Rhodostrophia peripheres Prout, 1938

Rajaei, Hossein, Hausmann, Axel & Trusch, Robert, 2022, Taxonomic review of the genus Rhodostrophia Hübner, 1823 (Geometridae: Sterrhinae) in Iran, Zootaxa 5118 (1), pp. 1-64 : 41-43

Rhodostrophia peripheres Prout, 1938

( Figs 57–59 , 76 , 78 , 93 , 106, Map 14 )

Rhodostrophia cuprinaria peripheres Prout, 1938 : Seitz, Gross-Schmetterlinge der Erde 4 (Suppl.): 220; pl. 17, row c. ([ Iran], Elburs-Gebirge, Hashtar, Demavand, 1700–2500 m). Lectotype (examined, hereby designated in order to stabilize nomenclature) ♂: ‘Haschtar, Demawend, above 2500 m, August 1925, (K. Fusek).’, ‘Rothschild Bequest B.M. 1939–1.’, ‘ Rhodostrophia cuprinaria peripheres Prout’ [handwritten], ‘figd. Seitz Suppl. IV. T. 17 c’ label underside: ‘ Rhodostrophia cuprinaria peripheres ♂ Prout’, ‘Paratype’, in NHMUK. Paralectotypes (here designated): 1 ♂ (examined): ‘Paratype’. ‘Haschtar, Demawend, above 2500 m, August 1925, (K. Fusek).’, ‘ Rhodostrophia cuprinaria Prout peripheres paratype ♂ ’ [handwritten], ‘Zoologische Staatssammlung München’ [red printed label], in ZSM. 1 ♀ ‘Haschtar, Demawend, about 2500 m, Sept. 1925, (F. Fusek).’, ‘Rothschild Bequest B.M. 1939–1.’, in NHMUK.

Rhodostrophia peripheres debilis Wiltshire, 1949 , syn. nov.

Rhodostrophia peripheres debilis Wiltshire, 1949 : Bulletin de la Société Fouad Ier d’Entomologie 33: 364, fig. 14. Holotype ♂, [ Iran] Fars, Sinehsefid, 6000 ft., 30.v.1940, [leg.] E. P. Wiltshire, NHMUK (E)972075, preparation no. 186, E. P. Wiltshire, R. peripheres debilis Holotype; Paratypes, 1 ♀, id., NHMUK (E)972074, R. peripheres debilis Allotype ; 1 ♀, Persia[ Iran] Fars, Shiraz Mts., 7000ft. 8.ix.1950, [leg.] E. P. Wiltshire, NHMUK (E)972072; R. peripheres debilis Topotype ; 1 ♀, S-W. Iran [Fars] Qalat, Shiraz, 7000ft. 1.vi.1950, [leg.] E. P. Wiltshire, NHMUK (E)972073, R. peripheres debilis Topotype ; all in NHMUK (examined). 2 ♀, Iran, Fars, Khan-i Zinian , 20.ix.1940, E. P. Wiltshire, NHMUK (E)972076 & 7, R. peripheres debilis Paratype; all in NHMUK (examined).

Records in literature. Rhodostrophia peripheres: Scoble (1999: 823) ; Scoble & Hausmann (2007); Müller et al. (2019: 845). Rhodostrophia cuprinaria peripheres Prout (1935: 220) .

Rhodostrophia peripheres debilis: Scoble (1999: 823) ; Scoble & Hausmann (2007).

Previous record from Iran. Specimens from S.S. [Sine-Sefid, Fars prov.] and Co.[Comehr, Fars prov.] erroneously identified as phaenicearia by Brandt (1938). Dissections of these specimens revealed their identity as R. peripheres (see material examined).

Additional material examined. 3 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiyari, Zarde-Kuh, Samsami vic. Gardaneh-ye Cheri , 2800–3100 m, 8./ 9.vii.2003, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke & W. G. Tremewan , g.p. (♂) 609/2005 R. Trusch; 3 ♂, Iran, Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiyari, Borujen S, Dorahun 6 km S, 1850–2100 m, 1.vi.2005, [26/05], leg. A. Hofmann & J.U. Meineke , g.p. 2385/2020 H. Rajaei, barcode BC ZSM Lep 33893 ; 13 ♂, 9 ♀, S- Iran, Khusestan [today belong to prov. Kohgiluye-va Boyerahmad], Yassudj, Sisakht , 2250 m, 13./ 14.vi.1972, leg. Ebert & Falkner , g.p. (♂) 572/2005 R. Trusch, 2406/2021 H. Rajaei; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, id., 13.vi.1972, Ebert & Pazuki, g.p. 2377/2020 H. Rajaei; 6 ♂, 13 ♀, S-Iran, prov. Khusestan, [today belong to prov. Kohgiluye-va Boyerahmad], Yassudj, Sisakht , 50 km NW, 15.–18.vi.1975, leg. Ebert & Falkner , g.p. (♀) 630/2005 R. Trusch, (♂) 2411/2021 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, Iran, Fars, Eqlid SSE, Kuh-e Bol, Darre Absad , 2750, 7.vi.2005, A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, g.p. 2378/2020 H. Rajaei ; 1 ♂, Iran, Fars, Qaderabad , 2200 m, 30.v.2004, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke , g.p. 672(2005 R. Trusch; barcode BC ZSM Lep 33912 ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Fars, Strasse Chiraz-Kazeroun, Fort Sine-Sefid , ca. 2200 m, v.1937, leg. F. Brandt [‘ Rh. Cuprinaria Chr. ’ handwritten by W. Brandt], g.p. (♂) 628/2005 R. Trusch; 2 ♂, S-Iran, Fars, 50 km NW Ardekan, Tange Surkh , 2250 m, 16.vi. 1972, leg. Ebert & Falkner , g.p. (♂) 574/2005 R. Trusch; 3 ♂, 2 ♀, id., 12.–15.vi.1975, leg. Ebert & Falkner, g.p. (♀) 629/2005 R. Trusch; 3 ♀, Fars, Kazeroun, Mian-Kotal , 1900 m, 11.vi.1972, leg. Ebert & Pazouki ; 1 ♂, S-Iran, [Fars] Persepolis , 1600 m, 2.vi.1969, leg. G. Ebert ; 1 ♂, Iran, Fars, Shiraz ESE, Darab N ( Pass ), 1850–2100 m, [11/05], leg. T. &. A. Hofmann ; 1 ♂, Iran, Prov. Esfahan, Zagros mts., Feridun Shar , Kamaran val., 2770 m, N32°45', E049°59', 11.vii.2003 (lux), leg. G. Ebert & R. Trusch ; 2 ♀, N-Iran, Kamard , 40 km W Tehran, ca. 1700 m, 9.ix.1970, leg. G. Ebert , g.p. 684/2005 R. Trusch; 2 ♂, Iran, prov. Azerbaijan-e Sharqi , 10 km NW of Miyane, 14.–15.vi.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai , E-Lep 221, g.p. 682 & 683/2005 R. Trusch; 5 ♀, id., 31.vi.2005, g.p. 2396/2020 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, Iran, Zanjan NE, Gard [aneh]- ye Alamut , 2000–2300 m, 1.–2.vii.2009, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, H. Rajaei , g.p. 2384/2020 H. Rajaei; 39 ♂, 19 ♀, Iran, Prov. Chahar Mahal, Zagros mts. NW Samsami, 2800 m, N 32°09', E 050°11', 13.vii.2003 (lux), leg. G. Ebert & R. Trusch , g.p. (♂) 575, 631, (♀) 604, 618/2005 R. Trusch, barcods BC ZSM Lep 33893, 33894, 33895, 33896; all in SMNK . 2 ♂, 2 ♀, id. (as the latter), (♂) 2405/2021 H. Rajaei; all in SMNS. 3 ♂ Iran , 2 ♀, Iran, Boyer Ahmad-va-Kohgiluyeh, Gardaneh Meymand , 2450–2800 m, 14./ 15.vi.2001, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke & W. G. Tremewan , g.p. (♂) 608/2005; in PCJM . 1 ♂, [ Iran] Kohkiluyeh, Sisakht , 2100 m, 16.vi.1986, leg. Mirz. [ayans] & Hash.[emi]; 1 ♀, [ Iran] Kohkiluyeh, 20 km Yassuj-Ardakan, 2380 m, Tange-Sorkh , 16.viii.1978, Paz. [uki], Bor [oomand] ; 1 ♂, S-Iran, Khusestan , 15 km SE Yassudj, 2050 m, 15.vi.1972, leg. Ebert & Pazuki ; 1 ♀, [ Iran] Khousestan, Yassudj, Sisakht , 2250 m, 13.vi.1972, Ebert & Pazuki ; 1 ♀, [ Iran] Fars, Firuzabad Muk , 1800 m, 8.–9.v.1985, Mirz. [ayans]/ Hash. [emi] ; 2 ♀, [ Iran] Fars, 58 km Lar-Djahrom , 890m, 13.iv.1974, leg. Broumand ; 1 ♀, [ Iran] Fars, Kazeroun, Dascht-e Ardjan , 1950 m, 13.v.1974, Abai & Pazuki ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, [ Iran] Fars, Firuzabad , 1700m, 8.–9.v.1985, Mirz. [ayans] & Hash [emi] ; 2 ♀, [ Iran] Fars, Sisakht, Dena Mt. , 2200 m, 11.ix.1974, leg. Pazuki & Hashemi ; 1 ♀ [ Iran] Tehran, Evin , 19.vii.1974, L.T., g.p. 2390/2020 H. Rajaei; in HMIM . 1 ♂, Iran, Elburs-Geb. Südseite, Shimshak , 2300 m, 50 km nördl. Teheran, 1.–22.vii.1970, leg. Vartian , g.p. (♂) ZSM G 8771 ; in ZSM .

Specimens studied total: 88 ♂, 78 ♀.

Differential diagnosis ( Figs 57–59 , 106 ). Wingspan 25–30 mm. Forewing with straight termen. Ground colour of wings reddish to pink-yellow, darker towards termen; some specimens with darker shadow; ante- and postmedial lines of forewings and postmedial line of hindwings serrate, darker in colour and bordered by a light shadow. Underside of wings yellow-creamy, darker towards termen; only postmedial lines visible. Discal spots larger on forewing, tiny or sometimes absent on hindwings. Male antennal flagellum ventrally dentated. Male hindtibia with three spurs. Based on the stronger coloration and the contrasting medial fascia on both fore- and hindwings of R. cuprinaria (in contrast to the less reddish-golden coloration of R. peripheres ), these two species can be easily discriminated. However, for more confidential identification, we recommend to study the genitalia. The diagnosis of R. cuprinaria and R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. is given under the following species.

Male genitalia ( Figs 76 , 78 ). Uncus digitiform; valva triangular; its apical part triangular, curved inwards (slightly hook-shaped), covered with spinules and thicker spines; costal part of valva medially swollen; sacculus smooth (dentated in R. cuprinaria ) ( Figs 75d and 76d ). Juxta wide, apically not concave (apical part of juxta concave in R. cuprinaria ). Aedeagus medially slightly curved (angled to 90° in R. cuprinaria ); vesica membranous, cornutus developed as a large spine. Male sternite A8 bilobed ( Fig. 76c ), with wide octavals, more elongated than in R. cuprinaria .

Female genitalia ( Fig. 93 ) with smaller papillae anales, in contrast to the very large ones in R. cuprinaria ; corpus bursae spherical, signum developed as sclerite, covering less than half of corpus bursae (signum in R. cuprinaria covering over half of corpus bursae). Ductus bursae short, funnel shaped and partially sclerotized, one third length of corpus bursae (length of cylindrical ductus bursae roughly the same as that of corpus bursae in R. cuprinaria ). Posterior apophyses three times length of anterior apophyses.

Genetic data. BIN: BOLD:AAB7557. Genetically homogeneous. Nearest species: R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. (2.4%) ( Fig. 119 , Table 1).

Distribution ( Map 14 ). Mainly distributed from north-western to south-western parts of Iran.

Life history and habitat ( Fig. 118 ). Biology and preimaginal stages are unknown. The species seems to be bivoltine, especially in the populations of the warmer habitats in southern Iran. The adults are recorded from mid- April to mid-September. According to the material here examined, it flies at altitudes from 900 m up to 3000 m.

Figures

MAP 14. Distribution of Rhodostrophia peripheres PROUT, 1938 & R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. in Iran.

FIGURE 119. Neighbour joining tree (COI, 5’; Kimura 2) showing the relationships between different species and subspecies of Iranian Rhodostrophia, including non-Iranian nearest neighboring species R. calabra, R. cinerascens, R. jacularia, R. praecisaria, R. staudingeri and R. skulei added for comparison. Width of triangles refer to sample size, depth of triangles to genetic variation, distance from common nodes to the genetic distance to a hypothetical common ancestor (as inferred by the algorithm); scale bar = 1%.

FIGURES 44-62. Wing coloration and pattern of Rhodostrophia species. Figs 44-47: R. abscisaria (both from Iran, 44 & 45. prov. Khorasan-e Razav, Bilanoud Mt., 44 (holotype), 45 (paratype); 46 & 47. Khorasan-e Shomali, Kopet Dagh); Figs 48- 51: R. phaenicearia (all from Iran, 48.-49. prov. Tehran, South Tehran; 50. Prov. Semnan, Damghan; 51. prov. Tehran, Kamard, West Terhran); Figs 52-56: R. cuprinaria (all from Iran, 52-53. Prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, Kopet Dagh; 54. prov. Sistan-o- Baluchistan, Taftan Mt.; 55. Khorasan-e Jonubi, Kuh-e Mirza Arab; 56. „R. nubifera“ (syn. nov.) from prov. Khoarsan-e Razavi, Binaloud Mt.); Figs 57-59: R. peripheres (both from Iran, 57. prov. Mazandaran, Hashtar, Demavand, Lectotype; 58 & 59. Kohgiluye-va Boyerahmad, Yassuj, Sisakht); Figs 60-62: R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. (all paratypes and from Iran, prov. Kerman, 60 & 61. NW Jiroft, Gardaneh Sarbishan; 62. Baft).

FIGURES 75-77. Male genitalia of Rhodostrophia species. Fig. 75. R. cuprinaria (Iran, prov. Sisstan-o-Baluchistan, Taftan Mt. g.p. 576 R. Trusch); Fig. 76. R. peripheres (Iran, prov. Chahar Mahal-o Bakhtiari, NW Samsami, g.p. 631 R. Trusch); Fig. 77. R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. (Iran, prov. Kerman, Gardaneh Sarbishan, Shingara vic., g.p. 2408 H. Rajaei). Abbreviations: a. genitalia capsule; b. aedeagus; c. sternite-8; d. juxta and sacculus part of valva.

FIGURES 78-79. Details of diffential diagnostic characters on male genitalia. Fig. 78. Rhodostrophia peripheres (Iran, prov. Kohgiluye-va Boyerahmad, Yassudj, Sisakht, g.p. 2411 H. Rajaei); Fig. 77. R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. (Iran, prov. Kerman, Baft, Ghanat-Marvan, g.p. 2409 H. Rajaei). Abbreviations: a. apical part of valva; b. dorsolateral view of genitalia capsule in natural position; c ventral view of genitalia capsule in natural position; d. aedeagus and corntus. Arrows pointing to diagnostic characters (see text).

IGURES 91-94. Female genitalia of Rhodostrophia species. Fig. 91. R. phaenicearia (Iran, prov. Prov. Semnan, Cheschme Ali, g.p. 2391 H. Rajaei); Fig. 92. R. cuprinaria (Iran, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, south of Izmansufla, g.p. 598 R. Trusch); Fig. 93. R. peripheres (Iran, prov. Azerbyejan-e Sharghi, 10 km NW Miyane, g.p. 2396 H. Rajaei); Fig. 94. R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. (Iran, Kerman, Gardaneh Sarbishan, Shingara vic., g.p. 2408 H. Rajaei, paratype); 91b, 93b. & 94b: digital drawings of the corpus bursae for visualization of the signa.

FIGURES 95-106. Live Rhodostrophia-imagines in nature at light trapping in Iran. Fig. 95 R. auctata, prov. Lorestan, Noorabad-Nahawand road, 25 km to Nahawand, Gardane-Garrin, 2135 mNN, N 34°02'48", E 48°20'31". Fig. 96. R. terrestraria terrestraria, Elburz mts., S Shah Kuh-e Pain, 2750 m, N 36°33'; E 054°26', 17.vii.2003. Fig. 97. R. terrestraria farsi ssp. nov., prov.Khorasan,Kuh-e Sorkh,N Rivas vic.Akbarabad,2000–2100m, 12.vi.2000.Fig.98. R.tumulosa, prov.Fars,Shiraz-Kazerun road, 5 km before Dasht-e Arjan, N 29°40'34"; E 52°02'18", 2158 m, 23.v.2009. Fig. 99. R. tabestana, prov. Isfahan, rocky steppe near Kelichad, N32.352459°, E51.043501°, 2.135-2.235 m, 29.iv.2018. Fig. 100-101. R. nesam, prov. Esfahan, Natanz- Kashan road, Abiyaneh village, 2300 mNN, N 33°35'55", E 051°35'51", 26.v.2009. Fig. 102. R. abscisaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, N Qochan, Emam Gholi to Kabkan road, After Agh-Mazar, Allah-o Akbar Mt., 1763 m, N37°19'27.2'', E058°43'26.1'', 18.vi.2013. Fig. 103. R. phaenicearia, prov. Kerman, 5 km to Dehbakri from Bamm, near Kuh-e Shir, N29°4'1", E57°28'03", 2158 m, 18.–19.v.2009. Fig. 104. R. cuprinaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, N Qochan, Emam Gholi to Kabkan road, After Agh-Mazar, Allah-o Akbar Mt., 1763 m, N37°19'27.2'', E058°43'26.1'', 18.vi.2013. Fig. 105. R. cuprinaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, 50 km north of Bojnurd, Izmansufla, N 37°44'20'', E 057°25'53'', 1240 m, 17.v.2005. Fig. 106. R. peripheres, prov. Chahar Mahal, Zagros mts., Samsami, 2800 m, N 32°09', E 050°11', 13.vii.2003. (Photos 95, 97-98, 100-104 H. Rajaei, 96 G. Ebert, 99 E. Weigand, 105-106 R. Trusch).

FIGURES 111-118. Habitats of Rhodostrophia-species in Iran. Fig. 111. Shah-Kuh-mountain range in the eastern Alborz, view from the habitat of the nominotypical subspecies of R. terrestraria at an altitude of approx. 2,900 m to the west (prov. Golestan, above Shah-Kuh-e Pa’in, also known as Shahkuh-e Sofla, 18.vii.2003), where the moth likes to hide in bushes of Astragalus spp. (Fabaceae); note the impressive cushion plants of Acantholimon spp. (Plumbaginaceae). The region is also known as the type locality of the two high-mountain burnet moths Zygaena cacuminum Christoph, 1877 and Z. ecki Christoph, 1882 (Zygaenidae). Fig. 112. Stipa-steppe habitat of R. terrestraria at Shah-Kuh-e Bala, where the species on 19.7.2003 was attracted to artificial light at night together with Zygaena turkmenica Reiss, 1933 (det. A. Hofmann). Fig. 113. Artemisia-steppe at an altitude of 2450 m near Qorud (prov. Esfahan, vic. Kashan-Meymeh), where R. bahara occurred on the 11.v.2005 in high abundance together with the rarely found Dyscia negrama Wehrli, 1953 (Geometridae); in the centre of the photo (from left to right): Georg Petschenka, Bernd Müller and Hossein Rajaei. Fig. 114. In the vicinity of mount Tochal at the altitude of 3,700 m the moths of R. iranica could be observed resting on rocks and flying off from them in case of disturbance (prov. Tehran, 18.7.2006). This area is inhabited by Zygaena cacuminum Christoph, 1877 (Zygaenidae) too. Fig. 115. The Kamaran valley (prov. Esfahan, Fereydun Shahr S., Kamaran vic., 2650 m) is inhabited by R. tabestana and R. terrestraria; other remarkable species observed during 11.-12.vii.2003 were Zygaena haematina Kollar, 1849 and Z. nocturna Ebert, 1974 (Zygaenidae). Fig. 116. The habitat of R. terrestraria pellonaria, R. abscisaria and R. lenis at an altitude of 1240 m south of Izman-e Pa'in (also known as Izman-e Sofla, north of Bojnurd, prov. Khorasan, 19.v.2005) is characterized by mugwort steppe (Artemisia spp., Asteraceae) and the occurrence of further typical geometrid-moth-steppe species such as Dyscia malatyana Wehrli, 1934 and the nominate subspecies of D. innocentaria (Christoph, 1885). Fig. 117. Habitat of the two species R. cuprinaria and R. phaenicearia at an altitude of 1560 m in the vicinity of Astane (Cheshme Ali, prov. Semnan, northwest of Damghan,) is an Artemisia-steppe too. The two species used to be confused in the literature, here both occurring syntopic, observed by us 23.-24.v.2005. Fig. 118. Strongly overgrazed desertic mountain steppe landscape at an altitude of 3200 m at Gardaneh-ye Cheri (prov. Çaharmahal-va- Bakhtiyari, Zardkuh-region, vicinity of Samsami) is the habitat of R. peripheries (observed here 13.vii.2003) and numerous burnets as Zygaena cambysea Lederer, 1870, Z. fredi Reiss, 1938, Z. seitzi Reiss, 1938, Z. naumanni Hille & Keil, 1999 and the unilocal endemic Z. bakhtiyari Hofmann & Tremewan, 2005 (Hofmann & Tremewan 2020).—Photos 111-114, 116-118: R. Trusch, photo 115: G. Ebert.