Metachrostis griseimargo (Warren, 1912)

V, Ато, 2009, A review of Palaearctic Metachrostis Hübner, [1820] 1816 with description of three new species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Eublemminae), Zootaxa 2026, pp. 1-17 : 6-7

Metachrostis griseimargo (Warren, 1912)

( Figs. 8 , 26 )

Leptosia griseimargo Warren, 1912 , Novitates Zoologicae 19: 36 (Type-locality: Algeria [Holotype: BMNH, London]).

Material examined. 1 male, Gafsa (ex coll. Gr. Prince Nikolaj Mikhajlovich), prep. 0 0 50 Matov; 1 larva, Gafsa, 12.v.1909 [coll. ZISP].

Diagnosis. M. griseimargo can be distinguished from allied species ( M. velox , M. velocior , M. sefidi , M. djakonovi ) by the yellow tinting to its wing coloration, the trapezoidal shape of the 8th tergite of the male, and the apically constricted valva.

Description. Adult ( Fig. 8 ). Wingspan 18 mm. Head and body yellowish-ochreous. Wing coloration yellowish-ochreous with waved grey line along outer margin. Basal and medial lines black, submarginal line dark brown with wide diffused, greyish-yellow border on inner side. Subterminal field between postmedial and submarginal lines with brown-rufous dentate band, broken in costal part of hindwing. Orbicular spot yellowish-ochreous with wide black border; reniform spot dark brown. Tergite 8th of male is trapezoid in shape. In male genitalia ( Fig. 26 ) valva wide with constriction apically, ventral margin slightly constricted medially. Proximal extension of the aedeagus narrow, short, rounded-trapezoid. Female not examined.

Distribution. North Africa ( Algeria, Egypt, Morocco). The status of this taxon requires further study.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Metachrostis spp., adults. 1. M. dardouini, male, Europe (ZFMK); 2. M. dardouini, male, France (ZISP); 3. M. velox, female, France (ZISP); 4. M. velocior, male, Europe (ZFMK); 5. M. velocior, male, Greece, Creta (ZFMK); 6. M. velocior, male, Turkey, Adana (ZISP); 7. M. velocior, male, Algeria (ZISP); 8. M. griseimargo, male, Algeria (ZISP).

FIGURES 23 – 28. Metachrostis spp., genitalia and tergite 8 of male. 23. M. dardouini, prep. 0 0 47 Matov, Austria, Vindabona, (ZISP); 24. M. velox, prep. 0 0 49 Matov, Italy, Sardinia (ZISP); 25. M. velocior, prep. 0 0 28 Matov, Lebanon, Beirut (ZISP); 26. M. griseimargo, prep. 0 0 50 Matov, Algeria (ZISP); 27. M. djakonovi, holotype, prep. 0 0 27 Matov, East Kazakhstan, Djarkent (ZISP); 28. M. djakonovi, paratype, prep. 0 0 65 Matov, West Kazakhstan, Mangistau (ZISP).