Scrobipalpa similis Povolný, 1973

Figs 49–52, 107–110, 154–157

Scrobipalpa similis Povolný 1973: 21 .

Euscrobipalpa kyrana Povolný, 2001: 193 . Syn. nov.

Type material examined. Holotype ♂, Mongolia, Südgobi aimak, 10 km NNO von der Stadt Dalanzadgad, 1450 m, Exp. Dr. Z. Kaszab | Nr. 898, 7.vii.1967 (gen. slide Gz. 4251, D. Povolný, remounted by OB) (SMNK) . Holotype of E. kyrana ♀, [Russia] Zabaikalie, Chtia reg., Kyra vill. env., 17.vii.1997, at light (A. Bidzilya, I. Kostjuk & O. Kostjuk) (gen. slide Bdz. 54, D. Povolný) (ZMKU) .

Material examined. 2 ♂, 5 ♀, [Russia] Zabaikalie, Chtia reg., Kyra vill. env., 14, 15, 17.vii.1997, at light (Bidzilya, I. Kostjuk & O. Kostjuk) (gen. slides 30/07 ♀; 31/07 ♂; 151/08 ♀; 216/ 15♀; 217/ 15♀; 124/ 16♀; 174/ 18♂, OB) (all ZMKU) . 1 ♀, Mongolia, South Gobi aimak, Bain-Dag, 30 km NNE Bukgan, 26–28.vii.1967 (Emelyanov & Kerzhner) (gen. slide 245/15, OB) (ZIN) . 6 ♂, 1 ♀, [Kazakhstan], 150 km NE Alma-Ata, Ili river right bank, Mynbulak, 2, 17–19.vii.1990, e. l. Kalidium foliatum (Pall.) Moq. (Falkovitsh) (gen. slides 27/07 ♂, 214/ 15♂, 215/ 15♀, OB) (all ZMKU) .

Remarks. Scrobipalpa similis was described from the male holotype (Fig. 49) collected in south Mongolia. The specimen is in poor condition, the forewing pattern is indistinct with a brown spot in fold, diffuse brown costal spot at 3/4 and apex mottled with brown. The male genitalia are rather characteristic in the sacculus and vincular process being broad, of equal length and width, and the straight phallus with distinctly inflated caecum (Figs 107–110). Specimens whose males match the holotype of S. similis but females match the holotype S. kyrana have been found sympatrically in SE Kazakhstan and Zabaikalskiy krai of Russia. Moreover, in Kazakhstan these males and females have been bred from the same host plant, so that we have no doubt of their conspecificity to each other, and to S. similis and S. kyrana respectively. Hence, we establish the new following synonymy: Scrobipalpa kyrana (Povolný, 2001) syn. nov. of Scrobipalpa similis Povolný, 1973 .

Biology. The larvae have been observed feeding in spun leaves of Kalidium foliatum in SE Kazakhstan, and hibernated in the final instar (Falkovitsh & Bidzilya 2006: 72).

Molecular data. No barcode available.

Distribution. SE Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia: Zabaikalskiy krai.