Eublemma melabela Hampson, 1910

V, Ато, 2009, A review of Palaearctic Metachrostis Hübner, [1820] 1816 with description of three new species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Eublemminae), Zootaxa 2026, pp. 1-17 : 14-16

Eublemma melabela Hampson, 1910 , comb. rev.

( Figs. 22 , 34 , 44 )

Eublemma melabela Hampson, 1910 , Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum 10: 94, Pl. 151: 6 (Type-locality: Pakistan, Belutschistan, Quetta [Holotype: BMNH, London]).

Material examined. 2 ex., Tajikistan, Pamir Mts., Khorog, botanical garden, 2340 m, 21.vii.1960, 7, vii.1962 (M. Zaprjagaev), prep. 0 0 36 Matov; 2 ex., same locality and collector, 2200 m, 15.v.–1.vi.1976, prep. 0 0 52 Matov; 1 ex., Tajikistan, Hissar mts., Kondara, 18.v.1965 (A. Tsvetaev, ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov) [coll. ZISP].

Diagnosis. This species was referred by earlier authors ( Poole 1989; Hacker 1990) to the genus Metachrostis . Our study of the genitalia of both sexes indicates it is a representative of the genus Eublemma , belonging to the Eublemma polygramma -species group. Externally, Eublemma melabela differs from all Palaearctic species of Metachrostis by the characteristic V-shaped medial line on the forewing, and from most other Metachrostis species (except M. velox and M. velocior ) by its larger size.

Description. Adult ( Fig. 22 ). Wingspan: 24–27 mm. Head, body and wings rufous-ochreous. In forewing pattern ante- and postmedial lines brown, dentate; medial line rufous, thin, V-shaped; submarginal line ochreous-grey with 3 large black dots near apex; reniform and orbicular stigmata brown. Tergite 8th of male quadrangular with two long extensions. In male genitalia ( Fig. 34 ) uncus slightly curved; valva relatively narrow, with parallel margins to central part, constricted from central part apically; costa well expressed in basal half of valva; dorsal margin with wide triangular extension in mid of valva; harpe wide, triangular, curved dorsally; digitus slightly curved, narrow, 2 times longer than harpe; aedeagus relatively wide, coecum long, about 1/3 length of aedeagus; vesica with large and wide dorsal diverticulum and oval plate-like cornutus in distal part. In female genitalia ( Fig. 44 ) ovipositor moderate, papillae anales wide, triangular; apophyses anteriores 2 times shorter than posterior ones; antrum not expressed; ductus bursae with colliculum, about half of the length of bursa, strongly curved before joining with bursae copulatrix; corpus bursae pear-like, with twisted neck, bearing 2 irregular shape signa.

Distribution. Iran (Beluchistan), Tadjikistan (Pamir), Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (Himalaya).

Figures

FIGURES 17 – 22. Eublemminae spp., adults. 17. Metachrostis sinevi, male, holotype, Russia, Primorye terr. (ZISP); 18. Metachrostis sinevi, male, paratype, Russia, Khabarovsk terr. (ZISP); 19. Metachrostis miasma, male (after Yoshimoto, 1999), Japan; 20. Odice arcuinna, female, Austria (ZFMK); 21. Eublemma amoena, female, Spain (Coll. G. Behounek); 22. Eublemma melabela, male, Tadjikistan (ZISP).

FIGURES 33 – 36. Eublemminae spp., genitalia and tergite 8 of male. 33. Eublemma amoena, prep. Matov, in glycerine, Russia, Volgograd reg. (ZISP); 34. Eublemma melabela, prep. 0 0 36 Matov, Tadjikistan (ZISP); 35. Odice arcuinna, prep. 0 0 62 Matov, Armenia (ZISP); 36. Rhypagia lacernaria, prep. 0 0 60 Matov, Spain (ZISP).

FIGURES 37 – 45. Eublemminae spp., female genitalia. 37. Metachrostis dardouini, prep. 0 0 59 Matov, Hungary, Gant (ZISP); 38. M. velox, prep. 0 0 64 Matov, France (ZISP); 39. M. velocior, prep. 0 0 43 Matov, Malta (ZISP); 40. M. quinaria, prep. 0 0 42 Matov, North India (ZISP); 41. M. sinevi, paratype, prep. Dubatolov, in glycerine, Russia, Khabarovsk terr.; 42. Odice arcuinna, prep. 0 0 63 Matov, Hungary (ZISP); 43. Eublemma amoena, prep. 4767 GB, Spain (ZFMK); 44. Eublemma melabela, prep. 0 0 52 Matov (ZISP); 45. Rhypagia lacernaria, prep. 0 0 61 Matov, Spain (ZISP).