Scopula ansulata ( Lederer, 1871 )

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 : 15-16

Scopula ansulata ( Lederer, 1871)

( Plate 4, Figs 1–4; Plate 12 , Fig. 1; Plate 22 , Fig. 1; Map 3)

Acidalia ansulata Lederer, 1871 . Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae, variis sermonibus in Rossia usitatis editae, 8, 19. Syntypes 2 ♁ 1 ♀ ([ Iran]: Hadschyabad ) (in MNHU, examined).

Type material examined. Syntypes [labeled with origin], 1 ♁, 1 ♀, Iran, [Hadschyabad], ex coll. Staudinger; in MNHU .

MAP 3. Distribution patterns of the Scopula species S. ansulata , S. adulteraria , S. immorata riloensis and S. tesselaria in Iran.

Additional material examined: 55 ♁/ ♀ (see appendix).

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♁ ♀ 24–28 mm. Due to its unique wing pattern, Scopula ansulata cannot be confused with any other Scopula species in Iran. Ground colour ( Plate 4, Figs 1–4) ivory to beige, with some grey-brown highlights; transverse lines well pronounced and characteristic curved (wings reddish brown in S. adulteraria ) (see Plate 4, Figs 1–6). The male genitalia ( Plate 12 , Fig. 1) and the female genitalia ( Plate 22 , Fig. 1), show no diagnostic characters for differentiation from the sister species S. adulteraria .

Phenology. Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from April to July.

Biology. Unknown.

Habitat. Investigated specimens in Iran from 1000 m to 2900 m.

Distribution. This species is distributed from Iran and Central Asia ( Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tadjikistan) to northwestern China ( Viidalepp 1996, Sihvonen 2005b). In Iran it is distributed in the northeastern parts (see Map 3). It has also been reported in the literature for the provinces Golestan, Khorasan-e Shomali and Semnan.

DNA-barcoding. No data available.

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 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.