Acasis appensata callaina Hausmann & Huemer

Hausmann, Axel & Huemer, Peter, 2011, Taxonomic decision as a compromise: Acasis appensata (Eversmann, 1832) in Central Italy — a case of conflicting evidence between DNA barcode and morphology (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), Zootaxa 3070, pp. 60-68 : 62-66

Acasis appensata callaina Hausmann & Huemer ssp. nov.

Type material. Holotype Ƥ, ‘ ITALIA, Abruzzen, Monte Terminillo, 1730 m, 13°00,6´E, 42°49,0´N, 16.07.2010, Huemer leg. TLMF 2010-015’ ( TLMF). Paratypes. Italy: 1 3, 10 Ƥ, same data as holotype (genitalia slides G 1456 Ƥ, G 1458 Ƥ, G 1461 3 ( TLMF); 4 Ƥ, ditto, but 12.7.2010 ( TLMF); 1 3, ditto, but 11.7.2010 (genitalia slide G 1464 3 ( TLMF); 6 3, 6 Ƥ, ditto, but 11.7.2010, leg. Mayr ( RCTM; coll. N. Pöll); 10 3, 16 Ƥ, ditto, but 12.7.2010, leg. Mayr ( RCTM); 2 3, 12 Ƥ, ditto, but 16.7.2010, leg. Mayr ( RCTM); 1 3, 6 Ƥ, ditto, but 17.7.2010, leg. Mayr ( RCTM). 1 3, 1 Ƥ, ditto, but 1800 m, 15.7.2004, leg. H. Rietz ( ZSM); 1 3, ditto, but 15.7.2007, leg. et coll. H. Rietz; 1 3, 2 Ƥ, ditto, but 17.- 20.7.2004.

Description. Adult ( Figs. 3–4 ). Head, thorax and tegula mixed grayish-brown, labial palpus dark brown. Wingspan 3 20–21 mm; Ƥ 20–23 mm; forewing with strongly convex outer margin; ground colour light greyish covered with pale green, darker grey suffusion particularly along undulated antemedian and postmedian fascia; postmedian fascia light greyish with indistinct darker line; veins with short dark brown lines along both sides of postmedian fascia; dark brown discal spot and dark brown patches along fringe line well developed; fringes chequered greyish-brown, outer part lighter. Hindwing grey-brown with slightly darker basal half; small discal spot; darker grey terminal line and weakly checkered fringes; base of anal area in male with short lobe. Male genitalia ( Figs. 9–12 ). As described under the nominotypical subspecies, but sacculus slightly more tapered towards apex. Female genitalia ( Figs. 16–17 ). As described under the nominotypical subspecies, but antrum (colliculum) shorter, length approx. 0.3 mm, posteriorly more clearly funnel-shaped (with deeper posterior excavation), posterior part of Diagnosis. This new subspecies is characterized by the pale green suffusion of the forewings which is greyishbrown in the nominotypical subspecies ( Figs. 1–2 ) and yellowish-green in A. viretata ( Figs 5–6 ). The genitalia of both sexes are very similar to those of A. appensata appensata but strongly differ from those of A. viretata (see above and Figs. 7–18 ).

Bionomics. Host-plant and early stages are unknown but it is very likely that the new subspecies also feeds on Actaea spicata which occurs at the type-locality. The adults have been collected in mid-July nearby the upper edge of a beech forest on limestone at high altitudes of about 1700 m.s.l. ( Fig. 19 ). They were attracted to artificial lights in large numbers.

Distribution. Only known from the northern slopes of Monte Terminillo in the Central Italian Abruzzi.

Etymology. The specific name, an adjective derived from the Latin callainus, refers to the pale green colour of the forewing.

Figures

FIGURE 19. Type-locality of A. appensata callaina ssp. nov. (Monte Terminillo, Abruzzi, Italy).

FIGURES 1 – 6. Adults of Acasis. 1 – 2, A. appensata appensata (Eversmann); 3 – 4, A. appensata callaina ssp. nov.; 5 – 6, A. viretata (Hübner).

FIGURES 7 – 14. Male genitalia of Acasis. 7 – 8, A. appensata appensata (Eversmann), slide G 1460; 9 – 10, A. appensata callaina ssp. nov., paratype, slide G 1464; 11 – 12, ditto, paratype, slide G 1461; 13 – 14, A. viretata (Hübner), slide G 1462.

FIGURES 15 – 18. Female genitalia of Acasis. 15, A. appensata appensata (Eversmann), slide G 1459; 16, A. appensata callaina ssp. nov., paratype, slide G 1456; 17, ditto, paratype, slide G 1458; 18, A. viretata (Hübner), slide G 1463.