Scopula tessellaria (Boisduval, 1840)

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 : 17-18

Scopula tessellaria (Boisduval, 1840)

( Plate 4, Figs 10–11; Plate 13 , Fig. 1; Plate 22 , Fig. 4; Map 3)

Strenia tessellaria Boisduval, 1840 . Genera et index methodicus Europaeorum lepidopterum: 228 (northern Italy). Syntype (s) (ZFMK).

Synonymies (for more details on nomenclature see Scoble 1999 and Hausmann 2004): Phalaena pellicea Fourcroy, 1785 ( France: Paris); Eupisteria puluerulentaria Sélys-Longchamps, 1844 (southern Italy: Caserta); Acidalia tabianaria Turati, 1905 ( Italy, Parma Prov.: Tabiano; Salso Maggiore); Scopula tessellaria proutiana Sheljuzhko, 1955 (Kirghizstan, Semiretshje: river Maloje).

For the list of unavailable names, see Hausmann (2004).

Material examined: 6 ♁/ ♀ (see appendix).

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♁ ♀ 22–28 mm. In Iran, Scopula tessellaria can externally be confused only with S. immorata , therefore its characters are compared against this species. Wings chequered, ground colour ( Plate 4, Figs 10–11) white to grey, with dark brown transverse lines; lines diffuse and wavy; bright ground-coloured areas sharply defined (similar but transverse lines brighter, bright ground-coloured areas blurred in S. immorata ) (see Plate 4, Figs 7–11). In the male genitalia aedeagus broad and short, tip with one lateral spine, vesica with terminal cornutus (similar but aedeagus tip with lateral spines in S. immorata ). 8th sternite with both cerata short (with short left and long right ceras in S. immorata ) (see Plate 12 , Fig. 3; Plate 13 , Fig. 1).

In the female genitalia lamella antevaginalis small (big, rounded in S. immorata ). Ductus bursae long and slender (broad in S. immorata ). Signum small, five times as long as wide, with lateral spines (small, three times as long as wide, with lateral spines in S. immorata ) (see Plate 22 , fig 3–4).

Phenology. Univoltine species, from late May to early July (Hausmann 2004). Investigated specimens in Iran were collected in July.

Biology. Larva on plant species of different families, e.g., Asteraceae , Ericaceae , Fabaceae and Ranunculaceae (Hausmann 2004) .

Habitat. From 0 m to 1800 m in Europe and to 3000 m in Central Asia (Hausmann 2004). Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from 19 m to 2200 m.

Distribution. Distributed from Spain to the Urals, but rare and with local distribution in western, southern and eastern Europe (Hausmann 2004). Also distributed in Turkey, the Caucasus, Transcaucasus, Kazakhstan and southwestern China ( Viidalepp 1996; Hausmann 2004; Sihvonen 2005b). In Iran it is only known from the province Mazandaran (Map 3).

Remarks. Schwingenschuss (1939) reported the presence of this species in the north Iranian provinces Mazandaran and Tehran. Hausmann (2004) stated that this awaits confirmation. Here we confirm the presence of this species in northern Iran.

DNA-barcoding. Nearest species: S. immorata with 1.8 % (see Supplementary Table S1).

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 13: Figures 1–3. Male genitalia of Scopula species. 1: S. tessellaria ([Iran], Tacht i Suleiman, g. prep. 1260/2022 D. Wanke); 2: S. nigropunctata (Turkey, Giresun, 1: g. prep. 1236/2021 D. Wanke); 3: S. caesaria (a, b: South Africa, Gauteng, Ezemvelo, g. prep. 1224/2021 D. Wanke; c: Oman, Dhofar, Wadi Sha’ath, g. prep. NHMUK 010317472). 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.