Scopula adulteraria (Erschov, 1874), 2023

Wanke, Dominic, Hausmann, Axel, Lee, Kyung Min, Murillo-Ramos, Leidys, Sihvonen, Pasi & Rajaei, Hossein, 2023, Systematics and integrative taxonomic revision of the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 in Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae), Zootaxa 5359 (1), pp. 1-96 : 16

Scopula adulteraria (Erschov, 1874) bona sp.

( Plate 4, Figs 5–6; Plate 12 , Fig. 2; Plate 22 , Fig. 2; Map 3)

Acidalia adulteraria Erschov, 1874 . In Fedchenko, Puteshestvie v Turkestan, 2, 60. Syntypes ♁, ♀ (Turkestan: Kisilkum) (in MNHU, examined).

Type material examined. 1 ♁, 1 ♀ [ Uzbekistan], Margilan, ex coll. Staudinger; in MNHU .

Additional material examined: 87 ♁/ ♀ (see appendix).

Remarks. Originally described as a species, and regarded as a bona species by several authors (e.g., Viidalepp 1996), it has been regarded as subspecies of Scopula ansulata by other authors ( Scoble 1999; Sihvonen 2005a, 2005b; Scoble & Hausmann 2007). However, external differences as well as the sympatric occurrence of Scopula ansulata and S. adulteraria convinced us to raise this taxon to species rank.

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♁ ♀ 23–30 mm. Due to its unique wing pattern, Scopula adulteraria cannot be confused with any other Scopula species in Iran. Ground colour ( Plate 4, Figs 5–6) reddish brown; transverse lines well pronounced and characteristic curved (wings ivory to beige, with some grey-brown highlights in S. ansulata ) (see Plate 4, Figs 1–6).

The male genitalia ( Plate 12 , Fig. 2) and the female genitalia ( Plate 22 , Fig. 2), show no diagnostic characters for differentiation with the sister species S. ansulata .

Phenology. Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from March to May.

Biology. Unknown.

Habitat. Investigated specimens in Iran collected at altitudes from 50 m to 1240 m.

Distribution. This species is distributed from Iran to Central Asia ( Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tadjikistan) ( Viidalepp 1996). In Iran it is only known for the province Khorasan-e Shomali (see Map 3).

DNA-barcoding. Nearest species: S. rufomixtaria (De Graslin, 1863) with 7.3 % (see Supplementary Table S1); this may change when data for S. ansulata is added to the dataset. However, no data for S. ansulata was available.

Figures

PLATE 12: Figures 1–3. Male genitalia of Scopula species. 1: S. ansulata (Iran, Ostan-e Khorasan, Dolmeh Olia, g. prep. 0696/2020 D. Wanke); 2: S. adulteraria bona sp. (Iran, Ostan-e Khorasan, Izmansufla, a, c: g. prep. 0699/2020 D. Wanke, b: g. prep. 0700/2020 D. Wanke); 3: S. immorata ([Iran], Särdab Tal-Vandarban, g. prep. 1286/2022 D. Wanke). a = genitalia capsule; b = aedeagus; c = 8th sternite. Scale-bar 1 mm.

PLATE 22: Figures 1–7. Female genitalia of Scopula species. 1: S. ansulata (Iran, Ostan-e Khorasan, Haji Abad, g. prep. 0697/2020 D. Wanke); 2: S. adulteraria bona sp. (Iran, Ostan-e Khorasan, Izmansufla, g. prep. 1255/2022 D. Wanke); 3: S. immorata (Turkey, Erzurum, N-Askole, g. prep. 1226/2022 D. Wanke); 4: S. tessellaria (Kazakhstan, S Kirgyzsay, g. prep. 1242/2021 D. Wanke); 5: S. nigropunctata (Turkey, Giresun, 1: g. prep. 1235/2021 D. Wanke); 6–7: S. caesaria (6: Paratype, Ceylon, Slide NHMUK 012821272; 7: South Yemen, Lahej Governorate, Al Dhala, g. prep. 1287/2022 D. Wanke). Scale-bar 1 mm.