Eulamprotes gemerensis Elsner

Huemer, Peter, Elsner, Gustav & Karsholt, Ole, 2013, Review of the Eulamprotes wilkella species-group based on morphology and DNA barcodes, with descriptions of new taxa (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), Zootaxa 3746 (1), pp. 69-100 : 96

Eulamprotes gemerensis Elsner sp. nov.

Examined material. Holotype. ♂. “ Slovakia centr., Muráň-hrad, 5.–7.vii.2003, M. Petrů lgt.” genitalia slide “GU 13/1344 ♂ P. Huemer” (TLMF).

Paratypes. Slovakia: 1♂, NP (National park) Slovenský kras, Plešivec, Ďulová, 415 m, 10.viii.2010, (barcode id TLMF Lep 05167), G. Elsner lgt. (TLMF); 1♂, Slovenský kras, Plešivec, Ďulová, 441 m, 8.vii.2011, (barcode id TLMF Lep 05168) G. Elsner lgt. (RCGE); 1 ♂, Slovenský kras, Plešivec, Ďulová, 455 m, 26.vii.2012, G. Elsner lgt., gen.prep.GE/2842 (RCGE); 1♂, Slovenský kras, Plešivec, Ďulová, 450 m, 8.viii.2008, J. Liška lgt. (RCJL); 1♂, Slovenský kras, Plešivec, Ďulová, 450 m, 19.vi.2009, J. Liška lgt. (RCJL); 1♂, Slovenský kras, Plešivec, Ďulová, 450 m, 10.viii.2010, J. Liška lgt. (RCJL); 1♂, Slovenský kras, Plešivec, Ďulová, 450 m, 19.vi.2009, J. Liška lgt. (RCJL); 1♂, Slovakia centr., Muránska planina, Muráň-Šiance, 920 m, 16.–19.vi.2004, J. Liška lgt. (RCJL); 2♂, Slov. kras, Vidová, 27.vi.2001, leg. Tokár [one specimen without abdomen] (RCZT); 1♂, Slov. kras, Vidová, 26.v.2000, leg. Tokár, gen. prep. GE/1542, (barcode id TLMF Lep 05170) (ZMUC).

DESCRIPTION.—Adult ( Fig. 21 ). Male. Wingspan 10.5–11.5 mm. Segment 2 of labial palpus blackish brown; segment 3 light greyish except for the black frontal edge. Basal half of antenna black, apical part greyish white, several segments in middle ringed black and greyish white. Head, thorax and tegula black, frons slightly lighter. Forewing black with silvery white markings: oblique block from 1/6 reaching almost to fold; broken fascia from middle of costa (but not reaching costa) two-thirds towards dorsum; pre-apical costal spot not connected with more inwards placed tornal spot; termen with some silvery white scales; cilia blackish grey, whitish grey at tip of apex. Hindwing about as broad as forewing, grey. Abdomen dark brown above, paler on underside, terminal brush of longitudinal scales white.

Female. Unknown.

Variation. The central fascia is more or less divided into two bright spots.

Male genitalia ( Figs 48–49 ; 57). Segment VIII with two pairs of coremata in intersegmental membrane grouped into clusters of oval and lanceolate scales, respectively. Uncus rather long moderately sclerotized lobe bearing several long setae; tegumen short, tunnel-shaped in natural position, posterior margin slightly sclerotized to membranous; uncus and tegumen loosely fused by very thin membrane, two very long and rather stout setae, each on dorsolateral corner of tegumen; pedunculi inconspicuous; beak-shaped setose valva strongly sclerotized and tapered from middle; setose, moderately sclerotized lobe (plate) connects internal base of valva with interior membrane; sacculus a distinct setose lobe; saccus almost as long as distance from anterior margin of vinculum to tip of valva, basally moderately broad, distally evenly tapered; phallus big, wedge-shaped in lateral view, terminated with unfinished circular hole; narrow slit parallel to the longitudinal axis extending from the top to about one-quarter where a strongly sclerotized transverse rib protrudes; vesica with number of small grains arranged in rows.

Female genitalia.—Unknown.

DIAGNOSIS.— E. gemerensis sp. nov. is characterized by having a black head and the antennae divided into a black basal part, ringed middle part and a greyish white apical part. It is similar to E. atrifrontella sp. nov. and to E. occidentella , but the latter has a lighter frons and differently ringed antennae.

GENETIC DATA.—The intraspecific divergence of the barcode region is low, ranging from 0%–0.16% (average distance 0.1%) (n = 3). The distance to the nearest neighbour E. libertinella is 6.14%.

DISTRIBUTION. So far known only from south-eastern central Slovakia.

BIOLOGY. Host-plant and early stages unknown. The moths occur on xerothermic limestone slopes and have exclusively been collected at light. The flight-period falls between late May and early August.

ETYMOLOGY. The name (an adjective) is derived from the noun Gemer—the name of an important tourist area that comprises both Slovak national parks, Slovenský kras (Slovakian karst) and Muránská planina (M. plateau), the only localities where the new species has been found.

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 21. Adults of Eulamprotes spp. 13, E. occidentella Huemer & Karsholt, paratype, ♂ (Italy); 14, ditto, paratype, ♀ (Italy); 15, E. atrifrontella sp. nov., paratype, ♂ (Turkey); 16, E. wieseri sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (Kirgizia); 17, E. altaicella sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (Russia, Altai); 18, E. kailai sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (Kirgizia); 19, E. libertinella (Zeller), ♂ (Italy); 20, ditto, ♀ (Switzerland); 21, E. gemerensis sp. nov., paratype, ♂ (Slovakia). Scale bar = 2 mm.

FIGURES 46 – 49. Male genitalia of Eulamprotes spp. 46, E. libertinella (Zeller), (Italy) gen. slide GEL 1154 P. Huemer; 47, ditto, phallus; 48, E. gemerensis sp. nov., paratype, (Slovakia) gen. slide GU 13 / 1344 P. Huemer; 49, ditto, phallus.