Metachrostis velocior (Staudinger, 1892)

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 : 4-6

Metachrostis velocior (Staudinger, 1892)

( Figs. 5–7 , 25 , 39 )

Thalpochares velocior Staudinger, 1892 , Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. Gesellschaft Iris zu Dresden 5: 288 (Type-locality: Lebanon, Beirut; Turkei, Taurus [Syntypes: MNHU, Berlin]).

Eublemma velocior ssp. deserta (Amsel, 1935), Veröffentlichungen aus dem Deutschen Kolonial und Übersee Museum in Bremen 1(2): 237 (Type-locality: Israel [Syntypes: MNHU, Berlin]) (subspecies).

Material examined. 7 ex., Greece, Pelopones Monemvasien, 6–8.vi.1972; 4 ex., Creta, Assites, 550 m, 5.vii.1982 [Coll. H. Reisser, Wien]; 1 ex., Turkey, Theemeshos, 800 m, 30.v.1974 (R. Foret) [coll. ZFMK]; 3 ex., Gallia; 4 ex., Montpellier (ex coll. Ershov), prep. 0 0 31 Matov; 3 ex., Guinard (ex coll. Eversmann); 1 ex., Algerie (ex coll. Gr. Prince Nikolaj Mikhajlovich), prep. 0 0 57 Matov; 1 ex., Italy, Isola d’Ella, Porto Azzurro, 16. ix.1996 (A.A. Nekrasov, ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov); 1 ex., Malta, Bingemma, 1.x.2004 (P. Sammut, ex coll. M. Fibiger), prep. 0 0 43 Matov; 1 ex., Greece, Peloponnes, Lakonias, Ellinikon, 700 m, 30. ix.–1.x.1991 (F. Schepler, ex coll. M. Fibiger); 1 ex., Türkei, Prov. Adana, 15 km NÖ Adana, Buruk Köyü, 50 m, N 37°03’ E 35°23’, 6. ix.1983 (H. Hacker, ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov), prep. 0 0 66 Matov; 1 ex., Ordubad (ex coll. Gr. Prince Nikolaj Mikhajlovich); 2 ex., 1.vi.1934, Ordubad (M.A. Rjabov), prep. 0 0 48 Matov; 1 ex., Helendorf (ex coll. Gr. Prince Nikolaj Mikhajlovich); 1 ex., Jerevan, 5–6.v.1947 (G. Azarjan); 1 ex., Arax river, Darasham station, 29.vi.1931 (M.A. Rjabov); 3 ex., Darasham II, 20–23.v.1934 (M.A. Rjabov); 2 ex., Negram, 19.v.1934 (M.A. Rjabov); 2 ex., Migry, 7.v.1937 (M.A. Rjabov), prep. 0 0 33 Matov; 1 ex., Jerevan, 11.vii.1934 (M.A. Rjabov); 1 ex., vicinity of Jerevan, zoo, 20.v.1955 (Vardikjan); 1 ex., Germachatakh, 22.vi.1936 (M.A. Rjabov); 1 ex., Djuga, 15.vi.1937 (M.A. Rjabov); 2 ex., Nakhichevan, Ordubad district, Bilav village, 24.v.1957 (A.K. Zaguljaev), prep. 0 0 58 Matov; 1 ex., Transcaspia, Imam-baba, 11.v.1912 (V.I. Kozhanchikov); 1 ex., Turkmenia, Kara-Kala, Sjumy, ix.1931 (Petrishcheva); 2 ex., Turkmenia, West Kopet-Dagh, vicinity of Kara- Kala, Parkhaj, 16.vi.1983 (A.L. Devjatkin, ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov); 1 ex., Beirut (ex coll. Ershov), prep. 0 0 28 Matov [coll. ZISP].

Diagnosis. M. velocior differs from the similar M. velox by the rufous (not brown) band in the subterminal field between postmedial and submarginal lines on forewing, and by the shape of the proximal extension of the aedeagus in male genitalia.

Description. Adult ( Figs. 5–7 ). Wingspan 17–28 mm. Head, thorax and abdomen pinky-brown. Wing coloration pinkish-ochreous (European specimens), or rufous-ochreous (specimens from Transcaucasia, Turkmenistan, Middle East and North Africa) with wide greyish-yellow suffusion along outer margin. All lines are brown or rufous-brown in specimens from Transcaucasia and Turkmenistan. Submarginal line with wide greyish-yellow border from inner side. The specimens from Transcaucasia and Turkmenistan with very thin hardly traceable submarginal line, but its inner border is wide. Subterminal field between postmedial and submarginal lines with rufous dentate band, broken in costal part of hindwing. Orbicular spot pinkish-white or rufous-ochreous in specimens from Transcaucasia and Turkmenistan with wide brown or rufous-brown border; reniform spot brown or rufous-brown. Tergite 8th of male rectangular, its length slightly exceeding its height. In male genitalia ( Fig. 25 ) valva wide with parallel margins, ventral margin slightly constricted medially. Proximal extension of the aedeagus narrow, short, ovoid, or rounded-trapezoid. In female genitalia ( Fig. 39 ) antrum extended proximally; ductus bursae 3 times narrower than antrum.

Distribution. Southern Europe: Italy (south of the peninsula and Sicily), south Balkans, Bulgaria, Greece (including Crete); Turkey, Cyprus; Transcaucasia: Armenia, Azerbaijan; Transcaspia: Turkmenistan; Middle East: Syria, Lebanon; Israel, Jordan. In Israel and Jordan the species is represented by ssp. deserta. The specimens from Transcaucasian and Turkmenistan populations have some differences in external appearance and could represent a separate subspecies.

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).

FIGURES 37 – 45. Eublemminae spp., female genitalia. 37. Metachrostis dardouini, prep. 0 0 59 Matov, Hungary, Gant (ZISP); 38. M. velox, prep. 0 0 64 Matov, France (ZISP); 39. M. velocior, prep. 0 0 43 Matov, Malta (ZISP); 40. M. quinaria, prep. 0 0 42 Matov, North India (ZISP); 41. M. sinevi, paratype, prep. Dubatolov, in glycerine, Russia, Khabarovsk terr.; 42. Odice arcuinna, prep. 0 0 63 Matov, Hungary (ZISP); 43. Eublemma amoena, prep. 4767 GB, Spain (ZFMK); 44. Eublemma melabela, prep. 0 0 52 Matov (ZISP); 45. Rhypagia lacernaria, prep. 0 0 61 Matov, Spain (ZISP).