Hoplodrina alsinides (Costantini, 1922), 2020

Huemer, Peter, Haxaire, Jean, Lee, Kyung Min, Mutanen, Marko, Pekarsky, Oleg, Scalercio, Stefano & Ronkay, Laszlo, 2020, Revision of the genus Hoplodrina Boursin, 1937 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Xyleninae). I. Hoplodrina octogenaria (Goeze, 1781) and its sister species H. alsinides (Costantini, 1922) sp. rev. in Europe, ZooKeys 927, pp. 75-97 : 75

Hoplodrina alsinides (Costantini, 1922) sp. rev. Figs 1-10 , 21 , 22 , 25 , 26

Caradrina alsinides Costantini, 1922, Neue Beiträge zur systematischen Insektenkunde 2: 98. Type-locality: Italy, Prov. Modena (Emilia Romagna), Sestola. Lectotype: male, here designated.

Lectotype designation.

Lectotype of Caradrina alsinides Costantini, 1922 (Fig. 16 ): Male, "Emilia | Sestola | 21.VII.905 | A. Fiori", “♂” "BC ZSM Lep 106561" (coll. MCSN).

Additional material examined.

Spain. 1 female, Aragon, Canfranc-Estacion, 1320 m, 42°45.73'N, 0°30.48'W, 13.VII.2012, leg. P. Huemer, TLMF 2013-013 (TLMF).

France. 1 female, Dep. Alpes-Maritimes, St. Martin Vesubie, 22.VII.1925, leg. A. Schmidt (HNHM); 1 female, Dep. Alpes-Maritimes, Col de la Cayolle, 2000 m, 6-13.VIII.1972, leg. R. Schütz, TLMF Innsbruck H. Kolbeck 2014-032 (TLMF); 1 male, Alpes-Maritimes, Col de la Couillole, 1600 m, 13.VII.1972, leg. M. Tarrier (TLMF); 1 female, Pyrénées Orientales, Road from Py to Mantet, 1704 m, 10.VII.1999, 42°29'03.68"N, 2°18'55.73"E, leg. J. Haxaire & O. Paquit [CJHL]; 1 male, from the same site, 21.VII.2001, leg. J. Haxaire & O. Paquit, BC-HAXNoctu0522 (barcode) [CJHL]; 2 males, from the same site, 29.VIII.2011, leg. J. Haxaire & O. Paquit [CJHL]; 4 males, 1 female, from the same site, 10.VII.2018, leg. J. Haxaire & M. Colin [CJHL]; 2 females, Pyrénées Orientales, Road from Py to Mantet, col de Mantet, 1764 m, 13.VII.2018, 42°28'52.15"N, 2°18'47.61"E, leg. J. Haxaire & O. Paquit [CJHL]; 3 males, Pyrénées Orientales, " refuge de Mariailles ", trail to the Pla Guillem, 1752 m, 9.VIII.1997, 49°29'52.63"N, 2°24'33.47"E, leg. J. Haxaire & P. Beguin [CJHL]; 1 female, from the same site, 12.IX.1999, 49°29'52.63"N, 2°24'33.47"E, leg. J. Haxaire & O. Paquit [CJHL]; 1 male, from the same site, 23.VIII.2000, 49°29'52.63"N, 2°24'33.47"E, leg. J. Haxaire & O. Paquit, BC-HAXNoctu0520 (barcode) [CJHL].

Switzerland. 1 male, 6 females, Wallis, Simplon, Gabi, 7-10.VII.1968, leg. J. Wettstein (HNHM); 1 male, Wallis, Zermatt, 13.VII.1968, leg. J. Wettstein (HNHM); 1 female, Ticino, Mergoscia, 10.VIII.1971, leg. R. Müller (TLMF).

Italy. 2 males, Prov. South Tyrol, 7-10.VII.2004, leg. L. Ronkay & A. Kun (coll. HNHM); 2 males, 3 females, Prov. South Tyrol, Sesvenna Mts, above Prämajur, Watles, 1850 m, 18.VII.2006, leg. L. Ronkay & M. Tóth-Ronkay (HNHM and coll. G. Ronkay); 3 females, Prov. South Tyrol, Sesvenna Mts., Prämajur, above Lutaschg, 1700 m, 17.VII.2006, leg. L. Ronkay & M. Tóth-Ronkay (HNHM and coll. G. Ronkay); 1 male, Prov. South Tyrol, Vinschgau, Schleis, Schleiser Leiten, 1350 m, 46°41'517"N, 10°30'59"E, 5.VII.2013, leg. P. Huemer, TLMF 2013-013 (TLMF); 1 female, Prov. South Tyrol, Schnals, Fuchsberg, 1080 m, 46°40'27"N, 10°56'42"E, 7.VII.2014, leg. P. Huemer (TLMF); 1 male, South Tyrol, Ritten, Obergrünwald, 1750 m, 19.VII.2010, leg. P. Huemer, slide No. RL10288m (TLMF); 1 male, South Tyrol, Ritten, Obergrünwald, 1750 m, 19.VII.2010, leg. Peter Huemer, slide No. RL10289m; DNA Barcode ID TLMF Lep 02472 (TLMF); 2 males, Prov. South Tyrol, St. Felix, Warmesbrunn, 1500 m, 46°29'20"N, 11°09'27"E, 27.VI.2014, leg. S. Erlebach, TLMF 2014-001 (TLMF); 3 males, 5 females, South Tyrol, Mendel, Umg. Penegal, 1690 m, 46°26'13"N, 11°12'58"E, 22.VII.2019, leg. Huemer, TLMF Lep 27814, 27815 (barcodes) (TLMF); 1 female, South Tyrol, St. Ulrich, Ende Juli 1911, No. 7804, coll. J. Sterneck, slide No. RL12123f (NHMW); 2 males, Prov. Trento, Travignolo valley, Paneveggio, 1500 m, 31.VII., leg. F. Daniel (HNHM); 1 female, Prov. Trento, Madonna di Campiglio, campo Colf, 1650 m, 19.VII.1939, leg. A. Schmidt (coll. HNHM); 1 male, 1 female, Prov. Cuneo, Entracque S, Vallone di Moncolomb, 1430 m, 44°09'30"N, 7°24'0"E, 23.VII.2008, leg. M. Kahlen, TLMF 2009-027, slide Nos OP1413m, OP1414f (TLMF); 1 male, Prov. Cuneo, Demonte NW, Colle Valcavera NE, 2420 m, 44°23'04"N, 7°06'23"E, 17.VIII.2012, leg. P. Huemer, TLMF 2013-013 (TLMF); 1 male, Prov. Cuneo, N Colle della Lombarda, 1750 m, 44°15'08"N, 7°06'32"E, 17.VII.2012, leg. P. Huemer, TLMF 2013-013 (TLMF); 2 males, 4 females, Prov. Torino, PN Orsiera - Rocciavrè, Fenestrelle, ca. 1 km WNW Pequerel, 1840 m, 45°2'59"N, 7°3'5"E, 28.VI.2019, leg. Huemer (TLMF); 2 males, 2 females, Prov. Torino, PN Orsiera - Rocciavrè, Fenestrelle, ca. 0.7 km NE Pequerel, 1820 m, 45°3'6"N, 7°4'16"E, 23.VII.2019, leg. Huemer TLMF, Lep 27809 (barcode) (TLMF); 3 males, 6 females, Prov. Torino, PN Orsiera - Rocciavrè, Usseaux, Colle delle Finestre N, 2180 m, 45°4'21"N, 7°3'11"E, 24.VII.2019, TLMF Lep 27808, 27810 (barcodes) leg. Huemer (TLMF); 1 male, Prov. Chieti, PN della Majella, vic. of Blockhaus, ca. 2100 m, 42°08'48"N, 14°16'43"E, 22.VII.2011, leg. P. Huemer, TLMF 2012-010, slide No. OP1417m, BC TLMF Lep 05904 (barcode) (TLMF); 1 female, Prov. Chieti, Taranta Peligna, Pian di Valle, 1400 m, 42°02'19"N, 14°09'11"E, 21.VII.2011, leg. P. Huemer, TLMF 2012-010, slide No. OP1418f, BC TLMF Lep 06042 (barcode) (TLMF); 1 male, Calabria, Sila, Vivaio Sbanditi (CS), 1355 m, 39°23'30"N, 16°36'08"E, 17.VII.2014, leg. S. Scalercio; 1 male, from the same site, 29.VII.2014, leg. Scalercio & Infusino; 1 female, Calabria, Sila, Vivaio Sbanditi (CS), 1350 m, 39.3889N, 16.6022E, 6.VII.2015, leg. Scalercio & Infusino; 2 males, Calabria, SL_C2, Colle Macchie, Pedace (CS), 1450 m, 39.2597N, 16.5308E, 17.VII.2015, leg. Scalercio & Infusino; 2 males, Calabria, SPSE, Loc. Spinarva-Taverna (CZ), 1570 m, 39.0900N, 16.6800E, 27.VII.2017, leg. Scalercio & Infusino; 1 male, Calabria, SL_B1, Sila, Torre Scarda (CS), 1340 m, 39.2384N, 16.5131E, 17.VII.2015, leg. Scalercio & Infusino, LEP-SS-00439 (barcode) (CREA-FL); 1 ex., Calabria, Sila grd., La Fossita, 1305 m, 13.VII.2013, leg. Hausmann, BC ZSM lep 92607 (barcode) (ZSM).

Austria. 1 male, Styria, Prebichl, Reichenstein, 20.VII.1938, leg. Dr Szabó (HNHM); 1 male, Kals, 26.VII.1937, leg. Dr Szabó (HNHM); 1 female, Styria, Dürriegel, 21.VII.1917, coll. Dr Galvagni, slide No. RL12127f (NHMW); 1 female, Styria, Sausalgebirge, Kitzeck, 300-500 m, 3-9.VIII.1954, leg. F. Daniel (HNHM); 1 female, Styria, NP Gesäuse, Wagriedschlag SW Hieflau, 1450 m, 18.VII.2015, leg. H. Habeler, TLMF Innsbruck Slg. H. Habeler 2017-010 (TLMF); 1 male, Carinthia, Naggl, 13.VII.1934, coll. Dr Galvagni, slide No. RL12122m (NHMW); 1 male, Styria, Dfstr., Aflenz, 1882, slide No. RL12126m (NHMW); 1 male, Carinthia, Petzen N, Obere Krischa, 46.506N, 14.757E, 1900 m, 13.VII.2009, leg. P. Huemer, TLMF 2009-138 (TLMF); 1 female, Carinthia, Karawanken, 28.VII.1971, leg. Wettstein J. (HNHM); 1 male, Carinthia, Emberger Alm, Nassfeldriegel, 1920 m, 26.VII.2013. leg. C. Wieser (LMK); 1 male, Carinthia, Lesachtal, St. Jakob, Mussen, ca 1800 m, 46°42'42"N, 12°55'55"E, 24-25.VII.2000, leg. P. Huemer & S. Erlebach, TLMF 2000-01, slide No. OP1415m, BC TLMF Lep 04569 (barcode) (TLMF); 1 female, same data, but BC TLMF Lep 04569 (barcode) (TLMF); 1 male, Carinthia, Overvellach, 10.VII.1967, TLMF Innsbruck H. Kolbeck 2014-032 (TLMF); 1 female, Tyrol, Brennergebiet, Vennatal, 27.VII.1900, coll. Dr Galvagni, slide No. RL12124f (NHMW); 1 female, Tyrol, Venediger Mts., Dorfertal, Wiesenkreuz, 1520 m, 8.VII.1993, leg. P. Huemer, TLMF 2000-01, slide No. OP1416f, BC TLMF Lep 04568 (barcode) (TLMF).

Slovenia. 1 female, Nova Gorica, 20.VI.1979, leg. Reiser, TLMF 2014-032 (TLMF).

Hungary. 1 male, “Hungaria”, coll. E. Frivaldszky, No. 1383 (HNHM).

Romania. 2 males, Transylvania, Borszék [Borsec], 16.VII.1942, leg. Dr Vargha Gyula, slide Nos RL12118m, RL12120m (HNHM); 1 male, Transylvania, Borszék [Borsec], 13.VII.1942, leg. Dr Vargha Gyula, slide No. RL12119m (HNHM).

Montenegro. 1 male, Durmitor N, Velika Stuoc N, 1940-1950 m, 43°11'25"N, 19°03'26"E, 25.VII.2011, leg. G. Tarmann, TLMF 2012-002 (TLMF); 1 male, Durmitor N, Velika Stuoc W, 1730 m, 43°11'42"N, 19°02'38"E, 24.VII.2011, leg. G. Tarmann, TLMF 2012-002 (TLMF).

North Macedonia. 1 male, NP Mavrovo, Radika valley, near bridge, 10 km NNW Sveta Voda, 41°47'20"N, 20°32'48"E, 1290-1340 m, 1-3.VIII.2011, leg. P. Huemer & G. Tarmann, slide No. OP1419m, BC TLMF Lep 05418 (barcode) (TLMF); 1 male, NP Mavrovo, Korab, Korabska jezero, Koblino pole, 2080-2180 m, 41°46'42"N, 20°34'55"E, 28.VII-1.VIII.2011, leg. P. Huemer & G. Tarmann, slide No. OP1420m, BC TLMF Lep 05528 (barcode) (TLMF); 2 males, ditto, but 28.VII.2011 (TLMF);1 male, ditto, but 2115 m, 30+31.VII.2011 (TLMF).

Bulgaria. 1 male, Pirin Mts, 1700 m, 15-25.VII.1933, leg. J. Thurner (HNHM).

Greece. 1 male, Crete, Palaeochora Umg.1-13.V.1999, leg. J. Wimmer, TLMF Innsbruck Slg. J. Wimmer 2016-019 (TLMF).

Diagnosis.

The two sister species are often confusingly similar externally which has led to the late recognition of their distinctness. There are, however, certain differences in the forewing pattern and the coloration (see Figs 1 - 20 ) which help in the separation of the two species, although the specific identity of specimens is more safely determined by examination of the genitalia and/or consideration of the barcodes.

Hoplodrina alsinides can be characterised, compared with H. octogenaria , by its somewhat narrower and slightly more pointed forewings with smoother scaling and a finer sheen; less sinuous crenate antemedial line usually followed by a fine olive-grey or olive-brown suffusion which often extends to the entire basal area; more diffuse and weaker median fascia and less sharply marked, usually less crenate postmedial line. It is worth noting that certain H. alsinides specimens have darkened basal and marginal areas and a paler median field, this “trizonal” forewing coloration is typical only of the new species.

The male genitalia of H. alsinides (Figs 21 , 22 ) can be best distinguished from those of H. octogenaria (Figs 23 , 24 ) by features of the vesica though the clasping apparatus also show diagnostic characteristics. The subbasal ventral diverticulum in the vesica of the new species is elongate-subconical, more elongate and narrower than in H. octogenaria and provided with three distinctly arranged groups of spiniform cornuti. This part of the vesica is shorter and broader and rather globular in H. octogenaria and provided with two longer groups of cornuti arranged in an oblique T-shaped structure. In the clasping apparatus, H. alsinides has, in comparison with H. octogenaria , proportionally shorter valvae with a stronger constriction below the cucullus, shorter and somewhat straighter (usually less arched) ampulla and a distinctly narrower subdeltoid juxta with a narrower basal section and more evenly tapering medial and distal parts.

In the female genitalia, the antrum of H. alsinides (Figs 25 , 26 ) is more quadrangular than in H. octogenaria (Figs 27 , 28 ) with rather straight lateral sides and a less dilate anterior (proximal) part, the anterior (proximal) two-thirds of the ductus bursae and the lateral appendage of the corpus bursae located opposite the appendix bursae is narrower and the corpus bursae is smaller than in its sister species. The sclerotized distal half of the last sternite is distinctly rounded triangular in the new species, being distinctly narrower, more triangular than in H. octogenaria which has a broader, more trapezoidal sclerotization.

Re-description.

Wingspan 27-34 mm. Sexes generally similar though the females are somewhat smaller and more narrow-winged than the males and there are slight differences also in the thickness of the antennae.

Head. Unicolorous brown; palpi short, upturned with short third segment, sides darker brown, often greyish; frons smooth, slightly prominent, covered with long hair-scales; antennae of both sexes filiform, those of males somewhat thicker, with longer fasciculate cilia.

Thorax. Usually various shades of unicolorous brown, from pale ochreous brown to deep hazel-brown mixed with whitish hair-scales; collar large, unicolorous; tegulae rather narrow; pro- and metathoracic tufts large. Legs with long brown femoral fringes.

Forewing. Elongate-triangular, with finely pointed apex; ground colour matching the thorax, variable from pale ochreous brown to hazel-brown, basal and marginal areas often somewhat (or more) darker than median area; subbasal line rudimentary, dark grey; antemedial line oblique, slightly sinuous, dark grey, edged with a variably broad darker brownish or brown-grey zone on inner side; median fascia darker grey-brown, often diffuse or indistinct; postmedial line also less sharply marked, sinuous, with fine dark grey spots and streaks on veins; subterminal line pale ochreous brown, more or less straight, edged darker brown on inner side; terminal line narrow, ochreous white, marked by variably strong blackish grey dots or triangles between veins; fringes as ground colour, usually with poorly visible ochreous brown streaks at veins; orbicular stigma small, rounded or flattened, reniform stigma usually narrowly bean-shaped, both stigmata darker brown than ground colour, outlined ochreous brown; claviform stigma absent.

Hindwing. Evenly rounded, apex and tornus with minute peaks only; ground colour whitish ochre, strongly suffused dark ochreous brown to grey-brown; marginal area relatively wide, darker than other parts of wing, widest at apex and tapering towards tornal angle; transverse line absent; discal spot clearly visible but diffuse, darker brown, rounded or slightly streak-like; veins and terminal line darker brown; fringes ochreous brown with darker inner line.

Abdomen. Male abdomen long and slender, similar in colour to that of thorax, dorsum sometimes slightly paler, especially on segments A1 and A2; dorsal crest absent; lateral fringes and anal tuft well-developed. Female abdomen shorter and thicker, with shorter and smoother pubescence on dorsal surface; lateral fringes reduced or very short; final segment elongate, darker in colour.

Male genitalia. Clasping apparatus sclerotized, relatively large. Uncus strong, curved and apically acute; tegumen broad and rather short, with well-developed, rounded and densely hairy penicular lobes; juxta narrow, subdeltoid with evenly tapering dorsal and moderately wide basal (ventral) parts; vinculum sclerotized, broadly V-shaped. Valvae symmetrical, elongate and almost evenly wide, slightly constricted below cucullus; sacculus sclerotized, long, clavus with stronger sclerotized and wrinkled setose surface; harpe (clasper) flattened, its basal part bar-like, more or less straight, apical (distal) part dilated, flattened; ampulla relatively short, thin, digitiform, straight or slightly curved; cucullus long, more or less helmet-like with acute apex, well-developed, long corona and small, triangular antero-ventral lobe. Phallus medium-long, strong, thick and arcuate, with broader, proximally evenly rounded coecum; ventral carinal plate sclerotized, long, beak-shaped, with eversible, long carinal extension. Vesica broadly tubular, everted forward, producing large, subconical subbasal diverticulum provided with three distinct groups of long spiniform cornuti; main tube of vesica bent ventrad from base of subbasal diverticulum and somewhat recurved dorsally; most of main tube densely covered with short and medium-long, strong, spiniform cornuti, its basal section with short, tubular diverticulum terminating in a bundle of fine spinules; terminal diverticulum large, subconical, membranous, without cornuti.

Female genitalia. Ovipositor medium-long, conical, papillae anales elongate, apically finely rounded, sparsely setose with long sensory setae; both pairs of gonapophyses narrow, long; antrum quadrangular, flattened and sclerotized, its lateral edges more or less straight; posterior margin with shallow, arcuate cleft; ductus bursae medium-long, its posterior (distal) part somewhat broader than antrum, with rounded and sclerotized lateral lobe at right side; anterior (proximal) section of ductus bursae distinctly narrower, flattened and partly sclerotized; appendix bursae large, elliptical, partly twisted and heavily sclerotized; corpus bursae discoid-globular, membranous, wrinkled, with subconical gelatinous appendage at junction of ductus bursae and with a diffuse, irregularly rounded signum patch.

Last abdominal segment. Tergite VIII very broad, quadrangular, with rounded trapezoidal, homogeneous sclerotization; sternite VIII much smaller, rounded triangular with subconical sclerotized posterior half with heavily sclerotized apical section.

Bionomics.

The species inhabits dry and warm, open or lightly wooded mixed forests, rocky slopes, also in open upper forest regions or even in the timberline; between altitudes of ca 1000-2200 m, according to the confirmed records. Univoltine summer species, the moths are on the wing in July and August. The early stages and the foodplant are considered to be unknown due to the uncertainty of the identification of the reared adults. As the two sister species can be found at the same site, their bionomics is presumed to be at least partly similar.

Distribution.

From our proved molecular data (Fig. 29 ) and morphologically verified specimens, H. alsinides is widely distributed in southern Central Europe and the Mediterranean, ranging from southern Greece (Crete) across the Balkan Peninsula to the southern part of the Alps and the north-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain: Aragon). It furthermore occurs on the Italian Peninsula, ranging from South Tyrol in the North to Calabria in the South and probably in most of the country. Further records are from the French Alps and Pyrenees, and from southern and eastern Austria. On some occasions the species has been found to be sympatric with H. octogenaria . The latter species generally has a much wider distribution with numerous confirmed records in large parts of central and northern Europe, extending to northern Spain and the British Isles in the West and Finland in the North-East, but also present in the mountain parts of the Mediterranean, e.g., southern Italy (Calabria) and Macedonia.

Figures

Figure 29. The distribution of H. alsinides (Cost antini, 1922) and H. octogenaria (Goeze, 1781) from successfully sequenced specimens. Map created with SimpleMappr (http: // www. simplemappr. net).

Figures 1 - 10. Hoplodrina alsinides (Costantini, 1922), adults in dorsal view. 1 Male, Lectotype of Caradrina alsinides, Italy, Emilia-Romagna, Sestola 2 male, Italy, South Tyrol, Sesvenna Mts. 3 male, Romania, Transylvania, slide No.: RL 12119 4 male, Italy, South Tyrol, Sesvenna Mts. 5 male, Austria 6 male, Austria, Carinthia, slide No.: OP 1415, BC TLMF Lep 02471 7 male, Italy, South Tyrol, slide No.: RL 10288, BC TLMF Lep 04569 8 male, Austria, Carinthia 9 female, BC TLMF Lep 04568 10 emale, Italy, South Tyrol, Sesvenna Mts.

Figures 21, 22. Hoplodrina alsinides (Costantini, 1922), male genitalia. 21 A, B Austria, Carinthia, slide No.: RL 10289 22 A, B North Macedonia, slide No.: OP 1419.

Figures 25 - 28. Hoplodrina spp., female genitalia. 25 Hoplodrina alsinides (Costantini, 1922), Paratype, Italy, slide No.: OP 1414 26 Hoplodrina alsinides (Costantini, 1922), Austria, East Tyrol, slide No.: OP 1416 27 Hoplodrina octogenaria (Goeze, 1781), Austria, North Tyrol, slide No.: OP 1409 28 Hoplodrina octogenaria (Goeze, 1781), North Macedonia, slide No.: OP 1410.

Figure 11 - 20. Hoplodrina octogenaria (Goeze, 1781), adults in dorsal view. 11 Neotype male, Germany, Bayern 12 male, Austria, Carinthia 13 male, Italy, South Tyrol, Sesvenna Mts. 14 male, Italy, South Tyrol, Sesvenna Mts. 15 male, Hungary, Vas County 16 female, Hungary, Pest County 17 female, Austria, Wien 18 female, Hungary, Pest County 19 female, Austria, Burgenland 20 female, Austria, Wien.

Figures 23, 24. Hoplodrina octogenaria (Goeze, 1781), male genitalia. 23 A, B Austria, North Tyrol, slide No.: OP 1407 24 A, B Italy, South Tyrol, slide No.: OP 1412.