Campaea margaritata ( Linnaeus, 1767 )

King, Gareth Edward & González-Estébanez, Félix Javier, 2015, Geometrid larvae of the Alpi Marittime Natural Park (district of Valdieri, Cuneo, Italy), with descriptions of the larvae of two Gnophini Pierce, 1914 (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Geometridae), Zoosystema 37 (4), pp. 621-631 : 626-628

Campaea margaritata ( Linnaeus, 1767)

Phalaena Geometra margaritata Linnaeus, 1767: 328 .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Larva (L5), 3.V.2010, Sant’Anna di Valdieri (1022 m) on Corylus avellana (pupa 8.V.2010 ♂ emerged 24.V.2010; deposited coll. FJGE) FJGE leg. et det .

NOTES ON FOOD- PLANT. — The larva has not been recorded on Betulaceae , except for Carpinus betulus L. ( Ebert & Steiner 2003).

OTHER OBSERVATIONS. — Previously cited in the PNAM ( Baldizzone et al. 2005).

Gnophos furvata meridionalis

Wehrli, 1924

Gnophos meridionalis Wehrli, 1924: 84 .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Larva (L2) (reared through to L5, when chaetotaxic study was undertaken; see below) 2.IX.2008 under Oxyria digyna growing amongst stones on scree slope (larva perished; in alcohol; deposited MNCN); larva (L4) 4.IV.2009 under Artemisia campestre ; larva (L5) taken under Teucrium sp. (Labiatae); larva pupated but pupa perished (♀ genitalia prepared: slide code 3611 GEK leg. et det.; deposited UAM); larvae (L4, L5) 5.IV.2009 taken under Artemisia campestre mat and Helianthemum sp.; larva (L4) 6.IV.2009 taken under Helianthemum sp.; larva (L3) 2.V.2010 taken under Viola sp. growing between rocks; larva (L5) 4.V.2010 on ground between Astragalus and Fumaria officinalis all larvae taken at Riserva Naturale Ginepro di Fenecia ( GEK leg. et det.); larva (L5) 3.V.2010, Sant’Anna di Valdieri (981 m) taken on ground between Lamium (Labiatae) and Rosa ; 2 larvae (L5) 4.V.2010, San Lorenzo (845 m) taken under Lathyrus (Leguminosae) and Sedum growing alongside stream ( GEK leg. et det.). In captivity these larvae were reared on Rumex crispus and R. acetosella L., but only one specimen survived to the pupal stage (see above).

NOTES ON FOOD- PLANT. — Bartsch (2003) mentions the larvae as being hidden amongst low plants in rocky habitats during the day, at ground level, often taken in vicinity of Prunus spinosa (L.) bushes, with another eight plants (in seven families) being cited. This strategy of larvae being hidden was also observed in the study area. If Oxyria digyna were to be confirmed as a food-plant, this would be a new record; polygonales do not figure amongst plants attacked, although these are accepted in captivity (see above).

OTHER OBSERVATIONS. — Previously cited in the PNAM ( Baldizzone et al. 2005).

A6

LARVAL DESCRIPTION

L5 (22 mm; preserved specimen) (n = 1): ( Fig. 1 ) dark ochre dorsal zone, lighter ochre ventral and lateral zones; setae short; protuberance in A8 dorsal zone which carries D2 setae; T1 roughly triangular-shaped, dark ochre from spiracle to T2; similar pattern repeated onT3, also A1 near spiracle, but much smaller; A10 abdominal pro-legs dark ochre in reduced area of anterior zone near PP1 setae. Chaetotaxy of L5 ( Fig. 1 ): T1 with thoracic shield indistinct; all setae very short; D2, D1, with latter just below former; SD1, SD2 (latter about 50% length of former); lateral setae (L1-L3) in anterior zone of segment, well before spiracle; SV1, SV2, anterior to coxa; V1; T2: D2, D1, SD1 (SD2 not discernible); L1, L2, L3 distant from the first two setae; SV1 unisetose; V1; A1: D1, D2 (dark ochre pinnacle surrounded by lighter ochre patch); A6: D1, D2; SD1, L1, L 2 in vicinity of spiracle with L2 twice as far from this structure than are the other lateral setae; L4 with four SV setae on anterior surface of A6 proleg.; V1 on inside of proleg.; A7: D1, D2; SD1, L1, L2 close to spiracle; inferior lateral L4, L3 at same level on urite; SV1, SV2, then V1 ventrally; A8: pair of protuberances dorsally with D2 uppermost and then D1; A9: setae in single descending row, beginning with D setae, with SD1, SV1 relatively prominent, being c. 20% longer than the other setae; A10: anal shield somewhat wedge-shaped, protruding slightly over anal proleg.; D2 c. 10% longer than PP1 (anterior zone of anal proleg.); CD2 almost level with CP1.

Charissa pullata

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Geometra pullata Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775: 108 .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 4 larvae (L5), 28.V.2011, Ubac di Rugeral (1319 m) (emerged ♂ deposited MRSN; larval specimens deposited UAM) ; two larvae (L5), 29.V.2011, Lago della Rovina (1556-1559 m) (deposited coll. UAM) all larvae on ground under mats of Rumex scutatus ; GEK leg. et det.

NOTES ON FOOD- PLANT. — All six larvae taken in May 2011 were found on the ground under mats of Rumex scutatus . As is with the case with larvae of G. f. meridionalis , this species has not been taken in the wild associated with the family Polygonaceae ( Bartsch 2003) , although its larva fed on this plant family in captivity.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS. — Previously cited in the PNAM ( Baldizzone et al. 2005).

LARVAL DESCRIPTION

L5 (18.5 mm; preserved specimens) (n = 2) ( Fig. 2 ): dorsal zone light ochre, dorsal line slightly darker ochre; lateral zones cocoa-ochre with lower lateral areas same shade as dorsal area, ventrally cocoa-ochre; setae short, golden ochre; A8 with dorsal protuberance carrying D2 setae. Chaetotaxy: L5: T1: XD1, XD 2 in thoracic shield; D1, D2; SD1 below SD2 the former c. 50% longer than the latter; L1, L2 very close together on cuticular ridge; SV1, SV2, V1; T2: D1, D2, SD2 thicker and c. 50% length of SD1; L1, L2 almost at same level on pronounced cuticular ridge; SV1 relatively pronounced, V1; A1: D1, D2; SD1 (SD2 not visible), L1 and L2 form “triangle” around spiracle; L4, L3 immediately below the aforementioned setae almost level with each other; SV1, V1; A6: L4 on raised “ridge”, SV4 on abdominal pro-leg, these two setae both “thicker” more wedge-shaped and 50% shorter than remaining four SV setae on pro-leg surface, which are relatively long; V1 same length on inferior surface of pro-leg placed centrally; A7: setae wedge-shaped, L1, L2, L3 (in vicinity of spiracle) are c. 60% shorter than setae of previous urite; SV1, SV2, V1; A8: protuberance dorsally with D2, D1 seta below; A9: setae in descending row from D setae, with SV1 the most prominent (c. 10% longer); A10: relatively prominent wedge-shaped anal shield: CD2 anterior to CP1; L3 relatively prominent in anterior zone of anal pro-leg; CP1, CP2 and L1 c. 10% longer than other setae, slightly curved at apex.

Figures

FIG. 1. — Gnophos furvata meridionalis Wehrli, 1924: chaetotaxy: L5: 2.VIII.2008 (Valdieri). Abbreviations: see text. Specimen length: 22 mm (preserved specimen).

FIG. 2. — Charissa pullata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775): chaetotaxy: L5: V.11 (Sant’Ana di Valdieri). Abbreviations: see text. Specimen length: 18.5 mm.