Scopula orientalis (Alphéraky, 1876)

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 : 21-22

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5359.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:11CC5175-7CCE-453F-88EB-3490E82F4972
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/D52D6D50-FF97-FFD5-FF6F-FD7BFBE2DBFE
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Scopula orientalis (Alphéraky, 1876)
status

Treatment

Scopula orientalis (Alphéraky, 1876) View in CoL

( Plate 5, Figs 10–11; Plate 14 View PLATE 14 , Fig. 2; Plate 23 View PLATE 23 , Fig. 2; Map 5)

Acidalia decorata var. orientalis Alphéraky, 1876 . Trudy Russkago entomologicheskago obshchestva, 8: 197. Lectotype ♁, designated by Hausmann (2004) (southwestern European Russia, Taganrog) (in ZISP).

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

Material examined: 5 ♁/ ♀ (see appendix).

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♁ ♀ 24–29 mm (Hausmann 2004). In Iran, Scopula orientalis can externally be confused with S. ornata , S. decorata , S. subtilata and in rare cases maybe S. transcaspica in Iran. Therefore, characters are compared against these species only. Ground colour ( Plate 5, Figs 10–11) white (similar in S. ornata ; creamy white in S. decorata and S. subtilata ; variable in S. transcaspica ). Forewing apex white (similar in S. ornata ; spotted in S. decorata , S. subtilata and S. transcaspica ). Dotted lines of the terminal area grayish-brown (greyish-blue in S. ornata , S. subtilata and S. transcaspica ; dark grayish-brown in S. decorata ). Double spots along postmedial line grayish-brown (brown in S. ornata , S. decorata and S. subtilata ; absent in S. transcaspica ) (see Plate 5, Figs 8–15; Plate 6, Figs 1–6).

In the male genitalia socii broad, rounded (slender in S. ornata ; long, crossed in S. decorata ; crossed in S. subtilata ; broad in S. transcaspica ). Vesica without cornutus (similar in S. ornata ; with one small cornutus in S. decorata ; with one straight cornutus in S. subtilata ; with one cornutus in S. transcaspica ). 8th sternite stout, both cerata broad, stout and strongly curved (sternite longish, posteriorly broad, both cerata long and thin in S. ornata ; sternite laterally concave, right ceras long and curved, left ceras short in S. decorata ; sternite laterally concave, both cerata medium sized in S. subtilata ; sternite laterally concave, both cerata long, left sometimes shortened in S. transcaspica ) (see Plate 14 View PLATE 14 , Figs 1–3; Plate 15 View PLATE 15 , Figs 1–3).

In the female genitalia lamella antevaginalis, unspectacular sclerotized (anterior margin smooth, central fold V-shaped in S. ornata ; as flat rectangular sclerite, slightly longer than wide in S. decorata ; as flat rectangular sclerite, laterally concave in the basal half in S. subtilata ; as flat sclerite, shape variable, rather wider than long in S. transcaspica ). Signum as long sclerite (elongated and narrow, consisting of small spinules in S. ornata ; absent in S. decorata , S. subtilata and S. transcaspica ) (see Plate 23 View PLATE 23 , Figs 1–6; Plate 24 View PLATE 24 , Fig. 1).

Phenology. Univoltine species, flying from mid-May to early July (Hausmann 2004). Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from June to July.

Biology. Unknown.

Habitat. In Europe from 200 m to 1100 m, in Turkey to 1800 m (Hausmann 2004) . Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from 2000 m to 3200 m.

Distribution. In Europe with isolated populations in Macedonia and Bulgaria; Ukraine and south European Russia; southern Urals (Hausmann 2004). Distributed in Turkey, the Caucasus and Transcaucasus, Iran and Central Asia ( Viidalepp 1996; Hausmann 2004). In Iran distributed in northern and southern parts (Map 5). Reported in the literature also for the provinces Fars, Mazandaran and Tehran ( Prout 1912 –1916; Brandt 1939; Schwingenschuss 1939; Wehrli 1939 –1954; Sutton 1963; Lehmann & Zahiri 2011).

DNA-barcoding. Nearest species: S. transcaspica with 9.2 % (see Supplementary Table S1).

MAP 5. Distribution patterns of the Scopula species S. orientalis and S. decorata in Iran.