Catocala benedeki Borth, Kons, Saldaitis & Gall

Borth, Robert J., Kons, Hugo L., Saldaitis, Aidas & Gall, Lawrence F., 2017, The taxonomy of Catocala nupta (Linnaeus, 1767) and its allies, with description of a new species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Zootaxa 4263 (2), pp. 251-272 : 253-266

Catocala benedeki Borth, Kons, Saldaitis & Gall sp. nov.

( Figs 1–5 , 38 –55, 62–69, 77, 78, 85–96)

Type material. Holotype: Male ( Fig. 1 ), Pakistan, Karakoram Mts., Deitar Valley, 3000 m, 27.VII.2011, leg. Balázs Benedek (Dissection No. 2015HLK:2120; DNA No. 10249- 270711 -PA) preserved in ASV collection, later to be deposited in the WIGJ .

Paratypes: ( Figs 3–4 ), PAKISTAN: 1 male, Karakoram Mts., Deitar Valley , 3000 m, 27.VII.2011, leg. Balázs Benedek (Dissection No. 2014HLK:2046; DNA No. 20430-COI-14) (collection of (coll.) RJB) ; 1 male Karakoram Mts., Deitar Valley , 3000 m, 27.VII.2011, leg. Balázs Benedek (coll. AFM) ; 1 male Kashmir, Karakoram Mts., Deitar Valley , 3000 m, 29.VI.2014, leg. Balázs Benedek (coll. RJB) ; 1 female, Himalaya Mts., Bubin Valley , 3000 m, 29–31.VII.2011, leg. Balázs Benedek (Dissection No. 2014HLK:2081; DNA No. 20431-COI-14) (coll. RJB); INDIA : 1 male, Prov. Uttar Pradesh, Garwahl Himal, Gangotri , 3000 m, 4.1 X.1997, L. Nadai (Dissection No. JB 1071) (coll. AFM) ; 1 female, Kashmir, PirPanJar, Tatakutti, Astar , 4000m, 11.VIII. 2012, leg. T. Surumaki (coll. KIS) ; 4 males, S. Kashmir, Tatakutti Area, PirPanJal Mts., Mt. Ashitar , 3800m, 2–3.VIII.2013, leg. T. Surumaki (coll. KIS).

Diagnosis. The wing pattern of C. benedeki ( Figs 1–4 ) resembles the closely related C. concubia ( Figs 6 a–7, 13–20) and C. nupta ( Figs 8, 9 , 23–37 ). Both Catocala fuscinupta Hampson, 1913 ( Fig. 22 ) and Catocala prolifica Walker, [1858] ( Fig. 21 ) are superficially similar in wing pattern (but are dissimilar in genitalia), and can be readily separated by the ventral hindwing median band, which is distinctly curved basally between veins Rs and M 2 in C. benedeki , and not so in either C. fuscinupta or C. prolifica . The following characters enable the separation of C. benedeki , C. concubia , and C. nupta . Forewing upperside: C. benedeki has mottled grey and white forewings with strong contrasts in maculation, whereas C. concubia has a more diffused, less distinct pattern (especially in males) with an olive and brownish cast. The smaller C. nupta is highly variable: some specimens are grey with white, but they have lower densities of white mottling giving the wings a smoother, less powdery appearance. Catocala benedeki has pale violet tinted scales, which are present to a lesser extent in C. concubia , but are lacking in C. nupta where a bluish tint is sometimes evident. Hindwing upperside: In C. benedeki the inner hindwing margin has dense pale tan hairs contrasting against the red background color, C. nupta has red or red and dark hairs, and C. concubia has red orange hairs. The area posterior to vein Rs between the medial and marginal black bands is pale white with sparse red scaling in C. benedeki ; this area is also pale in C. concubia with slightly denser red orange scaling, but in C. nupta there is dense red scaling with much less pale contrast. Wing size: The average forewing length (base to apex) in measured specimens of C. benedeki is 42.0 mm (sd=1.0 mm, n=3), versus 38.0 mm (sd=0.7 mm, n=5) in C. concubia , and 33.2 mm (sd=1.9 mm, n=43) in C. nupta . The differences among species are significant (F=46.36, df=2/45, p <0.001, by ANOVA controlling for sex, pairwise species comparisons p <0.05 using Tukey least squares means). Male genitalia: While we compared all of the male genitalic characters covered in the description (below) among C. benedeki (n=2) ( Figs 38 –55, 62–69, 77, 78), C. concubia (n=2) (Figs 56, 57, 71, 72, 79, 80), and C. nupta (n=4) (Figs 58–61, 73–76, 81–84), the only genitalic characters found to vary between these three species were minor but consistent differences in vesica diverticula 6 and 7. While purported differences in the length, shape, or sclerotization of valve costa have been suggested as a basis for subdividing C. nupta into additional species or subspecies (e.g., Kravchenko et al. 2008) we found no evidence these characters have diagnostic value at the species level within the Catocala nupta complex ( Figs 41 , 55–61). The following vesica characters are best viewed when the vesica is orientated in lateral aspect with the ventral aedeagus hood on top. In C. benedeki and C. concubia diverticulum 6 has two shallow but distinct subdiverticula (Figs 76–79), whereas C. nupta has three ( Figs 80–83 ); the equivalent of subdiverticulum 6b in C. benedeki and C. concubia is subdivided in C. nupta ( Figs 80–83 ). Catocala benedeki and C. nupta have two distinct subdiverticula on diverticulum 7 ( Figs 67 –69, 72–75) whereas in C. concubia diverticulum 7 is expanded on the anterior side in the equivalent position but there is no clear bifurcation (Figs 70–71). In C. benedeki the ventral base of subdiverticulum 7a is closer to the anterior base of diverticulum 7 than in C. nupta ( Figs 68 –69 versus Figs 72–75). In C. benedeki and C. nupta diverticula 6 and 7 diverge from near the posterior base of diverticulum 6 and the anterior base of diverticulum 7, creating a distinct separation near the base; the diverticula touch or nearly touch farther distally where diverticula 7 expands laterally on the anterior side ( Figs 67 –69, 72–75). However, in C. concubia diverticula 6 and 7 touch throughout the basal half of their length or more (Figs 70–71). When viewed laterally with a slight lateral tilt such that diverticulum 7 appears as wide as possible, subdiverticulum 7b is distinctly narrower in C. benedeki compared to C. nupta ( Figs 68 –69 versus 74–75; in Figs 72–73 diverticulum 7 is slightly tilted from where it appears widest, causing diverticulum 7b to appear narrower). Female Genitalia: No diagnostic characters are known between C. benedeki , C. concubia , and C. nupta . COI 5' Mitochondrial COI 5' DNA: Catocala benedeki can be diagnosed from all sequenced Catocala species by the following unique combination of six character states: 274(C), 343(C), 460(C), 547(T), 548(T) and 607(C). There are two consistent character state differences between C. benedeki and C. nupta , and five between C. benedeki and C. concubia (see Table 1).

Description. Head. Vertex with predominantly grey scales, peppered with darker grey, white, and tan scales. Frons predominately grey but peppered with white and tan scales. Labial palp basal segment almost exclusively white, with sparse grey scales on the lateral side; middle segment predominately grey with a peppering of white scales increasing in density distal to proximally; terminal segment predominately grey with a peppering of white scales. Antennae dorsally and laterally predominantly covered by grey scales with scattered white scales, except for scape and pedicel which are predominately white with sparse grey scales.

Thorax. Patagia predominantly grey with a dense scattering of white and tan scales. Tegulae with heavily mottled with grey and white scales, narrow irregular band along inner margin mottled with tan and darker grey scales. Elsewhere a mix of grey, tan, and white scales, sometimes with a diffuse grey and white inverted “U” pattern. Paired tufts of hair on posterior mesothorax predominately tan with some grey. Ventrally with dense pale tannish-white hairs.

Wings ( Figs 1–4 ). Wingspan: Forewing length (base to apex) of holotype male 41 mm; forewing length of paratypes: male (n=1) 42 mm, female (n=1) 43 mm. Forewing Shape: length of FW base to apex divided by length of FW apex to anal angle: holotype male 1.77, paratype male 1.68, paratype female 1.75. Forewing upperside: Background color predominantly grey, mottled with white scales creating a powdery appearance, many white scales with a distinct violet tint under natural light. Two small areas where white scales dominate: on the basal side of the reniform and orbicular spots, and between the postmedial and subterminal lines between veins M2 and M3. Reniform spot oblong, basal side smoothly curved, distal side irregular to slightly dentate, primarily with dark greyish-black scales, diffuse lighter grey scales in center. Reniform border with a mix of pale brown and light grey scales, rimmed with a smooth basally curved greyish black basal border, fused with the medial band on anterior and posterior sides of reniform. Basal dash absent. Basal line sharp greyish-black posterior of discal cell, comprised of an anterior distally curved loop and a posterior fairly straight line. Antemedial line distinctly double, dark grey to greyish black borders with pale whitish-grey between, borders variably sharp or diffuse. Antemedial line comprised of three distinct distally curved loops: posterior loop (below vein 2A) protruding basally on anterior side; second (medial) loop spanning between veins 2A and lower margin of discal cell; third loop irregular, from lower discal cell margin to costa, distal border doubly looped, basal border a single jagged loop. Median line distinct the full length of the wing except where broken by the open base of the subreniform spot, black, sharp anterior to reniform and posterior to vein Cu2, generally diffuse between. Median line irregularly undulated to dentate, double between costa and anterior base of subreniform, the two sections widely separated anterior of vein R4, fused together at distal anterior corner of reniform and intersection of veins R4 and R5, then narrowly separated and fusing back together at anterior base of subreniform. Postmedial line black, sharp, distinctly contrasting, bordered distally by a sharp to diffuse narrow band of pale whitish grey. Postmedial line undulations: below vein 2A convex loop, extended as far basal as edge of reniform at vein 2A; between Cu2 and 2A singly or doubly dentate; subreniform open, but pale band on distal side of postmedial line fused; tooth between veins Cu1 and Cu2 with apex close to vein Cu2; shallow tooth between veins M3 and Cu1; two dentate distally protruding teeth between veins M1 and M3 with a concave division between them across vein M2; concave and angling basally between veins R5 and M1, then sharply turned basally along vein R4 roughly perpendicular to costa and thickened as small black patch slightly distal to the outer border of the reniform. Subterminal line broad and diffuse pale whitish grey, a series of undulated to dentate, distally protruding chevrons with diffuse to indistinct black distal border. Wing margin with series of diffuse to sharp black, straight to slightly concave bars or patches between each pair of veins from R4 to CuA2. Farther distally at the extreme margin, a sinusoidal, broken, thin dark grey line between veins R4 and 2A, with the distal protruding convex loops transecting the veins and basally protruding concave loops between the veins. Fringe peppered pale whitish grey and darker grey, the darker grey progressively increasing in density posterior to anterior, without patches along veins. Hindwing upperside: Background color reddish (with a slight pink tinge) posterior to vein Rs, predominately pale white anterior to vein Rs, peppered with a variable amount of the reddish background scales. Black median band prominent, distal side with three distal undulations and smoothly angled along vein M2, basal side a fairly smooth simple distal curve; bulged basally between costa and vein M2, and bulged distally between veins M2 and Cu1, oblong patch with no distinct curvature in cell CuA2; thin, diffuse, and discontinuous between vein 2A and inner margin. Marginal black band thick and fairly smoothly curved anterior to vein Cu2, deep concave gouge in interspace between veins Cu2 and 2A, each side of gouge with triangular basally pointing projection with apices on veins 2A and CuA2, thin and narrow at anal angle. Band of dense pale tan hairs along inner margin, contrasting against background colour, some darker grey hairs mixed in, tan and grey hairs along the veins basal to the median band. Fringe thick and clean, bright white, some small patches of pale white intruding into the marginal black band between the veins such that the distal edge of the marginal band is undulated between M1 and CuA2. Apical patch prominent, a paler white than the fringe, basal edge with two basally protruding undulations divided by vein Rs. Anterior margin with a thin band of white. Forewing underside: Background color bright, clean white. Marginal band thick and black with sharp margins, except on distal side at apex, where it blends into a greyish white area at apex; outer side with two broad undulations divided by vein M2, a distally protruding triangular indentation at the veinlet posterior of vein CuA2, a smaller triangular indentation of white along vein 2A, small slivers of white intruding along some of the other veins. Termen with the thin undulating line present dorsally, but more diffuse and becoming progressively less distinct posteriorly. Median band wide and black; sharply contrasting but with some whitish diffusion along the edges; both sides angle distally along vein M2, progressively narrowing between vein M2 and inner margin, tapering to a blunt point at inner margin; a distally protruding triangular tooth at veinlet posterior of vein CuA2, with the tooth apex on the veinlet. Basal band diffuse and lighter black; both margins irregular; extends between anterior margin of discal cell and vein 2A, but costa anterior to discal cell and inner margin posterior to vein 2A white with sparse black diffusion. Incomplete diffuse marginal black band between basal and median bands between the veinlet posterior of vein CuA2 and 2A, becomes more diffuse distally and partially fuses with median band. White background color basal to basal band with a pale tan tint. Hindwing underside: Marginal black band similar to upperside but slightly narrower and with more diffused margins, and not extending anterior of vein Sc+R1 where this area is white with a peppering of black scales. Medial black band of dissimilar shape to upperside; relatively thin anterior to vein Rs, slightly narrowing anteriorly, fairly straight but with diffused and slightly irregular margins; distinctly curved basally between veins Rs and M2; widest at intersection with vein M2, strongly tapering between veins M2 and CuA2 with an undulated distal edge; similar to upperside in cell CuA2, but with a faint but distinct distal curve; absent between vein 2A and inner margin. Small, diffuse, black discal spot on the veinlet. Background color: basal to medial band: white anterior to posterior margin of discal cell, pale red with some white diffusion posteriorly; distal to medial band: white anterior to vein CuA1, pale red with some white diffusion posteriorly. Fringe, apical patch, and extreme outer margin similar to upperside.

Legs. Similar in male and female except male mesotibia has a hair pencil groove on the inner side and is slightly wider. Foreleg: Profemur without laterally flattened apical spine. Protibia unspined, but with small convex sulcus with radiating spines near basal extremity on the inner side. Protibial flange in shallow ovuloid pit, ventral margin of flange with dense row of short setae. Protarsomeres 1–4 with three ventral rows of large triangular spines, and two rows of minute hair-like curved spines between them; protarsomere 5 with four rows of large triangular spines, with two rows of minute hair-like spines in-between. Irregularly spaced hair-like spines present on lateral sides of tarsomeres. Pretarsus simple. Arolium convex on basal side, widening distally with lateral margins concave and then convex, distal margin slightly concave, sclerotization predominately dark brown to blackish, most intense along basal and basal-lateral sides, translucent greyish on distal and distal-lateral margins. Midleg: Mesofemur unspined, mesotibia with a single row of fourteen to fifteen large spines on outer side, hairpencil groove on inner side. Tarsal spination/pretarsus/arolium as in proleg. Hindleg: sclerotization pattern typical for Catocala , with femur sclerotized throughout, mesotibia translucent white except at base, metatarsomere 1 translucent white except at apex, remaining tarsomeres sclerotized throughout. Metafemur unspined, metatibia with three subapical spines on outer side near ventral margin, two thicker spines ventral to one much thinner spine. Tarsal spination/pretarsus/arolium like proleg except metatarsomere 1 with a few extra smaller spines scattered between the three rows of ventral spines.

Abdomen. Scale pattern grey dorsally, white and pale tan ventrally. Cuticle ( Figs 51–53 , 92–94 ): male tergites 1–6 as shown in Fig. 51 , sternites 2–7 as shown in Fig. 52 , terminal tergite (left) and sternite (right) as shown in Fig. 53 . Female tergites 1–6 as shown in Fig. 92 , sternites 2–6 as shown in Fig. 93 , tergite 7 ( Fig. 94 ) with strongly convex sides, convex posterior side, anterior side with shallow concave depressions on each side and fairly straight in the middle.

Male genitalia ( Figs 38 –55, 62–69, 77, 78). Capsule ( Figs 38–41, 48 ): Juxta and vinculum strongly fused with valvae, vinculum weakly fused with tegumen, vinculum arms laterally expanded and weakly fused midventrally, diaphragma membranous except for juxta/anellus. Valvae ( Figs 41 & 55): asymmetrical. Outer surfaces densely covered with elongate tan colored hairs and scales except for anterior portion of sacculus ( Fig. 39 ); inner surface of "cucullus" (or the membranous valvae structure in the equivalent position) with shorter scales and hairs along ventral margin. Sacculus with triangular posterior extension at fusion with cucullus, approximately twice as long as wide; inner side densely covered with elongate setae ( Figs 41 & 55). Additional elongate setae scattered along posterior margin of sacculus on inner side. Ventral inner sides of sacculus with concave indentation along margin of clasper base ( Fig. 38 ). Left cucullus clear and membranous. Right cucullus with an ovuloid patch of sclerotization between clasper and ventral margin of cucullus, additional sclerotization bordering the cucullus medially, otherwise clear and membranous ( Figs 41 & 55). Cucullus with scattered elongate setae on inner surface along ventral margin, densest anteriorly. Left costa ( Figs 41 & 55) heavily sclerotized, widest medially, narrowest posteriorly; ventral margin concave anteriorly, convex medially, and concave posteriorly; dorsal margin strongly convex anteriorly, more weakly concave medially, then weakly convex, concave, and convex posteriorly (anterior to posterior); costa extends distinctly beyond cucullus where it projects ventro-posteriorly. Right costa ( Figs 41 & 55) dissimilar to left; distinct thickened anterior section terminates anterior of clasper apex, posterior to this the "costa" may be modified sclerotized cucullus, sclerotization less intense than on left costa in this area; ventral margin concave anteriorly, weakly convex medially, weakly concave posteriorly; dorsal margin strongly convex anteriorly, beyond thickened area convex overall but exact shape somewhat variable; extends slightly posteriorly beyond membranous cucullus, but shorter than left costal extension. Dorsally left costa smooth and narrow, right costa with a distinct notch slightly anterior to the clasper apex ( Fig. 54 , arrow). Claspers asymmetrical ( Figs 41 & 55). Left clasper ventral side convex basally, concave medially-distally, convex at apex; dorsal side convex basally, concave distally. Right clasper ventral margin concave, dorsal margin also concave but relatively less so. Left clasper base much wider than left ( Figs 41 & 55), left clasper but not right curved ventrally at apex ( Figs 41 & 55), both clasper apices curved inward but right apex more strongly so ( Fig. 38 ). Clasper apices covered with scattered minute short setae, apices with knob-like expansions ( Fig. 20 ). Ventral and dorsal margins of each clasper base with patches of elongate setae, with scattered shorter setae extending distally along ventral margin. Juxta ( Fig. 49 ): Two elongate slightly asymmetrical lobes, right lobe slightly shorter, both narrowest posteriorly, progressively widening anteriorly, with a narrow band of darker sclerotization along inner margin. Lobes narrowly fused to anellus at posterior apex, barely touching each other near posterior end but not fused together. Pitted pattern of anellus not extending to juxta lobes. Anellus ( Fig. 49 ): Lobes fused together throughout and appearing as a single sclerotized plate, strongly asymmetrical with right lobe larger and wider than left. Outer margin of left lobe strongly concave but with small convex protrusion medially, outer margin of right lobe concave, posterior apex narrowly rounded, anterior edges of both lobes convex. Band of sclerotized dense shallow depressions (pits) of variable lateral width throughout longitudinal midline. Uncus ( Figs 45–46 ): Tubular, progressively gradually narrowing distally, posterior margin strongly convex, anterior margin strongly concave; terminating in heavily sclerotized curved spine, laterally appearing pointed apically but narrowly rounded in dorsoventral view. Extensive lateral setae throughout length, most not longer than width of uncus but longest setae 2– 3 X width of uncus and located in medial and subapical areas. Tuba analis ( Fig. 44–45 ): Membranous except for scaphium, scaphium an elongate rectangular plate terminating slightly dorsally to the uncus apex. Aedeagus ( Figs 42–43, 47 ): Translucent throughout. Coecum of similar width to adjacent aedeagus, weakly bent. Aedeagus bent at posterior margin of coecum, and strongly bent before ventral extension over vesica, fairly straight in-between. Left flank of posterior ventral extension ("hood" over everted vesica) with a concave gouge and a convex posterior-lateral expansion ( Fig. 67 ), right flank weakly convex ( Figs 62 & 67 ), apex concave medially and convex on edges ( Fig. 62 ). All of the four sclerotized chords sometimes present on the ventral hood in Catocala are clearly present ( Fig. 67 ): left outer chord (LOC) extends almost to the apex of the hood ( Figs 62 & 67 ); left inner chord (LIC) terminates well anterior of apex, roughly parallel with LOC at terminus ( Figs 62 & 67 ); right inner chord (RIC) terminates about even or just anterior to anterior side of concave depression on left flank of hood, merges with right outer chord ( ROC) on both ends ( Fig. 67 ); ROC gradually weakens posteriorly along outer edge of hood with no clear terminus ( Fig. 62 ). Ductus ejaculatorius ( Fig. 50 ): Slender region with distinct bend just before scoop-shaped region, bent over at about 180 degrees. Scoop-shaped region strongly convex on outer side with prominent concave gouge basally, inner side convex at base, then strongly concave. Vesica ( Figs 62–66 , 68 , in part Figs 69–84): Vesica diverticulum 1 trilobed, concealed underneath diverticula 2 at most angles but best seen in ventral view with the hood slightly tilted to the left ( Fig. 62 ), or in anterior aspect with the focal plane underneath diverticulum 2; 1a the most elongate of the three lobes, fang-shaped with outer side convex, inner side concave, and apex narrowly rounded; 1b and 1c finger-like with convex apex, 1b about half as wide as 1c ( Fig. 62 ). Diverticulum 2 ( Figs 63–64 & 66 ) lacking subdiverticula, elongate and gradually tapering to a narrowly rounded apex, strongly bent in two places. Diverticulum 3 not clearly bifurcate but wide with convex bulges on each side, fairly straight in-between ( Figs 63– 64 ). Diverticulum 4 clearly bifurcate with two distinct convex bulges on each side and concave in-between ( Figs 63–64 ). Diverticulum 5 with three lobes, the central (5a) a broadly rounded convex bulge; the left (5b) somewhat fang-shaped, narrowly rounded (almost pointed) apically, with the left side convex and the right side concave; the right (5c) a broadly rounded shallow convex bulge barely distinct from 5a and separated by a shallow convex to nearly straight separation ( Figs 63–64 ). Diverticulum 6 large and broad, with two shallow but discernible convex lobes at apex ( Figs 68 , 77–78 ). Diverticulum 7 distinctly bilobed with posterior/distal lobe (7b) longer and narrower than anterior lobe (7a), 7b protruding from posterior corner, 7a protruding from anterior side, posterior side of 7 roughly parallel to anterior side of diverticulum 6, anterior base of 7 diverging from base of 6 with a distinct separation, but touching or nearly so farther distally where 7a bulges out ( Figs 68 –70). Diverticulum 8 broad but shallow convex bulge curving around right and apical sides of ventral aedeagus hood, several times as wide as high ( Figs 62 & 68 ). Diverticulum 9 a simple convex bulge ( Figs 63 & 65 ). Diverticulum 10 a broad simple convex bulge wider than high ( Figs 62 & 65 ). Diverticulum 11 not discernible. Diverticulum 12 a prominent convex bulge ( Figs 62–63, 66 ) overlapping most of the ventral aedeagus hood when viewed in the flattest ventral aspect ( Fig. 67 ). Diverticulum 13 a prominent, fairly narrow convex bulge, longer higher than wide, paralleling the distal margin of diverticulum 3 ( Fig. 64 ). Much of vesica covered with minute inward projecting triangular teeth, proximal teeth on diverticulum 8 bordering the right flank of the aedeagus hood larger, sclerotized, some with the sclerotization fused together into a narrow triangular plate ( Fig. 62 ).

Female genitalia (n=1) ( Figs 86–96 ): Papillae analis ( Figs 87, 89 , & 96): Transparent except for a broad band of light dorsal sclerotization on each papillus. Longest setae at base, projecting posterior/outward. Shorter setae throughout papillae project posterior/outward or perpendicular. Apices and medial area densely covered with short setae (shorter than width of papillus) in addition to less dense longer setae of variable lengths. Papillae curved such that dorsal side strongly convex, ventral side convex proximally and distally, strongly concave medially, apex broadly rounded. Papillae of similar width throughout most of length, widest proximally and subapically and weakly constricted medially, progressively tapering apically. Intersegmental membrane between papillae and segment 8 ( Fig. 87 ): Narrowing anterior to posterior, anterior end approximately 1.4 times width of anterior end.

Length/width at anterior end = 1.5. Segment A8 ( Fig. 87 ): Ventrally extending well posterior of lamella antevaginalis (only slightly overlapping on anterior side), shape as shown in Fig. 87 ; dense, elongate, posteriorly projecting setae encircling A8 posterior margin and much of dorsal and lateral sides, absent in area of ventral midline; thin heavily sclerotized U-shaped band connecting posterior margins of plates on ventral side. Intersegmental membrane between lamella and segment 8 on ventral side ( Fig. 87 ): Slightly curved (concave), moderately sclerotized and with minute spiculations ( Fig. 91 ), posterior end of sclerotization broader with convex sides, anterior end tubular and narrower with straighter sides. Lamella antevaginalis (LAV) ( Fig. 87 ): Posterior margin broadly convex; anterior margin convex on inner side, slightly concave on outer side, roughly perpendicular to the midline. Slit in LAV along ventral midline with an ovuloid expansion throughout its length; sides sclerotized and thickened anteriorly. Antrum ( Fig. 87 ): Sclerotized throughout except a small area around juncture with corpus bursae. Sides fairly straight to weakly convex, widest and most convex at anterior end of slit in LAV. Ductus bursae ( Fig. 87 ): Rectangular and strongly dorso-ventrally flattened with a sclerotized plate on each side, posterior approximately 2/3 strongly curved ventrally, anterior approximately 1/3 twisted about 90 degrees to left of ventral. Corpus bursae ( Fig. 87 ): Posterior section with longitudinal wrinkles, elongate, about 4 times as long as wide at anterior base (ventral aspect), sides convex, widening anterior to posterior. Anterior section densely covered with minute inverted teeth, globular and nearly spherical. Ductus seminalis ( Fig. 92 ): Total length approximately 12 mm if straightened out. Coiled basal section about 3.5 mm straightened out,with about five coils. Distal section about 8.5 mm, oblong bulla seminalis about 1.7mm. Collaterial gland complex (( Figs 87, 89 & 96 ) 86, 88, & 90): Terminology follows Mitter (1987). Adjoining differentiated canals of receptacle duct with one coil basal to the vesicle; abrupt transition to undifferentiated section in basal third of vesicle; vesicle unsclerotized, expanded relative to preceding coil, singly curved ( Fig. 90 ). Utriculus and lagena elongate ( Fig. 86 ), utriculus with many narrow longitudinal grooves throughout. Collaterial gland elongate and tubular, gradually widening basal to distal and then slightly widening into a two pronged sack from which the paired glands arise ( Fig. 88 ). Oviductus communalis as shown in Fig. 86 , typical of Catocala nupta complex. Vagina globular, almost spherical ( Fig. 86 ).

COI 5' Mitochondrial DNA: the C. benedeki holotype has the following sequence for COI 5' positions 1– 658; a single position was polymorphic among six sequenced specimens: 88(C&T).

AACTTTATATTTTATTTTTGGAATTTGAGCAGGAATAGTAGGAACTTCATTAAGATTATTAATTCGAGCT GAATTAGGTAATCCTGGCTCTTTAATTGGAGATGATCAAATTTATAATACTATTGTTACAGCTCATGCTTT TATTATAATTTTTTTTATAGTTATACCAATTATAATCGGAGGATTTGGTAATTGATTAGTACCTTTAATATT AGGAGCTCCTGATATAGCTTTTCCTCGTATAAATAATATAAGTTTTTGACTTCTACCCCCCTCATTAACTT TATTAATTTCAAGAAGAATTGTAGAAAATGGAGCAGGAACTGGATGAACAGTTTATCCCCCTCTTTCTT CTAACATTGCTCATAGAGGTAGTTCAGTAGATTTAGCTATTTTTTCCCTACATTTAGCTGGAATTTCTTC AATTTTAGGAGCTATTAATTTTATTACTACAATTATCAATATACGATTAAATAATTTAATATTTGATCAAAT ACCTTTATTTATTTGAGCTGTTGGAATTACTGCATTTCTTCTTCTTCTTTCTCTACCAGTATTAGCTGGAG CTATTACTATACTTCTAACTGATCGAAATTTAAATACTTCCTTTTTTGATCCTGCTGGAGGAGGAGATCC TATTTTATATCAACATTTATTT.

Biology and distribution. The larval host of C. benedeki is unknown, but related species whose host plant usages are documented all feed on various Salicaceae . The new species is found in the Karakoram Mountains, where willow and poplar thickets occur along watercourses up to 3000 m ( Bessarabov & Allan 2017). Abbas et al. (2014) reported Salix alba L. and Salix denticulata Bayoow from the Haramosh Valley in Central Karakoram National Park, which is located approximately 25 km from where the holotype of C. benedeki was collected. We note that Hampson (1913: 87) tabulates C. concubia specimens at the NHM from "Murree (Harford), 2♂, 2♀" (now in Kashmir). We show one of these specimens ( Fig. 5 , collected 1887, Murree Hills, ex. Harford collection) which matches C. benedeki in wing pattern.

Etymology. Catocala benedeki is named for Balázs Benedek who collected most of the type series during four trips to Kashmir.

Figures

FIGURES 68. Everted vesica of C. benedeki (lateral aspect with ventral aedeagus hood orientated up); 69: Diverticulum 7 of C. benedeki (lateral aspect with ventral aedeagus hood orientated up); 70: Diverticulum 7 of C. benedeki (lateral aspect with ventral aedeagus hood orientated down); 71 – 72: Diverticulum 7 of C. concubia (lateral aspect with ventral aedeagus hood orientated up); 73 – 76: Diverticulum 7 of C. nupta (lateral aspect with ventral aedeagus hood orientated up) [Note: In Fig. 73 the apex of 7 a is partially inverted inward making it appear shorter]. Solid arrows point to the boundaries of subdiverticulum 7 a; dashed arrows point to the anterior base of diverticulum 7. Note: It is impossible to photograph diverticulum 7 in this aspect at exactly the same angle between specimens, and some apparent minor differences in shape within species are incidental to minor differences in the angle between the photographs.

FIGURES 1 – 12. Imagos of Palearctic nupta group: C. benedeki, C. concubia, C. nupta, C. adultera, C. neglecta & C. laura.

FIGURES 38 – 54. Male genitalia and cuticle of C. benedeki Holotype; 55 – 61: valvae (inner) of C. benedeki, C. concubia and C. nupta.

FIGURES 23 – 37. Imagos of C. nupta types compared to similar sequence vouchers.

FIGURES 13 – 22. Imagos of high altitude Catocala from India & China: C. concubia, C. prolifica & C. fuscinupta.

FIGURES 77 – 84. Diverticulum 6 of C. benedeki (Figs 77 - 78), C. concubia (Figs 79 - 80), and C. nupta (Figs 81 – 84) in lateral aspect with the ventral aedeagus hood orientated up. In C. nupta diverticulum 6 has three shallow but distinct subdiverticula; in C. benedeki and C. concubia there are two. Solid arrows point to the dorsal margin of subdiverticulum 6 a; dashed arrows point to the anterior edge of subdiverticulum 6 c. Note: It is impossible to photograph diverticulum 6 at exactly the same angle between specimens, and some apparent differences in shape within species are due to minor differences in the angle between the photographs, especially between Figs 79 and 80. FIGURE 85. Habitat of C. benedeki: Kashmir, Lower Bubin Valley, 3000 m.

FIGURES 62 – 67. Everted vesica at different angles for C. benedeki.

FIGURES 86 – 96: Female genitalic structures and abdominal cuticle of C. benedeki (HLK: 2081).