Biston panterinaria (Bremer & Grey, 1853)

Jiang, Nan, Xue, Dayong & Han, Hongxiang, 2011, A review of Biston Leach, 1815 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae) from China, with description of one new species, ZooKeys 139, pp. 45-96 : 71-75

Biston panterinaria (Bremer & Grey, 1853) Figs 58-6990-96115, 116129, 130

Amphidasis panterinaria Bremer & Grey, 1853, Beitr. Schmett.-Fauna nord. China: 21, pl. 10, fig. 1. Syntypes, China (north).

Buzura abraxata Leech, 1889, Trans. ent. Soc. Lond., 1889 (1): 143, pl. 9, fig. 14. Syntype(s) ♀, China: Yangzee River, Kiukiang. (BMNH), syn. n.

Culcula panterinaria lienpingensis Wehrli, 1939, in Seitz, Gross-Schmett. Erde, 4 (Suppl.): 266, pl. 20: b. Syntype(s), China: Guangdong, Lienping. (ZFMK), syn. n.

Culcula panterinaria szechuanensis Wehrli, 1939, in Seitz, Gross-Schmett. Erde, 4 (Suppl.): 266, pl. 20: b. Syntype(s), China: Sichuan, Tien-Tsuen. (ZFMK), syn. n.

Culcula panterinaria : Inoue, 1946, Bull. Lepid. Soc. Japan,1 (2): 37.

Biston panterinaria : Sato, 1996, Trans. lepid. Soc. Japan, 47 (4): 223-236.

Diagnosis.

This species is different from other congeners by mimicking the pattern of distasteful or poisonous species of the genus Abraxas Leach. The wings are white and scattered with pale grey markings, which are rarely present basally of the hindwing postmedial line; the base of the forewing is grey and has a large brown patch, accompanied by the yellowish brown antemedial line; the postmedial lines of both wings are yellow, narrow and protruding outwards between M1 and M3, and diffused with dark brown oval patches; the discal spots of both wings are large pale grey dots; the discal spots on the underside of the wings are dark brown centrally. The diagnostic characters of genitalia can be seen in the previous species.

Material examineds.

CHINA, Kwangtung [Guangdong] (ZFMK): Lienping, 1♂ (Syntype of Culcula panterinaria lienpingensis). Sichuan (ZFMK): Tien-Tsuen, 1901, coll. native collectors (chasseurs indigènes de feu le P. Déjean), 1♂ (Syntype of Culcula panterinaria szechuanensis ). Liaoning (IZCAS): Lingyuan, VI.1984, coll. Jin Laiwu, 1♂; Beipiao, VI.1984, coll. Liu Jin, 1♂; Dongling, 2♂. Beijing (IZCAS): Xiangshan, 9.VIII.1936, 1♂; Sanpu, 23.VIII.1972, coll. Zhang Baolin, 2♂; Fangshan, 26-29.VI.1972, coll. Zhang Baolin, 8♂1♀; Baihuashan, 30.VI.1972, 1♀; Pinggu, 9.VII.1975, 1♂; Jinshan, 17.VII.1988, 1♂; Jinshan, 6.VII.1990, 3♂; Huairou, 10.VII.1981, 1♂; Fengtai, 6.VII.1982, 1♂; Yingtaogou, 29.VI.1990, 1♀. Hebei (IZCAS): Zunhua, Dongling, 1♂. Shanxi (IZCAS): Taiyuan, 1♂. Shandong (IZCAS): Qufu, Shimensi, 17.VII.1980, 1♂. Henan (IZCAS): Linzhou, Shibanyan, 22.VII.2006, coll. Sun Hao, 1♂; Dengfeng, 8.VII.1981, 1♀; Baiyunshan, 1300 m, 13.VI.2001, coll. Shen Xiaocheng, 1♂; Baiyunshan, 1400 m, 26-28.VII.2003, coll. Zhang Dandan, 3♂; Baiyunshan, 1550m, 13-15.VIII.2008, coll. Song Wenhui, 1♂; Nanyang, Baotianman, 21.VI.2006, coll. Shen Xiaocheng, 1♂; Xinyang, Jigongshan, 250 m, 20-21.VII.2002, coll. Han Hongxiang, 1♂. Shaanxi (IZCAS): Dali, 10.VII.1981, 1♂; Ankang, 22.V.1981, 1♂; Changqing, Xihan, 9.V.1981, 1♂; Liuba, Miaotaizi, 1350m, 19-21.VII.1998, coll. Yao Jian and Zhu Chaodong, 20♂5♀; Foping, 890-900 m, 26-27.VI.1999, coll. Yao Jian, 1♂1♀. Ningxia (IZCAS):Jingyuan, Hongxia Linchang, 1998 m, 9.VII.2008, coll. Song Wenhui, 1♂. Gansu (IZCAS): Zhouqu, Shatan Linchang, 2350 m, 5.VII.1998, coll. Yuan Decheng, 1♂; Kangxian, Baiyunshan, 1250-1750 m, 12.VII.1998, coll. Wang Shuyong, 1♂; Kangxian, 1000-1400 m, 7-14.VII.1999, coll. Zhang Xuezhong et al., 10♂1♀. Anhui (IZCAS): Jiuhuashan, VII.1981, 1♂. Zhejiang (IZCAS): Moganshan, 11-12.V.1936, coll. O. Piel, 1♂1♀; Lin’an, VI.1981, 1♂; Tianmushan, 20-31.VII.1972, coll. Liu Youqiao et al., 11♂3♀; Lin’an, West Tianmushan, 400 m, 26-30.VII.2003, coll. Han Hongxiang and Xue Dayong, 18♂1♀; Hangzhou, 18.VII.1973, coll. Chen Ruijin, 1♂; Qingyuan, Fengyangshan, Datianping, 1290 m, 6-10.VIII.2003, coll. Han Hongxiang, 5♂; Taishun, Siqianzhen, 250-930 m, 31.VII.-4.VIII.2005, coll. Lang Songyun, 14♂. Hubei (IZCAS): Jingshan, 22.VII.1981, 1♂; Shennongjia, 950 m, 3-16.VII.1980, coll. Yu Peiyu, 8♂1♀; Shennongjia, 600-700 m, 17 –20.VII.– 7.VIII.1998, coll. Zhou Hongzhang et al., 11♂; Xingshan, Longmenhe, 1310 m, 17.VI.1993, coll. Li Wenzhu, 2♂; Xingshan, Xiaohekou, 700 m, 11.V.1994, coll. Li Wenzhu, 1♂; Lichuan, Xingdoushan, 800-860 m, 9. VI– 23.VII.1989, coll. Li Wei and Yang Longlong, 19♂; Xianfeng, 800 m, 4.VI.1989, coll. Li Wei, 2♂; Hefeng, 1240 m, 28.VII.1989, coll. Li Wei, 1♂. Jiangxi (IZCAS): Fengxin, VIII.1980, 1♂; Yifeng, VIII.1979, 1♂; Jinggangshan, 2.VII.1975, coll. Zhang Baolin, 1♂; Jiulianshan, 27-31.VII.1975, coll. Song Shimei, 7♂; Doushui, 7.VII.1975, coll. Song Shimei, 1♂; Lushan, 27. VI– 5.VII.1975, coll. Liu Youqiao, 1♂1♀; Dayu, 550 m, 15.VIII.1985, coll. Wang Ziqing, 1♂. Hunan (IZCAS):Yizhang, 27.VII.1981, 1♂; Yizhang, Mangshan, Senlin Gongyuan, 512-770 m, 13-15.VII.2008, coll. Chen Fuqiang, 1♂; Yongshun, Shanmuhe Linchang, 500-600 m, 3-5.VIII.1998, coll. Chen Yixin et al., 8♂4♀; Guidong, Sidu, 714 m, 9-12.VII.2008, coll. Chen Fuqiang, 1♂; Yanling, Taoyuandong, 631 m, 4-8.VII.2008, coll. Chen Fuqiang, 2♂; Anhua, 22.V.1981, 1♂; Guzhang, Gaowangjie, 850 m, 29.VII.1988, coll. Chen Yixin, 2♂; Fenghuang, 16.IX.1988, coll. Song Shimei, 1♂. Fujian (IZCAS): Mt. Wuyi, Sangang, 10. V– 5.VI.1983, coll. Zhang Baolin et al., 13♂3♀; Mt. Wuyi, 500-700 m, 25-29.VII.2006, coll. Yang Chao et al., 4 ♂; Mt. Wuyi, Sangang, 704 m, 11-14.VIII.2009, coll. Jiang Nan and Xue Dayong, 8♂; Ninghua, 9.VI.1980, 1♂; Sanming, 1.IX.1981, coll. Xiao Hu, 1♂; Jiangle, Longqishan, 200 m, 10.VIII.1991, coll. Song Shimei, 1♂; Shaxian, 3.IX.1979, coll. Lin Naiquan, 1♂. Guangdong (IZCAS): Dinghushan, 16-19.VII.1979, coll. Li Mingjia, 1♂; Luyuan, Nanling, 1020 m, 16-20.VII.2008, coll. Chen Fuqiang, 3♂; Shixing, Chebaling, 365-401 m, 22-26.VII.2008, coll. Chen Fuqiang, 15♂1♀. Hainan (IZCAS): Qiongzhong, Limuling, 620 m, 14-15.V.2007, coll. Han Hongxiang and Lang Songyun, 4♂; Baisha, Yinggeling, 434 m, 5.IV.2008, coll. Lang Songyun, 1♂; Baisha, Hongkan, Shuiku, 553 m, 3-5.V.2009, coll. Yan Keji, 2♂; Wuzhishan, 29.V.1997, coll. Mai Guoqing, 1♂; Wuzhishan, Shuiman, 730-900 m, 3. IV– 9.V.2007, coll. Han Hongxiang and Lang Songyun, 3♂; Ledong, Jianfengling, Tianchi, 982 m, 23.XI.2008, coll. Li Jing, 1♂; Lingshui, Diaoluoshan, 920 m, 29-30.III.2008, coll. Lang Songyun, 4♂. Guangxi (IZCAS): Longsheng, Hongtan, 900 m, 14.VI.1963, coll. Wang Chunguang, 1♂; Mao’ershan, Jiuniutang, 1100-1150 m, 6-10.VII.1985, coll. Fang Chenglai, 2♂; Jinxiu, 400-1100 m, 10-18.V.1999, coll. Han Hongxiang et al., 69♂4♀. Sichuan (IZCAS):Guanxian, Dujiangyan, 700-1000 m, 4.VI.1979, coll. Shang Jinwen, 1♂; Mt. Emei, Qingyinge, 800-1000 m, 23. IV– 16.VII.1957, coll. Zhu Fuxing, 38♂; Jiangjin, Simianshan, 22-26.VI.1981, coll. Zhang Shuli, 2♂; Pengshui, Taiyuan, 750 m, 9.VII.1989, coll. Yang Longlong, 2♂; Wanxian, Wangerbao, 1200 m, 28.V.1994, coll. Li Wenzhu, 2♂. Guizhou (IZCAS): Jiangkou, Fanjingshan, 500 m, 11.VII.1988, coll. Li Wei, 12♂; Leishan, Leigongshan, 1200 m, 3.VII.1988, coll. Yuan Decheng, 1♀; Shiyun, Jinxing, 700 m, 24.VII.1988, coll. Wang Shuyong, 1♂1♀. Yunnan (IZCAS):Baoshan, Baihualing, 1520 m, 11-13.VIII.2007, coll. Wu Chunguang and Xue Dayong, 2♂; Baoshan, Bawan, 1040 m, 8-10.VIII.2007, coll. Xue Dayong, 1♂; Xishuangbanna, Bubang, 700 m, 14.IX.1993, coll. Yang Longlong, 1♂. Tibet (IZCAS): Zayü, Xia Zayü, 1534 m, 26.VIII.2005, coll. Wang Xuejian, 1♂1♀; Mêdog, 871-2095 m, 10-23.VIII.2006, coll. Lang Songyun, 8♂3♀. A large series from many parts of China in coll. ZFMK.

Distribution.

China (Liaoning, Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Hubei, Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet), India, Nepal, Sikkim, Vietnam, Thailand.

Remarks.

For Biston panterinaria six subspecies have been described: Biston panterinaria panterinaria (north China), Biston panterinaria abraxata (Jiangxi, China), Biston panterinaria lienpingensis (Guangdong, China), Biston panterinaria szechuanensis (Sichuan, China), Biston panterinaria sychnospilas (Prout, 1930) (Japan) and Biston panterinaria exanthemata (Moore, 1888) (India, Nepal, Vietnam and Thailand). Sato (1996) believed that there are geographical variations among Biston panterinaria exanthemata in India, Nepal, Sikkim, Vietnam and Thailand. These variations can be found in the appearance and in the male genitalia. He also believed that the four Chinese subspecies exhibit intermediate conditions in colour and patches on wings between Biston panterinaria szechuanensis and Biston panterinaria exanthemata , and the systematic position of the Chinese populations of Biston panterinaria needs further study ( Sato 1996). According to the descriptions of Wehrli (1939), ssp. ab raxata has distinct yellow postmedial lines accompanied by distinct dark brown patches as above, ssp. lienpingensis has the weak postmedial line accompanied with dark brown patches, ssp. szechuanensis has well developed grey markings. However, we consider these differences to be actually intraspecific individual variations. The yellow postmedial lines, the brown patches and the grey markings vary and are differently developed not only among the different populations, but often occur in the same region. For instance, the yellow postmedial line varies from distinct and complete (ssp. abraxata) to incomplete (ssp. lienpingensis), and the variation occurred sympatrically in Jiangxi (Figs 60, 61). The material with well developted grey markings on the wings (ssp. szechuanensis) and the material without well developted grey markings on the wings (ssp. panterinaria) occurred sympatrically in Beijing (Figs 64, 65). What is more, the similar variation occurs in different localities. For example, the form with distinct and almost continuous yellow postmedial line (ssp. abraxata) occurs in Beijing (Fig. 65), besides Jiangxi (Fig. 60); the form similar to the subspecies lienpingensis occurs in Guangdong (Fig. 62), as well as in Zhejiang (Fig. 58) and Sichuan (Fig. 63); the form with well developed grey markings (ssp. szechuanensis) occurs in Beijing (Fig. 64), besides Sichuan (Fig. 59). In the male genitalia, the sinuous ventral margins of the valva vary from strongly to weakly among the material from different localities (Figs 90, 91, 92, 93), or even from the same region, such as Chebaling, Shixing of Guangdong (Figs 94, 95). Thus, we regard the variations as intraspecific individual variations, and treat Biston panterinaria lienpingensis , Biston panterinaria szechuanensis and Biston panterinaria abraxata as synonyms of Biston panterinaria panterinaria . Besides, we find that the material collected from Yunnan and Tibet is identical with Biston panterinaria exanthemata which was redescribed and illustrated by Sato (1996). Hence, we classify the material from Yunnan and Tibet as Biston panterinaria exanthemata (Figs 66-69, 96, 116, 130)(and new to the fauna of China).