Lophoterges (Variterges) radians, Ronkay, 2005

Ronkay, L., 2005, Revision Of The Genus Lophoterges Hampson, 1906 (S. L.) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Cuculliinae). Part Ii. The Genus Lophoterges S. Str., Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 51 (1), pp. 1-57 : 30-34

Lophoterges (Variterges) radians sp. n.

( Figs 12–18 , 45–50 , 72 , 73 )

Holotype: male, “NE Afghanistan, Prov. Badakhshan (Darwaz), vic. Kwahan, Pari Kham , 2500 m, 26.7.72, No. 353, leg. Brade & Naumann”. Slide No. 2519 RONKAY (coll. HNHM Budapest).

Paratypes. Afghanistan: 1 female, Pr. Kunar, Nuristan, ob. Lindai-Sin Valley, vic. Barg-e-Matal , “Flussaue”, 2200 m, 4.7.70, leg. NAUMANN , No. 73. (coll. NAUMANN, AKM) . 1 female, Nuristan, Bashgal, vic. Barg-e-Matal, Flussaue , 2200 m, 16.VII.1971, leg. NAUMANN (coll. KRUŠEK) ; 1 female, Badakhshan, Pejuj, NE Baharak , 1750 m, 27. VI .1971, leg. BRADE & NAUMANN (coll. NAUMANN, AKM); 1 female, Prov. Kadaghan, Salang Pass, N slope, 2100 m, Khinjan valley , 13. VI .1970, leg. NAUMANN (coll. KRUŠEK); 1 female, Badakhshan, Pejuj, NO Baharak , 1750 m, 27. VI .1971, leg. BRADE & NAUMANN (coll. NAUMANN); 1 female, from the same locality, 13. VI .1971, leg. E. VARTIAN (coll. VARTIAN, NHMW); 1 male, Safed Koh , S slope, 2350 m, 21. VI .–1.VII.1969, leg. E. VARTIAN (coll. HNHM). Pakistan: Baluchistan, Quetta, Ziarat , 2500 m, 14–19. VI .1992, leg. WEIDENHOFFER (coll. SPEIDEL). Tadjikistan. Pamir Mts : 1 male, Khorog, Botanical garden, 2300 m, 4. V .1989, leg. NEKRASOV (coll. HNHM); 1 female, Vantsh, Gumajar , 5–7. VI .1978, leg. A. SCHINTLMEISTER (coll. HACKER); 1 male, Shugnanski hrebet, 2000 m, 17–23. V .1971, leg. WOJTUSIAK (coll. HNHM); 1 male, Chorog , 2700 m, 2.VII.1969, leg. L. LASOTA (coll. HNHM) ; 2 females, W Pamir, Khorog , 2300 m, 28. VI , 8.VII.1982, leg. SHCHETKIN (coll. P. GYULAI) ; 1 male, Ishkasimski hrebet, 2000 m, 8. V .1976, leg. WOJTUSIAK (coll. HNHM); 1 female, SW Pamir, Ishkashim Mts, Khashkhorog , 2300 m, 15.VII.1991, leg. PLIUSH (coll. P. GYULAI). I. Peter Mts : 1 male, Goluboe ozero, 16.VII.1990, R . LINDT leg. (coll. ZMUH); 2 females, W. Peter Mts, Obichingou river , 1550 m, 39°N, 71°E, 11. VI .1971, JÜRIVETE leg. (coll. ZMHU). Hissar Mts : 1 female, Kondara , 30.IV.1980 (coll. BIN) ; 2 females from the same locality, 1100 m, 30.V.1956, 29.VIII.1956, leg. SHCHETKIN (coll. G. RONKAY) ; 4 males, 7 females, Hissar Mts, Barzob valley, Kondara , 30- V .–7.VII.1956, leg. SHCHETKIN (coll. P. GYULAI); 1 male, Hissar Mts, Kondara (coll. T. CSŐVÁRI) ; 1 female, Barzob valley, Gushary , 1350 m, 19. VI .1966, leg. SHCHETKIN (coll. P. GYULAI); 1 female, Ramit (coll. BIN) ; 4 males, Ramit natural reserve, 26.IV.1988, leg. O. GORBUNOV (coll. M. FIBIGER, G. RONKAY and W. SPEIDEL) ; 1 female, 20 km NW Tursunsade , 1000–1200 m, 30. VI .– 3.VII.1994, leg. LUKHTANOV (coll. P. GYULAI); 1 male, 50 km N Shakhrisabz , 22–24. V .1994, leg. KLIMENKO (coll. P. GYULAI). Turkestan Mts: Shahristan pass, Khushikat , 2000 m, 5–8. VI .1994, leg. LUKHTANOV (coll. G. RONKAY). Seravshan valley : 1 male, Pendzhikent , 1200 m, 13. V .1994, leg. LUKHTANOV (coll. P. GYULAI); 1 male, Pendzhikent, Aini-Revad , 1200 m, 12.VII.1994, leg. LUKHTANOV (coll. P. GYULAI) ; 1 female, Pendzhikent distr., Farob , 1800 m, 16–19. VI .1994, leg. LUKHTANOV (coll. P. GYULAI). Karategin Mts : 3 males, 4 females, Sangikar , 1700 m, 15.VII.1969, 30.V.1971, 1.VI.1971, 21.IV.1972, 2.VI.1972, 3.VI.1972, leg. SHCHETKIN (coll. P. GYULAI). Kirghisia : 1 male, 1 female, Alai Mts, 20 km E Uch-Kurgan, near Kuva , 1800 m, 13.VII.1993, leg. M. KOPP (coll. P. GYULAI) . Turkmenistan: 5 males, Kugitang-Tau Mts , 4 km SW Airi-Baba peak, 2000 m, 22. V .1991, No. L24, leg. M. HREBLAY & G. RONKAY (coll. HNHM, M. HREBLAY & G. RONKAY) . Uzbekistan: 1 male, Kugitang Mts, Chashmaobisan , 1500 m, 120 km NNW Termes, 4.VII.1994, leg. LUKHTANOV (coll. P. GYULAI) ; 4 females, Amankutan Mts , 1200 m, 60 km S of Samarkand, 28–30. VI .1981, leg. K. & P. KRUŠEK (coll. KRUŠEK); 2 females, Hissar Mts, Djapoja , Tankhizdarya valley, 67°19’E, 38°53’N, 4. VI .1995, leg. J. MAJER (coll. P. GYULAI); 4 males, Turkestan Mts, Shahristan pass, Khushikat , 2000 m, 5–8. VI .1994, leg. LUKHTANOV (coll. P. GYULAI); 1 female, Bukhara, env. Katan , V .1994, leg. ROMANOV (coll. P. GYULAI); 1 male, 3 females, W Tien Shan, Chatkal Mts , Zaaminsky reserve, 1–10.VII.2001, leg. GURKO (coll. P. GYULAI) ;

2 females, Nuraton Mts , Sarmitan, 40 km W Farish, 1300 m, 11–13. VI .1994, leg. LUKHTANOV (coll. P. GYULAI).

Slide Nos: 2690m, 3965m, 5074m, 5081m, 7539m, 7540m, 7541m, 8050m, 8066m, 8076m, 8079m, 8081m, 8088m, 8517m, 8518m, 8521m RONKAY (males), 2522f, 2755f, 3429f, 3696f, 3981f, 3982f, 4290f, 4291f, 5222f, 5223f, 8057f, 8073f, 8077f, 8085f, 8087f, 8089f, 8520f, 8524f, 8527f RONKAY (females).

Diagnosis. Lophoterges (V.) radians is rather remote from the other members of the subgenus although it is hardly distinguished externally from L. (V.) centralasiae (and sometimes also from L. (V.) varians ). The fore wings of L. (V.) radians are, however, somewhat more elongated and apically more pointed and the scaling is finer, more brilliant than those of the related species.

The most conspicuous autapomorphy of the male genitalia of L. (V.) radians is the laterally dentated-serrate socii (they are smooth in the other species of the subgenus), another diagnostic, although rather plesiomorphic character is the continuous cornuti field of the dorsal (frontal) surface of the vesica running from the edge of the carina towards the terminal diverticulum (the other three species of Variterges have two large cornuti fields with a regularly longer spineless part at the medial third of the vesica).

The female genitalia of L. (V.) radians are easily separable from those of L. (V.) centralasiae , L. (V.) aksuensis and L. (V.) varians by the smallest, shortest and most asymmetrical ostium bursae within Variterges and the long, more or less trapezoidal, strongly sclerotised cervix bursae which is the specific autapomorphy of L. (V.) radians .

The species shows a considerable variation in the external and genital features as well and the early studies on a smaller material from Afghanistan and Tadjikistan suggested to arrange the specimens into two groups (specimens with more dentated-spinose, dorsally almost straight socii and shorter, thicker, apically less pointed but more curved valvae versus specimens with less dentated, dorsally arched socii and longer, slendered, apically pointed and more or less straight valvae with well-developed subapical peaks) which could be considered as distinct species (see Figs 45–48 , 72 , 73 ). The opportunity to investigate larger, recently collected material (cca 60 specimens) shows a more or less continuous range of variation between the two extremes, displaying no geographic tendencies in the changs of the given character states. Thus, all Variterges specimens having dentated-spinose socii and continuous arrangement of the cornuti in the vesica (males), short, strongly asymmetrical ostium bursae and widely sclerotised, rather trapezoidal cervix bursae (females) are relegated into a common, new species, described here under the name L. (V.) radians . It is not impossible that this taxon comprises more than one species but new material (especially from the southern and south-eastern parts of Afghanistan) and additional studies (e.g. DNA-taxonomic analysis) would be essential for the more detailed examinations.

Description. External morphology ( Figs 12–18 ). Wingspan 28–35 mm. Head and thorax dark chocolate-brown mixed with a few grey-brown hair-scales; collar pure ash-grey or silvery-grey with blackish grey basal and apical lines; abdomen much paler, pale greyish with slightly darker lateral ridges, dorsal crest blackish. Fore wing narrow, elongated, narrower and more pointed than those of the other species of Variterges , ground colour shining, variably dark brownish grey in pastel shade, with vivid, bright dark red-brownish or chocolate-brownish suffusion in median area. Costal and marginal areas irrorated with whitish grey, basal third of costa prominently whitish-greyish; veins marked with fine whitish-greyish scaling in marginal area. Basal dash short, diffuse, blackish, long, fine; dark stripe of median zone dark chocolate-brown area; inner margin and anal vein fine, blackish in median area. Maculation typical of Variterges , white outline of reniform strongly lunulate with sharply defined, long tips; orange-brownish patch behind reniform small, usually less conspicuous. Costal streaks of antemedial and postmedial lines usually well-discernible, dark grey; subterminal line most often obsolete, sometimes represented by a few dark dots; termen with two-three stronger black-brown striae between veins. Terminal line double, very fine, white and blackish; cilia as ground colour with lighter outer part, finely striolate with whitish-ochreous streaks and medial line. Male hind wing shining silk-white, marginal area narrow with weak dark brownish-greyish irroration, veins with fine darker covering; discal spot most often obsolescent, shadow-like. Terminal line fine, dark brown; cilia white, with a few brownish scales. Hind wing of female with somewhat broader but diffuse brownish marginal suffusion and stronger dark covering on veins. Underside of fore wing greyish with variably intense whitish grey irroration, hind wing as on upperside but with somewhat stronger dark irroration, discal spot stronger, more prominent.

Male genitalia ( Figs 45–48 , 72 , 73 ). Ground plan typical of Variterges . Socii symmetrical, ventro-lateral margins variably strongly dentated-spinose, dorsal margins finely arched or rather straight, apices acutely pointed and heavily sclerotised. Valvae strongly asymmetrical, saccular part of left valva larger, broader; distal parts of valvae long, stick-like, considerably longer on right side; their apical parts most often acute, curved downwards (ventrad), subapical peak well developed. Harpes also asymmetrical, larger, broader on left side, both harpes more or less pyramidal, relatively small. Aedeagus long, strong, cylindrical, ventral edge of carina sclerotised. Vesica long, broadly tubular, everted forward then recurved ventro-laterad. Armature of vesica very complex, consisting of a great number of variably strong and long, acute spinules arranged into a long continuous zone from dorsal edge of carina to terminal diverticulum; cornuti longest and strongest in subbasal area. Terminal diverticulum small, semiglobular, covered densely with fine spinules.

Female genitalia ( Figs 49, 50 ). Ostium bursae strongly sclerotised, broad and short, strongly asymmetrical, rather calyculate-lyriform. Distal sclerotised part of ductus bursae long, longer than ostium bursae, proximal wrinkled-rugose, gelatinous part large, regularly longer than distal section. Cervix bursae long, more or less trapezoidal with apex acute, most parts sclerotised; corpus bursae elliptical-ovoid, membranous with fine scobination; signum present, relatively strong.

Bionomics. A species connected to the higher montane shrubby vegetation and the gallery forests following the upper parts of the stream valleys of the high mountains. The known localities lie between 1000–2700 m altitudes, the majority of the records comes from about 2000 m a.s.l. The species is most probably univoltine with a long generation, with the flight period extending from the end of April to the middle of July; the moths are strongly attracted to artificial light. The early stages are undescribed but rearings of specimens on Lonicera species are documented on their labels (collected by SHCHETKIN in the Hissar Mts).

Distribution. The species is distributed widely in the Hissar–Pamir–Hindukush mountain system but nowhere is common. The westernmost records from this mountain system are known from the Kugitang-Tau Mts; a few additional specimens are found southwards from the main chain of the Hindukush (Quetta in Pakistan; Safed Koh in Afghanistan). The range of L. (V.) radians has a slight overlap here with that of L. (V.) centralasiae (Turkestan Mts: Shahristan, Hissar Mts, the plateau of the Pamir).

Interestingly, L. (V.) radians has been discovered recently in the western parts of the Tien Shan Mts (Alai Mts) where it occurs sympatrically with L. (V.) varians and L. (V.) centralasiae .

Figures

Figs 9–16. 9 =Lophoterges (Variterges) aksuensis (BANG-HAAS, 1912), female, China, Aksu;10–11= L. (V.) varians sp. n.: 10 = holotype, male, Uzbekistan, Chatkal, 11 = paratype, female, Uzbekistan, Chimgan; 12–15 = L. (V.) radians sp. n.: 12 = holotype, male, Afghanistan, Nuristan, 13 = paratype, male, Afghanistan, Safed Koh, 14 = paratype, male, Tadjikistan, Shahristan, 15 = paratype, male,

Figs 17–24. 17–18 = Lophoterges (Variterges) radians sp. n.: 17 = paratype, female, Uzbekistan,Hissar, 18 = paratype, female, Afghanistan, Salang; 19–20 = L. (Fibigerges) mariannae FIBIGER, 2001: 19 = holotype, male, Iran, Mazandaran, 20 = male, Iran, Mazandaran; 21 = L. (F.) hoerhammeri (WAG- NER, 1931), male, Turkey, Akshehir, 22–23 = L. (F.) atlas sp. n.: 22 = holotype, male, Morocco, 23 =

Figs 45–46. Lophoterges (V.) radians sp. n., male: 45 = holotype, Afghanistan, Nuristan, 46 = paratype, Tadjikistan, Hissar Mts

Figs 47–48. Lophoterges (V.) radians sp. n., male, paratypes: 47 = Tadjikistan, Hissar Mts, 48 = Pakistan, Quetta

Figs 49–50. Lophoterges (V.) radians sp. n., female, paratypes: 49 = Uzbekistan, Hissar, 50 = Afghanistan, Salang

Fig. 72. Lophoterges (V.) radians sp. n., holotype male, Afghanistan, Nuristan

Fig. 73. Lophoterges (V.) radians sp. n., paratype male, Afghanistan, Safed Koh