Pyralis regalis [Denis & Schiffermueller ], 1775

Wikstroem, Bo, Huemer, Peter, Mutanen, Marko, Tyllinen, Juha & Kaila, Lauri, 2020, Pyralis cardinalis, a charismatic new species related to P. regalis [Denis & Schiffermueller], 1775, first recognized in Finland (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), Nota Lepidopterologica 43, pp. 337-364 : 337

Pyralis regalis [Denis & Schiffermueller], 1775 Figs 3 , 8-11 , 23 , 30

Pyralis regalis [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775: 124.

Pyralis pulchellalis Millière, 1873: 221; synonymized by Rebel (1901: 45; species 841).

Material examined.

(with 16♂, 6♀ genital dissections). Type material. • Neotype ♀; A/N: Oberloiben, Höhereck; 48°23'N, 15°32'E; ca. 300 m; 30.6.2015; P. Buchner leg.; BOLD Sample ID: TLMF Lep 27053; coll. TLMF; here designated.

Other material.

Specimens preserved in MZH have museum identifier codes from http://id.luomus.fi/HV.257 to http://id.luomus.fi/HV.355.

Albania. 1♀, Kelmend, Tarnarja, Milsilschlucht, 1200 m, 12.viii.1994, leg. B. Plössl (TLMF).

Austria. 1♀, Burgenland, Umg. Rechnitz, Gemärk, 3.viii.1990, leg. H. Habeler (TLMF); 1♂, Niederösterreich, 2.5 km SSW Hainburg, 300 m, 48°07'N, 16°56'E, 18.vi.2008, leg. P. Buchner, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05166 (TLMF); 1♂, Niederösterreich, 2.5 km W Bad Fischau, 430 m, 47°49'N, 16°08'E, 18.vii.2004, leg. P. Buchner, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05713 (TLMF); 1♀, same data, but 1.viii.2004, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05714 (TLMF); 1♂, 3♀, Niederösterreich, Wachau, Dürnstein, 18.vii.1988, leg. F. Lichtenberger; 2♀, same data, but 6.viii.1988; 3♂, same data, but 17.vi.1971; 1♂, same data, but 1.vi.1990; 1♂, same data, but 13.vi.1990; 3♂, same data, but 14.vi.1990; 1♂, 1♀, same data, but 19.vii.1991, leg. J. Ortner; 2♀, same data, but 14.viii.1991; 1♂, same data, but 19.vi.1985, leg. F. Hofmann; 1♀, same data, but 31.viii.2005; 1♂, same data, but 14.vi.1969, leg. A. Moser; 1♀, Niederösterreich, Wachau, Unterloiben, 7.vi.1990, leg. Petz; 1♀, Niederösterreich, Kleinpöchlarn, 340 m, 48°13 ’34’’ N, 15°13 ’36’’ E, 17.viii.2006, leg. F. Lichtenberger; 1♂, Niederösterreich, Weinviertel, Pulkau, Steinbruch, 5.viii.2005, leg. R. Leimlehner; 2♂, 2♀, Steiermark, Herberstein, Buchberg, 500 m, 26.vi.2001, leg. H. Habeler; 1♀, same data, but 8.vii.2003 (all TLMF).

Bulgaria. 2♂, 1♀, 41.763, 23.170 Blagoevgrad district, Stara Kresna, 800 m, 17.-30.ix.2017, leg. J. Junnilainen (RCJJ); 1♀, 41,962°N, 23,102°E, 5 km S Blagoevgrad, 28.vii.2013, leg. B. Å. Bengtsson (RBB); 5♂, 2♀, 42°39'N, 23°23'E, Sofia, Družba, 5.-21.ix.1976 leg. K. Mikkola, L. Kaila prep. 6182, 6183 (MZH); 1♂, 2♀, 41.527°N, 23.583°E, Southern Pirin, 1100 m, 10 km SW Popovi Livadi, 21.vi.2013, leg. J. Junnilainen (RCJJ); 4♀, 41.652°N, 23.248°E, Slavianka, 1000 m, 24.vii.2013, leg. J. Junnilainen, L. Kaila prep. 6303 (RCJJ); 1♂, 41.597°N, 23.225°E Struma river valley, Sandanski meadow, 16.vii.2014, leg. J. Junnilainen (RCJJ); 1♀, 41.652°N, 23.248°E Struma river valley, Ilidentsi, 650 m, 23.-25.vii.2013, 1♂, 10.vii.2014, leg. J. Junnilainen (all RCJJ); 8♂, 6♀, 41.65°N 23.33°E, Strumjani, Ilidenci, leg. B. Wikström (RCBW); 1♀, Katunzi, Pavlovo, Goleshovo, 10.viii.2013, DNA sample 23514, leg. N. Ryrholm & B. Wikström (RCBW).

Croatia. 2♀, Porec, 28.vi.1986, leg. H. Popp; 1♂, Istria, Rovinj, Vestra, 20 m, 20.vii.2000, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♂, 1♀, Cres isl., Stivan, 30-150 m, 29.vii.-1.viii.1998, leg. H. Brandstetter; 2♀, same data, but 30.v.-2.vi.1998, leg. J. Ortner; 1♀, same data, but 6.-8.viii.1997; 1♀, Krk isl., Punat env., 18.vi.1984, leg. H. Habeler; 1♀, same data, but 20.ix.1987; 2♂, same data, but 17.vi.1986; 2♂, 1♀, same data, but 18.vi.1986; 1♂, same data, but 19.vi.1986; 1♀, same data, but 1.ix.1986; 1♂, 1♀, same data, but 7.ix.1986; 1♂, same data, but 8.vii.1987; 1♀, same data, but 5.vi.1989; 1♀, same data, but 4.ix.1990; 1♂, 1♀, same data, but 8.vi.1992; 1♀, same data, but 24.ix.1992; 3♂, same data, but Pyrigraben, 8.vi.2003 (all TLMF).

France. 1♀, 43°56'N, 7°15'E, Alpes maritimes, Vallée de la Vésubie, 9.vi.1998, leg. K. Silvonen (MZH); 1♀, Dep. Alpes-Maritimes, Bonson, 500 m, 29.vi.1962, leg. F. Dujardin; 2♀, Dep. Alpes-Maritimes, St. Blaise, 26.-30.v.1982, leg. De Pieri; 1♂, same data, but 7.ix.1981, leg. F. Dujardin; 3♂, Dep. Alpes-Maritimes, 16.vii.1978, leg. F. Dujardin; 1♂, Dep. Pyrénées-Orientales, Jujols, Le Sola, 850 m, 26.vi.1992, leg. S. Peslier; 1♀, Corse, Asco valley, early vi.1979, 250 m, leg. F. Zürnbauer (all TLMF); 8♂, 15♀, Corse, Patrimonio, 16.-30.vi.2007, GPBW7914, GPBW7934; 2♂, 1-10.vii.2012 leg. B. Wikström., GPBW7908, leg. B. Wikström (RCBW); 1♂, Gard, St Jean du Gard, 16.-30.vi.2007, BOLD sample ID: MM 23515, leg. B. Wikström (RCBW).

Greece. 1♂, 2♀, 40°58'N, 25°47'E, Alexandropolis, Kirki, 24.-26.vii.1981, leg. P. Grotenfelt (MZH); 6♂, 12♀, 39°32'N, 19°55'E, Corfu, Benitses, 3.-14.vi.1978, leg. V. Varis, L. Kaila prep. 6181, 6186 (MZH); 1♀, 39°34'N, 19°54'E, Corfu, Perama, 1.vi.1977, leg. H. & M. Koponen (MZH); 1♂, 39°46'N, 21°10'E, Epirus, Mestsovo, 23.vii.1991, leg. P. Somerma & R. Väisänen (MZH); 1♂, 4♀, 39°52'N, 20°51'E, Epirus (Zagoria), Tsepelovo, 1200 m, 27.vi.1991, leg. P. Somerma & R. Väisänen (MZH); 1♂, 1♀, 38°57'N, 20°45'E, Epeiros, Preveso Kanalion, 1985, leg. P. Grotenfelt (MZH); 1♂, 39°52'N, 20°51'E, Epirus (Zagoria) Skamneli Timfi, Goura, 2200m, 24.vii.1991, leg. P. Somerma & R. Väisänen, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05680 (MZH); 2♂, 5♀, 40°40'N, 21°09'E, Florina, Vatochorion, 15.-16.vii.1985, leg. P. Grotenfelt (MZH); 1♂, 39°08 ’07’’ N, 26°26 ’08’’ E, Lesvos, NE Keramia, organic olive orchard, 3.vi.2009, leg. L. Kaila & J. Kullberg, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05744 (MZH); 1♂, 39°21 ’19’’ N, 26°17 ’57’’ E, Lesvos, Sikaminia, pasture, 520 m, 13.ix.2008, leg. L. Kaila & J. Kullberg, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05741 (MZH); 1♂, 39°01 ’50’’ N, 26°22 ’34’’ E, Lesvos, 2 km NNE Megalochori, Quercus /meadow, 11.x.2008, leg. L. Kaila & J. Kullberg, L. Kaila prep. 6180, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05743 (MZH); 1♂, 40°43'N, 23°42'E, Ma. Thessaloniki, Asprovalta, 2.x.1977, leg. P. Grotenfelt (MZH); 1♀, 37°33'N, 22°20'E, Peloponisos, Arkadia, Tekn. Ladona, 25.vi.1981, leg. P. Grotenfelt (MZH); 1♀, 24.vi.1981, 37°40'N, 22°10'E, Peloponisos, Arkadia Vitina, 13.ix.1980, leg. P. Grotenfelt (MZH); 17♂, 14♀, 37°42'N, 21°34'E, Peloponisos, Ilia, Loutra Kilini, 6.-20.ix.1980, leg. P. Grotenfelt, L. Kaila prep. 6182, 6195, 6196, 6299 (MZH); 1♂, 3♀, Pindos Konitsa, Pades, 6.vii.1981, leg. P. Grotenfelt (MZH); 1♀, Pindos Katana, 4.vii.1981, leg. P. Grotenfelt (MZH); 1♂, 1♀, Thesprothia, Paramithia 30.viii.1987, leg. P. Grotenfelt, L. Kaila prep. 6179 (MZH); 1♀, Thessaly, Skiathos, 24.vi.1991, leg. P. Somerma & R. Väisänen; same locality, 3.viii.1991, leg. P. Somerma & R. Väisänen (MZH); 1♂, Thessaly, Pelion Makrinitsa, 500 m, 31.vii.1991, leg. R. Väisänen (MZH); 2♂, Epirus, Prov. Ioannina, Thesprotia, Pindos, Mt. Smolika, Agias Paraskevi, 700 m, 23.vi.2006, leg. A. E. Rau, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 04993, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 04994 (LMK); 1♀, Igoumenitsa; Korytiani env., 30.v.2002, leg. J. Ortner; 1♂, Macedonia, Meteora, 420 m, mid viii.1977, leg. F. Zürnbauer, gen. slide PYR 345♂, P. Huemer; 2♀, Agii Pantes, 800 m, 26.vi.2009, leg. K. Freytag; 1♂, same data, but Filates env., 27.vi.2009, leg. W. Caesar; 1♀, Lakonia, Mani, Aeropolis, Cholasia, 350 m, 14.v.2005, leg. M. Tschinder & L. Hassler; 1♀, Kalamata, 3.-10.vi.1997, leg. J. Wimmer; 1♀, 40°00 ’45’’ N, 20°53 ’00’’ E, Epirus, Vrisochori, bridge river Aoos, 740 m, 9.vii.2005, leg. T. Mayr; 1♀, 35°24'N, 23°53'E, Epirus, Prov. Theosprotia, Argyrotopos, 25 m, 8.-17.v.2002, leg. A.E. Rau (all TLMF); 5♀, Nidri Lefkada, 15.-17.viii.1995, leg. J. P. Baungaard (ZMUC).

Hungary. 1♂, Aggtelek NP., Aggtelek, 400 m warm oak forest & chalk grasslands, 19.vi.1996, leg. K. Mikkola (MZH); 1♀, Balaton, Balatonakali, 1.viii.1996, leg. J. Ortner; 1♀, same data, but 24.-26.vii.1994 (all TLMF).

Italy. 1♂, 46°41 ’51’’ N, 10°30 ’59’’ E, Prov. Südtirol, Vinschgau, Schleiser Leiten, 1350 m, 18.viii.2013, leg. P. Huemer; 1♂, Prov. Südtirol, Naturns, Sonnenberg, 1000 m, 31.vii.1996, leg. T. Mayr; 1♂, 1♀, Prov. Südtirol, Naturns, 660 m, late vi.1965, leg. F. Zürnbauer; 1♀, same data, but late vii.1965; 1♂, Prov. Südtirol, Schnalstal, 800 m, early vii.1967, leg. F. Zürnbauer; 1♂, 1♀, same data, but late viii.1967; 1♂, same data, but early ix.1971; 1♀, Prov. Südtirol, Bozen, Etsch-Eisackmündung, 2.vii.2003, leg. P. Huemer; 1♀, Prov. Südtirol, Bozen, Sand, 450 m, 9.ix.1992, leg. B. Bosin; 1♂, Prov. Südtirol, Bozen, St. Johann, 280 m, 2.ix.1988, leg. B. Bosin; 1♀, Prov. Südtirol, Montiggl, Kl. Priol, 600 m, 14.vii.1993, leg. P. Huemer; 2♂, same data, but 22.vii.2010, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 2207, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 2208; 3♂, same data, but 30.vi.2010; 1♂, Prov. Südtirol, Pfatten, Mitterberg, NO-Hang, 400 m, 12.vii.1991, leg. P. Huemer; 1♀, Prov. Südtirol, Kalterer See, 216 m, 26.vi.1990, leg. P. Huemer; 1♂, 2♀, Prov. Südtirol, Auer, 31.v.1957, leg. K. Burmann; 1♀, same data, but 29.vi.-1.vii.1957; 1♀, same data, but 1.vii.1957; 1♀, same data, but 14.-16.vi.1958; 2♂, 3♀, same data, but 21.vi.1957, leg. A. Hernegger; 1♀, same data, but 2.viii.1957; 1♀, Prov. Südtirol, Margreid, Fenner Schlucht, 460 m, 46°17 ’16’’ N, 11°12 ’05’’ E, 25.vi.2013, leg. P. Huemer; 4♀, Prov. Trento, Rovereto N, Pomarolo, 3.viii.2000, leg. J. Wimmer; 1♂, same data, but 1.ix.2000; 2♀, Prov. Trento, Pietramurata, 250 m, late viii.1962, leg. F. Zürnbauer; 1♂, same data, but late vi.1968; 1♂, Prov. Trento, Villamontagna, 600 m, leg. K. Burmann; 1♀, 13.ix.1982, Prov. Verona, Pai di Sopra, 100 m, 1.-10.vii.1986, leg. H. Gutweniger; 1♀, same data, but 11.-20.vii.1986; 1♀, Prov. Verona, Navene, 17.v.1976, leg. W. Pavlas; 3♀, Prov. Verona, Garda, early - mid v.1977, leg. W. Pavlas; 1♂, 1♀, Prov. Verona, San Ambrogio di Valpolicella, Monte, 300 m, 45°34'N, 10°50 ’55’’ E, 27.viii.1987, leg. P. Morass, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05047, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05048; 3♀, same data, but 24.vii.1984, leg. K. Burmann, gen. slide PYR 342 ♀ P. Huemer; 1♀, same data, but 2.viii.1984; 1♀, same data, but 6.ix.1988; 1♀, same data, but 27.vi.1992; 1♂, 1♀, but 18.ix.1993; 1♂, same data, but 25.vi.1987; leg. K. Burmann, P. Huemer & G. Tarmann, gen. slide PYR 341 ♂ P. Huemer; 1♀, same data, 24.vii.1985, leg. K. Burmann & P. Huemer; 1♀, same data, but 4.vi.1999, leg. J. Ortner; 1♀, same data, but 17.ix.1991, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♂, same data, but 5.vi.2015, leg. H. Deutsch & E. Bendikt; 1♂, 3♀, same data, but 22.vii.1995, leg. T. Mayr; 2♀, same data, but 20.vi.1992, leg. S. Plattner; 3♂, same data, but 200 m, early viii.1978, leg. F. Zürnbauer, gen. slide PYR 343 ♂ P. Huemer; 2♂, 1♀, Prov. Verona, San Ambrogio di Valpolicella, Monte, 410 m, 45°34'N, 10°49.9'E, 20.-22.v.2001, leg. P. Huemer, gen. slide PYR 344 ♂ P. Huemer; 1♂, Prov. Verona, Soave, 100 m, 19.vi.1976, leg. K. Burmann; 1♀, Prov. Udine, Trasaghis, Tagliamento, 200 m, 22.vii.1997, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♀, Prov. Udine, Cavazzo, Palude Vituarbis, 280 m, 31.vii.2008, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♂, Prov. Udine, Peonis - Avasinis, 250 m, 23.vii.2004, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♀, Prov. Trieste, Fernetti, Mt. Orsario, 325-330 m, 20.vi.2014, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♀, Prov. Gorizia, Monfalcone, 100, 26.v.1992, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♀, same data, but 1.viii.1986, leg. T. Mayr; 1♂, Prov. Cuneo, Valdieri, RN Juniperus phoenicea , 900-1000 m, 44°17 ’1’’ N, 7°23 ’52’’ E, 1.viii.2010, leg. P. Huemer; 1♀, Prov. Cuneo, Dronero, 6.viii.1970, leg. F. Dujardin; 1♂, Prov. Imperia, Diano Arentino, 4.vii.1999, leg. W. Arnscheid; 1♂, 1♀, Prov. Imperia, Lucinasco, 25.vi.1999, leg. W. Arnscheid; 1♀, Prov. Imperia, Conio, 1.vii.1999, leg. W. Arnscheid; 1♀, Prov. Imperia, Ville S. Pietro, 30.vi.1999, leg. W. Arnscheid; 1♀, Prov. Imperia, Regio Marra, Isolabona, 580 m, 21.ix.2011, leg. M. Tschinder & L. Hassler; 1♀, Prov. Savona, Andora, 30.vi.2008, leg. R. Leimlehner; 1♂, Prov. Rieti, Monte Terminillo, 1700-1900 m, 30.vii.-6.viii.2003, leg. A.E. Rau; 5♂, Prov. Chieti, PN della Majella, Taranta Peligna, Pian di Valle, 770 m, 42°01 ’34’’ N, 14°09 ’43’’ E, 20.vii.2011, leg. P. Huemer, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05054, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05044, BOLD sample ID: TLMF 05045; 2♂, same data, but leg. T. Mayr; 2♂, same data, but 21.vii.2011, leg. B. Wiesmair; 2♀, Prov. Messina, Monte Soro, 1500 m, 7.vii.1992, leg. Bruer (all TLMF); 13♂, 13♀, Tuscany, Cortona, 1.-10.vii.2018, leg. B. Wikström, GPBW7929, GPBW7928, GPBW7925 (RCBW); 5♂, 6♀, Tuscany, Montaione, Umbria, mt. Subasio, 1.-10.vii.2012, leg. B. Wikström (RCBW); 8♂, 5♀, 43.06.8880, 12.68.0208, Umbria, Assisi, Mt. Subasio, 1280 m a.s.l., 1. -10.vii.2015, leg. B. Wikström (RCBW).

Macedonia. 5♂, 40.97234. 20.87707, Ohrid, Galicica, Stenje slope, 1206 m a.s.l., 20.-25.vi.2015, leg. B. Wikström (RCBW).

Portugal. 1♂, Trás-os-Montes, R. Tua, Fiolhal, 26.vii.2006, leg. M. Corley P8213 (RCMC).

Romania. 1♀, Orsova, Herkulesbad, 1.ix.1997, leg. C. Wieser, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 04995; 1♀, Dobrogea, Macin mts., Greci, 100-300 m, 14.vi.2006, leg. C. Wieser, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 04996; 1♂, Aries valley, Rimetea, 20.vii.1998, leg. Wieser, BOLD sample ID: TLMF Lep 05000 (all LMK).

Russia. 2♂, Belgorod Oblast; Borisovka, Makeshkino, Stenki, 503800'N 355800'E; 3♂, Makeshkino, Stenki, 503811'N, 374904'E; 2♂, 27.-30.vi.2011, 12.-14.vii.2011, 14.-30.vi.2013, GPBW7935, leg. K.-E. Lundsten & B. Wikström; 2♂, 17.-23.vi.2013, leg. K.-E. Lundström & B. Wikström, 24.-30.vi.2013, GPBW7935; 17.-23.vi.2013, leg. K.-E. Lundström & B. Wikström, 12.-14.vii.2011, GPBW7939 (RCBW); 1♂, 503811'N, 374904'E, (all RCBW).

Serbia. 1♂, Golubac, 7.vii.2016, leg. P. Jakšić (TLMF).

Slovenia. 1♀, Brestovica, Komenskem krasu, 25-35 m, 10.vi.2012, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♀, same data, but 1.vii.2011; 2♂, same data, but 16.vi.2010; 1♂, Presnica, 400 m, 24.vi.2005; 2♂, Smarje pri Jelsah, Podsreda, Cerkev Sv. Marija Zalosti, 310 m, 46°4 ’9’’ N, 15°35 ’38’’ E, 13.vi.2015, leg. B. Wiesmair; 1♀, Nanos, 400 m, 18.vii.1988, leg. H. Deutsch; 1♀, same data, but 20.vi.1995 (all TLMF); 3♀, Granska Gora, 28.-30.v.2015, leg. B. Wikström, GPBW7936, GPBW7941, BOLD sample ID: MM 26358 (RCBW).

Switzerland. 1♂, 1♀, 46°01'N, 8°37'E Brissago, vii.1974, leg. P. Stöcklin, L. Kaila prep. 6295 (MZH); 2♂, Ticino, Mergoscia, Casa Naef, 720 m, 10.viii.1971, leg. R. Müller (TLMF).

Ukraine. 1 spec., Donetsk region, Lyman (DON) with Torsko, 20.-23.vi.1919, BOLD sample ID: MM26688, leg. Zhakov, A. (RCBW); 1♂, 1♀, Zaparohye region, Melitopol district, with. Danilo-Ivanivka, 7.viii.2019, leg. A. Zhakov (RCBW); 1♀, m city of Zaparozhyd, Khortytsia island. 2.viii.2019, leg. A. Zhakov (RCBW).

Diagnosis.

Pyralis regalis is in general appearance darker than other European species; especially the hindwings are more intermixed with dark grey, sometimes also with purple to a varying extent, though never as strongly as in P. cardinalis . In the hindwings, in particular, the outer third is markedly purple in P. cardinalis , but usually dark grey in appearance in P. regalis . Hindwings of P. kacheticalis are dark only in the basal third. In P. sagarrai they are dark only in the basal and medial thirds, the purple tinge is lacking in both these species. Genital characteristics between males are noted in the key, and in the diagnosis of P. cardinalis above.

Redescription.

External appearance (Figs 3 , 8-11 ). Forewing length: ♂: 9-11 mm, ♀: 9-12 mm; size varying both within and among populations. Labial palpus ascending, second segment 1.3 × as long as diameter of eye; third segment short. Maxillary palpus 1/3 length of labial palpus; head and these appendices, scape and pecten yellow. Head rough-scaled; collar yellow, intermixed with purple. Flagellum purple, male with thin cilia, length of each cilium twice diameter of shaft; female antenna with very short ciliation. Thorax purple; abdomen varying from purple to lead-grey. Legs pale ochre. Forewing: basal third, distal fourth, and area around distal fourth of dorsal margin to fold usually brown, but colour often varies towards dark grey, usually more or less with purple tinge, near margin sometimes intermixed with dark grey scales; at 2/5 of wing length white fascia extending from costa to fold, not tapered towards fold, its outer margin medially sometimes slightly widened, similarly colored, elongate spot from distal 4/5 wing length from costa to 1/3 wing width towards middle; from both white areas to costal margin narrow, purple line, both inwardly and outwardly narrowly bordered with narrow dark grey. Between white areas wing colour orange-brown except broadly along costa brown, costa with several small, white spots. Fringe brown except in dorsal corner dark grey. Hindwing: divided by white stripes into three almost equally wide areas; stripes approaching each other towards anal margin. Colour variable; basal and median area brown with purple tinge, intermixed with dark grey scales to varying extent, to entirely dark grey; distal area varying from dark grey to nearly purple. Fringe brown except in anal corner silvery. Underside: forewing yellowish grey, area corresponding to outer white area of upper side pale ochre; hindwing lead-grey, with evenly bent pale grey band along outer 2/3. Costal margin annulated by black and yellow, somewhat elongate spots.

Male genitalia

(Fig. 23 ). Uncus hat-shaped, weakly sclerotized, medially with triangular, distally tapered as sparsely setose, blunt-tipped lobe; uncus articulated from tegumen; tegumen narrow, broadest laterally, tapered as narrow band touching uncus. Gnathos articulated from tegumen, formed of arms being near base and medially broad, somewhat narrowed between, mesially formed as narrow, triangular lobe terminating with abruptly bent, narrow, fused hook-shaped apex; median part of gnathos twice as long as uncus. Valva 1.5-2 times as long as wide, width varying to some extent, valvae connected to each other anteriorly; dorsal margin of basal part of valva sclerotized, distal area formed of articulated square lobe; costa convex, weakly sclerotized. Transtilla laterally shortly sclerotized, median part articulated, membranous. Juxta scobinate, convex, broad tongue-shaped. Anellus connected to vinculum, nearly membranous, in lateral view bent as s-shaped, posteriorly connected to apex of phallus; easily severed during dissection from genital capsule and attached to phallus. Vinculum short, broad, v-shaped. Phallus 3 times as long as wide apart from distal 1/4 which is narrowed towards apex, incised with ventrally directed distal opening. Vesica usually devoid of cornuti (see Remarks); coarsely granulose.

Female genitalia

(Fig. 30 ). Papillae anales dorsally fused, relatively narrow, somewhat bent; densely setose. Ostium bursae situated in posterior margin of sternum 8, membranous, bowl-shaped, width ¾ distance of that between posterior apophyses in dorsoventral projection. Posterior apophysis straight and slender; anterior apophysis somewhat longer, bent and stouter. No antrum present between ostium and distinctly sclerotized colliculum; colliculum 1.5 times as long as wide. Ductus seminalis incepted anterior to colliculum with no swelling or sclerotization; posterior third to half of the length of ductus bursae braid-shaped, granulose; otherwise membranous, evenly widened towards corpus bursae which it joins indistinctly. Corpus bursae elongate, oval. Length of ductus bursae + corpus bursae about 6 times length of posterior apophysis. No signum in corpus bursae, but the membrane of both ductus and corpus bursae with minute lens-shaped formations.

Molecular data.

BIN: replace: BOLD:AAP5668. The intraspecific mean divergence of the barcode region is 0.44% and the maximum divergence 1.83% (N = 28). The minimum distance to the nearest neighbour, P. sagarrai , is 3.96%.

Distribution.

Widely distributed in South Europe at least to Austria and Switzerland in the north. As the southwestern limit of the distribution range of P. cardinalis is not very far from the closest records of P. regalis the identity of some records from, e.g., Germany, require re-examination. Pyralis regalis and P. cardinalis are sympatric at least in Russia: Belgorod.

Remarks.

The collection of Denis & Schiffermüller was deposited in the “Hof-Naturalien-Kabinett” in Vienna but destroyed by fire during the Vienna Rebellion of 1848 ( Hoffmann 1952). Despite a personal search by PH we found no potential type material and conclude that the syntypes are lost or destroyed. As this taxon is part of a species complex, designation of a neotype is necessary to preserve the stability of nomenclature ( ICZN 1999). The type locality is presumably in Lower Austria, where the majority of the material of Denis & Schiffermüller was collected, and as indicated by the title of the original description (Denis and Schiffermüller 1775). We therefore designate as neotype a female specimen from this province with label data mentioned above and figured in Fig. 3 .

According to collecting dates ranging from late May to October, it seems likely that at least two generations occur in southern Europe.

We follow Leraut (2005) regarding the status of P. pulchellalis Millière.

Figures

Figure 3. Pyralis regalis ([Denis & Schiffermueller]), neotype, ♂, habitus.

Figures 4 - 11. Pyralis sp., habitus. 4 - 7. P. cardinalis sp. nov., 4. ♂, Finland, V, Kemioensaari, leg. J. Tyllinen. 5. ♀, A, Lemland, leg. B. Wikstroem & K. Vaalamo; 6. ♂, Finland, U, Kirkkonummi, leg. J. Junnilainen; 7. ♂, Finland, U, Raasepori, leg. L. Kaila. 8 - 11. P. regalis. 8. ♂, Greece, Lesvos, leg. L. Kaila & J. Kullberg. 9. ♀, Slovenia, Granska Gora, leg. B. Wikstroem; 10. ♂, Italy, Tuscany, Cortona, leg. B. Wikstroem. 11. Bulgaria, 5 km S. Blagoevgrad, ♀, leg. B. A. Bengtsson.

Figures 22 - 24. ♂ genitalia of Pyralis spp. 22. P. cardinalis sp. nov., GPBW 7913, Belgorod oblast, Makeshino Stenki. 23. P. regalis ([Denis & Schiffermueller]), GPBW 7908, France, Corse, Patrimonio. 24. P. sagarrai Leraut, GPBW 8148, France, Pyrenees or., Olette.

Figures 29 - 33. ♀ genitalia of Pyralis spp. 29. P. cardinalis, GPBW 7939, Belgorod obl., Borisovka.; 30. P. regalis, GPBW 7941, Slovenia, Granska Gora. 31. P. sagarrai, GPBW 8151, France, Pyrenees or., Olette. 32. P. kacheticalis (Christoph), L. Kaila prep. 6305, Lebanon, Koura. 33. P. perversalis (Herrich-Schaeffer), GPBW 8403, S. Ural, Cheliabinsk oblast.