Revision of the Lemonia taraxaci complex, with a description of a new species from Italy and clarification of the status of Lemonia strigata (Lepidoptera Brahmaeidae: Lemoniinae) Prozorov, Alexey M. Prozorova, Tatiana A. Volkova, Julia S. Yakovlev, Roman V. Nedoshivina, Svetlana V. Pinzari, Manuela Pinzari, Mario Scalercio, Stefano Bianco, Giovanni Saldaitis, Aidas Hausmann, Axel Revay, Edita E. Müller, Günter C. Zootaxa 2022 2022-10-13 5195 4 337 360 Prozorov & Prozorova & Volkova & Yakovlev & Nedoshivina & Pinzari & Pinzari & Scalercio & Bianco & Saldaitis & Hausmann & Revay & Müller, 2022 Prozorov & Prozorova & Volkova & Yakovlev & Nedoshivina & Pinzari & Pinzari & Scalercio & Bianco & Saldaitis & Hausmann & Revay & Müller 2022 [151,359,978,1005] Insecta Lemoniidae Lemonia Animalia Lepidoptera 6 343 Arthropoda species italiana sp. nov.  ( Figs 24–31, 54, 67–73, 97–98, 114–118) =  Lemonia taraxaci f. ablutaDannehl. Type locality: Italy, Apenninescentrale, Montagna Grande,  1200–1500 m. Paratype ♂( ZSM), nomen nudum.   Type material:   HOLOTYPE ♂, Italy, Calabriacentr., Silagrd., Casali del Manco, San Nicola Silano( CS), 39.29586° N, 16.52569° E,  1550 m,  2.IX.2012, leg. A. Hausmann, slide Lemon-7 ( ZSM).    PARATYPES( 133♂, 5♀total):  Italy, Emilia-Romagna:  3♂, Casina,  13.IX.1958, leg. A. Beyerl( CGM);  ♂, Zattaglia, M. Mauro,  350 m,  8.X.2010, leg. G. Govi( CAF).   Tuscany: 2♂, La Cisa, 44.4716° N, 9.9283° E,  1000 m,  IX.1959, leg. L. Weinmann( SMNS);  3♂, 2♀, Siena, Geggiano, Pianella, 43.3639° N, 11.3856° E,  350 m,  21–28.IX.2021, leg. N. Keil, BC ZSM Lep113545 ( CNK; CBM).   Marches: 3♂, Monte Catria, above Fossato, 43.4704° N, 12.6661° E,  1100 m,  23.IX.2017, leg. G. Govi, BC ZSM Lep114582, 114583, 114584 ( ZSM);  2♂, Monti Sibillini, Pintura di Bolognola,  1400 m,  1.09.2011, leg. A. Floriani( CAF)   Umbria: 2♂, Montagna Grande, 42.8469° N, 12.87161° E,  1000 m, 12.IX ( CGM).   Lazio: ♂, Roma, Monti Sabatini, Casaccia, Santa Maria di Galeria,  30.IX.1970, leg. P. Maltzeff, slide Lemon-17 ( CGM);  ♂, Roma, Olgiata,  7.IX.1967, slide 14.549 ( MWM/ ZSM);  17♂, 2♀, Rieti, Vallemare, Colle Marcone,  1121 m,  5.IX.1987,  13.IX.1987,  17.IX.1988,  20.IX.1991,  11.IX.2000,  8.IX.2002,  23.IX.2006,  14.IX.2008, leg. M. Pinzari( CMP, CGM);  ♀, Rieti, Vallemare, Costa della Chiusa,  1093 m,  16.IX.1989, leg. M. Pinzari( CMP);  14♂, Rieti, Posta, Villa Camponeschi, Colle Petruccio,  1000 m, 4–6.IX.1996,  8.IX.2001, leg. A. Zilli( CMP, CGM);  ♂, Rieti, Santa Anatolia,  750 m,  9.IX.1994, leg. P. Provera( CMP);  20♂, Roma, Olgiata,  30.IX.1961,  2.IX.1965,  3.IX.1965,  4.IX.1965,  3.IX.1966,  4.X.1966,  7.X.1966,  9.X.1966,  7.X.1967,  9.X.1972, leg. P. Provera( CMP);  3♂, Roma, Casaccia, Santa Maria di Galeria,  190 m,  5.X.1970,  7.X.1971,  22.X.1971, leg. P. Maltzeff( CMP, CGM).   Abruzzo: 2♂, L’Aquila, Rocca di Botte,  800 m,  30.IX.1974, leg. P. Provera( CMP, CGM);  ♂, L’Aquila, Sperone( Gioiadei Marsi),  1000 m,  30.IX.1995, leg. P. Provera( CMP);  ♂, Pescina,  900 m,  7.IX.1994, leg. P. Provera( CJM);  ♂, V. F. Capo, La Maina mt.,  1100 m,  5.X.1980, leg. P. Provera( CGM).   Apulia: 3♂, Ostuni, 40.72952° N, 17.57799° E,  5 m,  1–10.X.1969, leg. E. Beyerl( CGM).   Basilicata: 9♂, Forststraβe Mad. di Sirino, 40.1430° N, 15.8148° E,  1570 m,  5.IX.2011, leg. A. Hausmann( ZSM);  ♂, Forststraβe Mad. di Sirino, 40.2417° N, 16.3633° E,  1570 m,  5.IX.2011, leg. A. Hausmann, BC ZSM Lep60899 ( ZSM);  ♂, Md. di Sirino,  1060 m,  15.IX.1991, leg. A. Hausmann( ZSM);  ♂, Piano di Ruggio,  1545 m,  16.IX.2004, leg. Scalercio& Greco( ZSM);  ♂, Costatirr., Cristo di Maratea,  620 m,  28.X.1996, leg. A. Hausmann( ZSM);  2♂, Valle Noce, Trecchina,  320 m,  29.X.1996, leg. A. Hausmann( ZSM).   Calabria: 3♂, Pollino, Mercene,  300 m,  6.X.1980( ZSM);  ♂, Mte. Pollino, Col.d. Dragone,  1620 m,  12.IX.1995, leg. A. Hausmann( ZSM);  ♂, Casali del Manco, San Nicola Silano( CS),   1450 m,  4.IX.2000, leg. S. Scalercio( ZSM);  ♂, La Sila, Lago di Arvo,  1350 m,  11.IX.1971, leg. Wiegel( CGM);  8♂, Silagrd., Casali del Manco, San Nicola Silano( CS),  39.29719° N, 16.5261° E,  1550 m,  31.VIII.2012,  2.IX.1999, leg. A. Hausmann, BC ZSM Lep30795, slides Lemon-6, Lemon-8, Lemon-9 ( ZSM);  ♂, Sila Grande, M. Curcio,  1690 m,  9.X.2002, leg. Scalercio& Infusino( ZSM);  2♂, Sila, Mte Curcio S, 39.3120° N, 16.4243° E,  1730 m, wetland,  22.VIII.2000, leg. A. Hausmann( ZSM);  2♂, Donnici, Fosso Cucolo,  550 m,  18.X.1996, leg. S. Scalercio, slide Lemon-5 ( ZSM);  ♂, P. del minatore, 39.7837° N, 16.0753° E,  1420m,  29.IX.2016, leg. Scalercio& Infusino( CREA-FL);  ♂, Bocca di Novacco, Saracena, 39.8140° N, 16.0451° E,  1340m,  23.IX.2015, leg. Scalercio& Infusino( CREA-FL);  ♂, Quaresima, Aprigliano, 39.2353° N, 16.5087° E,  1310m,  7.IX.2015, leg. Scalercio& Infusino( CREA-FL);  2♂, Colle Macchie, Pedace, 39.2591° N, 16.5271° E,  1440m,  7.IX.2015, leg. Scalercio& Infusino( CREA-FL);  ♂, Colle Macchie, Pedace, 39.2597° N, 16.5308° E,  1450m,  7.IX.2015, leg. Scalercio& Infusino( CREA-FL);  ♂, Colle Macchie, Pedace, 39.2589° N, 16.5272° E,  1440m,  7.IX.2015, leg. Scalercio& Infusino( CREA-FL);  ♂, C. da Licari, Marcellinara, 38.9188° N, 16.4977° E,  215m,  10.X.2018, leg. S. Scalercio( CREA-FL);  ♂, Vallone Tasso, Spezzano Sila, 39.335985° N, 16.415114° E,  1409m,  10.IX.2018, leg. S. Scalercio( CREA-FL);  ♂, Villaggio Buturo, Zagarise, 39.0766° N, 16.2713°E,  1540m,  14.IX.2020, leg. S. Scalercio& C. Di Marco( CREA-FL);  2♂, Fiume Crati, Tarsia, presso cimitero di Tarsia, 39.6086° N, 16.2713° E,  55m,  15.X.2021, leg. S. Scalercio( CREA-FL);  ♂, Gambarie D’Aspromonte,  1300 m,  15.IX.1970, leg. F. Hartig( CGM).   Sicilia: ♂, ♀, Mistretta,  IX.1938( CGM);  ♂, Mistretta,  14.IX.1938( CGM);  ♂, ♀, Madonie,  1200 m, 9.IX ( CGM);  2♂, Madonie, Mandria del Conte,  1300 m,  18.IX.1993, leg. N. Grillo( CMP, CGM);  2♂, Bosco di Malabotta,  1320m, 2.X.07, leg. Infusino( CREA-FL).   Diagnosis.  Lemonia italianais an Italian and Sicilian species. It has a 2.98% gap analysis distance from  L. taraxaciand 3.30% from  L. sibirica( Fig. 115). Externally and morphologically variable, no reliable characters were found to distinguish it from closely related species.   Description. Male habitus( Figs 24–31). Antenna orange, flagellum apically covered with black scales. Head and thorax orange. Forewing length: 20–24 mm; wingspan: 43–46 mm. Wing somewhat triangular, external margin rounded and smooth, apex obtuse. Coloration ranges from pale to yolk yellow and may saturate towards the external margin. Cilia is wing color. Discal mark a small dark brown dot or lunule-shaped spot on the outer margin of the cell. Hindwing follows the same coloration as forewing. Cilia is of the same color as the wing. Abdomen black dorsally, the yellow interspace between abdominal segments may appear ( Fig. 30), laterally orange, and ventrally yellow. Femur yellow, tibia of fore and middle legs speckled yellow and black, tibia of hind leg yellow, tarsi black. The tibial spur formula is 0-2-2, epiphysis absent ( Figs 97–98). Male genitalia( Fig. 54). Tegumen somewhat triangular, widening basally. Socii membranous, covered with short chaetae. Uncus elongated, varies in width and length but always bifurcated apically and with isthmus near its base, covered with chaetae ( Figs 67–73). Gnathos short, rounded, spatula-like with an uneven surface, a narrow subanal plate going from it towards the anal opening. Vinculum narrow, band-like. Valvaeelongated, rounded, covered with chaetae, the ventral lateral margin may be convex or concave; sacculus weakly pronounced. Juxta boat-like pointed apically, widened basally, surrounds aedeagus. Aedeagus elongated, narrow, and c-shaped. Vesica small, elongated, and bag-shaped. Eighth sternum small, somewhat triangular, apically rounded, and varies in shape. Eighth tergum trapezoid not modified. Female habitus( Fig. 31). Forewing length: 24 mm; wingspan 48 mm. Fore and hind wing coloration pale yellow. Female genitalianot studied.   Etymology. We dedicate the species not to the Italian territory, which also includes Sicily, but to the Italian language and culture that we all admire.   Distribution( Fig. 114). The Italian Peninsula southwards of the Po Valley to Sicily, the northeast border is somewhere between the Alps and the Apennines. Earlier recorded as  L. taraxaciby Grünberg, 1913; Mariani, 1941; Rougeot, 1971; Teobaldelli, 1976; Prola et al., 1978; de Freina & Witt, 1987; Bertaccini et al., 1994; Sciarretta & Parenzan, 1998; Sciarretta & Zahm, 2002; Parenzan & Porcelli, 2006; Sciarretta et al., 2008; Pinzari et al., 2010; Antoshin & Zolotuhin, 2011; Zerunian & Zilli, 2014, Infusino & Scalercio, 2018; Scalercio & Greco, 2018; Scalercio, 2020; Scalercio et al., 2022.   Biology( Figs 116–118). Ecologically the species is related to the following regions ( Dinerstein et al., 2017): Italian sclerophyllous and semi-deciduous forests, Apennine deciduous montane forests, Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests, and South Apennine mixed montane forests. It inhabits heights from 55 (Fiume Crati, Tarsia, 39.6086° N, 16.2713° E) up to 2200 m(Monte Pollino, 39.907° N, 16.18886° E) above sea level. Adults were collected from August to October.  Taxonomic note.  Antoshin and Zolotuhin (2011: 15)mentioned a series of paratypesof  Lemonia taraxacif. abluta Dannehldeposited in ZSM. Adultswere collected in Italy, Umbria, Montagna Grande, 42.8469° N, 12.87161° E– a location within the new species distribution area. Neither we nor Antoshin and Zolotuhin found the name in the available literature, so we treat the name ablutaas nomen nudum. 3924108329 ZSM Italy 1350 Apennines Montagna Grande 6 343 1 1 paratype 3924108384 2012-09-02 CS, ZSM A. Hausmann Italy Sila 1550 39.29586 San Nicola Silano 1 16.52569 Casali del Manco 6 343 1 1 Calabria holotype 3924108422 [152,824,1286,1313] Italy Emilia-Romagna 6 343 138 5 133 Emilia-Romagna paratype 3924108323 [842,1393,1286,1313] 1958-09-13 CGM A. Beyerl Italy Casina 6 343 3 3 Emilia-Romagna paratype 3924108351 2010-10-08 CAF Zattaglia, M & G. Govi Italy 350 Mauro 6 343 1 1 Emilia-Romagna paratype 3924108303 1959-09 SMNS La Cisa & L. Weinmann Italy 1000 44.4716 Tuscany 6 9.9283 6 343 2 2 Tuscany paratype 3924108314 2021-09-21 2021-09-28 2021-09-21 CNK, CBM N. Keil & Lep Italy Siena 350 43.3639 Pianella 6 11.3856 Geggiano 6 343 5 2 3 Toscana paratype 3924108400 2017-09-23 ZSM G. Govi & Lep Italy 1100 43.4704 Fossato 6 12.6661 Monte Catria 6 343 3 3 Marches paratype 3924108377 2011-09-01 CAF A. Floriani Italy 1400 Pintura di Bolognola Monti Sibillini 6 343 2 2 Marche paratype 3924108419 CGM Italy 1000 42.8469 Montagna Grande 5 12.87161 6 343 2 2 Umbria paratype 3924108326 1970-09-30 CGM P. Maltzeff Italy Roma Casaccia Monti Sabatini 6 343 1 1 Lazio paratype 3924108339 [772,1432,1538,1565] 1967-09-07 MWM, ZSM Italy Olgiata Roma 6 343 1 1 Lazio paratype 3924108307 1987-09-05 2008-09-14 1987-09-05 CMP, CGM M. Pinzari Italy Rieti 1121 Colle Marcone Vallemare 6 343 19 2 17 Lazio paratype 3924108394 1989-09-16 CMP M. Pinzari Italy Rieti 1093 Costa della Chiusa Vallemare 6 343 1 1 Lazio paratype 3924108403 2001-09-08 CMP, CGM A. Zilli Italy Rieti 1000 Villa Camponeschi Posta 6 343 14 14 Lazio paratype 3924108401 [597,1366,1682,1709] 1994-09-09 CMP P. Provera Italy 750 Santa Anatolia Rieti 6 343 1 1 Lazio paratype 3924108319 1961-09-30 1972-10-09 1961-09-30 CMP P. Provera Italy Olgiata Roma 6 343 20 20 Lazio paratype 3924108402 1970-10-05 1971-10-22 1970-10-05 CMP, CGM P. Maltzeff Italy Roma 190 Santa Maria di Galeria Casaccia 6 343 3 3 Lazio paratype 3924108365 1974-09-30 CMP, CGM P. Provera Italy 800 Rocca di Botte L'Aquila 6 343 2 2 Abruzzo paratype 3924108409 [420,1394,1826,1853] 1995-09-30 CMP P. Provera Italy L'Aquila 1000 Gioia Sperone 6 343 1 1 Abruzzo paratype 3924108334 1994-09-07 CJM P. Provera Italy 900 Pescina 6 343 1 1 Abruzzo paratype 3924108379 1980-10-05 CGM V. F. Capo & P. Provera Italy 1100 La Maina mt. 6 343 1 1 Abruzzo paratype 3924108322 [247,1253,1898,1925] 1969-10-01 1969-10-10 1969-10-01 CGM E. Beyerl Italy 5 40.72952 Ostuni 1 17.57799 6 343 3 3 Apulia paratype 3924108330 2011-09-05 ZSM A. Hausmann Italy 1570 40.143 Mad. di Sirino 6 15.8148 6 343 9 9 Basilicata paratype 3924108341 2011-09-05 ZSM A. Hausmann & Lep Italy 1570 40.2417 Mad. di Sirino 6 16.3633 6 343 1 1 Basilicata paratype 3924108412 1991-09-15 ZSM A. Hausmann Italy 1060 Md. di Sirino 6 343 1 1 Basilicata paratype 3924108390 2004-09-16 ZSM Scalercio & Greco Italy 1545 7 344 Piano di Ruggio 6 343 1 1 Basilicata paratype 3924108413 [351,1241,151,177] 1996-10-28 ZSM A. Hausmann Italy 620 Cristo di Maratea Costa 7 344 1 1 Basilicata paratype 3924108386 1996-10-29 ZSM A. Hausmann Italy 320 Trecchina Valle Noce 7 344 2 2 Basilicata paratype 3924108353 [785,1432,186,213] 1980-10-06 ZSM Italy 300 Mercene Pollino 7 344 3 3 Calabria paratype 3924108346 [151,1058,222,249] 1995-09-12 ZSM A. Hausmann Italy Mte. Pollino 1620 Dragone Col. 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108392 CS San Nicola Silano Italy Casali del Manco 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108304 [294,781,258,285] 2000-09-04 ZSM S. Scalercio Italy 1450 7 344 1 Calabria paratype 3924108308 1971-09-11 CGM La Sila & Wiegel Italy 1350 Lago di Arvo 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108398 [248,877,293,320] CS San Nicola Silano Italy Casali del Manco Sila 7 344 8 8 Calabria paratype 3924108389 1999-09-02 2012-08-31 1999-09-02 ZSM A. Hausmann & Lep Italy 1550 39.29719 4 16.5261 7 344 1 Calabria paratype 3924108373 2002-10-09 ZSM Scalercio & Infusino Italy 1690 Curcio 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108385 2000-08-22 ZSM Mte Curcio S & A. Hausmann Italy 1730 39.312 Sila 6 16.4243 7 344 2 2 Calabria paratype 3924108364 1996-10-18 ZSM S. Scalercio Italy 550 Fosso Cucolo Donnici 7 344 2 2 Calabria paratype 3924108336 2016-09-29 CREA-FL Scalercio & Infusino Italy 1420 39.7837 6 16.0753 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108393 2015-09-23 CREA-FL Scalercio & Infusino Italy 1340 39.814 Saracena 6 16.0451 Bocca di Novacco 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108374 2015-09-07 CREA-FL Scalercio & Infusino Italy 1310 39.2353 Aprigliano 6 16.5087 Quaresima 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108381 2015-09-07 CREA-FL Scalercio & Infusino Italy 1440 39.2591 Pedace 6 16.5271 Colle Macchie 7 344 2 2 Calabria paratype 3924108335 2015-09-07 CREA-FL Scalercio & Infusino Italy 1450 39.2597 Pedace 6 16.5308 Colle Macchie 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108376 2015-09-07 CREA-FL Scalercio & Infusino Italy 1440 39.2589 Pedace 6 16.5272 Colle Macchie 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108324 2018-10-10 CREA-FL C. da Licari & S. Scalercio Italy 215 38.9188 Marcellinara 6 16.4977 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108309 2018-09-10 CREA-FL S. Scalercio Italy 1409 39.335983 Spezzano Sila 1 16.415113 Vallone Tasso 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108355 2020-09-14 CREA-FL S. Scalercio & C. Di Marco Italy 1540 39.0766 Zagarise 6 16.2713 Villaggio Buturo 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108350 2021-10-15 CREA-FL di Tarsia & S. Scalercio Italy 55 39.6086 Tarsia 6 16.2713 Fiume Crati 7 344 2 2 Calabria paratype 3924108424 [501,1340,790,817] 1970-09-15 CGM F. Hartig Italy 1300 Gambarie D'Aspromonte 7 344 1 1 Calabria paratype 3924108359 1938-09 CGM Italy Mistretta 7 344 2 1 1 Sicilia paratype 3924108357 [546,925,825,852] 1938-09-14 CGM Italy Mistretta 7 344 1 1 Sicilia paratype 3924108399 [939,1380,825,852] CGM Italy 1200 Madonie 7 344 2 1 1 Sicilia paratype 3924108344 1993-09-18 CMP, CGM N. Grillo Italy 1300 Mandria del Conte Madonie 7 344 2 2 Sicilia paratype 3924108340 CREA-FL Infusino Italy 1320 Bosco di Malabotta 7 344 2 2 Sicilia paratype 3924108417 Italy Dannehl 42.8469 Montagna Grande 5 12.87161 Adults 8 345 1 Umbria paratype