Rhodostrophia auctata ( Staudinger, 1879 )

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 : 14-16

Rhodostrophia auctata ( Staudinger, 1879)

( Figs 9–10 , 64 , 81 , 95 , Map 2 )

Pellonia auctata Staudinger, 1879 : Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae , 14: 441. ([ Turkey]: Karaman), Syntypes in ZMHB.

Records in the literature. Rhodostrophia auctata: Staudinger (1901: 278) ; Prout (1913: 39); Viidalepp (1996: 58) [year of publication erroneously cited as “1887”]; Scoble (1999: 822); Scoble & Hausmann (2007); Müller et al. (2019: 844).

Previous records from Iran. Iran, Derbend, 25 km N v. Teheran, 2000 m ( Wiltshire 1966); Iran, Ardabil, Kuhha-ye-Sabalan, S Meshginshar, Ghotour sui, 3050–3100 m, 26.vii.2007, leg. Lehmann, L. & Zahiri, R. ( Lehmann & Zahiri 2011); Iran, Ardabil, Kuhha-ye-Sabalan, S Meshginshar, 2285 m, 25.–26.vii.2007, leg. Lehmann, L. & Zahiri, R. ( Lehmann & Zahiri 2011); Iran, Fars, Srasse Ardakan-Talochosroe [Tale-Khosrow], Comee [Komehr] (Barmi-Firus), 2600 m, 30.vii.–30.viii.1937, leg. F. Brandt ( Brandt 1939)

Additional material examined. 7 ♂, 2 ♀, W-Iran, Kordestan, Strasse Saghaz-Baneh , 21 km NE Baneh, 1950 m, 30.vi.–2.vii.1975, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner , g.p.slide no. 654 (♂), 655 (♀)/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♂, 6 ♀, W-Iran, Kordestan, Strasse Zandjan-Bijar , 53 km S Zandjan, 1700 m, 28.–29.vi.1975, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner ; 2 ♀, W- Iran, Kordestan, Strasse Saghez-Baneh , 23 km NE Baneh, 1800 m, 2.vii.1975, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀, W-Iran, Lorestan, Dorud , Pass S Darrya-che Gahar, "Partsche Kabud", 2800 m, 1.–3.viii.1975, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Lorestan, ca. 50 km SW Aligudarz ( Pass ), 2900 m, 2.vi.2005, leg. W. ten Hagen ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Nordiran, Elbursgebirge, östl. Shemshak , 50 km nördl. Teheran, 2100–2500 m, 8.–24.vi.1973, leg. G. Junge ; 8 ♂, S-Iran, Fars, 50 km NW Ardekan, Tange Surkh , 2250 m, 16.vi.1972, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner , g.p. 656/2005 R. Trusch; 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 ; 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Kordestan, Saghez-Baneh road, 10 km to Baneh Gardaneh-Khan, N36°04‘13“, E 45°59‘31“, 1976m, 26–27.vi.2009, leg. H. Rajaei, J.U. Meineke & A. Hofmann ; 4 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Esfahan, S Fereydunshar-Sibak, 2km to Sibak , N 32°54’07”; E 50°04’48”, 2622 mNN, 19.–20.vi.2009, leg. H. Rajaei, J.U. Meineke & A. Hofmann, SMNK, E-Lep. 259 ; 1 ♀, Iran, Khorasan, Kuh-e Sorkh, N Rivas vic. Akbarabad , 2000–2100 m, 12.vi.2000, leg. W. ten Hagen ; 6 ♂, 6 ♀, Iran, Prov. Zanjan, 2350 m, W-Alborz range, Tarom vic., 20 km NE of Zanjan, 13.–14.vi.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai ; 1 ♂, Iran, Zanjan, Zanjan-Gilvan, Gargovol Dag , 2500 m, 26.–27.vi.2001, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke & W. G. Tremewan ; 4 ♂, Iran, Zangan / Kordestan, NE Takab, Takht-e Suleyman, Kuh-e Baradar-e Shah , 2800–3000 m, 22.vii.2005, leg. W. ten Hagen , barcodes: BC ZSM 33920 ; 1 ♂, Iran, Azerbayejan-e Sharqi , 10km NW of Miyane, 14.– 15.06.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai , E-Lep 221; 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Zanjan, Takhte Suleyman-Dandi road, 15 km E Takhte Suleyman, N 36°36‘23“, E 47°21‘02“, 2420 mNN, 29.vi.2009, leg. H. Rajaei, J.U. Meineke & A. Hofmann ; 2 ♂, 3 ♀, Iran, prov. Azerbaijan-e Garbi, Takhte Suleyman-Dandi road, Gharawol-Khaneh village , N 36°37‘06“, E 47°18‘42“, 2335 mNN, 30.vi.2009, leg. H. Rajaei, J.U. Meineke & A. Hofmann, SMNK E-Lep. 259; 1 ♀, Iran-N, Elurs-Mt. Ammameh am Kaspischen Meer , 2000 m, 23.ix.1960, leg J. Klapperich; all in SMNK . 1 ♂, W-Iran, Kordestan, Strasse Saghaz-Baneh , 21 km NE Baneh, 1950 m, 30.vi.–2.vii.1975, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner ; 1 ♀, W-Iran, Kordestan, Strasse Zandjan-Bijar , 53 km S Zandjan, 1700 m, 28.–29.vi.1975, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner, g.p. 2412/2021 H. Rajaei ; 1 ♂, Iran, Zanjan prov., E Zanjan, road to Gilvan , alt. 1889 m, N36°45' 21.8", E48°49'20.7", 6.vii.2013, leg. H. Rajaei, J.-U. Meineke, B. Hafezi ; 1 ♂, Iran, Zanjan prov., E Zanjan, road to Gilvan, Alt. 1889 m, N36°45'21.8'', E048°49'20.7'', 6.vii.2013, leg. H. Rajaei ; J.-U. Meineke; B. Hafezi; 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Azerbaijan-e Sharghi prov., S Ghareh Aghaj, after Argsnay-Sufla, Alt. 2020 m, N36°50'16.5'', E046°58'07.5'', 4.vii.2013, leg. H. Rajaei ; J.-U. Meineke; B. Hafezi; in SMNS. 12 ♂, 4 ♀, Iran, Prov. Hamadan, Hamadan NNE, Razan N, Mahanye 2 km N, 2100–2150 m, 19.vi.1998, leg. A. Hofmann & J.-U. Meineke, g.p. (♀) 657/2005 R. Trusch ; 9 ♂, 5 ♀, Iran, Prov. Hamadan, Hamadan NNE, Razan N, Gardaneh Avaj, 2300–2500 m, 25.vi.2001, leg. A. Hofmann & J.-U. Meineke ; 3♂, 3 ♀, Iran, Esfahan, Semirom vic., Pashme Kuh , 2750 m, 18.vi.2001, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke & W. G. Tremewan ; 1 ♀, Iran, Esfahan, Fereidun Shahr S, Gardaneh-ye Kamaran , 2900–3200 m, 16.–17.vi.2002, leg. J.-U. Meineke, A. Hofmann & A. Kallies, g.p. (♂) 593/2005 R. Trusch ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Esfahan, Yasuj E, Kuh e Dena, Nurabad N, 2450m, 8.vi.2005, leg. A. Hofmann & J.U. Meineke ; 3 ♂, 4 ♀, Iran, Markazi, Tafresh via Dastgerd , 2300–2500m, 15.–16.vi.2005, leg. J.U. Meineke ; 1 ♂, Kerman, Jiroft W, Shingera , 2800m, 26.–27.v.2004, leg. J.-U. Meineke ; 1 ♀, Iran, Azarbaygan-e-Shaqi Tabriz 70 km NE, Dugijan NW 2600 m, 24.–26.vii.2006 ,, A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, BC ZSM 33919 ; 1 ♂, Iran, Esfahan, Semirom W, Peshme [Pashm] Kuh , 2800 m, 2.–3.vi.2005, A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, BC ZSM 33918 ; 1 ♀, Iran, Lorestan, Kuh-e Garin, Gard [aneh]-ye Gema Siab O, 2200 m, 25.6.2009, A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, H. Rayaj [Rajaei] ; 1 ♂, Iran, Zanjan, 30 km W Gard [aneh] Hajarud W, 2200 m, 1.vii.2009, A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, H. Rayaj [Rajaei]; all in PCJM . 3 ♂, 1 ♀, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, Hiregan bei Kuhrang , N 32°21', E 50°27', 2300m, 7.vi.2005, leg. J. Gelbrecht in PCJG. 1 ♂, 1 ♀, [ Iran], Kordestan, 45 km S.W. Saghez, Saghez-Baneh, 2000 m, 1.vi.1975, leg. Pazuki ; 1 ♂, Lorestan, Poldokhtar / Shahabad , 820 m, 4.v.1976, leg. A. Pazouki & Broumand ; 4 ♂, 2 ♀, Lorestan, Azna, Oshtorankuh, Kamandan , 2050 m, 23.viii.1995, leg. Mirz. [yans] & Badii , g.p. (♂) 592/2005 R. Trusch ; 1 ♂, Hamadan, Nahavand, Gamasiab , 1750 m, 24.viii.1995, Mirz. [ayans] & Badii ; 1 ♀, Fars, Akdakan- Komehr , 2820 m, 17.viii.1978, leg. A. Pazouki & Broumand ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Zandjan-Bijar , 50 km SW Zandjan, 1700 m, 28.vi.1975, [leg.] Pazuki ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kordestan, 48 km SW Saghez, Saghez-Baneh , 2000 m, 30.vi.1975, leg. A. Pazouki ; 1 ♀, Azarbaijan-e Sharghi, Jolfa, Santstepanos , 1000 m, 4.viii.1997, leg. V. Nazari , barcodes: BC ZSM 33921; all in HMIM .

Specimen studied total: 87 ♂, 57 ♀.

Differential diagnosis. ( Figs 9–10 , 95 ) Wingspan 27–36 mm. Forewing termen straight or slightly concave, apex pointed (in contrast to R. vibicaria and R. sieversi both having a convex termen of forewing). Ground colour of wings sandy to light yellow-orange, with purple to pink fasciae. Antemedial line usually faint, postmedial and subterminal lines dark pink. Underside yellow intermixed with few pink scales, towards margin getting pinker; postmedial and subterminal lines thin but well-visible, always diagnosable as two separated lines (in R. sieversi postmedial and subterminal lines merged forming a broad band on fore- and hindwings). Discal spots rounded (in R. vibicaria streak-shaped, tiny) ( Figs 4–10 ). Male antennal flagellum ventrally dentated. Male hindtibia with three spurs, pseudospur absent.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 64 ) with a thin, very long uncus; valva apically dagger-shaped elongated, its costal part largely curved (these three latter characters are in contrast with all other Iranian Rhodostrophia species, see genitalia plates), valva subapically spinulose; sacculus part of valva folded ventrad over the valva. Male sternum A8 bilobed, with very short octavals (in R. sieversi much larger).

Female genitalia ( Fig. 81 ) with an oval, membranous, corpus bursae (much smaller than that of R. sieversi ); ductus bursae chitinized, funnel-shaped towards ovipositor.

Genetic data. BIN BOLD:AAC9475. Nearest species: R. sieversi (7.6%) and R. cuprinaria (7.7%) ( Fig. 119 & Table 1).

Distribution ( Map 2 ). Irano-Turanian. Iranian distribution mainly in Zagros and Alborz mountain chains, towards east into Khorasan province and towards west into Transcaucasia (Azerbaijan, Armenia), Caucasus ( Georgia), and to western Turkey ( Viidalepp 1996; Hausmann 2004).

Life history and habitat. Biology and larval stages unknown. Apparently univoltine, recorded from late May to late August (only in one population collected on 23 th of September). From 800 m up to 3000 m above sea-level.

Figures

MAP 2. Distribution of Rhodostrophia auctata (STAUDINGER, 1879) 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 4-22. Wing coloration and pattern of Rhodostrophia species. Figs 4-8: R. vibicaria (4 & 5. from Iran, prov. Golestan, Maghazy Valley; 6 & 7. from Iran, between prov. Ardabil & Gilan, Astara); Figs 9-10: R. auctata (both from Iran, 9. prov. Kordestan, Baneh; 10. prov. Lorestan, Aligudarz); Figs 11-12: R. sieversi (both from Iran, Tehran, Arangeh); Figs 13-14: R. terrestraria terrestraria (both from Iran, 13. prov. Semnan, Shahkuh; 14. prov.Azarbaijan-e Sharghi, Kandovan); Figs 15-17: R. terrestraria furialis syn. nov. (18. Lectotype, 19. Paralectotype of R. furialis, both from Iran, Khorasan-e Razavi, Bilanoud Mt.; 20. From Iran, prov. Esfahan, Sibak); Figs 18-20: R. terrestraria farsi ssp. nov. (all from Iran, prov. Fars, Abadeh); Figs 21- 22: R. terrestraria pellonaria (both from Iran, 21. Prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, Kopet-Dagh; 22. Khorasan-e Razavi, Alladagh).

FIGURES 63-65. Male genitalia of Rhodostrophia species. Fig. 63. R. vibicaria (Iran, prov. Golestan, g.p. 668 R. Trusch); Fig. 64. R. auctata (Iran, prov. Fars, Tang-e Surkh, g.p. 656 R. Trusch); Fig. 65. R. sieversi (Iran, prov. Tehran, Arange, g.p. 605 R. Trusch). Abbreviations: a. genitalia capsule; b. aedeagus; c. sternite-8.

FIGURES 80-85. Female genitalia of Rhodostrophia species. Fig. 80. R. vibicaria (Iran, prov. Ardabil/Gilan, Pass Ardabil- Astara, g.p. 2363 H. Rajaei; 80b. digital drawing of corpus bursae for visualization of the signa; 80c. sternite-8); Fig. 81. R. auctata (Iran, prov. Fars, Tange Surkh, g.p. 655 R. Trusch; 81b. corpus bursae, g.p. 2412 H. Rajaei, from prov. Kordestan, 53 km South Zandjan); Fig. 82. R. sieversi (prov. Teheran, Arangeh, 25 km N Karaj, g.p. 2414 H. Rajaei); Fig. 83. R. terrestraria farsi ssp. nov. (Iran, prov. Kerman, Gardaneh Sarbishan, Shingara vic., g.p. 653 R. Trusch); Fig. 84. R. bahara (prov. Tehran, Arange; g.p. 666 R. Trusch; 84b. details of antrum, g.p. 2374 H. Rajaei, from Iran, prov. Fars, Fort Sine-Sefid); Fig. 85. R. iranica (Prov. Tehran, 3 km NW Shemshak, g.p. 646 R. Trusch; 85b & 85c. details of signum and its digital drawing, g.p. 2373 H. Rajaei, from prov. Tehran, Shemshak).

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).