Hissarica, Viidalepp, 1988

Viidalepp, Jaan & Kostjuk, Igor, 2021, Taxonomic notes on two endemic geometrine genera from Middle Asia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Geometrinae), Zootaxa 5052 (1), pp. 137-144 : 140

Hissarica and Xenochlorodes

The fusion of hindwing vein Sc to the foremargin of the discal cell, the fusion of forewing vein R1 into Sc and the presence of one pair of spurs on the hindtibia are stressed in the first descriptions of Xenochlorodes ( Warren 1897; Prout 1912). The delimiting characters of Xenochlorodes in comparison with Hissarica and Hierochthonia include the emarginate saccus in the type species ( Fig. 16 ) as in Thetidia Boisduval, 1840 and allied genera, the bilobed last sternite of the male abdomen, and the valva which is emarginate between the sacculus tip and valvula. Forewing vein R1 arises from a common stalk with veins R2–5. However, Xenochlorodes nubigena Wollaston, 1858 has a rectangular saccus ( Fischer & Ivinskis 2007). A sclerotized anellar complex is present in some Xenochlorodes ( Fig. 16 ), shared by the species of Hierochthonia (incl. “ H.” alexandraria , Fig. 23d ) and Hissarica ( Fig. 14 ). Morphological difference of Xenochlorodes olympiaria compared to Hissarica and Hierochthonia is striking in wing shape and genitalia (coremata present, saccus bilobate, the last sternite bilobed in male). The hypothesis of Xenochlorodes subgenus Hissarica ( Hausmann 1996, 2001) is rejected.

Material studied: Xenochlorodes olympiaria : 1 ♂, Spain, Fuerteventura Island, R. Viidalepp leg. ( IZBE); 1♂, Dalmatia, Gravosa (gen. pr. 660); 1♂, Syria (gen. pr. 661); 1♂, Alpes Maritimes, Cannes, VI, Ch. Gerings ( ZMKU); 1♂, Dalmatia, Gravosa, IX.1924 Schwingenschuss; 1♀, Griechenöand, Parnassos Oros, Umg. Delphi, 31.5.– 8.6.1976, 500– 700 m, G. Baisch ( SMNK); Hierochthonia pulverata : 1♂, Syria, e coll. Trussevitsh (gen. pr. 662); 1♀, Syria, Stgr. et B.-H. ( ZMKU); Xenochlorodes ? albicostaria (digital photos of syntypes and their genitalia): 1♂ ♀, Iran Fars, Strasse Ardekan–Talochosroe, Comèe, ca. 2600m, 30. VI.1937, coll. Brandt; gen. pr. 11051, 11052 ( NHRS). New data about “ Phorodesma graminaria Kollar ” will be published by Dominic Wanke.

Figures

FIGURES 14–16. Genitalia structures of Hissarica and Hierochthonia. 14–15: Hissarica postalbida. 14a—male armature with aedeagus, 14b—VIII sternite of male; 15—female genitalia (15a–part of bursa with signum enlarged); 16: Xenochlorodes olympiaria: 16a—male armature, 16b—aedeagus, 16c—VIII sternite of male. Scale bar, 1 mm.

FIGURES 22–26. Genitalia structures of Hierochthonia, Ratsa, gen. nov. and Xenochlorodes. 22: Hierochthonia pulverata: 22a—male armature, 22b—aedeagus, 22c—VIII sternite, 22d—lateral view; 23–24: Ratsa alexandraria: 23a—male armature, 23b—aedeagus, 23c—VIII sternite, 23d—lateral view, 24a—female genitalia, lateral view, 24b—female genitalia, ventral view; 25—female genitalia of Ratsa? petitaria; 26—female genitalia of Xenochlorodes albicostaria. Scale bar, 1 mm.