Scopula immistaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1852)

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 : 36-37

Scopula immistaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1852)

( Plate 8, Figs 16–17; Plate 18 , Fig. 6; Plate 26 , Fig. 4; Map 11)

Acidalia immistaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1847 : Systematische Bearbeitung der Schmetterlinge von Europa, 6 (55): 68 (non binominal). Syntypes ( Azerbaijan, Kirowabad (Elisabethpor )) (MNHU).

Scopula immistaria beshkovi Gelbrecht & Hausmann, 1997 . Linzer biologische Beiträge, 29 (2): 984. Holotype ♁ ( Bulgaria: Pobitide Kamani near Varna) (ZSM). Valid at subspecific rank.

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

Material examined: 165 ♁/ ♀ (see appendix).

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♁ ♀ 22–28 mm. Ground colour creamy white, with finely drawn transversal lines ( Plate 8, Figs 16–17). In Iran Scopula immistaria can externally be easily confused with S. albiceraria , if the latter species is present in Iran (see Remarks of S. albiceraria ). A diagnosis is certain based on the genitalia characters.

In the male genitalia 8th sternite basally notched, broad, cerata medium sized and thin (basally notched, laterally concave, cerata short, broad in S. albiceraria ) (see Plate 18 , Figs 5–6).

In the female genitalia antrum with very small notched sclerite (with small v-shaped sclerite in S. albiceraria ) (see Plate 26 , Figs 3–4).

Phenology. Bivoltine species, with generations from mid-May to early September, overlapping in July (Hausmann 2004). Univoltine in high altitudes (Hausmann 2004). Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from May to August.

Biology. Possibly monophagous on Silene ( Caryophyllaceae ) (Hausmann 2004).

Habitat. At altitudes from 700 m to 2800 m (Hausmann 2004). Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from 510 m to 3000 m.

Distribution. In Europe in southern Russia, eastern Ukraine (Hausmann 2004). Also in Turkey, the Caucasus, Transcaucasus, northern Iraq and Turkmenia ( Viidalepp 1996; Hausmann 2004). In Iran distributed in northern and western parts, with isolated populations in south-eastern province Kerman (Map 11) (Hausmann 2004). Reported in the literature also for the provinces Fars, Golestan, Kerman, Mazandaran and Tehran ( Lederer 1871; Prout 1912 – 1915; Schwingenschuss 1939; Brandt 1939; Viidalepp 1996; Hausmann 2004; Lehmann & Zahiri 2011).

DNA-barcoding. Nearest species: S. with 4.3 % (see Supplementary Table S1).

Figures

PLATE 18: Figures 1–6. Male genitalia of Scopula species.1: S. flaccidaria (N-Iran,Masandaran,Schasavar,g.prep.1053/2021 D. Wanke). 2: S. iranaria syn. nov. of S. flaccidaria (Cotype, Iran, Kerdej, g. prep. 2299/2020 H. Rajaei); 3: S. minorata (Spain, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, g. prep. 1248/2021 D. Wanke); 4: S. adelpharia (S Iran, Hormozgan, Sirki, g. prep. 1309/2022 D. Wanke); 5: S. albiceraria (Mongolia, Selenge aimag, near Ochron, g. prep. 1305/2022 D. Wanke); 6: S. immistaria (N Iran, Masandaran, Damavand, g. prep. 0830/2020 D. Wanke); a = genitalia capsule; b = aedeagus; c = 8th sternite. Scale-bar 1 mm.

PLATE 26: Figures 1–7. Female genitalia of Scopula species. 1: S. minorata (Spain, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, g. prep. 1249/2021 D. Wanke); 2: S. adelpharia (Sudan, Ed Damer, Hudeiba, g. prep. 1270/2022 D. Wanke); 3: S. albiceraria (SW- Mongolia, SSW Zhargalan, g. prep. 1301/2022 D. Wanke); 4: S. immistaria (Iran, Tehran, NNW Shemshak, g. prep. 0832/2020 D. Wanke); 5: S. lactarioides (Iran, Makran, Chahbar Küste, g. prep. 0879/2020 D. Wanke); 6: S. diffinaria diffinaria (Iran, Mazandaran, S Shah Kuh-e Pain, g. prep. 0521/2020 D. Wanke). Scale-bar 1 mm.