Dahlica (Brevantennia) santicensis (Sieder, 1957), 2022

Rekelj, Jurij, Predovnik, Zeljko, Huemer, Peter & Lopez-Vaamonde, Carlos, 2022, Systematics of Slovenian Dahlica Enderlein, 1912, subgenus Brevantennia Sieder, 1953 (Lepidoptera, Psychidae), Nota Lepidopterologica 45, pp. 207-232 : 207

Dahlica (Brevantennia) santicensis (Sieder, 1957) stat. rev.

Figs 3a, b , 4a-c , 5 , 8a, b , 9 , 10 , 11

Solenobia (Brevantennia) santicensis Sieder, 1957: 108.

Brevantennia gorskikotarica = Brevantennia gorskikotarica Weidlich, 2015, syn. nov. Type locality: Mrzla Vodica, Crni Lug, Gorski Kotar, Croatia.

Material examined.

Lectotype. Labelled as follows: 1. White label bordered in red: Det. L. Sieder 1957, Sol. Brevant. Dahlica santicensis Sied. Typus ♂; 2. White label: 18.5.56, Warmb.-Villach, Kärnten, leg. L. Sieder; 3. Red label: LECTOTYPUS, Dahlica (Brevantennia) santicensis , (Sieder, 1957), designated by Rekelj J. et al. 2022 (Fig. 3a ).

The lectotype is deposited in the NHMW [Hauptsammlung - Psychidae ].

The total number of syntypes is unknown (in the original description Sieder unfortunately does not specify the number of specimens of the type material), but it must be larger than those we found in the museum (NHMW) in Vienna: Austria • Kärnten, Warmbad-Villach; 1♂, 11.v.1956; 3♂♂, 16.v.1956; 6♂♂, 17.v.1956; 5♂♂, 18.v.1956; 1♂, 19.v.1956; 1♂, 26.v.1956; 1♂, 29.v.1956; 2♂♂, 26.iv.1957; 1♂, 25.iv.1959; 1♂, 1.v.1959; 1♂, 8.v.1959; 1 larval case, 18.v.1956 [labeled as a "Sack-Typus ♂ " - Fig. 3b ]; 6 larval cases, (iv/v)1956; 1 larval case, 28.iv.1957; 1 larval case, 28.v.1957; all leg. L. Sieder; coll. NHMW.

Other material.

Austria • 1♂; Kärnten, Warmbad-Villach ; 16.v.1956, leg. L. Sieder ; coll. PCMP • 9♂♂, 10♀♀, with larval cases; Kärnten, Warmbad-Villach ; 540 m; 28.iv.2013 (e.p. 28.-30.iv.2014); leg. J. Rekelj ; 5♂♂ genit. prep. №:184-188, Rekelj; coll. PCJR • 12♂♂, 2♀♀, with larval cases; Kärnten, Faaker Zee ; 540 m; 21.iv.2013 (e.p. 25-30.iv.2014); leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 1♂, 1♀, with larval cases; Kärnten, Loibltal ; 700 m; 17.iii.2012 (e.p. 20.iii.2012); leg. J. Rekelj ; DNA barcode sample: 1♂ TIPSY620-12; coll. PCJR • 2♂♂, with larval cases; Osttirol, Lengberg ; 800m, 4.iv.2010 e.l.; leg. H. Deutsch ; DNA barcode sample: 1♂ TIPSY155-12; 1♂ genit. prep. №: 234, Rekelj; coll. PCJR. Slovenia • 1♂, with larval case; Gorenjska, Gozd Martuljek ; 740 m; 7-9.v.2002; leg. M. Lasan ; genit. prep. №: 313, Rekelj; coll. PCML • 20♂♂, 5♀♀, with larval cases; same locality; 710 m; 28.iv.2013, (e.p. 1-5.v.2013); leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 26♂♂, 3♀♀, with larval cases; same locality; 10.iv.2014 (e.p. 17-22.iv.2014); leg. J. Rekelj ; 5♂♂ genit. prep. №: 214-218; Rekelj coll. PCJR • 1♂, with larval case; Gorenjska, Rateče; 850 m; 10.iv.2014 (e.p. 22.iv.2014); leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 1♂, with larval case; Julijske Alpe, Mala Mojstrovka ; 1600 m; 17.iv.2011 (e.p. 1.v.2011); leg. J. Rekelj ; DNA barcode sample: TIPSY125-12; 1♂ genit. prep. №: 233, Rekelj; coll. PCJR • 1♂, with larval case; same locality; 9.v.2020 (e.p. 11.v.2020); leg. J. Rekelj ; genit. prep. №: 380, Rekelj; coll. PCJR • 2♀♀, with larval cases, several empty larval cases; Julijske Alpe, Zgornja Trenta, Mlinarica ; 1100 m; 9.v.2020, (e.p. 10.v.2020); leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 8♂♂, 12♀♀, with larval cases; Julijske Alpe, Strmec na Predelu ; 1015 m; 21.v.2017; (e.p. 25-30.v.2017); leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 27♂♂, 2♀♀, with larval cases; same locality; 9.v.2020, (e.p. 9-15.v.2020); leg. J. Rekelj ; 5♂♂ genit. prep. №: 284-287, Rekelj; coll. PCJR • 3 larval cases with ♂ exuvia, 1 larval case with ♀ exuvia; Cerkno, Kladje ; 780m; 21.vi.2017; leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 2♂♂, with larval cases, several old cases; Zgornja Sorica [road to Soriška Planina]; 940 m; 23.iii.2019, (e.p. 1-9.iv.2019); leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 1♂, 3♀♀, with larval cases, several empty larval cases; Naklo, Gradišče; 380 m; 16.iv.2016 (e.p. 17.iv.2016); leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 9♂♂, 7♀♀, with larval cases; Kamniško Savinjske Alpe, Črnivec pod Plešivcem; 900 m; 14.iv.2013 (e.p. 20., 25.iv.2013); DNA barcode sample : 1♂ TIPSY672-15; 5♂♂ genit. prep. №: 228-2232, Rekelj ; leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 6♂♂, with larval cases, same locality; 9.iii.2014 (e.p. 20-22.iii.2014); leg. J. Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 1♂, 5♀♀, with larval cases; Kamniško Savinjske Alpe, Raduha, Strmec [ Pečovnik]; 730 m; 19.iv.2014 (e.p. 20-24.iv.2014); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; DNA barcode sample: 1♂ TIPSY736-15, 1♀ TIPSY734-15; coll. PCŽP • 1♀, with larval case, 3 adult larvae; same locality; 4.iv.2015 (e.l.-e.p. 14.iv.2015); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • 3♀, with larval cases; Pohorje, Oplotnica, Cezlak-Lukanja [Oplotnica creek]; 789 m; 29.iii.2014 (e.p. 4-6.iv.2014); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; DNA barcode sample: 1♀ TIPSY733-15; coll. PCŽP • 1♀, with larval cases; same locality; 28.iii.2015 (e.l. 22.4.2014); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • 1♀, with larval cases; same locality; 11.iv.2015 (e.l. 21.iv.2014); leg Ž. Predovnik; coll. PCŽP • 1♀, with larval case; Mrzlo polje [ Gračnica creek]; 392 m; 28.iii.2012 (e.p. 5.iv.2012); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; DNA barcode sample: 1♀, TIPSY718-15; coll. PCŽP • 1♀, with larval case; same locality; 13.iii.2014 (e.p. 18.iii.2014); leg Ž. Predovnik; coll. PCŽP • 2♂, with larval cases; Kalce [Logatec], Hrušica, Laniše; 640 m; 23.iii.2012 (e.p. 2.iv., 7.iv.2012); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; DNA barcode sample: 1♂ TIPSY628-12; coll. PCŽP • 1♂, with larval case; Notranjska, Nanos; 1250 m; 31.v.2004, leg J. Skyva; genit. prep. №: 367, Rekelj ; coll. PCJR • 27 old larval cases, Želimlje, Kurešček [Stara žaga]; 680 m; 14.i.2012; leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • 2♂♂, with larval cases; same locality; 23.iii.2012 (e.l.-e.p. 2.iv.2012); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; DNA barcode sample: 1♂ TIPSY629-12; 1 ♂ genit. prep. №:118, Rekelj; coll. PCŽP • 2♂♂, with larval cases; same locality; 5.iv.2013 (e.p. 15-16.iv.2013); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; 1♂ genit. prep. №:122, Rekelj; coll. PCŽP • 6♂♂, 4♀♀, with larval cases; same locality; 12.iv.2014 (e.p. 2., 13., 14., 15., 18.iv.2013); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; 4♂♂ genit. prep. №:119-122 Rekelj; coll. PCŽP • 7♂, 1♀, with 61 larval cases; Ribnica, Retje ; 843 m; (15.iv.2013 (e.p. 25-27.iv.2013); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; 4♂♂, genit. prep. №:103, 115-117, Rekelj; coll. PCŽP • 44♂♂, 58♀♀, with 150 larval cases, fresh exuviae ♂, 4 adult larvae; same locality; 12.iv.2014 (e.l.-e.p. 12-22.iv.2014); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; DNA barcode sample: 1♂ TIPSY742-15; 6♂, genit. prep. №:104-107, 113,114, Rekelj; coll. PCŽP • 2♂♂, with 8 larval cases; same locality; 30.iii.2015 (e.p. 9-10.iv.2015); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP and PCJR • 15 larval cases, exuviae ♂♂ and ♀♀, Podplanina, Trava ; 660 m; 7.iv.2012; leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • 2♀, with larval cases; same locality; 12.iv.2014 (e.p. 16.iv., 21.iv.2014), [ca.10 minutes long copula: 1♂ Retje x 1♀ Trava]; leg. Ž. Predovnik ; DNA barcode sample: 1♀ TIPSY741-15; coll. PCŽP • Several old cases, exuviae ♂ and ♀; Paski Kozjak [Mountain Lodge]; 1028 m; 17.ii.2019; leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • 2♂, 7♀, with larval cases; 13.iv.2019 (e.p. 14.iv-22.iv. 2019); leg. Ž. Predovnik; coll. PCŽP • 17 old larval cases; Mislinja, Tolsti vrh [Polenica creek]; 805 m; 23.xii.2018; leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • 4♂, 7♀, with larval cases; same locality; 13.iv.2019 (ex.p. 16.iv-22.iv.2019); leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • A few old larvae cases; Sodražica, Zg. Globel, Ravni vrh; 728 m; 30.iii.2015; leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • 3 old larvae cases; Velike Lašče, Mala Slevica ; 608 m; 15.iii.2015; leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP • 2 old larvae cases; Ribnica, Breg pri Ribnici na Dolenjskem ; 494 m; 30. iii.2015; leg. Ž. Predovnik ; coll. PCŽP.

Diagnosis.

(Figs 9 , 10 ) D. santicensis can easily be distinguished from the wide- cloaking scaled species: D. pinkeri (class III-IV), D. adriatica (class IV-V), D. herrmanni (class IV-V) and D. estrela (class V-VI) by the narrower cloaking scales (class II-III), and also by the different genital index.

D. santicensis (0.64-0.80) differs from D. reliqua (0.94-0.956), D. styriaca (0.99-1.14) and D. ilonae (1.19-1.24), by a much lower genital index and more distinct pattern on the forewings.

D. triglavensis is distinguished by smaller class of cloaking scales (I-II), more unclear and less noticeable pattern and much lighter ground colour of forewings. Fringes are lighter creamy silver, the apex of the forewing in the area of stigma is creamy and noticeably brighter.

D. santicensis is most similar to the D. siederi by the genital index and class of cloaking scales, but Solenobia siederi is distinguished by lighter (yellowish white) pattern on fore wings, noticeably brighter (creamy silver) apex of the forewing in the stigma area and by the brighter (whitish silver) fringes on forewing.

Redescription.

Male (Figs 3a , 4a ). Exp. 10 to 13 mm, forewing length 4.5-6 mm. Specimens very variable in size and colouring. Head: Vertex and frons (Fig. 8a, b ) covered with yellowish grey to grey dense hairs, labial palpi small, covered with grey hairs. Eyes small, black, ocelli lacking. Antennae relatively short, in most specimens not exceeding half length of the costal margin of the forewings, with 27-34 segments (n = 25), including scapus and pedicellus, filiform (in original description Sieder states 30-34 segments). Ventral to the first third, usually covered with broad, light creamy scales, with three to four short tines, especially when the vertex hairs are light creamy. If the hairs are darker, yellowish grey, then the antennae scales are (in first third) mixed with darker scales. In the second third, the scales become darker and gradually to the apex narrower and sparser. Forewings : (Figs 3a , 4a , 10 ) length 2.3 times exceeding its width (n = 4). The ground colour of forewings greyish brown. Pattern (bright spots) light grey to greyish white, distinct and well expressed, more strongly than at the other narrow scales Dahlica subgenus Brevantennia species. Discal and anal spot less well expressed or no recognizable. Cloaking scales with two to four, mostly with three short tines, classified into class II and III. Fringes silvery greyish, coloured strongly at the base, long, with two to four tines. Forewing venation with nine veins, originates from the discoidal cell. Vein pcu less well expressed, accessory cell present (n = 5). Hindwings : Colour greyish brown. Fringes medium length, with two to three tines, brightly coloured than the basic colour of hindwings. Venation with six veins originates from the discoidal cell. Veins m2 and m3 very variable, separated or approximated at the base, sometimes also fused for a short distance - class IV, V or VI. All three classes of venation differ greatly, depending on the location, or even the year of collecting specimens. Thorax: Colour greyish brown, in brighter specimens grading into creamy brown. Legs greyish brown, foretibia without epiphysis. Midtibia with one pair of spurs, hindtibia with two pairs. All legs with five tarsal segments. Abdomen: Dark brown colour, becoming lighter towards the genitalia. Terminal segments covered with creamy or pale yellow hairs. Genitalia: Typical for Dahlicini . Tegumen relatively broad, with a shallow groove at the front. Valva narrow and long. Dorsal margin of valva towards the top slightly curved, apex slightly extended, without any special characteristics. Clavus long, pointed and curved at the end. Phallus quite short, curved, without specifics. Genital index 0.64-0.80, average 0.72 (n = 52). The index varies depending on location, as expressed in Fig. 5 .

Female (Fig. 4b ). Wingless, ground colour pale yellow, with broad, light brown plates dorsally. Freshly hatched specimens having a slight greenish appearance. Dimensions: three mm long and less than one mm wide. Eyes small, black, ocelli lacking. Antennae short with three to seven segments (including scapus and pedicellus). Tibiae of forelegs without epiphysis, all legs usually with three-segmented tarsi, fused tarsi in two segments rare but present. 7th abdominal segment densely covered with creamy white hairs.

Female exuvia pale brown colour, curved - typical for the subgenus Dahlica Brevantennia .

Larval cases.

Typical for Dahlicini , cases are small, more or less round and slightly rounded on the edges. They are composed of finely chewed dark brown particles of bark, small pieces of soil and brighter pieces of sand. There is an inevitable slight deviation in composition of larval cases as a result of the different surfaces available in the natural habitat. Male larval cases are 5.5-6.5 mm long and 2 mm wide; female cases are smaller, 4.5-5 mm long and 1.5 mm wide.

Morphological variation.

We noticed considerable variation between populations and also between specimens from the same population, reflected in the colour of the dense vertex hairs, intensity of wing colouration and the genital index. Northern populations (Warmbad-Villach, Strmec na Predelu, Gozd Martuljek) have mostly yellowish-grey coloured vertex hairs, but among those we also found about 10% grey-coloured specimens. Their abundance increases towards the south and in southern localities (Retje, Trava) only grey-coloured specimens can be found. Differences between dense vertex hair colours are shown in Fig. 8a, b .

Intensity of wing colouration is also quite variable, but it seems that is not location dependent. Within one population (Gozd Martuljek locality) we found specimens with intensive colouration alongside more pale specimens.

Differences related to the geography of the locality are also noticeable in the genital index. Higher values were found in moths from northern locations of a more alpine character. Southern locations produce lower values, but they do not fall linearly proportionate to the latitude and the values are overlapping. Comparison of genital indexes with locations is expressed in Fig. 5 .

Morphologically, the nearest species to D. santicensis is D. siederi (Weidlich, 2015), which has the same class of cloaking scales (II-III) and shows almost the same genital index (Fig. 9 ).

Synonymy.

Weidlich (2015) described D. gorskikotarica from Croatia - Gorski Kotar. We have examined the following material from the type locality: Croatia • 8 larvae, 1 old exuviae ♀, Gorski Kotar, Crni Lug, Mrzla Vodica; 880 m; 18.x.2015; leg. J. Rekelj; coll. PCJR • 14♂♂, 8♀♀, with larval cases, same locality; 2.iv.2017 (e.p. 6-10.iv.2017); leg. J. Rekelj, 5♂♂ genit. prep. №: 370-374, Rekelj; coll. PCJR • 19♂♂, 6♀♀, with larval cases; Gorski Kotar, Crni Lug, Vela Voda; 747 m; 2.iv.2017 (e.p. 6-10.iv.2017); leg. J. Rekelj; 5♂♂ genit. prep. №: 375-379, Rekelj; coll. PCJR.

In addition, we have DNA barcoded one specimen from the type series (DNA barcode sample: LEATC004-13) from Mrzla Vodica. This specimen falls within the same BIN (BOLD:AAQ1227) as D. santicensis (Suppl. material 1: Table S1). In addition, we found no diagnostic morphological character (forewing colouration and pattern, class of cloaking scales and genital index) to distinguish D. gorskikotarica from Slovenian populations of D. santicensis . Both molecular and morphological data show that D. gorskikotarica is a synonym of D. santicensis :

Figures

Figure 3. D. santicensis. a. Lectotype male with original labels in NHMW; b. Syntype male (mislabelled as neotype), larval case with original labels in NHMW.

Figure 4. D. santicensis. a. Fresh adult male resting on rock, Gozd Martuljek; b. Fresh adult female transmitting pheromones, Gozd Martuljek; c. Mixed forest with Scots pine, natural habitat of D. santicensis, Gozd Martuljek, 740 m.

Figure 5. Graphical representation of genital indexes on different localities of D. santicensis.

Figure 8. Heads, colouration of vertex and frons dense hairs. a. D. santicensis, Gozd Martuljek; b. D. santicensis, Retje, Ribnica; c. D. triglavensis, Jurckov vrh, Belca; d. D. triglavensis, Kanin; e. D. adriatica, Potok Mrzlek; f. D. styriaca, Haeuslberg bei Leoben.

Figure 9. Graphical representation of genital indexes and classes of cloaking scales of all species in subgenus Dahlica Brevantennia (after Arnscheid and Weidlich 2017, enriched by our own investigations).

Figure 10. Comparison of patterns and cloaking scales of male forewings: Slovenian and surrounding subgenus Dahlica Brevantennia species.

Figure 11. Distribution map of subgenus Dahlica Brevantennia species in Slovenia. 1. Prelovce, Vremscica; 2. Potok Mrzlek, Ribnica; 3. Zlebovi, Koritnice; 4. Devin, Zupnica; 5. Slavnik; 6. Mislice, Brkini; 7. Pregarje, Huje; 8. Obrov, Brkini (Weidlich 2012); 9. Gozd Martuljek; 10. Ratece, Gorenjska; 11. Mala Mojstrovka; 12. Mlinarica, Zg. Trenta; 13. Strmec na Predelu; 14. Kladje, Cerkno; 15. Zgornja Sorica; 16. Gradisce, Naklo; 17. Crnivec pod Plesivcem; 18. Strmec, Raduha; 19. Cezlak, Oplotnica; 20. Tolsti vrh, Mislinja; 21. Paski Kozjak; 22. Mrzlo Polje, Gracnica; 23. Lanise, Hrusica; 24. Nanos; 25. Kurescek, Zelimlje; 26. Mala Slevica, Velike Lasce; 27. Ravni vrh, Sodrazica; 28. Retje, Ribnica; 29. Breg pri Ribnici na Dolenjskem; 30. Trava, Podplanina; 31. Triglav, Julijske Alpe; 32. Kanin, Julijske Alpe; 33. Mangart, Julijske Alpe; 34. Stol, Karavanke; 35. Belca, Karavanke.