Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria (Rogenhofer, 1873) comb. nov.

(figs 8–22, 29–33, 36, 38–40, 42)

Nychiodes phasidaria Rogenhofer, 1873 . Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 23, 572. Syntypes (Caucasus, Achalzik [Akhaltsikhe]) (deposition of type specimen(s) unknown).

Scodonia tekkearia Christoph, 1883. In Romanoff, Mémoires sur les Lépidoptères 2, 123. Holotype ♂ ([Turkmenistan], near Nuchur [Nokhur]). According to Wehrli (1954) deposited in museum of St Petersburg. Wehrli (1941) combined this taxon with Synopsidia . This subspecies is regarded as a junior synonym of Synopsidia phasidaria by Viidalepp (1996). Here confirmed as junior synonym of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria comb. nov., based on morphological examination and sympatric occurrence of these forms.

Synopsia znojkoi Djakonov, 1935 . Lambillionea 35 (7), 142. Syntypes ♂ (Transcaucasus: Paraga, NW of Ordubad). Deposition of type specimen(s) unknown. Examination after Djakonov´s description and illustration of the male genitalia. This subspecies is regarded as a junior synonym of Synopsidia phasidaria by Viidalepp (1996). Here confirmed as junior synonym of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria comb. nov., based on morphological examination and sympatric occurrence of these forms.

Hashtaresia jodes Wehrli, 1936 . Lambillionea 36 (12), 276. Holotype ♂ (NHMUK, examined). Wehrli (1941) combined this taxon with Synopsidia . Hereby regarded as a new synonym of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria based on morphological examination and sympatric occurrence of these forms.

Synopsidia phasidaria ardschira Brandt, 1938 . Entomologische Rundschau 55 (51), 602. Holotype ♂ (NHRS examined). Here-by regarded as a new synonym of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria based on morphological examination and sympatric occurrence of these forms.

Synopsidia phasidaria chiraza Brandt, 1938 . Entomologische Rundschau 55 (51), 602. Syntypes (Iran, Sine-Sefid). (NHRS). Hereby regarded as a new synonym of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria based on morphological examination and sympatric occurrence of these forms.

Synopsidia phasidaria mirabica Wehrli, 1941 . In: Seitz, A. (Ed.), Die Grossschmetterlinge der Erde. Supplement zu Band 4, 464. Syntypes ♂, ♀ (ZFMK, examined). Hereby regarded as a new synonym of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria based on morphological examination and sympatric occurrence of these forms.

Synopsidia phasidaria alvandi Wiltshire, 1966 . Zeitschrift der Wiener Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 51, 146. Holotype ♂ (NHMUK, examined). Hereby regarded as a new synonym of Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria based on morphological examination and sympatric occurrence of these forms.

Type material examined. Synopsidia phasidaria alvandi: Holotype, ♂, Iran, Mt. Alvand, 9000ft. [2743 m], 27.vii.1938, E.P. Wiltshire, g.prep. E.P. Wiltshire 1470; in NHMUK (fig. 9).

Synopsidia phasidaria ardschira: Paratype, 1 ♂, Iran, Fars, Strasse Ardekan-Talochosroe, Comèe [Komehr] (Barm i Firus), ca 3750 m, 4. und 5.vi.1937, coll. Brandt, g.prep. 11026; in NHRS (fig. 8) .

Synopsidia phasidaria jodes: Holotype, ♂, Iran, Hashtar, Demawend, 2500 m, viii.1935, F. Fusek, g.prep. 7100; in NHMUK (fig. 10).

Synopsidia phasidaria mirabica: Syntype, 1 ♂, Nordost-Iran, Kuh i Mirabi, Waldzone, 1600–1900 m, Juli, Exp. Wernicke, g.prep. 0501/2020 D. Wanke; Syntype, 1 ♀, Nord-Iran, Schahkuh, Westabhang, Geröllzone, 1800–2000 m Juni, Exp. Wernicke, g.prep. 0502/2020 D. Wanke; all in ZFMK (figs 11–12) .

Additional material examined. 2 ♀, Iran, Mt. Alvand, 9000 ft. [2743 m], 27.vii.1938, E.P. Wiltshire; in NHMUK .

1 ♂, Iran, Fars, Strasse Chiraz-Kazeroun, Fort Sine-Sefid, ca. 2200 m, Sept.1937, coll. Brandt, g.prep. 11027; 1 ♂, Iran, Fars, Strasse Ardecan-Talochosroe [Ardakan-Talle Khosrow], Comèe [Komehr] (Barm i Firus), ca. 3750 m, 4. und 5.vi.1937, Brandt, g.prep. 11028; in NHRS .

1 ♂, Iran, Kordestan, Baneh 15 km NE, Gharawol-Kaneh [Khaneh], 2000 m, 26./ 27.vi.2009, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, H. Rayai [Rajaei], g.prep. 0213/2019 D. Wanke; in PCJM .

1 ♂, Türkei, Cukurca, Prov. Hakkari, 20.vi.1986, leg. Dittrich, Austria, 16273 coll. R.Wimmer, g.prep.0382/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, 2 ♀, Republic Armenia, Yeranos Mts. 1600 m, Dvin village suburbs, Arat district, 11.–13.vi.2009, leg. Yuriy Shevnin, g.prep. 0381/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Republic Armenia, Yeranos Mts. 1600 m, Dvin village suburbs, Arat district, 14.–15.vi.2009, leg. Yuriy Shevnin, g.preps (♂) 0492/2019 D. Wanke, (♀) 0493/2019 D. Wanke; 2 ♂, Republic Armenia, Yeranos Mts. 1600 m, Dvin village suburbs, Ararat district, 11.vi.2009, leg. Yuriy Shevnin, coll Danny Nilsson, g.prep. 0494/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, Republic Armenia, Aiotzdorsky range, 2000 m, Yeghegnadzor suburbs, 150 km to SE from Yerevan, Mozrov Village, Mountain steppes, 12.vii.2009, leg. Yuriy Shevnin ; 2 ♂, Iran, Prov. Esfahan, Zagros Mts, Fereidun Shar, 3000 m, 15.–17.vi.2010, leg. B. Benedek & T. Hácz , g.preps 0383, 0495/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, NW-Iran, Provinz Chahar Mahal, ca. 35 km SE Aligudarz Seitental SW Murak, Umg. Dorf Darreh Hoz, 1800–2000 m, 13.–15.vi.2001, leg. de Freina, g.prep. 0384/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, [Iran], Azarbeijan-e Gharbi, Takab, Takht-e soleiman, N36°35’40.0’’, E047°19’43.5’’, 2528 m, 1.vii.2013, leg. M. Afsarian, g.prep. 0385/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, Iran, Zanjan, Zanjan-Gilvan, Gargovol Dag, 2500 m, 26./ 27.vi.2001, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, W.G. Tremewan, g.prep. 0386/2019 D. Wanke; all in PCPS .

1 ♂, W-Iran, Lorestan, Dorud, Pass S Darrya-che Gahar, Partsche Kabud, 2800 m, 1.–3.viii.1975, leg. Ebert & Falkner, g.prep. 0195/2018 D. Wanke; 2 ♂, 1 ♀, W-Iran, Kordestan, Strasse Saghez-Baneh, 21 km NE Baneh, 1950 m, 30.[vi.]– 2.vii.1975, leg. Ebert & Falkner, g.preps (♂) 0196/2018 D. Wanke, (♀) 0487/2019 D. Wanke; 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Nordiran, Elbursgebirge östl. Shemshak, 50 km nördl. Teheran, 2100–2500 m, 8.–24.vi.1973, leg. G. Junge, g.preps (♂) 0209/2018, 0489/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, NE-Iran, prov. Ostan-e Khorasan, Kopet Dagh, ca 50 km N Bojnurd, Sizmansufla, N 37°44’20’’, E 57°25’53’’, 10.v.2008, 1240 mNN, lux, leg. R. Trusch, M. Falkenberg & B. Müller, SMNK E-Lep. 247, g.prep. 0488/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, N-Iran, Elburs-Mts., Prov. Tehran, 15km E Gatschsar, 2600 m, 5.viii.1972, leg. Ebert; 1 ♂, N-Iran, Elburs-Geb., 12 km v. Keregi, 1650 m, 27.v.1969, leg. G. Ebert, g.prep. 0490/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, Persia s. [Iran], Elburs, Kendevan, ca. 3000 m, 3.– 9.vii. [year missing], coll. Wagner, Wien; all in SMNK .

3 ♂, 1 ♀, [Turkey], Kleinasien, Prov. Hakkari, 20km E Uludere, Suvarihalil-Pass, 2300–2600 m, 14.–15.vii.[19]85, leg. de Freina, g.preps (♂) 0465, 0466/2019 D. Wanke, (♀) 0467/2019 D. Wanke; 2 ♀, [Turkey], Kleinasien, Prov. Hakkari, Tanin-Tanin-Pass, 2000–2300 m, 12.–13.vii.[19]85, leg. de Freina, g.preps 0468, 0480/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, [Turkey], Kleinasien, Hakkari, Ö-Uludere, 1900 m, 28.–29.vi.1982, leg. W. Thomas, g.prep. (♀) 0469/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, [Turkey], Kleinasien, Hakkari, Tanin-Tanin-Pass, 2000 m, 3.–5.vii.1983, leg. W. Thomas ; 2 ♀, [Tur-key], Kleinasien, Prov. Artvin, NO-Anatolisches Randgebirge SE Seite, Barhal Tal, 4 km NE Altiparmak, 1100 m, 31.vii.–03.viii.[19]83, leg. de Freina ; 1 ♂, Türkei, Prov. Van, Kuzgun Kiran-Gecidi, 1900 m, 21.vi.–8.vii.[19]81, ex. coll. A. Hofmann ; 1 ♂, Türkei, Prov. Agri, 2km S Dogubayasit, 2100 m, 25.vii.[19]92, leg. P. Kautt & V. Weiss, g.prep. 0470/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, 2 ♀, Iran, Ostan Tehran, Reshteh Ye Alborz, Dizin Gardaneh, 2700–3000 m, 5.–8.vii. 1978, leg. W. L. Blom, g.preps (♂) 0471/2019 D. Wanke, (♀) 0472/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Elburz-Geb., Dizin, 2600 m, vii.1976, leg. Czipka ; 1 ♂, Iran, Elburs, Shemshak, 2700 m, 10.–11.viii.1978, leg. W. Thomas , g.prep. 0473/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, Iran, Elburs, Kendevan, 8.–15.viii.1978, 2300–2800 m, leg. W. Thomas ; 1 ♀, Iran, Elburs, vic. Kendevan, 7.–9.viii.1977, 2500–3000 m, leg. W. Thomas, g.prep. 0474/2019 D. Wanke; 9 ♂, 2 ♀, Iran, Zanjan prov., E Zanjan, road to Gilvan, Alt. 1889 m, N36°45’21.8’’, E48°49’20.7’’, 6.vii.2013, leg. H. Rajaei, J.-U. Meineke, B. Hafezi, g.preps (♂) 0105, 0106/2018, 0475, 0476/2019 D. Wanke, (♀) 0477/2019 D. Wanke; 5 ♂, 2 ♀, Iran, Koh-kiluye va Boyerahmad, Yasuj, Sisakht, Dena, 2799 m, 30°57’23.6’’N, 51°23’28.9’’E, 30.vii.2016, leg. Sh. Feizpour, g.preps (♂) 0118/2018, 0484, 0485/2019 D. Wanke, (♀) 0486/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♂, 4 ♀, Iran, Lorestan, Dorud, As-taneh door, 1801 m, 33°24’48.61’’N, 49°08’42.5’’E, 25.vii.2016, leg. Sh. Feizpour, g.preps (♂) 0123/2018 D. Wanke, (♀) 0478, 0496/2019 D. Wanke; 1 ♀, Iran, Azerbaijan-e Gharbi prov., Khoy to Ghotur road, Esteran vill., Alt. 1637 m, N 38°27’03.1’’, E 44°44’33.6’’, 1.vii.2013, leg. J.-U. Meineke, H. Rajaei, B. Hafezi, g.prep. 0299/2019 D. Wanke; 2 ♀, Iran, Shahrud, Shahkouh, Tash, Ayoub, Hosseini region, 2588 m, 36°37’18’’N, 54°33’42.6’’E, 11.vii.2016, leg. Sh. Feizpour , g.prep. 0481/2019 D. Wanke; 2 ♂, Iran, Prov. Golestan, Shahrud-Golestan road, Shahkuh, 2585 m, 36°38’36’’N, 54°31’31’’E, 16.vii.2015, leg. Sh. Feizpour , g.preps 0482, 0483/2019 D. Wanke; all in SMNS .

1 ♂, Iran, Khorassan, Kouh i Binaloud (Meched), 3000 m, 30.vii.1938, coll. Brandt, g.prep. 0503/2020 D. Wanke; in ZFMK .

1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, Fars, Strasse Chiraz-Kazeroun, Fort Sine-Sefid, ca. 2200 m, 26.v.1937, coll. Brandt, both labelled as ‘Paratypoid’; 2 ♂, Iran, Fars, Strasse Ardekan-Talochosroe [Ardakan-Talle Khosrow], Comè [Komehr] ca. 2600 m, 2.viii.1937, coll. Brandt; all in ZSM .

Taxonomic remark on the subspecies. Based on the sympatric occurrence of the forms, absence of clear and constant morphological characters and evidence from the molecular data, most subspecies (except Synopsia phasidaria afghana comb. nov.) are treated as synonym to Synopsia phasidaria phasidaria comb. nov. . All subspecies and forms of S. phasidaria have been described based on small series of specimens, mainly referring to a different wing pattern and differences in the male genitalia (e.g. shape of the uncus, the number of cornuti and differences in the shape of the harpe). Nonetheless, in S. phasidaria all these characters are highly variable even within a single population, which has been stated also by different previous authors (Brandt 1938, Wiltshire 1966) and thus are inadequate as diagnostic characters (see fig. 36).

Furthermore, we observed two kinds of bipectinate antennae in females (short or long pectination) (figs 1 H–I, 2), even in the same populations. However, these specimens with different shape of antennae do not show any correlated diagnostic differences in the wing pattern, genitalia characters, and DNA barcodes (fig. 41). All evidence therefore support the synonymy of these subspecies and lead us to conclude that the structurally different female antennae are intraspecific variation.

Diagnosis. Wings and body (figs 8–22). Wingspan ♂ 26–38 mm, ♀ 32–42 mm, female specimens rarely smaller (forewing length ♂ 15–20 mm, ♀ 17–23 mm). Wing pattern highly variable, ground colour of wings from bright beige or sandy yellow with some brown spots, to brown (sandy yellow with some brown and orange spots in S. phasidaria afghana; similar in S. centralis; beige to brown, spotted dark in S. sociaria). Transverse lines faint or slightly visible (brown in S. phasidaria afghana and S. centralis; black in S. sociaria) (figs 5–7, 23–26).

Male genitalia (figs 29–33, 36). Uncus sclerotized, slightly bifurcate or tip only concave in the centre (sclerotized tip concave in S. centralis; sclerotized and strongly bifurcate in S. sociaria). Gnathos well developed, arms fused, forming a tongue-shaped upturned plate, variable in shape (similar in S. centralis; almost similar in S. phasidaria afghana and S. sociaria). Costa of valva with central projection usually bearing one to three spines (similar in S. phasidaria afghana; without central projection in S. centralis; central projection bearing one to two spines in S. sociaria). Harpe sickle-shaped (similar in S. phasidaria afghana; thumb-shaped in S. centralis; without any harpe in S. sociaria). Aedeagus thick, bearing a small amount of cornuti, from 4 to 8 (5–6 cornuti in S. phasidaria afghana; 8 cornuti in S. centralis; vesica with two groups of cornuti, with a total amount of up to 25 spines in S. sociaria) (figs 27–28, 34–36). Female genitalia (figs 38–40). Apophyses anteriores about half the length of apophyses posteriores (similar in S. sociaria). Ductus bursae sclerotized, short and wide, with longitudinal foldings (wide and sclerotized, hardly any longitudinal foldings in S. sociaria). Corpus bursae, posteriorly sclerotized, anteriorly membranous (membranous in S. sociaria). Signum irregularly star-shaped (similar in S. sociaria, see fig. 37b).

Phenology. Investigated specimens collected from May to September, suggesting that this species has more than one generation per year.

Biology. Larva feeding on Apiaceae and Fabaceae (e.g. Trifolium sp.) (Wehrli 1954).

Habitat. In altitudes from 1100 up to 3750 m.

Distribution. Anatolian-Iranian, from eastern Turkey and southern Armenia, to western, northern and southeastern Iran. In Afghanistan rarely recorded, occurrence so far restricted to the type locality of the subspecies S. phasidaria afghana (see fig. 42).

Genetic data. BIN: BOLD:AAC8929 (n=25). Nearest species: S. sociaria at a distance of only 3.5 %, which underpins the close phylogenetic relationship and thus the synonymy of Synopsidia with Synopsia .

Genetic distance of Synopsia (sensu lato) from species of Palearctic related genera is much larger, i.e. Hypoxystis (represented by pluviaria) (7.1 %), Chariaspilates (represented by formosaria) (8.8 %), Angerona (represented by prunaria) (8.9 %), Siona (represented by lineata) (8.9 %) (fig. 41).