Scopula conscensa (Swinhoe, 1885)

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 : 14

Scopula conscensa (Swinhoe, 1885)

( Plate 3, Figs 17–19; Plate 11 , Figs 1–2; Plate 21 , Fig. 7)

Eupithecia conscensa Swinhoe, 1885 . Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1885 (4): 863. Syntypes ([ India], Poona) (in NHMUK, examined).

Type material examined. Eupithecia conscensa : Syntype, [ India], Poona , NHMUK 014173526 ; in NHMUK.

Additional material examined: 2 ♁/ ♀ (see appendix).

Taxonomic note. This species was transferred from Zygophyxia to Scopula by Sihvonen (2005a). Hausmann et al. (2020) noted, for Scopula ochrea (Hausmann, 2006) a genetic distance of about 10% (DNA barcode, COI) to the nearest Scopula species, questioning the synonymy done by Sihvonen (2005a). Species earlier combined to the genus Zygophyxia need investigation based on a large integrative taxonomic revision.

In Iran, two species formerly combined with Zygophyxia , namely Scopula conscensa (Swinhoe, 1885) and Scopula relictata (Walker, 1866) occur, showing great morphological differences among themselves and with the other Scopula species studied.

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♁ 18 mm, ♀ 14.8 mm ( Plate 3, Figs 17–19). Ground colour whitish-beige to brown, wings pointed towards the apex. Scopula conscensa can be confused externally with S. relictata (see Plate 3, Figs 20–23), but both species have a unique combination of characters on their male and female genitalia.

In the male genitalia, socii fused, short (similar in S. relictata ). Lateral processi of anellus short, broad and rounded (long, tapered, needle-like in S. relictata ). Aedeagus curved, vesica with one short cornutus (broad, slightly curved, apical half spined in S. relictata ) (see Plate 11 , Figs 1–3). 8th sternite not available on the genitalia preparation slide.

In the female genitalia, lamella antevaginalis triangular (rectangular, apically concave S. relictata ). Corpus bursae globular, strongly spinulose (long, pear-shaped, without signum in S. relictata ) (see Plate 21 , Figs 7–9).

Phenology. The Investigated specimen was collected in February (n=1); other specimens without collection date on the label.

Biology & Habitat. Unknown.

Distribution. Distributed in India and Sri Lanka. No specimens from Iran were available (see Remarks).

DNA-barcoding. No data available.

Remarks. This species was reported by Brandt (1941) from southern Iran (Hormozgan province). We did not find any specimen of this species confirming its occurence in Iran. Most probably the report of Brandt is a misidentification with Zygophyxia relictata , which occurs in this province.

Figures

PLATE 11: Figures 1–3. Male genitalia of Scopula species. 1–2: Scopula conscensa (India, NHMUK014314490, 1: in scale, 2: enlarged, out of scale); 3: Scopula relictata (Iran, Minab, g. prep. 0923/2021 D. Wanke). a = genitalia capsule; b = aedeagus; c = 8th sternite. Scale-bar 1 mm.

PLATE 21: Figures 1–9. Female genitalia of Cinglis, Scopuloides and Scopula species. 1: Cinglis humifusaria (Iran, Zanjan,Ab-Dar, g. prep. 1193/2022 D. Wanke); 2: Cinglis benigna benigna comb. nov. (Iran, Strasse Shiraz-Kazerun, Imam Sade, g. prep. 1050/2021 D. Wanke); 3: Cinglis benigna nigromaculata comb. nov. (Iran, Semnan, Cheschme Ali, g. prep. 0985/2021 D. Wanke); 4: Cinglis benigna amseli syn. nov. of Cinglis benigna benigna comb. nov. (Paratype, Afghanistan, Gulbahar, g. prep. WM 131); 5: Cinglis eurata comb. nov. (Turkmenistan, Kopet-Dagh, g. prep. 895 Pasi Sihvonen); 6: Scopuloides origalis stat. rev. (Iran, Balutschestan, Nikschar, g. prep. 0565/2020 D. Wanke); 7: Scopula conscensa (Ceylon, NHMUK014173528, Slide NHMUK010317461); 8–9: Scopula relictata (8: Oman,Adam, NHMUK014173580, Slide NHMUK014314454; 9: [Kenya], Suna, S. Kavirondo, NHMUK014173536, Slide NHMUK014314489); Scale-bar 1 mm.