far from the Maltese Islands has been collected at M.V.

light. The type specimen, a male, is recorded together with a female from Pakistan,

Belochistan, Quetta (BMNH). These two specimens have been studied, and resembles

well the Maltese specimen.

However, this species belongs to a complex of Eublemma species, which are very

similar to each other and still need taxonomic revision. These species are E. subvenata

(Staudinger, 1892) from Tunisia; E. albivestalis Hampson, 1910 from Israel, Chor el

Sueme; E. albidior Rothschild, 1915 from Algeria; E. cremorna (Hampson, 1918)

from Tunisia, Tozeur; E. deserta (Staudinger, 1900) from Algeria, Biskra; E. ernesti

Rothschild, 1915 from Algeria, Qued Vaa; E. lacteola Rothschild, 1914 from Algeria,

Guelt-Es-Stel; E. nucha Strand, 1917 from Iran, Schahrud; E. pernivea Rothschild, 1920

from Algeria, Ain Sefra and E. uniformis (Staudinger, 1878) from Iran, Schahrud. Here,

we are attributing the Maltese specimen to E. conistrota. In the European list (Fibiger

& Hacker 2005) it should be placed after E. pallidula (Herrich-Schäffer, 1856).

New record to the fauna of Europe.

198 FIBIGER et al.: Noctuidae from Malta

Metachrostis velox (Hübner, 1813) Figs 4-5

= Leptosia velocissima Turati, 1926

= Leptosia velocissima f. tarda Turati, 1926, syn. n.

= Leptosia griseimargo Warren, 1912, syn. n.

Material.3 exp. Gozo, Xaghra, 14.1x.2005, leg. Catania (AC); Malta, Attard, Wied Qirda, 30.vi.1989,

leg. Catania (AC); Buskett, 6.vii.2001, leg. Sammut (PS); Mellieha, Il-Kortin, 10.x.2004, leg. Borg-Barthet

(PS); Pembroke, 26.x.1989, 25.1v.1990, 29.1x.2004, leg. Catania (AC); Rabat, 29.x.1973, viii., ix., x.,

x1.1981, 26.x.1983, 10.x.1990, 13., 25.x.2001, 10.vi., 21.x.2003, 17 vi11.2004, 28.x.2005, leg. Agius (JA),

Catania (AC), Sammut (PS); Rabat, Wied il-Qlejja, 09.v11.2003, leg. J. Agius (JA); Zurrieq, 4.ix.2003, leg.

J. Agius (JA).

Poole (1989) has erroneously placed the taxon Leptosia velocissima in the genus

Eublemma Hibner, 1821. M. velox, is sexually dimorphic: the male is lighter, greyish-

beige, and the female is darker, even reddish brown. Through the help of M. Honey

(BMNH) syntypes of M. velocissima were found in the museum. The abdomen of two

of the specimens were dissected (male: prep. Fibiger 5227; female 5228), and they

showed a clear match with M. velox, and with the drawings of the right valve of the

male genitalia of the lectotype designated by Berio (2002). Further, investigation of the

type specimen of Metachrostis griseimargo (Warren, 1912), syn. n. (BMNH) revealed

synonymy of this taxon, as it is only a colour form of M. velox.

Among the Maltese specimens was a single peculiar male, recorded 19.1x.2000, smaller

than M. velocior, but larger than M. velox, and with a wing pattern more like M. velocior

than of M. velox. As its genitalia (Fig. 5) is almost intermediate between M. velocior

and M. velox, it could presumably be a hybrid specimen.

Metachrostis velocior (Staudinger, 1892) Figs 5-6

Material. Gozo, Xaghra, 14 ix 2005, leg. Catania (AC); Malta, Bahrija, 2.vii.1991, 3.viu.2001,

leg. Catania (AC), Seguna (JA); Bahrija, Fomm ir-Rih, 4.1x.2001, leg. Sammut (JA); Bahrija, Wied tal-

Bahrija, 5.v111.2003, leg. Sammut (PS); Delimara, 22.vi.2001, leg. Sammut (PS); Dingli, Dingli Cliffs,

22.v1.1989, 30.v., 27.v1.1995, 10.v.1997, 13.v11.2001, 10.vi.2003, ix., 16.x.2004, leg. Agius (JA), Catania

(AC), Sammut (PS), Seguna (AS); Gharghur, 28.vi.1995, leg. Seguna (AS); Marfa, 25.vi.1994, 28.x.2004,

leg. Seguna (AS); Mosta, Targa Gap, 10.vi.1986, leg. Sammut (PS); Mtarfa, 9.vi.1991, leg. Sammut (PS);

Naxxar, 5.vi.1995, 19.i11.1997, 20.1x.2004,leg. Seguna (AS); Paradise Bay, 18.v.1997, 15.v.1999, leg.

Sammut (PS), Seguna (AS); Pembroke, 22.v.1989, leg. Catania (AC); Rabat, 11.vii.1999, 16.v11.2001,

10.v1.2003, 29.vii 2004, leg. Sammut (PS); Rabat, Dwejra, 2.vi.1994, 25.vi.1999, 21.v11.2003, leg. Sammut

(PS), Seguna (AS); Siggiewi, Ghar Lapsi, 16.vii.1999, leg. Sammut (PS); Zurrieq, 28.x1.2003, leg. Agius

(JA); Qrendi, 14.x.2004, leg. Agius (JA).

The species has been illustrated by Sammut (2000: fig. 343) as M. velox. M. velocior is

considerably larger than M. velox: 20-24 mm against 18-20 mm. It can not be excluded

that the records of Anthony Valletta and Carmelo DeLucca for M. velox refer to this

species. Metachrostis velocior has not been recorded by either Valletta or DeLucca. It

flies in one generation from June to July, whereas M. velox has two generations, one in

late spring and one in autumn. New record to the Maltese fauna.

Catocalinae Boisduval, 1828

Dysgonia torrida (Guenée, 1852)

Both a common migrant on Malta and resident, feeding on Ricinus communis. The inner

crossline is smoothly bent in D. torrida, that of the sister-species D. algira (Linneaus,

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 199

1967) which is more common on Malta, has the inner line slightly angled midially, and

the whitish band on the hindwing is narrower than that of D. torrida. Larvae of this

latter species have been bred on Rubus fruticosus and Punica granata.

Anumeta hilgerti (Rothschild, 1909) Figs 7-9

mao Malta, © Pembroke 10.vi.1991, leg. Catania. (AC), prep. Fibiger 5175; 19 same data

A. hilgerti is illustrated by Sammut (2000: fig. 316) as Anumeta cestis (Ménétriés,

1848). However, A. cestis occurs neither in Europe nor on Malta. It occurs in South

East European Russia, e.g. the dunes by the northern Caspian Sea (Goater et al. 2003).

A. hilgerti is described from Algeria, southern Sahara, Bdj. Ferdjan, where it occurs

sympatrically with A. cestis. It is a Saharo-Arabian species, distributed throughout the

desert zone of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt and all of the Arabian Peninsula

(Rungs 1981; Wiltshire 1990). In the European list (Fibiger & Hacker, 2005) it should

be placed after Anumeta cestis (Ménétriés, 1848). New record to the fauna of Malta

and Europe.

Autophila maura (Staudinger, 1888)

Material. Malta, 19 Mriehel, 17.i11.1949, leg. Valletta (AV); 19 Valletta, 15.1v.2004, leg. Agius (JA).

This North African species is known from Europe only from these two Maltese

specimens. Its larva is known to feed on Genista sp. and Ulex europeus (Valletta 1973).

These two species are not indeginous in the Maltese Islands and if they exist, they do so

in very small numbers in public or private gardens. The specimen recorded by Valletta

was taken from under a lamp-post while that recorded by Agius was found on a door

step, also attracted to street light. These two specimens are the only A. maura observed

from Europe.

Autophila rosea (Staudinger, 1888)

Material. Malta, Hamrun, 25.11.1981, leg. Seguna (AS); Mellieha, Mellieha ridge, Red Tower area,

80 m., 9.1v.2004, Skule leg (BS); Pembroke, 29.x1., 24.x11.1991, leg. Catania (AC); Rabat, 15.11.2002,

15.x11.2003, leg Sammut (PS); Ta’ |-Ibragg, 6.x1.2004, leg. Catania (AC); Zebbug, 4., 8., 13.x1.2004, leg.

Catania (AC).

This south Mediterranean species has been recorded from Sicily and Malta (Goater et al.

2003: 138). Outside Europe it is common in the Canary Islands and North Africa. Some

specimens of A. dilucida (Hiibner, 1808) are difficult to distinguish from specimens of

A. rosea, so a genitalia preparation is often needed (see Goater et al. 2003). Because

it has not been possible to find more specimens the occurrence of this species in the

Maltese Islands is believed to be a result of migration from North Africa.

Pandesma robusta (Walker, 1858).

The species is now common everywhere in Crete, Greece, Malta, Sicily, southern Italy,

and on the southern Iberian peninsula. The records from Malta are numerous and the

species is widely distributed on the island.

200 FIBIGER et al.: Noctuidae from Malta

Plusiinae Boisduval, 1829

Thysanoplusia circumscripta (Freyer, 1831)

Material. No material available.

This species has been recorded from Malta by Goater et al. (2003), but it was so far

impossible to trace any voucher specimens from Malta.

Cuculliinae Herrich-Schaffer, 1850

Cucullia syrtana (Mabille, 1888)

rs Malta, 10 Mriehel, 3.x1.1948, leg. Valletta (AV); 19 Naxxar, 8.111.2002, leg. Sammut

The record by Sammut from Naxxar is the second specimen of this North African

species for the Maltese Islands. Boths specimens have been taken at light. Beside these

two records, one more European specimen 1s recorded from Greece (Ronkay & Ronkay,

1995). Cucullia species are most often not attracted to light, but much easier to observe

while they visit flowers in the dusk and dawn, flying like a humming-bird when they

are nectaring. They are good and fast flyers.

Cucullia biskrana (Oberthür, 1918)

Material. Malta, 19 Mriehel, 6.x11.1950, leg. Valletta (AV); 19 Rabat, 18.x1.1983, leg. Sammut

(PS).

No further specimens of this species have been recorded. It is still unrecorded from

elsewhere ın Europe.

Heliothinae Boisduval, 1828

Schinia scutosa ([Denis & Schiffermüller |, 1775)

This species is known from Malta from only four specimens. It has been recorded

from two specimens collected from Mriehel in July and August 1953 (leg. A. Valletta);

further from Naxxar in October 1981 (leg. Alfred Zerafa); and from Pembroke in May

1990 (leg. A. Catania). It has been illustrated by Valletta (1973: pl. 11) and Sammut

(2000: fig. 356). The record from Naxxar is a new record.

Bryophilinae Guenée, 1852

Cryphia (Bryophila) domestica (Hufnagel, 1766)

The specimen figured by Sammut (2000) was borrowed from a European museum

as C. domestica. However, it is a specimen of Nycteola degenerana (Hübner, 1799).

C. domestica is reported by a few specimens from Birkirkara and Naxxar (Valletta

1973). The presence of this species from the Maltese Islands is considered doubtful.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 201

Xyleninae Guenée, 1837

Caradriniini Boisduval, 1840

Caradrina (Eremodrina) vicina castrensis Berio, 1981 Fig. 10

Material. Malta, 19 Bahrija, Wied tal-Bahrija, 15.vi11.2001, leg. Seguna (AS), prep. Fibiger 5194.

This species was erroneously reported from Malta by Valletta (1973), but ıt was actually

due to a misidentification of aspecimen of Cryphia raptricula (| Denis & Schiffermüller],

1775) (Sammut 2000). Now it can be stated that one female specimen was recorded on

Malta. The identification was possible through the large, excellent Caradrina revision

by Hacker (2004). C. vicina occurs as four subspecies: subsp. vicina Staudinger, 1870

(also illustrated in fig. 10) from SE Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Armenia, Kirghizstan,

Turkestan, and Iran; the more greyish, suffused with blackish scales, subsp. castrensis

Berio, 1981 from northern and central Italy, and now also Malta; subsp. rosea (Boursin,

1936) from Lebanon and Israel; and subsp. hunza (Hacker, 1992) from Pakistan,

Tadjikistan, and Afghanistan. It is new to the Maltese fauna.

Caradrina (Platyperigea) proxima (Rambur, 1837) Fig. 11

Material. Malta, Dingli, Dingli Cliffs 10.v.1997, leg. Seguna (AS).

A single specimen has been recorded from Malta; it seems to be a migrant. C. proxima

is known from S France, just north of the eastern Pyrenean range, Iberian Peninsula and

the Baleares, Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Sardinia and Sicily. Its eastern vicariant species

C. kadenii (Freyer, 1836) is spreading rapidly towards the north-west, and occurs in

south-eastern France, England, south-west Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the north-

east Iberian Peninsula, Corsica, Italy incl. Sardinia, all Balkan countries, Romania,

Ukraine, Caucasus, Transcaucasus, Tyrkey, Cyprus, Iran, and the middle East. It occurs

on Sardinia and Sicily sympatrically with C. proxima. New for Malta.

Caradrina (Platyperigea) germainii (Duponchel, 1835)

This species has always been recorded from the Maltese Islands as a rare or even very

rare species. It was first recorded by Anthony Valletta (1950a) from a specimen taken

at light from Birkirkara on October 23, 1943. He adds that it was commom during

October of 1948 and that he took another specimen on September 27, 1950. In his other

paper, (1950b) he writes that he took 3 specimens during October 1949. It has now been

recorded on numerous occasions, always in October, from various localities around

Malta mostly from garigue habitat.

Caradrina (Paradrina) seleni djebli Rungs, 1973 Fig. 12

Material. Malta, 20, 29, Mellieha, Ghadira Bay, at the Red Tower, Marfa Ridge, 80 m, 5.-11.iv.

2004, leg. Skule (BS); Mellieha, Mellieha Bay Holiday Centre, 25 m, 5.-11.1v.2004, leg Skule (BS); 5¢,

39, Hamrun, 25.11.1981, leg. Seguna (AS); Rabat, 2.iv.2004, leg. Sammut (PS), prep. Fibiger 5229.

202 FIBIGER et al.: Noctuidae from Malta

Several specimens of C. seleni are recorded in subspecies djebli Rungs, 1973, which

is previously unknown from Europe. Its main occurrence is in north-west Africa. The

nominotypical subspecies is known from almost all of Europe, also from Sicily. In

north-east Africa another subspecies of C. seleni occurs: mairei Draudt, 1909 (Hacker,

2004). New to the Maltese fauna.

Hoplodrina blanda (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)

The illustration in Sammut (2000, fig.364) of this species is actually only a dark,

weakly marked specimen of Xestia xanthographa ([Denis & Schiffermiiller], 1775).

Hoplodrina blanda is therefore to be removed from the list of Maltese Noctuidae.

Chilodes maritima (Tauscher, 1806)

This species was listed as new to Malta by Sammut et al. (2003); a closer examination

has shown that the figured specimen is a somewhat aberrant specimen of Proxenus

hospes (Freyer, 1831). Chilodes maritima is therefore to be removed from the list of

Maltese Noctuidae.

Apameini Guenée, 1841

Denticucullus pygmina (Haworth, 1809)

Material. Malta, 19 Bahrija, Wied tal-Bahrija, 10.x.2003, leg. Agius (JA); 19 Gnejna, 28.x.2004,

leg. Sammut (PS).

This Euroasiatic species has a wide distribution in Europe. Outside Europe, it is known

from western Siberia, Turkey, north Iran and the Caucasus region. (Zilli et al. 2005)

The species is associated with wet biotas where Carex sp, and Juncaceae species occur,

on Malta e.g. the marshy and boggy area near Bahrija and Gnejna, from where the only

two Maltese specimens have been recorded. New to the fauna of Malta.

Xylenini Guenée, 1837

Xylena exsoleta maltensis subsp. n. Figs 13-14

Material. Holotype: ©, Malta, Rabat, 27.1.2006, leg. Sammut, coll. NMNH. - Paratypes: 19, Gozo,

Nadur, 29.xi1.2005, leg. Agius; 19, Malta, Attard, 24.1.1988, leg. Catania; 10°, Benghisa, 10.1.1972, leg.

Valletta; 50°, Birkirkara, 27.1., 25.x1.1972, 10.xii.1973, 9.11.1975, leg. Berry; 19, Birzebbugia, 5.1.1970,

leg. Sammut; 10°, Buskett, 1.1982, leg. Sammut, prep. Fibiger 5178; 19, 19, Gzira, 9., 18.1.1989, leg.

Catania; 19, Hamrun, 1.v.1985, leg. Seguna; 19, Kirkop, 14. xii. 2004, leg. Magro; 19, Mriehel,

4.1.1957, leg. Vallatta; 1009, 89 Naxxar, 6.1.1984, xii.1987, 5., 13., 19.1.1988, 15., 26.1.1989, 3.1.1990

(e.l.), 25.x11.1993, 4.11., 4.x11.1997, 19.11., 20., 23.x11.2000, 13., 16., 17., 18.1.2001, 9.vi1.2004, leg. Sammut,

Seguna, A. & M. Zerafa; 50, 19, Pembroke 23.ii., vi.1989, 13., 15., 22.1.1991, leg. Catania, Sammut; ©,

Qormi. Wied il-Kbir, 12.1.1988, leg. Seguna; 19, Qrendi, Il-Maqluba, 3.1.2003, leg. Magro; 139, 69,

Qrendi, San Niklaw, 1., 6., 7., 15.x11.2000, 5., 8., 22., 27.x11.1.2001, 10.x11.2003, 28.1.2004, leg. Magro;

50, 159, Rabat, 20.1.1970, 12.x11.1975, 16.xi., 16.xii.1981, ix.1988, 12.1., 6.11.1992, 12.1.1993, 15.11.2002,

23.1v.2003, 12.i1., 3.x11.2004, 12., 27.1.2006, leg. Sammut; 10°, Safi, 28.x1.2003m leg. Agius; 19, Valletta,

4.x11.1988, leg. Catania; 20°, 29, Zabbar, 23.x1.2000, 24., 26.x1.2002, leg. Agius; 19, Zebbug 29.x1.2003,

20.x.2005, 1.1.2006, leg. Agius, Catania; colls BMNH, A. Catania, M. Fibiger, NMNH, G. Ronkay, TMB,

P. Sammut, A. Seguna, Ä. Selling, and B. Skule.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 203

Xylena exsoleta (Linneaus, 1758) is widely distributed throughout Europe, even from

localities at sea-level in both North and South Europe. However, the populations from

Malta and North Africa are different, both superficially and by the male genitalia. The

everted vesica and female genitalia show no differences between these two subspecies.

Xylena exoleta maltensis ssp. n. differs from the nominotypical subspecies by both fore

and hindwings being conspicuously narrower and more pointed at the apex, and with

lighter brownish colouration. In the genitalia the uncus is narrower; the sacculus more

triangular; the two costal processes are longer; the ampulla is longer; and the juxta, in

which the outer sides are parallel, is ventrally broader.

The larva of Xylena exoleta maltensis subsp. n. is polyphagous on the flowers of a variety

of plants. In the wild it has been found on the flowers of Hedysarum coronarium L.,

(Fabaceae), a widely cultivated fodder crop, Chrysanthemum coronarium L., (Asteraceae)

and Gladiolus italicus Mill., (Iridaceae). The latter two species are very common and

widely distributed in the Maltese Islands. Valletta (1973) reports the Maltese subspecies

feeding on broad-beans (Vicia faba) and kolh-rabi (Brassica oleracea).

The larvae usually hatch in January, feed rapidly, and by the end of March are fully

grown. Mature larvae bury themselves underground and aestivate all summer, for half

a year. With the first autumn rain, they pupate. Adults are usually on wing from early

December till early February. According to our studies adults recorded during other

times of the year result from pupae which received out-of-season rain.

The species is widely distributed in Malta and Gozo, and is frequently attracted to both

artificial light and sugar baits.

Aporophila nigra cinerea Staudinger, 1901 Fig. 15

Material. Malta, 19, Zebbug, 2.x1.2000, leg. Catania (AC) prep. Fibiger 5222.

This male specimen was published and illustrated as Aporophila australis Boisduval,

1829 (Sammut et al. 2003) as new to the Maltese fauna. However, genitalia preparation

has confirmed that it is actually the first European record of subsp. cinerea of A. nigra,

which is widely distributed in Tunisia and Libya. Both A. nigra and A. australis are

geographically widely known from Europe, the latter often in a large diversity of

different colour forms (see the ten different forms illustrated in Noctuidae Europaeae,

pl. 14 (Ronkay et al. 2001). However, A. nigra cinerea can always be seperated from

A. australis by the presence of a black basal streak of the latter. This information is

not expressively stated in Ronkay et al. (2003) and could well lead to reports of more

A. nigra cinerea, especially from southern Italy and Greece. A genitalia preparation

will easily confirm a correct determination; even brushing off the scales from the male

abdomen, will show the different shape of cucullus. This subspecies has not previously

been recorded from Europe.

Pseudohadena (Eremohadena) roseonitens (Oberthiir, 1887) Figs 16-18

Material. Malta, 10 Dingli, Dingli Cliffs, 10.v.1997, leg. A. Seguna leg. (AS) genit. Prep. 5174

M. Fibiger.

204 FIBIGER et al.: Noctuidae from Malta

This single male specimen from the Maltese Islands represents the ninth specimen from

Europe, all the other eight European specimens are recorded from two localities in

southern Spain: three specimens from Sierra Espuna, Alhama in the province of Murcia,

and five specimens from Mini Hollywood near Tabernas in the province of Almeria.

The first specimens resulted in the description of subsp. espugnensis Lajonquiere,

1964. An examination of specimens from Spain, North Africa, and Malta shows no

structural or superficial differences which could support a distinct subspecies and the

taxon is therefore synonymised, syn. n. The species is not a rarity in Morocco, Algeria,

and Tunisia, so whether the Maltese specimen is from a local population or it is an

occasional migrant from North Africa only the future can show. The moth over-winters,

and occurs from late October to May.

Hadeninae Guenée, 1837

Hadenini Guenée, 1837

Hadena capsincola ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Material.Several specimens. Malta, Birzebbuga, Wied Dalam, 14.1v.1992, leg. Seguna (AS);

Gharghur, 10.v.1985, 17.1v.1986, 7.1v.1987, 24.1v.1992, 31.v.1997, leg. A. Seguna (AS); Naxxar, 11.v.1997,

27.iv., 11.v., 5.vi., 13.x.1998, 20.iii.,. 28.1v.1999, 20.iv., 27.x.2000, 2., 20., 23.iv.2001, 30.v.2002, leg.

Seguna (AS); Pembroke, 6.vi.1990, 14.1v., 16.v.1991, 24.1v.1992, leg. Catania, Fibiger (AC); Rabat, 10.,

15.v.1984, 29.v1.1992, 2.v1.1994, 31.111.2002, 3.11.2004, leg. Sammut (PS), Seguna (AS); San Pawl tat-

Targa, 10.v.1086, leg. Sammut (PS), prep. Fibiger 5199; Zebbug, 1.x.2004, leg. Catania (AC); Zebbug,

Wied il-Kbir, 6.1v.1986, leg. Seguna (AS).

This species has erroneously been listed by DeLucca (1969), Valletta (1973), Karsholt

& Razowski (1996) and Sammut (2000) as Hadena bicruris (Hufnagel, 1766). This

species is also illustrated in Valletta (1973) and Sammut (2000). Hadena capsincola

is a new record for the Maltese Islands. Hadena bicruris (Hufnagel, 1766) is hereby

cancelled from the Maltese list.

Anarta (Aglossestra) deserticola (Hampson, 1905) Fig. 19

Material. Malta, 19 Kirkop, 16.x1.2004, leg. Magro (DM).

Anarta Ochsenheimer, 1816 is recently stated as a senior synonym to Hadula Staudinger,

1889 (Fibiger & Lafontaine 2005), and Aglossestra Hampson, 1905 was regarded as

a subgenus by Hacker (1998). Following Draudt (1937) and Boursin (1963) Hacker

listed mariaeludovicae D. Lucas, 1914, and affinis Rothschild, 1914 as synonyms of

A. deserticola. The male specimen is easily separated from other similar Hadeninae

species by its heavily bipectinated antennae; both sexes are special by their whitish-

beige orbicular and reniform stigmata, and the ante- and postmedian cross-lines. The

genitalia of both sexes are illustrated by Hacker (1998). The species is distributed along

the North African Mediterranean coast from Egypt to Morocco, so it has for a long time

been expected to be found from Europe. It is an autumn flyer occurring in October and

November, and the moths are attracted to light. In the European list (Fibiger & Hacker

2005) it should be placed after Anarta (Hadula) sabulorum (Alphéraky, 1882). Anarta

(Aglossestra) deserticola is new to the fauna of Europe.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 205

Mythimna (Morphopoliana) languida (Walker, 1858)

The first specimen in Europe of this fast spreading species was recorded in 1990. Now it

is a well-established and rather common species on Malta, and it visits both light and

sugar. At the moment it is known from most of Africa, Arabia, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece incl.

Crete, Malta, Italy, France, and Spain, incl. the Baleares. Two migrant specimens were

surprisingly taken simultaneously in mid September of 2005 on sugar in northern Europe,

one from north-eastern Denmark, and one from south-eastern Sweden (Madsen 2005).

Leucania (Leucania) zeae (Duponchel, 1827)

Material. Several specimens. Malta, Bahrija, Wied tal-Bahrija, 6.v111.2003, leg. Seguna (AS); Bidnija,

21.v.1991, 2.v.1997, leg. Catania (AC), Seguna (AS); Ghajn Tuffieha, 14.1.1999, leg. Seguna (AS);

Naxxar, 18.v.1993, 16.iv., 2., 4.v.1997, 17., 26., 30.iv., 6.v., 24.vi.1999, 19., 25.111.2001, leg. Seguna (AS);

Pembroke, 22.11.1989, leg. Catania (AC); Rabat, 15.v.1990, 22.1v.1993, 14.1v.1999, 3.v.2003, leg. Sammut

(PS); Wied Qannotta, 3.v.1995, leg. Catania (AC).

During his visit to Malta, Bjarne Skule suggested that material in the collections of the

Maltese authors determined as L. obsoleta could refer to L. zeae. This was confirmed by

the senior author when he reviewed this material. Leucania zeae is a Holo-Mediterranean-

Turkestanian species distributed from Morocco and Algeria through the south-western

parts of the Palaearctic region (Asia Minor, Iran and Turkmenistan) to Mongolia and

NW China. In Europe it is found in Spain and Portugal, in countries bordering the

Mediterranean, including the larger islands and in the xerothermic ranges of SE. Russia

(Hacker et al. 2002). Leucania obsoleta (Hubner, 1803) is a Euro-Siberian species and

occurs in Europe, mostly the mid and northern part. This latter species is not known

from North Africa. The illustration in Sammut (2000 fig. 398) of Mythimna obsoleta

(Hübner, 1803) represents this species. Leucania (Leucania) zeae (Duponchel, 1827) is

new to the lepidoptera fauna of Malta.

Noctuinae Latreille, 1809

Agrotini Rambur, 1848

Euxoa (Euxoa) canariensis diamondi Boursin, 1940 Fig. 20

Material. Malta, 19 Pembroke, 28.iv.1990, leg. Catania (AC), prep. Fibiger 5173.

The first report of this species from Europe has been most awaited. The nominotypical

subspecies occurs in many forms only on the Canary Islands and Madeira. The

subspecies diamond is also very variable, and a much more widespread taxon, probably

the subspecies of any Euxoa with the largest area of distribution. It is a desert and semi-

desert species recorded from western Morocco along North Africa, down to Yemen,

including all the Arabian peninsula, and further eastwards through all of the Middle

Eastern countries to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. It is taxonomically linked to the

little group of African Euxoa species that occur in Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and

Uganda. The species is expected to occur — at least as a migrant — in southern Spain.

The peak of the flying period is April. In the European list (Fibiger & Hacker 2005) it

should be placed after Euxoa (Pleonectopoda) nevadensis (Corti, 1928).

206 FIBIGER et al.: Noctuidae from Malta

Agrotis haifae Staudinger, 1897 Fig. 21

Material. Malta, 19 Mosta, 31.x.2003, leg. Seguna leg. (AS); @ Naxxar, 10.x1.1983, leg. Sammut

(PS); 1 9 Qrendi, San Niklaw, 27.x.2003, leg. Magro (PS).

The specimen illustrated in Sammut (2000) as Agrotis herzogi Rebel, 1911 collected

from Naxxar in November 1983, belongs to this species. This is a rare species in

Europe, so far known only from the three Maltese specimens and a single specimen

collected from southern Greece (Fibiger 1993). Outside Europe, it is distributed from

Israel through northern Africa to the Canary Islands, here as subsp. pigmaea Pinker,

1974 (Fibiger, 1990). New to the Maltese Islands.

Agrotis herzogi Rebel, 1911 Fig. 22

Material. Several specimens.Gozo, Dwejra, 5.xi.2004, leg. Catania (AC); Malta, Attard,

Wied is-Sewda, 3.x1.1985, leg. Seguna (AS); Naxxar, 10.x1.1983, 29.x.1987, 5., 8.x1.1996, 13.x1.2000,

23.11.2001, 2.x1.2003, leg. Sammut (PS), Seguna (AS), M. Zerafa (MZ); Pembroke, 21.x1.1989, leg.

Catania (AC); Qrendi, San Niklaw, 21.111.2001, 29.111., 27.x., 4.x1.2003, leg. Magro (DM); Rabat, xi.1992,

8.x1.2000, 15.x1.2001, 4., 15.x1.2003, 3.x11.2004, leg. Sammut (PS); Zabbar, 20.x.2004, leg. J. & S. Agius

(JA).

This North African-Iranian species reaches the Maltese Islands by migration from North

Africa: So far 20 specimens have been recorded from the Maltese islands. Its breeding

range does not include Europe but extends from the Canary Islands in the west, through

the Sahara and the Arabian countries, Turkey, Iraq and Iran to western India (Fibiger

1990). In Europe it is known only from southern Greece, Crete and Malta, where it is an

irregular early spring and autumn migrant, e.g. on one night, 1.111.1984, 62 specimens

were recorded close to Monemvasia in southern Greece.

Agrotis syricola Corti & Draudt, 1933

Material. Malta, 1$ Dingli, 5.x.2004, leg. Sammut (AC); 1$ Naxxar, 19.vi.1998, leg. Seguna

(AS); 200 Rabat, 17.x.2003, 2.1v.2004, leg. Sammut (PS); 260,19 Rabat, Dwejra, 28.x.2003,

1., 18.x.2004, leg. Seguna (AS); 2¢ oc Zebbug, 20, 29.x.2004, leg. Catania (AC)

A very recent addition to the lepidopterofauna of the Maltese Islands. The species is

probably resident on the Maltese Islands. There appears to be two broods, from April to

June and again during October. The species has a Holo-Mediterranean distribution.

Powellinia lasserrei (Oberthür, 1881)

Material. Malta, 19 Naxxar, 15.x.1996, leg. Seguna leg. (AS).

The specimen recorded by A. Seguna from Naxxar is the third for the Maltese Islands.

Previously this eremic species, known in Europe as a resident species only from

southern Spain, was recorded by A. Valletta from Mriehel in October 1950 and 1953

(Valletta 1951 and 1973).

Noctuini Latreille, 1809

Cerastis faceta (Treitschke, 1835) Fig. 23

Material. 19,19, Gozo, Nadur, 29.x11.2005, leg. J. & S. Agius (JA); 10°, same data (PS).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 207

These three specimens, the first for the Maltese archipelago, were taken at light

(MV.125W). The night was very clear with no wind and moonlight (J. Agius, pers.

comm). In Fibiger (1993), the species is reported as flying in (February) March and

again in April (May). At present it cannot be stated if the specimens are of local

origin or due to a migration. Neither can it be stated whether this is an unusually

early emergence nor that the flight period begins earlier. Larvae are known to accept

Taraxacum in captivity, feeding by night and resting subterraneanly by day (Fibiger

1993). In Europe the species is known from the Iberian Peninsula, parts of France

bordering the Mediterranean, Corsica, Italy, incl. Sardinia and Sicily. Outside Europe it

has been reported from North Africa in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia (Fibiger 1993).

New to the fauna of the Maltese Islands.

Noctua tirrenica Biebinger, Speidel & Hanigk, 1983

The figured specimen of Noctua fimbriata (Schreber, 1759) in Sammut (2000), represents

this species. Whether references to Noctua fimbria Linnaeus (Borg 1932; Salıba 1963)

are also misidentifications for N. tirrenica is impossible to tell. The references by

Valletta (1973) and Sammut (1984) are only bibliographical. The material in Alfred

and Michael Zerafa collection was only discovered during the compilation of this work.

A large number of specimens were bred from a single female, most of these moths were

released (M. Zerafa, pers. comm.)

Acknowledgements

The authors are sincerely thankful for help and information in different ways from Bjarne Skule, Denmark;

Ake Selling, Sweden, Martin Honey (BMNH), Laszlo Ronkay (TMB), and to our colleagues on Malta:

Jonathan and Suzanna Agius, Denis Magro, Alfred and Michael Zerafa, and Mariann Fibiger. For editorial

corrections and suggestions we especially thank Matthias Nuss, Dresden.

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Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 209

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210 FIBIGER et al.: Noctuidae from Malta

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Naturali, Torino. — Monografie XV. 607 pp.

Lanfranco, S. 2002. Kullana Kulturali 45. — L-Ambjent Naturali tal-Gzejjer Maltin. — Pubblikazzjonijiet

Indipendenza, Malta. 196 pp.

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Islands. — Malta. 109pp.

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New York, Kglbenhavn, Köln. 1314 pp.

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Scientifique. Serie Zoologie. 40: 220-588.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 193-213 215

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214

Book review

Tremewan W. G. 2006. Ecology, Phenotypes and the Mendelian Genetics of Burnet Moths

(Zygaena Fabricius, 1775). - Gem Publishing Company, Wallingford, U.K. — xvi + 390 pp, 194

figs (163 in colour). Size 235 x 156 mm. Hardcover (ISBN 0 906802 11 3). £ 79.00 (+ postage

UK £ 6.00, Europe £ 10.00, outside Europe £ 12.00).

Many books on burnet moths (Zygaenidae: Zygaeninae: Zygaena Fabricius, 1775) have been written

during the past few years. This group of Lepidoptera has been shown to represent a perfect model for a

wide field of studies in entomology and zoology, especially with reference to morphology, biochemistry,

defensive biology, mimicry patterns, pheromone studies, molecular biology, phylogeny, ecology, and

zoogeography.

This book is the result of a lifetime’s work by W. G. Tremewan, the world’s ‘senior specialist’ of burnet

moths. His impressive knowledge that has been accrued over a period of more than 50 years’ fieldwork

and rearing experiments, and studies of collections and literature on the genetics of burnet moths, is

summarized and presented.

The work begins with a comprehensive introduction into the extraordinary geographical and individual

variation of Zygaena species. The toxic properties of burnet moths and their relationship with predators are

described and attempts to explain the reasons for such variation are summarized. Many of the genotypes

responsible for the colour morphs (orange, yellow, and black) have been determined and we now know

that they are recessive to the wild type red morph. It has also been discovered that in many cases they form

part of a multiple allelomorphic series.

The first chapter of the book deals with chemical defence and predator/prey relationships, predation, wing

patterns and associated terminology, warning coloration, mimicry and mimicry rings, and geographical

and individual variation and the ecological significance of both. Chapter 2 explains the aims of the book

and describes breeding techniques and the unique diapause strategy of burnet moth larvae, which is a

challenge for every entomologist who has ever tried to rear Zygaena species from the egg stage. In chapter

3 we learn about the basic principles of Mendelian genetics in relation to burnet moths, karyotypes,

autosomal and sex chromosomes, genes, alleles, gynandromorphism, somatic mosaics, and teratologies.

Chapter 4 provides an overview of wing pattern and colour variation and discusses, in detail, dominance,

recessiveness, multiple allelomorphs, and multifactorial inheritance. In chapter 5 the author presents

short biographical accounts of scientists who have contributed to our knowledge of the genetics of burnet

moths, the most important of whom are figured on black and white photographs. In chapter 6 the results

of breeding experiments are given in detail, the species being listed in phylogenetic order. Each case

is discussed in detail, often richly illustrated, and, where possible, conclusions are given. It is almost

unbelievable how much time the author has put into his studies and the resulting documentation. At the end

of this chapter a table summarizes all the results in an impressive overview that includes the genotypes for

the different colour and pattern morphs. Chapter 7 deals with hybridisation in general and in burnet moths

in particular. Not only hybrids between individuals but also hybridisation between parapatric populations

of different species are discussed. It also includes a comprehensive review of the published literature on the

subject.

Moreover, the author presents in detail the results of his own rearing experiments. A bibliography of more

than 500 references, a glossary, and an index conclude the book.

The publication is dedicated to the memory of Paul Bovey (1905-1990), who studied the genetics of

Zygaena ephialtes (Linnaeus, 1767), the most polymorphic of all burnet moths, and to Miriam Rothschild

(1908-2005), who worked on chemical defence and mimicry of Zygaena species. Both of these workers

inspired the author to continue through the years with his own breeding experiments and studies.

The book is a unique work. Comprehensive data on genetics are made available and should be of interest

even to those who have hesitated to investigate this branch of biology. Moreover, it is an example of

how the ‘secrets’ of nature can be elucidated by the discipline of slow and dedicated scientific work. The

presentation of the book is of high quality, as are the printing and the attractive cover and binding.

For anyone who is interested in geographical and individual variation, genetics, biochemical defence,

rearing and hybridisation, in burnet moths in particular, this book is an invaluable source of information.

G. M. TARMANN

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 215-220 215

A new species of Gortyna Ochsenheimer, 1816 from Golestan

forests of Iran (Noctuidae)

MICHAEL FIBIGER! & REZA ZAHIRI 7

' Molbechs Alle 49, 4180 Sorg, Denmark; e-mail: fibiger@stofanet.dk

> Insect Taxonomy Research Department (ITRD), Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute (PPDRI),

Teheran 19395, Iran; e-mail: zahiri@ppdri.ac.ir

Abstract. Gortyna golestanensis, Sp. n., is described from forest habitats along the Golestan forests in the

NNE of Iran. The habitats include both the forested and the low, fully green vegetations in all parts of the

north-east Elburs mountains. The adult, and the male and female genitalia are illustrated and compared with

Gortyna flavago ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775). The systematic position of Gortyna Och. is described,

and all taxa are listed.

Key words. new species, Iran, Golestan forests, Gortyna

Introduction

The second meeting of the ALI cooperation (Association Lepidoptera Iranica) took

place in late May 2005 in Teheran, Iran, where scientists from many countries of Europe

met with their colleagues in the Plant Pests & Diseases Research Institute in Teheran,

Iran. The objectives of this first paper dealing with Noctuidae of Iran are to describe

a new species of Gortyna, which will enhance the interpretation of the data collected

for the insect inventory and monitoring project by the HMIM (Hayk Mirzayans Insect

Museum) in Iran. During examination and identification of the noctuid material in this,

the largest insect museum in the Middle East, (HMIM), which belong to PPDRI: ITRD

(Insect Taxonomy Research Department), we discovered a possibly new species of

Gortyna Ochsenheimer, 1816, that was recorded from the north eastern parts of the

Elburs mountains. Immediate genitalia preparation confirmed our suspicion that the

species was undescribed.

Gortyna golestanensis sp. n.

leg. Gh./Gil., prep. Fibiger & Zahiri 201, HMIM. — Paratypes: 50’, same data as holotype; 110, same data

as holotype, but 2.-6.x.1994 leg. Mirz, Ebra & Badii; 19, same data as holotype, but 30.x.1998, leg. Mogh,

Naz & Manz., prep. Fibiger 5394; 50, same data, but Golestan forest, Almeh, 1650 m., 2.-12.x.1988, leg.

Paz.; 140°, same data, but1700 m, 2.-3.x.1992, leg. Ebra & Badii; 10°, same data, but Elika, 2100 m.,

23.1x.1987, leg. Hash; coll. Fibiger, HMIM; NHM London, P.Gyulai, TMB Budapest. 19, 19 Khorasan,

Golestan N. P., Almeh, 56°07’021 N, 37°20°748 E, 1750 m, 26.-27.x.2003, leg. Wieser & Stangelmaier,

coll. Landesmuseum Kärnten & coll. Stangelmaier.

Description. Adults (Fig. 1). Wingspan 37-43 mm. Labial palps porrect; first and

second segment ventrally densely covered with long hair-like scales; third segment

rounded, the length 1/3 of second; antennae of male ciliate, that of female filiform;

head, thorax, abdomen, and ground colour of forewing light yellow / cream; all cross-

lines well marked, antemedian and postmedian lines double, the former zig-zagged,

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

216

FIBIGER & ZAHIRI: Gortyna golestanensis sp. n. from Iran

Figs. 1-2. Adults of Gortyna. 1. G. flavago (Denis & Schiffermiiller), S from Denmark. 2. G. golestanensis,

the latter almost straight; posterior basal area, anterior area of subterminal area, and

fringes brown; orbicular and reniform stigmata present, the former small; claviform

stigma absent: Abdomen and hindwing cream, the latter with well marked yellowish

venations and terminal line; discal spot absent. Underside unicolorous greyish cream,

with weakly marked subterminal area of forewing; discal spot absent; medial line

yellowish, well marked.

Male genitalia (Figs 5-6). Uncus elongate, flattened, approximately 0.42 x

length of valve, equally broad throughout, tapered apically with a blunt hook; tegumen

and vinculum equally long; penicullus relatively small, rounded; length of valve

approximately 0.45 x width by base, both margins nearly straight, apex round, width

of apex of the valve approximately 0.37 x of its base; clasper oblique to ventral margin,

0.11 x length of valve; ampulla is very small and slender; digitus medially on the

inner surface of valve, the free tip thumb-like; transtilla sclerotised — also the lobes

by diagphragma; juxta shield-like, higher than wide. Phallus relatively broad, 5 x

longer than wide, smoothly bent. Vesica projecting ventro-laterally to the left; a dorsal,

narrow, and spined carina-band extends into basal part of vesica; subbasal diverticulum

membranous, cone-like, with a small pointed cornutus on top; two broad, rounded

membranous diverticula by vesica ejaculatorius, the right unarmed, the left with a field

of small spines.

Female genitalia (Figs 7). Ovipositor heavily sclerotised, dorso-ventrally

flattened, lightly ventrally bent, rounded by tip, with lateral swellings posteriorly; the

two apameine-autapomorph sclerotised rods between the lobes are relatively broad and

lightly sclerotised; both apophyses stout, the anterior half the lenght of the posterior;

the eighth segment membranous ventrally, tapered towards ostium bursae: antrum

dorsally membranous, ventrally with a heavily sclerotised band, 6 x broader than

high; ductus bursae basally membranous, then heavily scobinate to the globular corpus

bursae; basal half of corpus lightly scobinate, posterior part membranous with four

small signa-bands; appendix bursae broad, cylindric, positioned on the left side, its wall

with sclerites; ductus seminalis arising at tip, closest to ductus bursae.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 215-220 DAG.

Figs 3-6. Male genitalia of Gortyna. 3. G. flavago from Denmark (prep. Fibiger 4895). 4. G. flavago,

phallus with everted vesica (same specimen as Fig. 3). 5. G. golestanensis, sp. n. (prep. Fibiger & Zahiri

201). 6. G. golestanensis, sp. n., (Same specimen as Fig. 5).

Differential diagnosis. The imagines of Gortyna golestanensis, sp. n. resembles

G. flavago ([Denis & Schiffermiiller], 1775) in size, forewing pattern, and the

light yellowish hindwing. However, G. flavago has a yellow-golden ground

colour, lightly curved postmedian line, and well defined reniform, orbicular and

claviform stigmata, whereas the ground colour of G. golestanensis is cream, the

posterior cross-line is almost straight, and the claviform stigma is absent. The median

area is triangular in G. golestanensis, trapetzoid in G. flavago (sic). Further, the

forewing is less pointed in G. flavago; the subterminal area is almost unicolourous

brownish, that of G. golestanensis 1s prominently divided into a brownish and a

yellowish band; and the hair-like scales of thorax in G. golestanensis are light

yellowish-brown, where those of G. flavago are darker brown and more golden.

In the male genitalia the uncus is prominently broader in G. golestanensis than that of

G. flavago; G. golestanensis has a narrower, throughout tapered valve toward apex,

whereas in G. flavago the costal and ventral margins are parallel 2/3 out, and constricted

subapically; the narrow, heavily sclerotised, dentate band from apex of phallus to the

basal part of vesica is shorter by G. golestanensis; the subbasal diverticulum is longer

in G. golestanensis, and its cornutus on top is much smaller; and the apical spinefield

is larger.

218

FIBIGER & ZAHIRI: Gortyna golestanensis Sp. n. from Iran

Figs. 7-8. Female genitalia of Gortyna.

7. G. golestanensis, sp. n. (prep. Fibiger

5394). 8. G. flavago from Denmark

(prep. Fibiger 5424).

In the female genitalia: the dorso-ventrally flattened ovipositor is broader in G. golesta-

nensis; the sclerotised part of antrum of G. flavago is 4 times broader than long, and

so extends longer into ductus bursae; and the signa-bands are much longer and more

heavily sclerotised in G. flavago.

Habitat and distribution. Specimens were taken from Almeh, Golestan forests.

Golestan forests are situated in the north east of the Elburs mountains. The biotope of

this part of Golestan forests is mostly semi-high mountain with 1600-1700 m. altitude.

Almeh is characterised by vegetation dominated by trees and shrubs, wıth many

different herbaceous plants, especially dominant in the spring. The highest elevation

zones reaches approx. 2100 m altitude. The materials were all taken by light during the

end of September until the end of October.

Derivatio nominis. The specific epithet, golestanensis, refers to the type locality in

northern Iran.

Taxonomic notes. According to the new classifications of Noctuidae (Fibiger &

Lafontaine 2005) Gortyna is placed in the subfamily Xyleninae Guenée, 1837, trıbe

Apameini Guenée, 1841, subtribe Apameina Guenee, 1841. This taxon comprises

6 species in Europe; 17 in the Palearctic region (Zilli et al. 2005), 3 of those in Iran

(Ebert & Hacker 2002). The new species is similar to G. flavago, like many other

members of the genus. Especially the much paler yellowish forewing colouration

pattern 1s Conspicuous.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 215-220 219

According to Zilli et al. (2005), Gortyna belongs in the more ancestral genus-group

with the sister-genera Papaipema Smith, 1899 (Nearctic, a different genus although

superficially it is sometimes strikingly similar to species of Gortyna), Hydraecia

Guenée, 1841, and Amphipoea Billberg, 1820. The subtribe is mainly Holarctic, includes

more than 1000 species, and is distributed world wide, except in the Neotropical and

Australian regions. The plesiomorphic features are: the smoothly bent uncus; the oblique

clasper compared to the valve margins (higher up, more derived; in the subtribe the

clasper is parallel with the margins); the medially positioned, apically rounded digitus;

the heavily sclerotised, dentate band from apex of phallus to the basal part of vesica;

and the smoothly, ventrally bent ovipositor lobes.

List of the Palaearctic Gortyna

G. joannisi (Boursin, 1928)

G. flavina Hreblay & Ronkay, 1997

G. plumbitincta Hreblay & Ronkay, 1997

G. plumbeata Hreblay & Ronkay, 1997

G. imitans Hreblay & Ronkay, 1997

G. fortis (Butler, 1878)

koreago Bryk, 1949

G. basalipunctata Graeser, (1889)1888

intermixta Swinhoe, 1891

G. flavago ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

ochracea Hübner, 1786

lappae Donovan, 1801

ochraceago Haworth, 1809

cinerea Goossens, 1880

G. golestanensis sp. n.

G. osmana Hacker & Kuhna, 1986

G. xanthenes Germar, [1842]

G. xanthenes ifranae (Boursin, 1963)

G. franciscae (Turati, 1913)

G. moesiaca Herrich-Schäffer, 1849

perlucida Warren, 1911

G. moesiaca euxinia Hacker, 1986

G. hethitica Hacker, Kuhna & Gross, 1986

G. puengeleri (Turati, 1909)

puengeleri Hampson, 1910

turatii Constantini, 1913

G. borelii Pierret, 1837

leucographa (Borkhausen, 1792, auctorum)

lunata Freyer, [1838]

illunata Guenée, 1852

fiorii Berio, 1963

galassii Berio, 1963

G. rungsi (Boursin, 1963)

G. rungsi gigantea (Boursin, 1963)

220 FIBIGER & ZAHIRI: Gortyna golestanensis sp. n. from Iran

Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank Mrs. Helen Alipanah, ITRD, PPDRI for her collaborations; further Dr Ebrahim

Ebrahimi for supplement information; Dr Ghayourfar and Eng. Gilasian for collecting the material;

Mr. Hadjiesmailian and Mr. Nematian for the setting of the specimens; to Dr Laszlo Ronkay (TMB) for

fruitful discussions, and Dr Vladimir Kononenko (Russian Academy of Sciences, Far Eastern Branch,

Vladivostok) for photography of the female genitalia.

References

Ebert, G. & H. H. Hacker 2002. Beitrag zur Fauna der Noctuidae des Iran: Verzeichnis der Bestände im

Staatlichen Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, taxonomische Bemerkungen und Beschreibung neuer

Taxa (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera). — Esperiana 9: 237-409.

Fibiger, M. & J. D. Lafontaine 2005. A review of the higher classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera)

with special reference to the Holarctic fauna. — Esperiana 11: 7-82.

Fibiger, M. & H. H.Hacker 2005 Systematic List of the Noctuoidea of Europe (Notodontidae, Nolidae,

Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, Erebidae, Micronoctuidae, and Noctuidae). — Esperiana 11: 83-175.

Zilli, A., L. Ronkay & M. Fibiger 2005. Noctuidae Europaeae 8, Xyleninae, Apameini. — Sorg.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 221-224 22]

Mortality of early instars in the highly endangered butterfly

Euphydryas maturna (Linnaeus, 1758) (Nymphalidae)

MATTHIAS DOLEK !, ANJA FREESE-HAGER !, OLDRICH CIZEK *° & PATRICK GROS *

' Büro Geyer und Dolek, Am Aubach 57, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany; e-mail: Matthias.Dolek@bnbt.de

? Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceské Budejovice,

Czech Republic

3 School of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31,

370 05 Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic

* Natural History Museum Haus der Natur, Museumsplatz 5, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

The scarce fritillary Euphydryas maturna (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most seriously

threatened European butterflies (Kudrna 2002; van Swaay & Warren 1999). The

ecology of this inhabitant of sparse deciduous woodlands is increasingly understood for

both the ecologically distinct populations in Fennoscandia (e.g. Eliasson 1991, 2001;

Wahlberg 1998, 2000, 2001; Wahlberg et al. 2002) and the widely isolated populations

in Central Europe (Cizek & Konvicka 2005; Freese et al. 2006). However, the factors

affecting mortality have not been described in detail.

At two study sites in Czechia, Bohemia (in 2003) and Germany, Bavaria (in 2000,

2001 and 2003), randomly selected egg batches were visited at intervals of 2-4 days to

assess mortality of autumn larvae, i.e. the numbers of larvae surviving up to the young

third instar relative to the number of eggs. This recording at intervals was to observe

the development and mortality of young caterpillars. During the third instar it becomes

impossible to distinguish mortality from migration. Then, third-instar larvae leave ash

trees for hibernation. Estimation of mortality is not easy because the larvae aggregated

together inside the nest are difficult to count. As disturbance has to be avoided, estimated

values are performed with a certain inaccuracy.

The combined mortality of eggs and autumn larvae (L1-L3) per egg batch or nest

was close to 70% both in Germany (73.7 + 18.4%, see Fig. 1) and in Czechia (68.8 +

32.0%). No difference was found between years in Germany (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA:

Hs = 1.59, p = 0.45) and between countries (Mann-Whitney U = 1000; p = 0.91).

Interestingly, similarly high values apply to a population in Sweden. Eliasson (2001)

stated that egg-batches contain about 200-300 eggs. A calculation using mean batch

size of 250 eggs and data on pre-hibernating larvae from Eliasson & Shaw (2003)

gives a mortality of 69 + 20.2% (Fig. 1). Mortality of eggs only (Germany, 2003)

was 13 + 27.6% (n = 80 egg batches). During egg maturation some became black and

others collapsed. There are no data available for mortality during hibernation. Breeding

results of Eliasson & Shaw (2003) show a survival rate of 69.3% for larvae attempting

diapause and surviving hibernation (n = 687 larvae).

These observations document that high immature mortality is frequent in the species,

causing remarkable oscillations in abundance over subsequent years (cf. Konvicka et

al. 2005). Ford & Ford (1930) reported a loss of about 90% of the larvae for the related

Euphydryas aurinia, and similar findings exist for E. editha bayensis (Ehrlich 1984).

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

222 DoLEKk: Early instars mortality of Euphydryas maturna

100

mortality egg to L2/L3 (%)

Cz 2003 D 2000 D 2001 D 2003 S 2001

country and year

Fig. 1. Combined mortality of eggs and autumn larvae (L1—L3) per egg batch or nest in different countries

and years. Mean and standard deviations are shown. n = number of observed egg batches / nests; Cz =

Czechia; D = Germany; S = Sweden. Data from Sweden calculated after Eliasson (2001) and Eliasson &

Shaw (2003).

These oscillations are usually attributed to the pressure of parasitoids. At our study sites

in Austria, Czechia, and Germany the observed causes of larval mortality include the

parasitic Braconidae, Cotesia melitaearum (Wilkinson, 1937) and C. acuminatus (Rein-

hard, 1880) (species identification for Austrian specimens) and Ichneumonidae. We

observed up to five Cotesia females sitting for days near an egg batch waiting for young

E. maturna larvae to hatch. Newly hatched caterpillars were attacked immediately, still

being defenceless. However, Cotesia females seem to avoid direct contact with older ca-

terpillars. Cotesia larvae were observed leaving E. maturna caterpillars at instar six (seven

C.melitaearum larvae fromone caterpillarattheend of May) andatinstarfour(three C. acu-

minatuslarvaeafterhibernation). Wahlberg (1998,2001)alsodescribesC. melitaearumand

C. acuminatus as parasitoids in Finnish E. maturna populations with unknown im-

portance to the population dynamics. Additionally, the dipteran parasitoid Erycia

fatua (Meigen, 1824) (Tachinidae) has a great impact on E. maturna in Finland

(Wahlberg 2001). In Sweden, C. acuminatus seems to be the only important para-

sitoid attacking caterpillars (Eliasson & Shaw 2003). The rate of parasitism in

Sweden was 32.1% (of 476 larvae surviving diapause in 1994/1995). Selzer (1918)

described a parasitism rate of Ichneumonidae in Germany of over 50% for some

years and very low in other years. Moreover, we observed predation by a crab-

spider, Misumena vatia (Clerck, 1757) (Germany), a Chrysopidae larva (Germany),

and several predatory bugs, e.g. Picromerus bidens (Linnaeus, 1758) (Germany

and Czechia) and Troilus luridus (Fabricius, 1775) (Germany). Numerous empty

nymph skins found in Germany indicated that predatory bugs might complete

their development near E. maturna nests. Vrabec & Jindra (1998) described that

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 221-224 225

P. bidens can decimate entire nests in Czechia. In some cases, gnawed leaves with known

egg batches showed that herbivores like maybugs (Melolontha sp., Scarabaeidae) had

consumed these leaves along with the egg batches. Additionally, egg mortality may be

caused by faulty maturity, missed fertilization, or egg parasitoids though there are no

direct observations.

The silk web may act as a shelter against predators or parasitoids (cf. Fitzgerald 1993).

Although predatory bugs were never observed inside a nest as noticed for Eriogaster

(Lasiocampidae) tents (Ruf & Fiedler 2005), some were observed to wait outside the

web until a caterpillar left the nest. Cofesia females tried to sting caterpillars inside the

nest through the silk or leaf boundary of the nest.

There are not only biotic mortality factors, but also some abiotic ones. Larval survival

was negatively correlated with indices of solar energy (hours of sunshine per day, solar

energy per day) for the 20 nests studied (Freese et al. 2006), 1.e. increasing duration

of sunshine led to smaller nests. The often cited preferential use of sunny sites (e.g.

Ebert & Rennwald 1991; Eliasson 2001; Helsdingen et al. 1996; Wahlberg 1998, 2000,

2001; Weidemann 1985) therefore should be reviewed. Strong gusts of wind tore off

small nests from branches in Germany in 2002. Furthermore, young ash leaves died

off because of a late frost at the end of May 2004 ın Germany. Therefore, E. maturna

females had to lay eggs on the newly emerging leaves. But unfolding and growing

leaves caused egg mortality by breaking egg batches and causing some eggs to fall

off. Flooding may cause mortality for older larvae gregariously hidden in old leaves in

the leaf litter (e.g. Pretscher 2000). But the coppiced forests of the study sites were not

exposed to flooding, although humidity may play a role.

Achnowledgements

Many thanks to Mark R. Shaw (National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh) who identified the collected

Braconidae. We thank Martin Konvicka, Ladislava Filipova, and Martina Fialova for their help with the

research on the Czech population, T. Bury for providing logistic support, and Adi Geyer, Alois Liegl,

Christian Stettmer, and Ralf Bolz for their input on the project. Funding was provided by the Bavarian

Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management (ANL), the Bavarian Agency for

Environment Conservation (LfU), and the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (526/04/0417).

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Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 225-232 225

Biotopbindungen der Macrolepidoptera — Versuch einer

Darstellung (Lepidoptera)

EYIOLF AISTLEITNER

Kapfstr. 99 B, 6800 Feldkirch, Austria; e-mail: e_aistleitner@yahoo.de

Abstract. A classification for surveying, mapping and conservation management of habitat connections

of Central European Macrolepidoptera is suggested and put up for discussion. The terrestrial ‘mega-

ecosystem’ of Central Europe can be subdivided into wood-, gras-/ moss and pioneer fields as well as

regarding water-balance into hygrophytic, mesophytic and xerophytic associations. Further subdivisions

are obtained by additional consideration of mountain ecosystems and ecotones. The species of Macro-

lepidoptera can be assigned to these distinct categories.

Zusammenfassung. Für die Erfassung, Kartierung und das Naturschutzmanagement von Macrolepido-

ptera wird eine Klassifizierung für Biotopbindungen mitteleuropäischer Großschmetterlinge vorgeschlagen

und zur Diskussion gestellt. Das terrestrische ‘Megadkosystem’ Mitteleuropas lässt sich in Gehölz,

Gras-/Moos- und Pionierfluren untergliedern, unter dem Aspekt der Wasserversorgung jeweils in hygro-

phytische, mesophytische und xerophytische Gesellschaften. Bei zusätzlicher Berücksichtigung der

Gebirgsökosysteme und der Saumbiotope wird eine weitere Feingliederung erreicht. Die Arten der

Macrolepidoptera können diesen unterschiedlichen Kategorien zugeordnet werden.

Key words. Macrolepidoptera, surveying, mapping, habitat, conservation, Central Europe.

Kritische Vorbemerkung

In den vergangenen Jahren wurde im Rahmen ökologisch ausgerichteter Untersuchungen

von verschiedenen Verfassern der Versuch unternommen, aufgrund der unterschied-

lichen Biotopbindungen der Arten ein Klassifizierungsschema zu erstellen. Es sollten

dabei die Aspekte der Vegetation, z. B. Waldgesellschaften oder „Offenland“, ökolo-

gische Parameter wıe Mineralstoffgehalt der Böden, Feuchte und Temperatur, Höhen-

verbreitung im Gebirge etc. berücksichtigt werden. Man war bemüht, die Vielfalt öko-

logischer Ansprüche der Arten in verschiedenen Klassen zum Ausdruck zu bringen

und womöglich graphisch darzustellen. Ein weiterer Problembereich tat sich auf, da

Larval- und Imaginalbiotope nicht immer identisch sind: Die Lebensräume der adulten

Stadien sind über das bekannte Nahrungssubstrat erschließbar, aber bei nachtaktiven

Arten stellt sich die Frage, wo die Imagines flugaktıv sind (das dies nicht immer die

Örtlichkeit sein muss, wo die Lichtfalle steht, versteht sich von selbst).

Die bisherigen Darstellungen und Definitionen lehnten sich zum Teil recht unkritisch

an Blab & Kudrna (1982) an. Sie erschienen zusätzlich problematisch, da Begriffe

verwendet wurden, die in anderem Sinnzusammenhang präokupiert sind und die so nicht

verwendet werden dürfen, andere sind der Hortikultur entnommen (,Grünländereien“)

oder schlichtweg falsch (,,boreoalpin“). So bezeichnet etwa der Terminus ‘Okotypen’ den

Teil einer Population, der unter bestimmten ökologischen Bedingungen physiologisch

und genetisch differenziert wurde, aber noch nicht Artrang besitzt (Herder 1994). Er

kann daher nicht wortgleich in einem vüllig anderen Zusammenhang aufscheinen und

zur Klassifizierung von Biotopbindungen verwendet werden (Blab & Kudrna 1982;

Huemer 2003)

Nota lepidopterologica, 19.01.2007, ISSN 0342-7536

226 E. AISTLEITNER: A classification of Lepidoptera habitats in Central Europe

Der Begriff ‘Formationen’ findet sich in der Geologie und in der Vegetationskunde,

bei letzterer ist es die Bezeichnung für nach der Physiognomie zu unterscheidende

Vergesellschaftungen. Der Begriff kann daher in seiner Zusammensetzung als „Falter-

formation“ nicht stehen bleiben!

‘Xerotherme’ Organismen sind per Definition gebunden an wüsten- und steppenartige

Lebensräume (Herder 1994). In den Alpen sind das die inneralpinen Trockengebiete

von der oberen Durance über das Wallis und den Vinschgau bis ins obere Murtal. In

Mitteleuropa und speziell in den Alpen ist der Begriff im Allgemeinen für Arten sonniger

Geländebereiche meist südlicher Exposition und geringer Bodenfeuchte jedoch nicht

anzuwenden.

Auch die Aspekte der Vertikalverbreitung Können in der Rubrik der Biotopbindung so

keine Berücksichtigung finden, da ,,montan“ und „alpin“ Vegetationsstufen im Gebirge

bezeichnen und nicht eine Biotopbindung (vgl. Huemer & Tarmann 2001).

Bei Huemer (2003) werden etwa Arten „grasiger, blütenreicher Bereiche bzw. des

Graslandes“ den Kategorien mesophile Offenlandarten, mesophile Übergangsbereichs-

arten, montane Arten und alpine Arten zugeordnet. Eine „mesophile Waldart‘“ und eine

„montane Art“ („lichter grasiger Bergwälder ab 800 m“) haben identische ökologische

Ansprüche, sie können daher nicht in unterschiedlichen Kategorien aufscheinen. Eine

„alpine Art‘ sei „ein Bewohner blütenreicher Graslandformationen des Gebirges an und

oberhalb der Baumgrenze, sekundär jedoch auch baumarmer Grünlandbereiche tieferer

Lagen“ (Blab & Kudrna 1982). Diese Definitionen sind schwammig und für eine klare

Kategorisierung ungeeignet. Außerdem ist es für Ökologische Charakterisierungen

unerheblich, in welcher Grasflur der Falter fliegt, da Wiesenökosysteme unabhängig

von der Meereshöhe zuerst einmal die gleichen (autökologischen) Lizenzen vergeben,

sieht man von der temperatur- und standortbedingten Länge der Vegetationsperiode ab

oder synökologisch des weiteren vom Angebot des larvalen Nahrungssubstrates und

des Nektarpflanzenspektrums.

Gerade wenn man Behôrden, Naturschutzmanagern oder Landschaftspflegern, manch-

mal aber auch interessierten Laien ein Instrumentarium zur Entscheidungsfindung in

die Hand geben will, sollte der Pfad der klaren Aussage nicht verlassen werden, nur um

popular sein zu wollen.

Ausarbeitung

Im Rahmen einer kritischen Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema, verständlicherweise

unter Aspekten, die vornehmlich auf lokalen Erfahrungen basieren, wird daher ein

neues Einteilungsschema vorgeschlagen, das sich ohne Begriffskonfusionen an den

Grundlagen der Okologie und der Vegetationskunde orientiert.

Die im terrestrischen und im semiterrestrischen ‘Megaökosystem’ (Mega-Biom)

subsumierten Makrodkosysteme (Biome) Mitteleuropas sind in ihrer Existenz

grundsätzlich auf der Primärproduktion photosynthetisch aktiver Pflanzen begriindet, in

den allermeisten Fallen Sprosspflanzen, deren Vergesellschaftung unter den Variablen

biotischer und abiotischer Faktoren die verschiedenen Okosysteme prägt.

Es liegt daher nahe, die Kategorien der unterschiedlichen Biotopbindungen der Schmet-

terlinge nach den vorgegebenen Kategorien der Vegetationsökologie auszurichten.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 225-232 227

Nach der Physiognomie sind zu unterscheiden:

- Gehölzfluren (Wälder- und Gebüsche),

- Kraut-, Gras- und Moosfluren (Wiesen, Weiden, Moore),

- Pionierfluren (terrestrische Initialgesellschaften).

Für die nachstehenden Uberlegungen scheint nun zielführend, innerhalb dieser drei

Biome oder Makroökosysteme Wasser als den Differenzierungsfaktor zu wählen und

hygrophytische, mesophytische oder xerophytische Pflanzengesellschaften zu unter-

scheiden, in welche die Schmetterlingsarten eingebunden sind (die Beriicksichtigung

unterschiedlicher Temperaturverhältnisse kann zuerst einmal ausgeklammert werden).

Unter alleiniger Betrachtung der Tagfalter von Rhopalocoenosen oder von Nacht-

faltergesellschaften zu sprechen, ist unrichtig, da sich die Arten in ihrer Existenz nicht

gegenseitig bedingen (im Sinne von Mobius 1877), da zwischen den Schmetterlings-

arten meist kein ernährungsbedingtes Verknüpfungsgefüge (biocoenotischer Konnex)

besteht. Es ist daher ebenso unrichtig formuliert, wenn in einem Untersuchungs-

gebiet (Olivenhain am Gardasee) „die festgestellten Tagfalterarten eine typische

Lebensgemeinschaft darstellen“ (Schmitt et al. 2002). In diesem Sinnzusammenhang

ist es richtig, von ‘Affinität’ zu sprechen, dem gemeinsamen Vorkommen von Arten

aufgrund gemeinsamer Nutzung oder der Toleranz eines Umweltfaktors. Unter dem

Begriff ‘Fauna’ versteht man die Gesamtheit der Tierarten eines Gebietes oder eines

Biotops (Schaefer 1992). Es kann daher sinngemäß keine Makrolepidopterenfauna der

Zitterpappel geben (Füldner & Damm 2002).

Mitteleuropa ist, mit Ausnahme der Hochgebirgsregionen, einerseits vegetations-

ökologisch weitgehend anthropogen überprägt, so dass der Hemerobiegrad in der

Klassifizierung unberücksichtigt bleiben kann. Das impliziert aber nicht, dass den vom

Menschen ausgehenden Einflüssen auf die Ökosysteme keine Bedeutung zukommt.

Andererseits sind die die Okosysteme determinierenden unterschiedlichen Assoziationen

der entsprechenden Verbände (im Sinne der Phytosoziologie) oft derart kleinflächig

und mosaikartig verzahnt, dass eine Zuordnung nach dem Vorbild einer detaillierten

Vegetationskartierung, gerade bei so hochmobilen Stadien wie den Imagines der

Schmetterlinge, manchmal subjektiv bleiben muss (vgl. Huemer & Mayr 1999).

Dazu mag als Beispiel ein Flachmoorkomplex dienen, wo sich manchmal benachbart

und flächig verzahnt Groß- und Kleinseggen-Flachmoor, Schilf-Flachmoor und Über-

gangsmoor oder dıe anthropogenen Feucht- und Pfeifengraswiesen finden, wobei letz-

tere wiederum eine trockene und eine feuchte Ausprägung erfahren können.

Kategorien der Biotopbindung der Macrolepidoptera

Über das Nahrungssubstrat der Präimaginalstadien und, falls die Mundwerkzeuge der

Imagines entwickelt sind, über das Nektarpflanzenangebot, sind die Individuen auch

entsprechend ihrer ökologischen Potenz in ihren Lebensraum eingebunden. Hinzu

kommen Ansprüche an abiotische Faktoren wie etwa Temperatur und Feuchtigkeit.

Pathogene Mikroorganismen, Parasitoide und Predatoren in den entsprechenden

Biocoenosen runden das ökologische Szenario ab.

228 E. AISTLEITNER: A classification of Lepidoptera habitats in Central Europe

Terrestrisches und semiterrestrisches Megaökosystem (Megabiom). (Limnische

Megabiome sind nur für die Zuordnung der Acentropinae (Pyraloidea), deren Larven

aquatisch oder semiaquatisch leben, relevant und auszuweisen).

1. Gehölzfluren (silvicol - silv). Baum-, Strauch- und Zwergstrauch-Ökosysteme; aus-

geprägt etwa als temperate (nemorale) oder boreale Wälder oder als lineare Strukturen

wıe Waldmäntel und Hecken sowie Waldlückensysteme (Schlagfluren und Schneisen).

Die Arten sind waldbewohnend.

1.1. silv-hygro. Arten von Gehölzfluren mit ganzjährig oder zeitweise hohem Grund-

wasserstand wie Bruchwälder, Auwälder, fluBbegleitende Galeriewälder, Moorwälder.

1.2. silv-meso. Arten von Gehölzfluren mäßig feuchter (frischer) Standorte, Hecken

wie Liguster-Schlehengebüsch, temperate sommergrüne Laubwälder wie subozeanische

Buchenwalder, immergriine boreale Nadelwälder wie Tannen-Fichtenwälder, alpine

Zwergstrauchheiden. Einembemerkenswerten Vorschlag Grabherrs (pers. Mitt.) folgend,

können Schmetterlingsarten der Zwergstrauch-Okosysteme („Miniaturwälder“) des

Hochgebirges (alpine Zwergstrauchheiden wie Alpenrosenfluren) aber auch in einer

eigenen Kategorie ausgewiesen werden. Zwergsträucher werden als Chamaephyten

bezeichnet (silv-cham oder silv-meso-cham).

1.3. silv-xero. Arten sonniger, trockener Waldstandorte wie Schneeheide-Kiefernwäl-

der, Legföhrengebüsche, kontinentale Steppenheide-Föhrenwälder, inneralpines Ros-

en-Berberitzengebiisch.

2. Gras-, Kraut- und Moosfluren (praticol-prat). Natürliche und anthropogen ge-

hölzfreie Ökosysteme: Hochmoore, Flachmoore, Bachufer- und Grünerlen-Hoch-

staudenfluren, anthropogene Mähwiesen ohne Zuordnung oder Berücksichtigung der

Vegetationsstufe, also von der Tal- bis in die Bergregion, alpine Grasheide, Viehweiden,

Steppen-Trockenrasen. Einzelne Bäume oder Strauchgruppen können durchaus vor-

handen sein. Die Arten sind im weitesten Sinn Wiesenbewohner.

2.1. prat-hygro. Arten in Pflanzengesellschaften auf nassen bis feuchten Standorten

wıe Röhrichte und Großseggen-Flachmoore, Kleinseggen-Flachmoore, anthropogene

Pfeifengraswiesen. Arten der in Mitteleuropa verbliebenen Reste der Sphagnum-Hoch-

moore können gerade bei detaillierten Fragestellungen als ‘prat-hygro-sphag’ ausge-

wiesen werden.

2.2. prat-meso. Arten der anthropogenen Mähwiesen mit unterschiedlichem Mineral-

stoffgehalt und unterschiedlicher Exposition, vom Talraum bis in die subalpine Vege-

tationsstufe auf mäßig feuchten bis leicht trockenen Böden, Arten der Viehweiden, des

landwirtschaftlichen Intensivgrünlandes und der alpinen Grasheide.

2.3. prat-xero. Arten in Pflanzen-Gesellschaften warmtrockener Standorte (fallweise

bereits semiarid) wie Federgras-Steppenrasen oder etwa pannonischer Silikat-Trocken-

rasen.

3. Initial-Ökosysteme (init-nat). Natürliche Ökosysteme im Pionierstadium oder

Dauergesellschaften mit geringer biologischer Produktivität: fluviatile Schotterfluren,

Schutt-, Block- und Felsfluren im Gebirge, Küsten- und Binnendünen.

3.1. init-anthrop. Anthropogene, instabile, landwirtschaftliche Produktionsflächen

wie Äcker und Gärten mit Kulturpflanzen und deren Begleitarten (Segetalfluren).

Ökosysteme in urbanen Bereichen wie Ruderalgesellschaften.

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 225-232 229

4. Indifferente Arten (indiff). Ubiquisten, Immigranten (zusätzliches Suffix *-im-

mig’), synanthrope Arten.

5. Defizitärer Kenntnisstand (incert). Aufgrund von Kenntnisdefiziten nicht klassi-

fizierbare Arten oder Arten mit widersprüchlichen, unklaren Literaturangaben.

6. Saumbiotope und Gebirgsökosysteme. Für detaillierte Fragestellungen oder Aussagen

bleibt selbstverständlich die Möglichkeit offen, das oben beschriebene Darstellungsschema

zu erweitern. So macht es durchaus Sinn, zusätzlich ‘Okotone’, so genannte Saumbiotope,

etwa Gesellschaften des Übergangsbereiches von Gehölz- zu Grasfluren (Witwenblumen-

Waldsaumgesellschaft oder Wicken-Schleiergesellschaft) auszuweisen. Sie zeichnen sich

aufgrund vielfältigerer Lebensangebote durch hohe Artenvielfalt aus. Dem kann in Tabellen

in einer eigenen Spalte Rechnung getragen werden und in schriftlicher Darstellung mit dem

weiteren Suffix ‘-trans’ gekennzeichnet werden.

Makroökosysteme (Biome) im Gebirgsraum, so genannte ‘Oreobiome’, werden durch

klimatische (vor allem kältebetont) und edaphische Faktoren beeinflusst und sind in

charakteristischer Weise zusammengesetzt. Sie sind aus den Zonobiomen auszugliedern.

Ihre Kenntnis kann bei Beobachtungen in geographischen Bereichen mit einer großen

Höhenamplitude, wie sie sich im relativ gut untersuchten Alpenraum ergeben, durchaus

von zusätzlichem Interesse sein. In der Darstellung kann die Kennzeichnung für gebirgs-

bewohnende (orecole) bzw. den Gebirgsraum bevorzugende (oreophile) Arten zusätzlich

durch das Praefix ‘ore-/oreo-’ und tabellarisch in einer eigenen Rubrik erfolgen.

Einige ausgewählte Arten und Artengruppen in einem nemoralen Zonobiom (sensu

Walter 1973) bzw. Or(e)obiom in Vorarlberg, Österreich (Aistleitner 1999):

Phymatopus hecta silv-meso-trans

Phragmataecia castaneae prat-hygro

Zygaena exulans oreo-prat-meso

Epichnopterix plumella prat-hygro, prat-meso

Pennisetia hylaeiformis silv-meso-trans, init-anthrop

Synanthedon soffneri silv-hygro

Pyrgus andromedae oreo-prat-meso

Parnassius apollo oreo-prat-meso, init-nat

Aporia crataegi prat-meso-trans

Pieris rapae prat-meso, init-anthrop

Apatura ilia silv-hygro

Vanessa atalanta indiff-immig

Boloria agilonaris prat-hy gro-sphag

Euphydryas aurinia aurinia prat-hygro, prat-meso

Euphydryas aurinia glaciegenita oreo-prat-meso

Erebia medusa prat-hygro, prat-meso

Erebia pluto oreo-init-nat

Strymonidia w-album silv-meso-trans

Vacciniina optilete prat-hygro-sphag, oreo-prat-meso, silv-meso-cham

Poecilocampa alpina oreo-silv-meso

Aglia tau silv-meso

Thyatira batis silv-meso-trans

Acherontia atropos indiff-immig

Gluphisia crenata silv-hygro

Elkneria pudibunda silv-meso

Thumahta senex prat-hygro

Parasemia plantaginis oreo-prat-meso, silv-meso-cham

Meganola strigula silv-meso

230 E. AISTLEITNER: A classification of Lepidoptera habitats in Central Europe

Tab. 1. Die Darstellung der Arten bezieht sich ausschließlich auf Imaginalstadien in ihrem Schwerpunkt-

Lebensraum mit lokalem Bezug zu Vorarlberg (Österreich). Die Nummern vor den Artnamen beziehen

sich auf Karsholt & Razowski (1996).

init

Deka ones

370 za ds

13988 | Zuexutans | eee a oe

EVIBFATTIBERE ee en a

139960. 107; transälpina || | PS ee RES ou

13998 |.Z. filipendulae ‘|. |e

3999 | Zlonicorae LAON an

Rca 2... ee ara |

16752. | L.quercus | x a i a NET

[6819 | M tige xk | x) 0 ee

16830) | A.atropos ES ee eee Ee

ME 7 > NES ER EE |

CRETE It ES _ ae

P malen

16995 | P brassicae LP a) 2c |

[7011 _| C.phicomone | | 2 | Lie SIT

7013 | C.palaeno | | ex | | x

17015 | C.croceus — | 1 1,7 |, |x ON

17022 | C. alfacariensis | | |.) |. | ee

7112 [Maron |. | | | Soie

[7113 | Mteleius + 1 | le Je SN EEE

7143 __ | A, eumedon | | |. +) x)" SC

2202 A paph [It at [I _

[7298 | A

immig

”

pe)

es)

+ |» |» SF

x |X |»

~ |»

Ewe

TM. diamina |

ae ae ee

7315 | Lachine || x

es [Emm I TI 0 ee

337 [Ep

10512 | S.aurita |

10535 | U.pulchella |

10595 | P. matronula | | x

Schlussgedanken

Untersuchungen über den Artenbestand und die Fluktuationen in Ökosystemen dienen

neben dem reinen, menschlichen Erkenntnisstreben im angewandten Bereich dem

Naturschutz. Aber „Naturschutz sollte nicht durch unklare Begriffssysteme angreifbar

sein, da Missverständnisse meistdem Naturschutz schaden. Angesichts von Heerscharen

von Planern und Politikern, die alles „ökologisieren“ wollen, wäre es wohl besser, eine

klare Begriffswahl zu treffen, um das gemeinsame Anliegen Naturschutz im Hinblick

auf die vielen und immer stärker werdenden Nutzungsinteressen effizienter durch-

zusetzen.“ (Schön 1995).

Nota lepid. 29 (3/4): 225-232 231

Danksagung

Für Hinweise und belebende Diskussionen danke ich meinem Sohn Mag. Ulrich Aistleitner, für eine

kritische Durchsicht des Manuskriptes danke ich den Herrn Univ. Prof. Dr. Georg Grabherr (Wien), Herrn

Prof. Dr. Clas Naumann (+) sowie einem anonymen Gutachter sehr herzlich.

Literatur

Aistleitner, E. 1999. Die Schmetterlinge Vorarlbergs, Bd. 1. — Vorarlberger Naturschau, Suppl.: 377 S.

Blab J. & O. Kudrna 1982. Hilfsprogramm für Schmetterlinge. — Kilda, Greven. 135 S.

Füldner, K. & M. Damm 2002. Die Makrolepidopterenfauna der Zitterpappel (Populus tremula L.) in

Waldmantelgesellschaften in Niedersachsen (Lepidoptera). — Nachrichten des entomologischen Ver-

eins Apollo 23 (1/2): 89-96.

Herder 1994. Lexikon der Biologie. — Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg, Berlin, Oxford.

Huemer, P. & T. Mayr 1999. Okologische Bewertung der Diversität von Schmetterlingen (Lepidoptera)

im Naturschutzgebiet Gsieg — Obere Mahder (Gemeinde Lustenau, Vorarlberg, Austria occ.). —

Vorarlberger Naturschau 6: 133-182.

Huemer, P. & G. Tarmann 2001. Artenvielfalt und Bewirtschaftungsintensitat: Problemanalyse am Bei-

spiel der Schmetterlinge auf Wiesen und Weiden Südtirols. — Gredleriana 1: 331-418.

Huemer, P. 2003. Die Tagfalter Südtirols. — Folio Verlag, Wien und Bozen. 232 S.

Karsholt O. & J. Razowski 1996. The Lepidoptera of Europe. A Distributional Checklist. — Apollo Books,

Stenstrup; 380 S.

Mobius, K. 1877. Die Auster und die Austernwirtschaft. - Wiegandt, Hempel & Parey, Berlin.

Schaefer, M. 1992. Wörterbuch der Ökologie. — Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Fischer, Jena. 433 S.

Schmitt, T., E. Lambracht, K. Scheelke & A. Seitz 2002. Wie viele Tagfalterarten gibt es in einem Habi-

tat? — Eine ökologische Fallstudie in Norditalien (Lepidoptera, Rhoplaocera). — Nachrichten des ento-

mologischen Vereins Apollo 23 (1/2): 1-6.

Schön, R. 1995. Über Begriffsprobleme im Naturschutz — oder: Warum es keine „ökologisch wertvollen“

Flächen gibt. — Oko-L. Zeitschrift für Ökologie, Natur- und Umweltschutz, Linz 17 (1):26-31.

Walter, H. 1973. Vegetationszonen und Klima. — Ulmer, Stuttgart. 253 S.

Benutzte Nachschlagewerke

Hentschel, E. & G. Wagner 1986. Zoologisches Wörterbuch. — Fischer, Jena. 672 S.

Schubert , R. & G. Wagner 1984. Pflanzennamen und botanische Fachwörter. - Neumann, Leipzig und

Radebeul. 662 S.

Werner, C. F. 1961. Wortelemente lateinisch-griechischer Fachausdrücke in den biologischen Wissen-

schaften. - Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft Geest & Portig, Leipzig. 471 S.

Glossar

chamae (griech., Adv.) auf der Erde, auf dem Boden

colere (lat., Verb) bewohnen; in Zusammensetzungen als -col-a

habitare (lat., Verb) bewohnen (habitat = sie wohnt)

hygros (griech., Adj.) feucht, nass

immigrare (lat., Verb) einwandern

initium (lat., Subst.) Anfang, Beginn

mesos (griech., Adj.) mittler, mäßig

oreios (griech., Adj.) auf Bergen lebend

philos (griech., Adj.) liebend

pratum (lat., Subst) Wiese; pratensis (lat., Adj.) Wiesen- (in Zusammensetzung)

silva (lat., Subst.) Baum, Strauch, Wald; silvestris (lat., Adj.) waldig

transitio (lat., Subst.) Ubergang

xeros (griech., Adj.) trocken, diirr

292 E. AISTLEITNER: A classification of Lepidoptera habitats in Central Europe

Definitionen

Formation ist der unter physiognomischen Gesichtspunkten betrachtete einheitliche Teil der Pflanzendecke,

z. B. Wald, Wiese, Hochmoor.

Hemerobie bezeichnet die Einflüsse des Menschen in ihrer Gesamtheit auf die Ökosysteme. Wälder sind

als oligo- bis ahemerob, Wiesen als meso- bis euhemerob, Acker als eu- bis polyhemerob und urban-

industrielle Okosysteme der Anthropobiosphäre als metahemerob zu bezeichnen.

Megaökosysteme oder Megabiome untergliedern die natürlichen Subbiosphären (Hydrobiosphäre, Geo-

biospäre). Man unterscheidet marines, limnisches, semiterrestrisches und terrestrisches Megabiom.

Makroökosysteme oder Biome sind charakterisiert durch eine Klimax-Vegetation innerhalb eines einheit-

lichen Großklimabereichs, z. B. tropischer immergrüner Regenwald, nordafrikanische Wüste, borealer

Nadelwald, arktische Tundra (Großökosysteme).

Ökosystem ist Biotop (Lebensraum) plus Lebensgemeinschaft (Biocoenose im Sinne von Möbius 1877).

Als Habitat ist ausschließlich der Aufenthaltsbereich einer Art innerhalb eines Biotops zu bezeichnen,

z. B. unter Steinen, auf Rinde (hypolithisch, corticol). In der angelsächsischen Literatur fälschlicherweise

synonym zu Biotop! Zur Charakterisierung von Schmetterlingsvorkommen mag man sich an die Syn-

taxonomie der Phytosoziologie (Verband, Ordnung, Klasse) anlehnen: subalpin-alpiner Borstgrasrasen

(Nardion), subozeanischer Halbtrockenrasen (Brometalia erecti), Kreuzdorn-Schlehengebüsche (Rhamno-

Prunetea).

Zonobiome dehnen sich über einen größeren geographisch definierten Bereich aus, Temperatur und die

jahreszeitliche Verteilung der Niederschlagsmenge bedingen ihren Charakter. Mitteleuropa gehört dem

nemoralen Zonobiom an, Orobiome und Pedobiome sind auszugliedern.

Book review 233

Efetov, K. A. 2005. The Zygaenidae (Lepidoptera) of the Crimea and other regions of

Eurasia. — Crimean State Medical University Press, Simferopol. — 420 pp, frontispiece, 390 figs

(252 in colour). 260 x 170 mm. Hardcover (ISBN 966-7348-10-5). Price: 72.00 € (incl. postage).

Obtainable via G. M. Tarmann, Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, Innsbruck, Austria.

The concept of this book is unusual. The author has already published the externally similar ‘Forester

and Burnet Moths’ under the same imprint in 2004, but in this new work he tries to attract the attention

of lepidopterists, especially those from the states of the former U.S.S.R., to the Zygaenidae. Therefore

the text of the book is bilingual. All general information, much of which has already been published, is

mainly in Russian, but the more detailed information is provided in English and Russian. The concept

of the book is explained in the introduction. The first chapter provides an overview of the lepidopterous

family Zygaenidae and summarises attempts by the author to find new characters and phylogenetic insights

during the last few years, partly by using new methods. This chapter is written in Russian except for the

captions to the figures, which are bilingual. The second chapter (also in Russian) deals with the Russian

and Ukrainian vernacular names of insects and in particular the Russian names of species of Zygaenidae. A

comprehensive, bilingual distributional check-list of the Zygaenidae of the former U.S.S.R is provided in

chapter 3, followed by a discussion on the systematic position of the nominal taxon Lictoria Burgeff, 1926,

resulting in its reinstatement as a fourth subgenus of Zygaena Fabricius, 1775, in addition to Mesembrynus

Hübner 1819, Agrumenia Hübner, 1819, and Zygaena Fabricius, 1775, the three subgenera currently in use

by most authors. This taxonomic decision was intensively discussed at the Xth International Symposium

on Zygaenidae at Lyon in September 2006 because some taxonomists strongly disagree with it. However,

Efetov’s opinion is based not only on adult morphological data, but also on molecular methods, viz.

monoclonal immunosystematics and disc-electrophoresis. In the following 105 pages the author presents

a complete review of the Zygaenidae of the Crimea with descriptions of the landscape, climate, and faunal

regions of the peninsula, together with a check-list of species, keys to genera, subgenera, and species and

detailed information on each species, supported by colour figures of imagines in prepared (paintings)

and natural positions (photos), early instars (photos) and biotopes (photos), with line drawings of the

genitalia and distribution maps for each species. The populations of Zygaena ephialtes (Linnaeus, 1767)

are analysed in detail and a new subspecies, Z. ephialtes tarkhankutica, is described. The last chapter of the

book provides the first comprehensive review of the Zygaenidae of the Russian Far East with colour figures

of the species reproduced from paintings and line drawings of the relevant genitalia. Acknowledgements

to more than 60 scientists, curators of collections, collectors, artists and technical assistants reveal the

preparation that went into this book, including 30 years of study by the author. The references are not

restricted to the literature cited in the text but are almost a complete bibliography of each author mentioned,

especially when an author is a zygaenid specialist. An index concludes the work. This book is also a

curiosity in other respects. K. A. Efetov is in the lucky situation that he can use the resources of Elinyo Co.,

the printing office of the Crimean State Medical University Press. This little printing company with its one

colour printing machine, old solid binding facilities, and its numerous skillful staff under the direction of

A. E. Baranowsky is a unique treasure. Here it is still possible in the 21“ century to produce high quality

books with coloured hardcover, frontispiece, and solid binding for an unbelievably good price. Each book

is produced individually (Aren’t they all produced individually? I don’t quite understand. Remove this

sentence?); therefore an author is not really limited to a specific number of pages or colour plates. Efetov

has used this opportunity for the fourth time for a zygaenid book and more books are planned to follow. The

author is also in the lucky situation to rely on a team of extremely good illustrators such as N. V. Dyadenko,

V. L. Saenko, V. V. Kislowsky (deceased), and P. V. Ruchko and the assistance of E. V. Parshkova, S. N.

Pupkevich, and others for help with rearing experiments and laboratory work. None of the books written

by K. A. Efetov and produced by Elinyo Co. would probably ever have been published in the present form

by a western publisher because they would not have been commercially viable. However, for the reader

these books have the advantage that a lot of valuable information is summarised in each and even if some

users may find things repetitive (e.g. some genitalia drawings are used in several books), one can think

“Why not!’ The present book includes a lot of important information and many perfect illustrations at a

very good price.

G. M. TARMANN (e-mail: g.tarmann @tiroler-landesmuseum.at)

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