Rhodostrophia terrestraria terrestraria ( Lederer, 1869 )

Rajaei, Hossein, Hausmann, Axel & Trusch, Robert, 2022, Taxonomic review of the genus Rhodostrophia Hübner, 1823 (Geometridae: Sterrhinae) in Iran, Zootaxa 5118 (1), pp. 1-64 : 18-20

Rhodostrophia terrestraria terrestraria ( Lederer, 1869)

( Figs 13–17 , 66–2 , Map 4 )

Eusarca terrestraria Lederer, 1869 : Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae, 6: 90, pl. 5, fig. 9. Type material: Lectotype 1 ♂, ([ Iran],Astrabad [Gorgan], Lederer 1869) (examined. In the original description two male specimens mentioned as syntypes. We found only one male specimen from the Lederer collection in NHMW; hereby a lectotype is designated in order to stabilize nomenclature. Beside, one female specimen from the type locality, also from the Lederer collection is available in NHMW, which is not mentioned in the original description, but latter by Lederer 1871: 20).

Rhodostrophia terrestraria furialis Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. ( Figs 15–17 , Map 4 ): Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 31(3): 865, pl. 28, fig. 2. Type material examined: Lectotype ♂ (examined. In the original description a holotype is not mentioned, but the type series is labeled as holotype and paratype; hereby a lectotype designated in order to stabilize nomenclature): ‘ Iran Khorassan, Kouh i Binaloud (Meched), 3500 m 28.7.1938, coll. Brandt’, ‘ Holotype, Rhodostrophia furialis Brdt. ’, ’45, 60’, ‘Preparation, WBS.16’, ‘2:75, R.M.prep. 3710’, ‘ Lectotypus ♂, Rhodostrophia furialis Brandt, 1941 , design. Rajaei, Hausmann & Trusch’ in coll. NHRS. Paralectotype, 1 ♀, same data as lectotype, ‘ Allotype, Rhodostrophia furialis Brdt. ’, NHRS-LEPI 000010271, g.p. 11018 H. Rajaei; 1 ♂, same data as lectotype, ‘ Paratype, Rhodostrophia furialis Brdt. ’, NHRS-LEPI 000010270, g.p. 11017 H. Rajaei; in coll. NHRS. 1 ♂, ‘ Iran Khorassan, Kouh i Binaloud (Meched), 3500 m 28.7.1938, coll. Brandt’, ‘ Paratype Rhodostrophia furialis Brdt. Brandt’, ‘ Paralectotypus ♂, Rhodostrophia furialis Brandt, 1941 , design. Rajaei, Hausmann & Trusch’ in ZFMK. Regarded valid at species level by Scoble (1999: 822) and Scoble & Hausmann (2007).

Records in literature. Rhodostrophia terrestraria: Staudinger (1871: 175) ; Staudinger (1901: 278); Prout (1913: 37); Prout (1935: 23); Viidalepp (1996: 57); Scoble (1999: 824); Hausmann (2004: 381); Scoble & Hausmann (2007); Mironov et al. (2008: 210); Beljaev & Mironov (2019: 276); Müller et al. (2019: 844).

Previous records from Iran. Iran, Golestan, Astrabad, 5.v.1869, leg. J. Haberhauer ( Lederer 1871); Iran, Mazandaran, Elburs [Alborz] Mts., 3km E Baladeh, 3034 m, 2.vi.2007, 36.234022, 51.835222 ( Lehmann & Zahiri 2011); Iran, Semnan, Schahkuh; Kendevan, 2600–3200 m, 3.vii.1936; Tarsee [Tar Lake], 2000–2800 m, 13.vii.1936; Damavand, 2000–2800 m, 4.–29.vii.1936; all leg. L. Schwingenschuss ( Schwingenschuss 1939).

Additional material examined. 1 ♂, Iran, Prov. Tehran, Elburz mts., 3 km NNW Shemshak, 2860 mNN, N 36°02'; E 051°28', 24.vii.2003 (lux), leg. G. Ebert & R. Trusch, g.p. (♂) 651/2005 R. Trusch ; 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Mazandaran [Semnan], Elburz mts., S Shah Kuh-e Pain, 2750 m, N 36°33'; E 054°26', 17.vii.2003 (lux), leg. G. Ebert & R. Trusch, g.p. (♀) 650/2005 R. Trusch ; 4 ♂, 4 ♀, Iran, prov. Mazandaran [Semnan], Elburz mts., S Shah Kuh-e Bala, 2400 m, N 36°33'; E 054°36', 19.vii.2003 (lux), leg. G. Ebert & R. Trusch. g.p. (♂) 591/2005 R. Trusch; (♂) 2358/2020 H. Rajaei ; 1♂, 1♀, id., 20.vii.2003 (lux), barcode: BC ZSM 33924 ; 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Esfahan, NE of Naraq, Kuh-e Goran , 2500 m, N 34°05'; E 050°54', 6.vii.2003 (lux), leg. G. Ebert & R. Trusch ; 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Mazandaran, Pass Dibaj / Galugah , 2,450 m, N 36°30.319'; E 054°09.508', 26.vii.2006, leg. B. Mollet & G. Flutsch, barcode: BC ZSM 33923 ; 1 ♂, Iran, Elburz mts., N Teheran, Kendevan-Pass , N 36°09'09.0"; E 51°18'37.7", 3010 m, 19.vii.2006, leg. R. Trusch ; 1 ♀, N-Iran, Elburz mts. N Tehran, Dizin vic.- Shemshak , N 36°01'21.6", E 51°26'37.7", 3250 m, 17.vii.2006, leg. R. Trusch, g.p. 652/2005 R. Trusch ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, N-Iran, Elburs-mts., Prov. Tehran, 15 km E Gatschsar, 2800 m, 7.viii.1972, leg. G. Ebert ; 1 ♀, Iran, Esfahan, Kuh-e Karkas (Nordseite), vic. Ferizan , 2450–2650 m, 4.vi.2006, leg. W. ten Hagen ; 1♂, Iran, N Tehran, Zentr. Elburs, SE Dizin, 3400–3650 m, 6.vii.2010, leg. W. ten Hagen; all in SMNK . 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; 3 ♂, 1 ♀, Iran, prov. Golestan, Shahrud-Golestan road, Shahkouh, 2585 m, 36°38'36"N, E54°31'31", 16.vii.2016, leg. Sh. Feizpour; all in SMNS . 1 ♀, Iran, Elburz mts., N Teheran, Kendevan-Pass, Nessa , 2300 m, 25.vi.2001, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, G. Tremewan ; 9 ♂, 14 ♀, Iran, Golestan, Sharud W, Shah-Kuh-Bala, 2580 m, 18.vii.2003, leg. A. Hofmann, J.-U. Meineke, G. Tremewan, g.p. (♂) 2359/2020 H. Rajaei, (♀) 2413/2021 H. Rajaei , barcode: BC ZSM 33922 ; 1 ♂, Iran, Mazandaran, östl. Elburs, N Damghan, vic. Kalate ( Passhöhe ), 2400 m, 17.vi.2003, leg. W. ten Hagen; all in PCJM . 2 ♂, [ Iran] Karaj, Kandavan, Sarchal , 2800 m, 4.–8.vii.1977, leg. A. Pazuki & Mortazaviha ; 1 ♂, [ Iran] Esfahan, Natanz, Abianeh , 2150 m, 6.vi.1988, leg. Hash [emi] & Badii ; 2 ♂, 2 ♀, [ Iran] Tehran, Lar Valley , 24.–25.viii.1992, leg. E. Ebra [himi] & Badii; all in HMIM .

( Rhodostrophia terrestraria furialis Brandt, 1941 syn. nov.): 1 ♂, Iran, Esfahan, W, Fereydoun Shar, vic. Sibac , 2450 m, 6.–7.vi.2006, leg. W. ten Hagen, g.p. 2361/2020 H. Rajaei, barcode: BC ZSM 33934 ; in SMNK. 1 ♂ (“paratypoid”) Iran Khorassan Kouh i Binaloud 3300, 25.vii.1938 leg. F. Brandt, ex coll. C. Hörhammer, in ZSM

Specimen studied total: 35 ♂, 30 ♀.

Taxonomic conclusions on Rhodostrophia terrestraria furialis Brandt, 1941 syn. nov. Specimens ( Figs 15– 17 ) small in size (26–29 mm) with dark gold-orange coloration of forewing with a red-brown postmedial band; hindwings orange with a light postmedial line; tiny dark discal spots visible only on forewings. Because of its size and the orange hue of wing coloration, the specimens superficially resemble species of the genus Lythria Hübner, 1823 . Genitalia characters fall into the variation range of Rhodostrophia terrestraria . Examination of male and female genitalia of the type specimens proved the infrasubspecific level of the taxon furialis , previously recognized by barcoding of the single specimen from Sibac (prov. Esfahan, Fereydoun Shar, leg. W. ten Hagen; Fig. 17 ), the latter perfectly matching the type material of furialis in wing colour and pattern. Even in the original description, Brandt (1941) already stated: “Steht jedoch der terrestraria Led. nahe, nur bedeutend kleiner und ganz anders gefärbt” [English translation: „however, it is close to terrestraria Led. , but significantly smaller and completely different in coloration“]. According to our interpretation, furialis should be regarded as a high altitude form of R. terrestraria , and as infrasubspecific. As long as no further material is available, this is the most parsimonious explanation of the fact, that this form was found in both mountain systems Zagros and Binaloud, far from each other.

Differential diagnosis. ( Figs 13–17 , 96 ) Wingspan 27–35 mm. Forewing termen straight. Sexual dimorphic in wing shape and colour (see below). Male forewing dark sand-coloured, postmedial band distally bordered by a lighter fascia and a darker subterminal band. Hindwings paler than forewing, getting darker towards termen; postmedial line hardly visible. Discal spot usually visible on forewing but faint on hindwing. Underside of wings usually uniform light sand-coloured, postmedial band sometimes partially visible from underside. Females with narrower wings, light to dark sand-coloured and sometimes with pink hue on forewing (see Figs 13, 14 ); females from same populations clearly darker in coloration than males (colour combination of both male and female is unique and cannot be confused with any other Iranian Rhodostrophia ). Other subspecies ( pellonaria and farsi ssp. nov.) show different geographical and altitudinal distribution patterns (see below) and constant differences in wing colour. Forewing colour of subspecies pellonaria light gold-orange to warm yellow-sandy; hindwings with stronger yellow hue, nearly without any fasciae. The infrasubspecific form furialis is much smaller in size (26 mm) with dark gold-orange colour in forewing and orange hindwings. Subspecies farsi ssp. nov., paler than nominotypical subspecies (see below). Male antennal flagellum ventrally dentated. Male hindtibia with four spurs, pseudospur absent.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 66–2 ) with long uncus, gradually getting narrower towards base (same size as in R. sieversi , not fusiform) ( Fig. 3 ); valva apically bilobed, both lobes strongly spinulose ( Fig. 66–2b ); sacculus part of valva folded ventrad over the valva. Male sternum A8 bilobed (octavals shorter than in R. sieversi ). Aedeagus strongly curved (nearly 90°).

Female genitalia with a small, spherical and membranous corpus bursae (much smaller than in R. vibicaria , R. auctata and R. sieversi ); ductus bursae sclerotized, short, swollen towards ovipositor, anteriorly much narrower than at its posterior part. Posterior apophyses very long, three times as long as anterior apophyses (posterior apophyses in R. terrestraria being the longest among all other Iranian Rhodostrophia ).

Genetic data. Nominotypical subspecies with BIN BOLD:ACE9941, including one specimen of the altitudinal form furialis , the latter slightly diverging by 0.9% (BC ZSM Lep 33934; Fig. 119 & Table 1). Genetic distances of subsp. pellonaria and farsi ssp. nov. 1.6–2.6% (see below). Nearest species in Iran: R. badiaria (4.4%).

Distribution ( Map 4 ). Irano-Turanian species with at least three subspecies (the third subspecies is described here, see below). Nominotypical subspecies of R. terrestraria with Turanian distribution, from eastern Turkey ( Koçak & Kemal 2018) to north-western and northern Iran. Most probably present also in the Transcaucasus, but not yet recorded. Records from Ukraine and Russia uncertain and requiring further studies ( Hausmann 2004; Mironov et al. 2008; Beljaev & Mironov 2019).

Life history and habitat ( Figs 96 , 111, 112, 115 ). Biology and larval stages unknown. Moths attracted to artificial light in mountain steppe, easily flushed up during daytime and hiding in Astragalus shrubs ( Fig. 96 , pers. observ. in Alborz and Zagros mts.). Univoltine species, the nominotypical subspecies flying from early June to late August in high altitudes (from 2150 m up to 3650 m); all recorded populations of ssp. pellonaria flying in altitudes below 2100 m; the high-mountain form furialis Brandt, 1941 observed at 2450 and 3500 m; subspecies farsi ssp. nov. from 1200 m up to 2900 m.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Schematic comparison of the uncus of Iranian Rhodostrophia species.

MAP 4. Distribution areas of the different subspecies (and one infrasubspecific form) of Rhodostrophia terrestraria (LEDERER, 1869) in Iran.

FIGURE 119. Neighbour joining tree (COI, 5’; Kimura 2) showing the relationships between different species and subspecies of Iranian Rhodostrophia, including non-Iranian nearest neighboring species R. calabra, R. cinerascens, R. jacularia, R. praecisaria, R. staudingeri and R. skulei added for comparison. Width of triangles refer to sample size, depth of triangles to genetic variation, distance from common nodes to the genetic distance to a hypothetical common ancestor (as inferred by the algorithm); scale bar = 1%.

FIGURES 4-22. Wing coloration and pattern of Rhodostrophia species. Figs 4-8: R. vibicaria (4 & 5. from Iran, prov. Golestan, Maghazy Valley; 6 & 7. from Iran, between prov. Ardabil & Gilan, Astara); Figs 9-10: R. auctata (both from Iran, 9. prov. Kordestan, Baneh; 10. prov. Lorestan, Aligudarz); Figs 11-12: R. sieversi (both from Iran, Tehran, Arangeh); Figs 13-14: R. terrestraria terrestraria (both from Iran, 13. prov. Semnan, Shahkuh; 14. prov.Azarbaijan-e Sharghi, Kandovan); Figs 15-17: R. terrestraria furialis syn. nov. (18. Lectotype, 19. Paralectotype of R. furialis, both from Iran, Khorasan-e Razavi, Bilanoud Mt.; 20. From Iran, prov. Esfahan, Sibak); Figs 18-20: R. terrestraria farsi ssp. nov. (all from Iran, prov. Fars, Abadeh); Figs 21- 22: R. terrestraria pellonaria (both from Iran, 21. Prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, Kopet-Dagh; 22. Khorasan-e Razavi, Alladagh).

FIGURES 66-69. Male genitalia of Rhodostrophia species. Fig. 66. R. terrestraria (fig. 66.1, terrestraria farsi ssp. nov., paratype, Iran, prov. Fars, Didegan, g.p. 590 R. Trusch; Fig. 66.2. R. terrestraria terrestraria, Iran, Semnan Shahkuh-e Bala, g.p. 2358 H. Rajaei); Fig. 67. R. bahara, Lectotype (Iran, prov. Fars, Shiraz, g.p. RMS 5766 G. Ebert); Fig. 68. R. iranica (Iran, prov. Tehran, Gachsar, g.p. 585 R. Trusch); Fig. 69. R. tumulosa (Iran, prov. Fars, Tang-e Surkh, g.p. 582 R. Trusch). Abbreviations: a. genitalia capsule; b. aedeagus; c. sternite-8; d. details of different part of genitalia as following: 66-1d and 66-2d, details of apical part of valva; 67d (gn.), gnathos; 59d, apical part of aedeagus; 69d, apical part of valva.

FIGURES 95-106. Live Rhodostrophia-imagines in nature at light trapping in Iran. Fig. 95 R. auctata, prov. Lorestan, Noorabad-Nahawand road, 25 km to Nahawand, Gardane-Garrin, 2135 mNN, N 34°02'48", E 48°20'31". Fig. 96. R. terrestraria terrestraria, Elburz mts., S Shah Kuh-e Pain, 2750 m, N 36°33'; E 054°26', 17.vii.2003. Fig. 97. R. terrestraria farsi ssp. nov., prov.Khorasan,Kuh-e Sorkh,N Rivas vic.Akbarabad,2000–2100m, 12.vi.2000.Fig.98. R.tumulosa, prov.Fars,Shiraz-Kazerun road, 5 km before Dasht-e Arjan, N 29°40'34"; E 52°02'18", 2158 m, 23.v.2009. Fig. 99. R. tabestana, prov. Isfahan, rocky steppe near Kelichad, N32.352459°, E51.043501°, 2.135-2.235 m, 29.iv.2018. Fig. 100-101. R. nesam, prov. Esfahan, Natanz- Kashan road, Abiyaneh village, 2300 mNN, N 33°35'55", E 051°35'51", 26.v.2009. Fig. 102. R. abscisaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, N Qochan, Emam Gholi to Kabkan road, After Agh-Mazar, Allah-o Akbar Mt., 1763 m, N37°19'27.2'', E058°43'26.1'', 18.vi.2013. Fig. 103. R. phaenicearia, prov. Kerman, 5 km to Dehbakri from Bamm, near Kuh-e Shir, N29°4'1", E57°28'03", 2158 m, 18.–19.v.2009. Fig. 104. R. cuprinaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, N Qochan, Emam Gholi to Kabkan road, After Agh-Mazar, Allah-o Akbar Mt., 1763 m, N37°19'27.2'', E058°43'26.1'', 18.vi.2013. Fig. 105. R. cuprinaria, prov. Khorasan-e Shomali, 50 km north of Bojnurd, Izmansufla, N 37°44'20'', E 057°25'53'', 1240 m, 17.v.2005. Fig. 106. R. peripheres, prov. Chahar Mahal, Zagros mts., Samsami, 2800 m, N 32°09', E 050°11', 13.vii.2003. (Photos 95, 97-98, 100-104 H. Rajaei, 96 G. Ebert, 99 E. Weigand, 105-106 R. Trusch).

FIGURES 111-118. Habitats of Rhodostrophia-species in Iran. Fig. 111. Shah-Kuh-mountain range in the eastern Alborz, view from the habitat of the nominotypical subspecies of R. terrestraria at an altitude of approx. 2,900 m to the west (prov. Golestan, above Shah-Kuh-e Pa’in, also known as Shahkuh-e Sofla, 18.vii.2003), where the moth likes to hide in bushes of Astragalus spp. (Fabaceae); note the impressive cushion plants of Acantholimon spp. (Plumbaginaceae). The region is also known as the type locality of the two high-mountain burnet moths Zygaena cacuminum Christoph, 1877 and Z. ecki Christoph, 1882 (Zygaenidae). Fig. 112. Stipa-steppe habitat of R. terrestraria at Shah-Kuh-e Bala, where the species on 19.7.2003 was attracted to artificial light at night together with Zygaena turkmenica Reiss, 1933 (det. A. Hofmann). Fig. 113. Artemisia-steppe at an altitude of 2450 m near Qorud (prov. Esfahan, vic. Kashan-Meymeh), where R. bahara occurred on the 11.v.2005 in high abundance together with the rarely found Dyscia negrama Wehrli, 1953 (Geometridae); in the centre of the photo (from left to right): Georg Petschenka, Bernd Müller and Hossein Rajaei. Fig. 114. In the vicinity of mount Tochal at the altitude of 3,700 m the moths of R. iranica could be observed resting on rocks and flying off from them in case of disturbance (prov. Tehran, 18.7.2006). This area is inhabited by Zygaena cacuminum Christoph, 1877 (Zygaenidae) too. Fig. 115. The Kamaran valley (prov. Esfahan, Fereydun Shahr S., Kamaran vic., 2650 m) is inhabited by R. tabestana and R. terrestraria; other remarkable species observed during 11.-12.vii.2003 were Zygaena haematina Kollar, 1849 and Z. nocturna Ebert, 1974 (Zygaenidae). Fig. 116. The habitat of R. terrestraria pellonaria, R. abscisaria and R. lenis at an altitude of 1240 m south of Izman-e Pa'in (also known as Izman-e Sofla, north of Bojnurd, prov. Khorasan, 19.v.2005) is characterized by mugwort steppe (Artemisia spp., Asteraceae) and the occurrence of further typical geometrid-moth-steppe species such as Dyscia malatyana Wehrli, 1934 and the nominate subspecies of D. innocentaria (Christoph, 1885). Fig. 117. Habitat of the two species R. cuprinaria and R. phaenicearia at an altitude of 1560 m in the vicinity of Astane (Cheshme Ali, prov. Semnan, northwest of Damghan,) is an Artemisia-steppe too. The two species used to be confused in the literature, here both occurring syntopic, observed by us 23.-24.v.2005. Fig. 118. Strongly overgrazed desertic mountain steppe landscape at an altitude of 3200 m at Gardaneh-ye Cheri (prov. Çaharmahal-va- Bakhtiyari, Zardkuh-region, vicinity of Samsami) is the habitat of R. peripheries (observed here 13.vii.2003) and numerous burnets as Zygaena cambysea Lederer, 1870, Z. fredi Reiss, 1938, Z. seitzi Reiss, 1938, Z. naumanni Hille & Keil, 1999 and the unilocal endemic Z. bakhtiyari Hofmann & Tremewan, 2005 (Hofmann & Tremewan 2020).—Photos 111-114, 116-118: R. Trusch, photo 115: G. Ebert.