Scopula relictata (Walker, 1866)

Wanke, Dominic, Hausmann, Axel, Lee, Kyung Min, Murillo-Ramos, Leidys, Sihvonen, Pasi & Rajaei, Hossein, 2023, Systematics and integrative taxonomic revision of the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 in Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae), Zootaxa 5359 (1), pp. 1-96 : 14-15

Scopula relictata (Walker, 1866)

( Plate 3, Figs 20–23; Plate 11 , Fig. 3; Plate 21 , Figs 8–9; Map 2)

Acidalia relictata Walker, 1866 . List of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum, 35: 1629. Syntypes ♁ ( Hindostan [ India]) (in OUM).

Lycauges relictata demissus Swinhoe, 1887 . Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1886 (4): 456. Syntypes ( India, central) (NHMUK). Synonym of Scopula relictata .

Sterrha ooptera Turner, 1922 . Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 46: 267. Holotype ♀ ( Australia, Queensland, Gayndah ). Synonym of Scopula relictata .

Type material examined. Lycauges relictata demissus : Syntype 1 ♁ ♀, [ India], Mhow , NHMUK 014173576 ; in NHMUK.

Additional material examined: 7 ♁/ ♀ (see appendix).

Taxonomic note. Combination of this species with the genus Scopula questionable, see taxonomic note of Scopula conscensa .

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♁ ♀ 16–19 mm. Ground colour beige to brown with some grey tinge, wings pointed towards the apex ( Plate 3, Figs 20–23). Scopula relictata can be confused externally with S. conscensa (see Plate 3, Figs 17–23), but both species have a unique combination of characters on their male and female genitalia.

In the male genitalia socii fused, short. Fibula long, tapered needle-like. Lateral process of anellus long, tapered needle-like (short, broad rounded in S. conscensa ). Aedeagus broad, slightly curved, apical half spined (curved, vesica with one short cornutus in S. conscensa ) (see Plate 11 , Figs 1–3). 8th sternite basally narrowing, apically notched.

In the female genitalia lamella antevaginalis rectangular, apically concave (triangular in S. conscensa ). Corpus bursae long, pear-shaped, without signum (globular, strongly spinulose in S. conscensa ) (see Plate 21 , Figs 7–9).

Phenology. The investigated specimens from Iran were collected in March. Investigated specimens outside Iran were collected from March to October.

Biology & Habitat. Unknown.

Distribution. Distributed in Bahrain, Oman, Iran, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. In Iran it is only known from the southwestern and southern provinces (see Map 2). Reported by Wiltshire (1980) for South Iran without more detailed information. Here we confirm the presence of this species in Iran.

DNA-barcoding. Nearest species: S. scalercii with 7.1 % (see Supplementary Table S1).

Figures

PLATE 11: Figures 1–3. Male genitalia of Scopula species. 1–2: Scopula conscensa (India, NHMUK014314490, 1: in scale, 2: enlarged, out of scale); 3: Scopula relictata (Iran, Minab, g. prep. 0923/2021 D. Wanke). a = genitalia capsule; b = aedeagus; c = 8th sternite. Scale-bar 1 mm.

PLATE 21: Figures 1–9. Female genitalia of Cinglis, Scopuloides and Scopula species. 1: Cinglis humifusaria (Iran, Zanjan,Ab-Dar, g. prep. 1193/2022 D. Wanke); 2: Cinglis benigna benigna comb. nov. (Iran, Strasse Shiraz-Kazerun, Imam Sade, g. prep. 1050/2021 D. Wanke); 3: Cinglis benigna nigromaculata comb. nov. (Iran, Semnan, Cheschme Ali, g. prep. 0985/2021 D. Wanke); 4: Cinglis benigna amseli syn. nov. of Cinglis benigna benigna comb. nov. (Paratype, Afghanistan, Gulbahar, g. prep. WM 131); 5: Cinglis eurata comb. nov. (Turkmenistan, Kopet-Dagh, g. prep. 895 Pasi Sihvonen); 6: Scopuloides origalis stat. rev. (Iran, Balutschestan, Nikschar, g. prep. 0565/2020 D. Wanke); 7: Scopula conscensa (Ceylon, NHMUK014173528, Slide NHMUK010317461); 8–9: Scopula relictata (8: Oman,Adam, NHMUK014173580, Slide NHMUK014314454; 9: [Kenya], Suna, S. Kavirondo, NHMUK014173536, Slide NHMUK014314489); Scale-bar 1 mm.