Rhodostrophia phaenicearia (Hampson, 1907), stat. rev.

[ R. cuprinaria (Christoph, 1876) “sensu classico"]

(Figs 48–51, 74, 91, 103, Map 12)

Acidalia phaenicearia Hampson, 1907: Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 18(1): 50, pl. E, fig. 39. (Afghanistan, Peshin Valley, Nurse); holotype ♀ (examined) in NHMUK .

For more than 100 years, the taxon phaenicearia Hampson, 1907 was erroneously regarded as a synonym of R. cuprinaria (Christoph, 1876), resulting from a misidentification of Eusarca cuprinaria by Hugo Christoph in Romanoff (1885: 126 no. 181 and pl. 6 fig. 8a, b). Since then both species (one of them undescribed) were mixed together; a bug that nearly all subsequent authors followed so far (see below). However, the here examined lectotype of Eusarca cuprinaria Christoph, 1877 from Schahrud (see here in group VIII) clearly shows, that in its original description (Horae Ent. Ross. 12, p. 261, pl. 7 fig. 33) Christoph did not figure the species which he considered later in Romanoff (l.c.) as “his Eusarca cuprinaria ”. This later species was described only in 1907 by Hampson as A. phaenicearia .

Remarks: Both species, R. phaenicearia and R. cuprinaria were observed syntopically by us in north-eastern Iran, so in the province Khorasan at Kuh-e Mirza Arab, 2.v.2008, and in the province Semnan, near Cheschme Ali, 24.v.2005, cf. material examined here. The sympatric occurrence of R. phaenicearia and R. cuprinaria and their external similarity could have led to the misidentification mentioned above.

Records in literature. As “ Rhodostrophia cuprinaria”: Staudinger (1901: 279); Prout (1913: 42), there phaenicearia Hampson [misspelled to ‘ phoenicearia ’] is mentioned for the first time, with a note to the supposed but wrong synonymy as described above]; Prout (1935: 25); Viidalepp (1996: 58); Scoble (1999: 822); Scoble & Hausmann (2007); Kocak & Kemal (2018: 169); Müller et al. (2019: 845).

Previous records from Iran. Brandt (1941: 884) recorded this species as R. ( cuprinaria) “ phoenicoptera ” (misspelling of phaenicearia Hampson) from the following localities: Iran, prov. Khorasan, Kouh-i-Binaloud (Meched), 2000 m; and prov. Sistan-o-Baluchistan, Kouh-i-Taftan (Khach) Comeé [Komehr] (Barmi-Firus), 2000 m; Strasse Tchahbahar-lranchar, Takte [Takhte] Malek.

Additional material examined. 4 ♂, 2 ♀, NW Iran, [prov. Azarbaijan-e Sharghi] 40 km westl. Marand, 1100 m, 6.vi.1975, leg. H. G. Amsel , g.p. (♂) 571, (♀) 619/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Azerbayejan-e Gharbi, 8 km S of Shoet, 1330 m, 15.–16.vi.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai , g.p. (♂) 678/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♂, Iran, Azarbaijan-e Sharghi, 10 km NW of Miyane, 14.–15.vi.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai , g.p. (♀) 681/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♂, id., 14.–15.vi.2005; 6 ♂, 2 ♀, N-Iran, Salzsee 90 km S Teheran, 800 m, 18./ 23.vi.1968, leg. H. G. Amsel , g.p. (♂) 2387/2020 H. Rajaei; 6 ♂, 2 ♀, N-Iran, Salzsee 70 km S Teheran, 1300 m, 29.v.1969, leg. G. Ebert , g.p. (♂) 2388/2020 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, N Iran, Elburs-Mts, S-Rand, Tehran-Evin, 1600 m, 9.ix.1983, leg. Dr. Leudes ; 2 ♀, N-Iran, Elburs-Mts, S-Rand, Tehran-Evin, Salzsee 70 km S, Salzsee, 26.v.1972, leg. G. Ebert ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀, N- Iran, Kamard, 40 km w. Teheran, ca. 1700 m, 9.ix.1970, leg. G. Ebert , g.p. (♀) 686/2005 R. Trusch; 21 ♂, 5 ♀, Iran N, Prov. Semnan, 20 km N Damghan, Cheschme Ali, N 36°15’07’’, E 054°04’20’’, 1560 m, 23. or 24.v.2005, leg. R. Trusch, G. Petschenka & B. Müller , g.p. (♂) 601/2005 R. Trusch, (♀) 596, 599/2005 R. Trusch, barcodes: BC ZSM 33905, BC ZSM 33906, BC ZSM 33907, BC ZSM 33908, BC ZSM 33909, BC ZSM 33910; 6 ♂, 6 ♀, Iran, Prov. Esfahan, Kuh-e Karkas, 1700 m, 3 km SE of Natanz, 11.–12.vi.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai , g.p. (♂) 669/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Kohkiluyeh-va-Boyer-ahmad, 30 km S Yassudj, road Abshare-Tange- Tamoradi, 8 km before Abshar (= waterfall), N 30°31’53’’, E 51°25’11’’, 2254 mNN, 24.5.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei , g.p. 2404/2021 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, Iran, Prov. Zanjan, 2350 m, W-Alborz range, Tarom vic., 20 km NE of Zanjan, 13.–14.vi.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai ; 1 ♂, Iran, prov. South Khorassan, Shas Kuh vic. Garmab, Band-e Arab (cave), N33°52'08.6", E59°46'08.1", 4.v.2006 , 1160 mNN, leg. B + A. Plössl & G.M. Tarmann, g.p. 2394/2020 H. Rajaei, barcode BC ZSM 33888; 1 ♂, E-IRAN, Prov. Ostan-e Khorasan, N 33°16'13.9'', E 060°06'59.7'', NE Birjand, S Haji Abad, Gomenj vic., Kuh-e Mirza Arab, 2.040 mNN, 02.v.2008, leg. B. Müller, R. Trusch & M. Falkenberg , g.p. 2400/2021 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, Balouchestan, 18 km W Iranschar [Iranshahr], Rig-Kaboud, 500 m, 15.v.1972, leg. Abai & Ebert ; 1 ♂, Balutschestan, Khasch, Kousche, 2000 m, 21.v.1972, leg. Abai & Ebert ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Balutschestan, Khasch, Kuh-e Taftan, E-exp., 1800 m, 20.v.1972, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Balutschestan, Khasch, 3 km SE Eskal-Abad, 1700 m, 12.v.1972, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner , g.p. (♂) 573/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♂, 3 ♀, id., Khasch, 18 km NE Karvandar, 1400 m, 14.v.1972, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner ; 1 ♂, id., Khasch, 11 km NE Karvandar, 1300 m, 13.v.1972, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner ; 1 ♂, id., Khasch, Guscheh, Kuh-e Taftan, W-exp., 2000 m, 21.v.1972, leg. G. Ebert & H. Falkner ; 1 ♂, 1♀, Iran, prov. Kerman, Baft-Sirjan, road 2 km after Baft, sandy road, 3 km to North, Ras Kuh village, N 29°17’27’’; E 56°35’37’’, 2543 mNN, 20.–21.v.2009, leg. H. Rajaei , g.p. (♂) 2381/2020 H. Rajaei; 5 ♂, 2 ♀, Iran, prov. Kerman, 5 km to Dehbakri from Bamm, near Kuh-e Shir, N29°4'1"; E57°28'03", 2158 mNN, 18.–19.v.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei , g.p. (♂) 2382 H. Rajaei; 1 ♂, [Iran, Fars] Djahrom, 17.iii.1957 [unknown collector], g.p. (♂) 2393/2020 H. Rajaei; 2 ♀, Iran-Centr., Prov. Yazd, N Yazd, Chak Chak, N 32°20'07.8'', E 054°22'58.0'', 1550 m, e.l. 11.iv.2007 , an Atraphaxis cf. spinosa, leg. et. cult. R. Trusch; 5 ♀, Iran, prov. Azerbayejan-e Sharqi, 10 km NW of Miyane, 31.v.–1.vi.2005, leg. P. Gyulai & A. Garai , g.p. (♀) 679/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♂, Iran, prov. Kerman, 5 km to Dehbakri from Bamm, near Kuh-e Shir, N29°4'1"; E57°28'03", 2158 mNN, 18.–19.v.2009, leg. Hossein Rajaei ; in SMNK. 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran N, Prov. Semnan, 20 km N Damghan, Cheschme Ali, N 36°15’07’’, E 054°04’20’’, 1560 m, 23. or 24.v.2005, leg. R. Trusch, G. Petschenka & B. Müller , g.p. (♂) 2392/2020 H. Rajaei, 2391/2020 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, Iran, Khorasan Razavi, 65 km Kalat road, Khor, 1431 m, 36°38'15.1"N, 59°54'04"E, 16.6.2016, leg. Sh. Feizpour ; 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Kerman, Kerman-Sohandar, 128 km, 1920 m, 28°39'43"N, 57°26'50.2"E, 14.ix.2015, leg. Saideh Shahreyary ; 1 ♂, Iran, Belutschistan, südöstl. Iranshahr, Hamani Kuh, 12.iii.1954, leg. Richter & Schäuffele , g.p. WM 82 [bei E.P. Wiltshire]; 1 ♀, Belutschistan, Iranshahr, 800 m, 11.–18.iii.1954, leg. Richter & Schäuffele ; in SMNS. 1 ♂, Azarbayjan, 42 km N Marand, 1100 m, 7.vi.1975, leg. Abai ; 1 ♂, [Iran], N Karadj, 11.ix.1969 , [leg.] Miraz [ayans], Abai ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀, [Iran] Shahrud, Kalateh- Amirieh, 1500 m, 30.v.1982, leg. Hashemi , g.p. (♀) 615/2005 R. Trusch; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Hormozagan, Bandar Abbas, Siahu, 600 m, 10.–11.iii.1995, leg. Safz. & Badii , g.p. (♂) 2389 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, Hormozagan, Hajiabad, 1140 m, 25.iv.1996, leg. Safz. & Badii, Naz [ari]; 1 ♂, [Iran] Kerman-Rayen, 2150 m, 16.6.1988 , [leg.] Hash [emi], Badii, g.p. 2395 H. Rajaei ; 1 ♀, [Iran] Fars, Kazeroun, Nourabad, 1550 m, 12.ix.1974 , [leg.] Pazuki, Haschemi; 2 ♀, [Iran] Fars, Dascht-Arjan, 4.ix.1971 , Broomand; 1 ♂, Kerman, Baft, Ghanat-Marvan, 2800 m, 23.v.1977 , [leg.] Safavi, Pazuki & Abai; in HMIM . 1 ♂, Iran, Zanjan, Mamelana Abber, 20–21.vii.2002, leg. A. Linnavouri , g.p. (♂) 610 R. Trusch; in ZMUH. 1 ♂, Iran, Kerman, Bam SW, Deh Bakri, 2000–2200 m, 1.–3.vi.2002, leg. Meineke, Hofmann & Kallies; in PCJM. 32 ♂, 6 ♀, Iran, Fars, 30 km E Neiriz, 2100 m, 29°15' N, 54°31' E, 3.vi.1997, leg. Hofmann & Kautt ; in PCNP. 1 ♀ NW Iran, 50 km NW Tabris, vi.1995, leg. Geck ; in coll. ZSM.

Specimens studied total: 105 ♂, 60 ♀.

Differential diagnosis (Figs 48–51). Wingspan 20–27 mm. Forewing with straight termen. Wings variable in colour, ground colour terracotta-red with varying light to darker hue (specimens of the first generation from southern Iran showing a yellow-brown ground colour); medial fascia slightly darker than background. Ante- and postmedial lines of forewing as well as postmedial line of hindwing serrate, distally bordered by a yellow shadow. Discal spots present on all wings, more prominent on forewings. Underside of wings cream-yellowish, postmedial lines and subterminal area brown. Male antennal flagellum ventrally dentated. Male hindtibia with three spurs. Based on its small size and the red colour, this species is of characteristic appearance but was confused in former times with R. cuprinaria, showing also a superficial similarity with R. peripheres and the new R. vahabzadehi sp. nov. However, the very different and small genitalia of the male easily allows a correct determination of the species (see below).

Male genitalia (Fig. 74) very small, strongly sclerotized, uncus digitiform (Fig. 3); valva characteristically small; its apical part swollen and dentated; costal part near tegumen with a characteristic dentated extension (armshaped, an autapomorphic character of R. phaenicearia in comparison with all other Rhodostrophia species in Iran; Fig. 74d); sacculus triangular, curved interiorly. Juxta wide, elongated dorso-ventrally. Aedeagus slightly curved; vesica membranous bearing a small dentated plate. Male sternite A8 bilobed (fig. 74c), with small octavals.

Female genitalia (Fig. 91) with a membranous, pear-shaped corpus bursae, signum developed as a pair of elongated sclerites, posteriorly connected to each other (Fig. 91b). Ductus bursae characteristically shorter than corpus bursae, tubular, membranous. Lamella antevaginalis characteristically rounded (Fig. 91a). Posterior apophyses five times length of the short anterior apophyses.

Genetic data. BIN: BOLD:AAB9861. Nearest species: R. skulei from Oman (2.5%) (Fig. 119 & Table 1).

Distribution (Map 12). The species is distributed from Turkey, Caucasus (Georgia) and Transcaucasus (Armenia and Azerbaijan) across Iran to Turkmenistan (Kopet-Dagh), Afghanistan (type locality) and Pakistan (Viidalepp 1996; Koçak & Kemal 2018). In Iran, this species is widely distributed, occurring in most parts of the country.

Life history and habitat (Fig. 117). The larvae were collected in April (12.iv.2007) by us near Chak-Chak (central Iran, province Yazd), feeding on Atraphaxis spinosa (Polygonaceae) . The species seems to be bivoltine in Iran (Usually, the second generation shows a lighter wing pattern than the first generation). The species is recorded from mid-March to mid-September in the southern provinces, and from early May to early September in the north of Iran. According to the material examined here, it flies at altitudes from 600 m up to 2200 m.