Gnophopsodos gnophosaria ( Oberthür, 1893 ), Oberthur, 1893

Erlacher, Sven & Erlacher, Josepha, 2016, A systematic revision of the genus Gnophopsodos Wehrli, 1945, with description of two new species (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), Zootaxa 4169 (3), pp. 435-456 : 442-443

3. Gnophopsodos gnophosaria ( Oberthür, 1893)

(adults Pl. 1, Figs 3 a, 3b; male gen. Pl. 3, Fig. 3 c)

Psodos gnophosaria Oberthür, 1893 , Ètudes d' Entomologie, 18: 28, Pl. 3, Fig. 45.—Locus typicus: China, Sichuan, Kangding (formerly Ta–Tsien–Lou). Deposition of lectotype: ZFMK. Examined.

Psodos altissimaria Oberthür, 1913 syn. nov., Ètudes de lépidoptérologie comparée, 7: 326, Pl. 184, Fig. 1809, 1810.— Locus typicus: China, Tibet (in “ Explication des Planches , p. 669: “ Tibet oriental”). Deposition of holotype: ZFMK. Examined.

Material examined. Type material. Lectotype Ƌ of Psodos gnophosaria (Pl. 1, Fig. 3 a; Pl. 3, Fig. 3 c) (hereby designated): [ China:] ‘ Thibet | Ta –tsien–lou | Mai, Juin 1892 ’, ‘ Psodos Gnophosaria | Ob [er]th[ü]r (Étud d' Entom. | XVIII <unreadable> Pl. 3 | Fig. 45’, ‘SE–614 Ƌ | gen. prep. | Erlacher, 2014’, ZFMK.

Holotype Ƌ of Psodos altissimaria (Pl. 1, Fig. 3 b): [ China:] ‘ Chasseurs Thibétains | 1897 | ex R. P. Déjean’, ‘[fig.] 1809 | [sketch upper side]’, ‘[fig.] 1810 | [sketch underparts]’, ‘ Psodos altißimaria | Ob [er]th[ü]r—type’, ‘SE–613 Ƌ | gen. prep. | Erlacher, 2014’, ZFMK .— Further material. China: 1Ƌ, prov. Sichuan, Kangding (formerly Ta– Tsien–Lou), 1899; 1Ƌ, same locality, 1893, gen. prep. Wehrli–7576; 1Ƌ , same locality, 1910; 1Ƌ , same data, gen. prep. Wehrli –7577, ZFMK. 1Ƌ, prov . Sichuan, Xiaolou (formerly Siao – Lou), 1900, BMNH .

Description. Adults (Pl. 1, Figs 3 a, 3b).

Measurements. Wingspan: 26–29 mm (Ƌ); forewing length: 14–15 mm (Ƌ); forewing width: 9–10 mm (Ƌ). Wings. Upper side grayish, diffused with dark grayish-brown scales to dark gray-brown; discal spot dark gray or gray-brown, depending on the background coloration more or less distinct; postmedial line dark-gray, dentate, distinct in brighter specimens, mingling with basic coloration in dark brownish specimens; underside remarkably bright, grayish-white or a shade darker regarding specimens with overall dark basic coloration; antemedial line missing; postmedial line dark-gray, dentate, clearly in contrast to background; marginal line dashed; apex and margin of forewing blackish-gray; discal spot distinct; fringes with smoothly alternating dark and bright patches.

Male genitalia (Pl. 3, Fig. 3 c). Total length: 2.14–2.5 mm; valvae span: 1.74–1.97 mm; valvulae span: 1.7–2.01 mm; valvae width: 0.77–0.98 mm. Apex densely covered with strong setae, costal thorns short and thick, distributed over subterminal costa surface; uncus strongly sclerotized, blunt; gnathos strongly sclerotized, long and beak-like with strong peak; juxta strongly sclerotized, broadly u-shaped incised; saccus short, medially turned down; aedeagus length: 0.71–0.86 mm; appendix aedeagi: 1.34–1.44 mm.

Diagnosis. Within the genus G. gnophosaria has unique characteristics. Externally, the species can be definitely determined by its remarkably bright and contrasty underside of the wings with dark apex and forewing margin and distinct postmedial lines and discal spots on both, fore- and hindwings.

Distribution ( Fig. 4 ). Gnophopsodos gnophosaria was found in the Tibetan part of China in the province Sichuan, with exception of one specimen, for which the only given information is that it was collected by “Chasseurs Thibétains”. Although there are no data about the altitudes at which they were found, due to the locality it can be surmised that the vertical distribution range extends from about 600 m to 2900 m.

Biology. No records are available regarding the flight period.

Remarks. Psodos altissimaria Oberthür, 1913 is recognized to be conspecific with Gnophopsodos gnophosaria ( Oberthür, 1893) .

Figures

FIGURE 3. Types of wing venation patterns in Gnophopsodos. a) — G. stemmataria: R 2 freely arising from the discoidal cell and b) — G. ravistriolaria: R 2 pediculate with R 3 – 5. Arrows pointing at the roots of veins arising from the discoidal cell.

FIGURE 4. Distribution of Gnophopsodos species: G. badakhshanus, G. fractifasciaria, G. gnophosaria, G. ravistriolaria ravistriolaria, and G. ravistriolaria pantherinus subspec. nov.