Catoptria combinella

Bassi, Graziano & Huemer, Peter, 2025, Taxonomic and nomenclatorial notes on the Catoptria coulonellus (Duponchel) species group with description of five new species from Western Balkans (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea, Crambidae), Zootaxa 5719 (3), pp. 301-326 : 305-306

Catoptria combinella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

( Figs 1, 3, 4 , 29, 29a , 45 )

Tinea combinella [ Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775: 319. Type locality: most likely Austria Wienergegend [ Vienna area]. Type material: lost. Neotype male, here designated: Austria, Niederöstereich, Göstlinger Alpen , Rothwald , Jagdhaus , 990 m, 12.vii.1999, F. Lichtenberger leg., TLMF Innsbruck C. Lichtenberger 2018-003, TLMF.

Catoptria petrificella ( Hübner, 1796) , syn. nov.

Tinea petrificella Hübner, 1796: 28 , pl. 7, Fig. 47 . Type locality: unknown [according to original description probably from Hungary]. Type material: lost. Neotype female, here designated: Austria: N. Tyrol, Innsbruck, Nordkette , 2000 m, 10.vii.1967, Hernegger., TLMF.

Material examined: Italy: 4 males, 1 female, Piemonte, Santuario di Oropa (BI), 1200 m, 20.vii.1958, U. Parenti legit, MZUF and RCGB ; 2 males, 1 female, Monte Baldo ( VR), dint. Rif. Novezzina , m. 1300, 14.vii.1987, U. Parenti legit, GS 3209, 3214 and 6954 GB, RCGB ; 1 male, Veneto ( VR), Ferrara di M. Baldo, 19.vii. 2013, 1750 m, G. Longo Turri legit, RCLT ; 1 male, Friuli, Chiusaforte ( UD), 29.vii. 2021, 1955 m, G. Longo Turri legit, RCLT ; Austria: 5 males, 5 females, Nordkette, Innsbruck , 2200 m, 26.vii.1971, Burmann, GS 1077 and 6926 GB, RCGB and MRSNTO ; 1 female, idem but 27.vii.1971, RCGB ; 2 males, 1 female, Nord Tirol, Howal , 750 m, 17.vii.1969, Kappellar Innsbruck, MHNG and RCGB ; 1 male, Steiermark, Prebichl , 1206 m, 9.vii.1953, O. Sterzl, SNSB ; 1 female, Styria, Frein , 800 m, 11.vii.1966, H. Reisser Coll., SNSB . Slovenia: 2 males, 1 female, Carniola, Velika Planina , 1600 m, 23.vii.1965, F. Hartig legit, GS 1061 and 1076 GB, MRSNTO ; 1 female, Goriska, Tolmin , Bovec, 2210m, 14.viii.2011, G. Longo Turri legit, RCLT .

Diagnosis. Catoptria combinella is similar in habitus ( Figs 1, 3, 4 ) to C. coulonellus ( Fig. 2 ), but it can be distinguished by the uninterrupted medial white stripe, the darker medial area of the forewing, and the threefold end of the stripe, which is either lacking or only outlined in C. coulonellus . The male genitalia ( Fig. 29 ) are similar to those of C. coulonellus ( Fig. 30 ), C. orientellus ( Fig. 31 ) and C. spodiellus ( Fig. 32 ), however: versus C. coulonellus pars basalis is rounded, fan-shaped, vinculum is longer and spoon-shaped, shorter row of cornuti ( Fig. 29a ) with about 15 longer cornuti; versus C. orientellus uncus and gnathos are longer, pars basalis is rounded, arched lamella of pars basalis is less developed, main row of cornuti longer and with on average smaller cornuti; versus C. spodiellus pars basalis is rounded, short row of cornuti longer with longer cornuti. The female genitalia ( Fig. 45 ): versus C. coulonellus ( Fig. 46 ) ostium bursae more irregular, sterigma forming a complete sclerotized ring around ostium bursae, thicker above it; ductus bursae proximally curved inward and stouter; versus C. orientellus ( Fig. 47 ) ostium bursae more irregular, sterigma forming a complete sclerotized ring around ostium bursae, thicker above it; ductus bursae proximally curved inward; versus C. spodiellus ( Fig. 48 ) ostium bursae more regular, ductus bursae almost completely sclerotized.

Distribution: Found in the Alps with additional reports from Slovakia and Romania (Carpathians) ( Slamka 2008).

Remarks. Tinea combinella was described from an unspecified number of specimens, most likely collected in Lower Austria. The collection of Denis & Schiffermüller, formerly deposited in the “Hof-Naturalien-Kabinett” in Vienna, was destroyed by fire during the Vienna revolution of 1848 ( Hoffmann 1952).

Tinea petrificella was described from an unspecified number of specimens and a female figured ( Hübner 1796). Besides the detailed figure ( Fig. 1 ), which clearly depicts a longitudinal white stripe without medial interruption, Hübner ( op. cit.) also describes a threefold end of this stripe. Furthermore, the central part of the wings is described as darker. All these three characters are typical for the species currently named C. combinella . The type locality is not given in any detail but is suspected to be “probably from Hungary ”, where the species doesn´t occur (as C. coulonellus ). However, it should be considered that Hungary at the time of Hübner was much larger than at present, including parts of the Carpathians, where the species is currently known. To preserve the stability of nomenclature ( ICZN 1999), we therefore designate a neotype because after Hübner’s death his collection was dispersed and only few macrolepidoptera have been found in SNSB. Błeszyński that worked in Germany until his death, after extensive researches in German and British Museums considered (1965) all Crambinae of Hübner’s collection definitely lost.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Catoptria spp., habitus. 1. Illustration from the original description of Tinea petrificella Hübner; 2. C.coulonellus (Duponchel), male holotype and its labels, photo C. Gibeaux, (NMHN); 3–4. C. combinella ([Denis & Schiffermüller]): male neotype and its labels (3); female neotype of C. petrificella and its labels (4); 5–6. C. orientellus (Herrich-Schäffer): male neotype and its labels (5); female, same labels as the neotype (6); 7–8. C. hannemanni Alberti: male, Dombai, Russian Caucasus, 3000 m., 23.vii.1971, B. Müller legit (7); female, Dombai, Russian Caucasus, 2950 m., 29.vii.1971, B. Müller legit (8).

FIGURES 29–32. Catoptria spp., male genitalia. Arrows show short row of cornuti. 29–29a. C. combinella ([Denis & Schiffermüller]), Austria Nordkette, Innsbruck, 2200m, 26.vii.[19]71, Burmann legit GS 6926 GB (29); the same, apex of phallus magnified (29a); 30–30c. C. coulonellus (Duponchel): Italy, Alto Adige, (BZ), Passo Sella, 18-1900m, 8.vii.1998, U. Parenti legit, GS 6927 GB (30); the same, right valva, France, Isère, Col des Ayes, 1545 m, 22.vii.1937, Coll. G. Praviel, GS 6986 GB (30a); the same, right valva, Polonia Tatry, Beskid, 2000 m, 30.vii.1948, Bleszynski legit, GS 6977 GB (30b); the same, apex of phallus magnified, Italy,Alto Adige, (BZ), Passo Sella, 18-1900m, 8.vii.1998, U. Parenti legit, GS 6927 GB (30c). 31–31a: C. orientellus (Herrich-Schäffer), neotype, Transylv.Alp., Negoi, 14.7, Sammlung Disqué, GS 6975 GB (31); the same, apex of phallus magnified, Retyezat Mts., 10.vii.23, Uyhelyi, GS 2073 GB (31a). 32: C. spodiellus (Rebel), holotype and apex of phallus magnified, GS 3703 Bł., photo S. Gaal-Haszler and H. Bruckner (NHMW).

FIGURES 45–48. Catoptria spp., female genitalia. 45. C. combinella ([Denis & Schiffermüller]), Italy, Veneto, Monte Baldo, 1300 m., 14.vii.1987, U. Parenti legit, GS 6954 GB. 46. C. coulonellus (Duponchel): Switzerland, Valais, Vallon de Susanfe, 2000 m., 25.vii.1896, G. Audéoud, GS 6969 GB. 47. C. orientellus (Herrich-Schäffer), Transylv. Alp., Negoi, 14.7, Sammlung Disqué, GS 6985 GB. 48. C. spodiellus (Rebel), Russia, Amur Oblast, photo A. N. Streltzov (St. Petersburg, Russia).