Eupithecia holti Viidalepp, 1973

Mironov, Vladimir & Galsworthy, Anthony, 2014, A survey of Eupithecia Curtis, 1825 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae) in Mongolia with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 3774 (2), pp. 101-130 : 105-106

Eupithecia holti Viidalepp, 1973

( Fig. 4)

Eupithecia holti Viidalepp, 1973 , Entomologicheskoe Obozrenie 52 (2): 397, fig. 1. Holotype ♂ ( ZISP, examined), [ Mongolia]: Uver-Khangai aimak, Kholt.

Misidentification: Eupithecia irriguata: sensu Vojnits, 1975 , 1977 (nec Hübner, [1813]).

This species, belonging to the “ undata ” group, was originally known only from Viidalepp’s unique holotype male from Mongolia, but has now been reported in addition from the Altai Mts. and Tuva in southern Siberia (Mironov, 1990; Mironov et al., 2008 b). The female genitalia are described for the first time. The male genitalia are illustrated in fig. 23.

Female genitalia ( Figs 31 and 32). Bursa copulatrix large, ovate, sclerotized, with membranous diverticulum at anterior end curved to the right side, chaotically and densely, but somewhat variably, covered with small spines except areas near base of diverticulum and ductus seminalis. Ductus bursae not distinguishable. Ductus seminalis broadened at base, attached to centre of corpus bursae on right side. Colliculum plate-like, lightly sclerotized. Antrum short, broad, membranous. Tergite A 8 trapezoid, with a deep V-shaped, membranous medial hollow in posterior margin and narrowly sclerotized anterior margin. Anterior and posterior apophyses short, relatively broad. Papillae anales short, rounded, covered with short setae. The two illustrations show two different forms of the genitalia.

Remarks. The female genitalia of E. holti are closest to those of some allied Chinese species, such as E. apta Mironov & Galsworthy , E. cordata Mironov & Galsworthy , and E. spissata Mironov & Galsworthy. However , the combination of the ovate bursa copulatrix, the characteristic disposition of spines, the evenly curved membranous diverticulum, and the shape of the colliculum and eighth tergite distinguish E. holti from the others. Mongolia (aimags): Bayan-Ulgii, Bulgan, Govi-Altai, Khovd, Tuv, Umnugovi, Uvurkhangai.