Lygephila alaica Remm, 1983

Pekarsky, Oleg, 2013, Taxonomic and morphological survey of the Lygephila lusoria (Linnaeus, 1758) species-group with description of a new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Toxocampinae), ZooKeys 351, pp. 49-81 : 63-67

Lygephila alaica Remm, 1983 Figs 13, 14

Material examined.

1 ♂ Tajikistan, Gissar Mts, distr. Varzob, vill. Kondara, 1150-1200 m, 17-18.VI.2012, leg. E. Rutjan, coll. O. Pekarsky, slide No: OP1819m; 1 ♀, Tajikistan, Khatlonskaya reg., Muminabadsky distr., Lidzhak, 2000 m, 27.V.2006, leg. O. Pak, coll. O. Pekarsky, slide No: OP1568f; 1 ♀, Uzbekistan, Hissarskiy range, Metchetli Mts, Shargunsay, 38°36'N, 67°57'E, 1550m, 30.May, 2004, leg. Z. Weidenhoffer, coll. M. Dvořák, slide No: OP1792f.

Diagnosis.

Lygephila alaica should be attributed to the Lygephila lusoria species-group on the basis of both the external and genital diagnostic characters. The elongated forewing with pointed apex is similar to those of all species of this species-group, particularly to eastern representatives, Lygephila colorata and Lygephila subpicata . The spine-like ampulla with long skewed base, the short and wide aedeagus, the characteristic vesica structure, especially the presence of the well-developed subbasal diverticulum with large cornutus in the male genitalia and the heavily sclerotized, funnel-shaped antrum with strongly asymmetrical ostium bursae in the female genitalia indicate the close relationship with the Lygephila lusoria species-group.

Male genitalia (Figs 29, 74, 75). Slightly asymmetrical (right valva somewhat narrower). Uncus stem narrow, moderately dilated distally, with fine tip; scaphium membranous with sclerotized plate on subscaphium; valva wide, elongated with almost parallel margins, apex rounded; ampulla dentiform with large plate-like lateral extension. Aedeagus straight, carina slightly dilated with transverse wrinkles. Vesica globular, everted laterally; medial part membranous; small subbasal diverticulum topped by heavily sclerotized plate-like cornutus with two teeth; 1st and 2nd medial diverticula small; 1st distal diverticulum resembles high-heeled shoe, 2nd, 3rd and 4th distal diverticula roughly equal in size and similar in shape; opening point of terminal tube located at base of medial part of vesica near carina, membranous with weak scobination from middle towards gonopore. Female genitalia (Fig. 85). Ovipositor relatively short, broad, papillae anales hairy with short setae on apical edges. Apophyses anteriores slender, apophyses posteriores thin, more than two times longer than apophyses anteriores. Antrum wide, short, ostium bursae asymmetrical, posterior margin with skewed concavity; ductus bursae as large as antrum, heavily sclerotized. Appendix bursae small, corpus bursae membranous, ovoid.

Distribution.

Central Asia - Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.