Udea rajabii, Alipanah & Slamka, 2023

Alipanah, Helen & Slamka, František, 2023, A revision of the subfamily Spilomelinae (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) in Iran with description of a new species, Zootaxa 5248 (1), pp. 1-70 : 9-21

Udea rajabii sp. n.

( Figs 3A‒F , 4A‒D , 5A‒D , 6A–H , 7A–C , 8A–H )

Material examined. Holotype, Ô, HMIM: Iran, Fârs Prov.: Shirâz , 10 km N Sivand, 1150 m, 15.v.1974, Pâzuki, Abâi leg. (gen. prep. HA-2716, HMIM).

Paratypes, 109 ÔÔ 28 ♀♀, HMIM: Iran, 6 ÔÔ 2 ♀♀, same data as the holotype; Alborz Prov.: 1 Ô, Eshtehârd, Halgheh Darreh , 27.vi.1968, Âyatollâhi leg. (gen. prep. HA-2718, HMIM) , 6 ÔÔ 1 ♀, Karaj, Âzâdbar , 2300 m, 12.vii.1996, Barâri, Badii leg. (gen. prep. HA-2714, HMIM) , 5 ÔÔ, 40 km N Karaj, Âsârâ , 1850 m, 27.vi.1971, Safavi, Borumand, Kâviân, Ghâzioff leg. , 1 Ô, Karaj, Dizin , 4.viii.1973, Ebrâhimi leg. , 1 Ô, Karaj, Dizin , 2900 m, 12.viii.1981, Hâshemi leg. , 1 Ô, Karaj, Kandovân, Sarchâl , 2800 m, 4.–8.vii.1977, Pâzuki, Mortazavihâ leg. , 2 ÔÔ, Karaj, Shahrestânak, Kil Kolâ fountain, 2400 m, 20.vii.1988, Mirzâyâns, Badii leg. , 1 Ô, Tâleghân , 26.–31.vii.1976, Kâviân leg. , 2 ♀♀, Tâleghân, Kalânak , 1950 m, 26.vi.1994, Ebrâhimi leg. (gen. prep. HA-2739, HMIM) ; Châhârmahâl and Bakhtiâri Prov. : 1 Ô, 11.vi.1973, Irânshahr leg. , 5 ÔÔ 3 ♀♀, Gandomân, Sabzeh Kuh , 4.–5.vi.1989, 2500 m, Mirzâyâns, Badii leg. (gen. prep. HA-2737, HMIM) , 5 ÔÔ, Kuhrang, Heyrân , N 32°20 ΄31″, E 50°26 ΄56″, 2305 m, 6.vi.2005, Ebrâhimi, Hâjiesmailiân leg. , 1 Ô, S Shalamzâr, Tang-e Chezghân , 11.vii.1982, Borumand, Pâzuki leg. , 4 ÔÔ 4 ♀♀, 5 km SW Shalamzâr, Tang-e Chezghân , 7.–10.vii.1983, Mirzâyâns, Borumand leg. (gen. prep. HA-2543, HMIM) , 1 Ô 3 ♀♀, Shalamzâr, Tang-e Chezghân , 7.–10.vii.1989, Mirzâyâns, Badii leg. , 1 Ô, Borujen, Suleghân , 2500 m, 5.vi.1998, Mofidi-Neyestânak, Ebrâhimi leg. , 1 Ô, S Borujen, 6 km S Dorâhân , 1850–2100 m, 1.vi.2005, Hofmann, Meineke leg. (gen. prep. HA-2479, HMIM) ; East Âzarbâijân Prov.: 1 Ô, Marâgheh , 15.vi.1991, Hâshemi leg. , 2 ÔÔ, Miâneh, Bozghush , 2250 m, 29.–30.vii.1992, ParchamiArâghi, Badii leg. , 2 ÔÔ, Sahand, Chini Bolâgh , 2300 m, 25.vi.1985, Mirzâyâns, Pâzuki leg. (gen. prep. HA-2712, HMIM) , 1 ♀, Tabriz, Gharah Chaman , 1100 m, 23.vi.1985, Mirzâyâns, Pâzuki leg. (gen. prep. HA-2721, HMIM) , 1 ♀, Tabriz, Bostânâbâd, Tekmeh Dâsh , 13.vii.1983, Kâzemi, Noshâd leg. ; Esfahân Prov.: 1 Ô, Esfahân , 19.vi.1973, Irânshahr leg. , 2 ÔÔ 2 ♀♀, Khânsâr, Golestân Kuh , 2700 m, 3, 4.vii.1983, Mirzâyâns, Borumand leg. , 1 ♀, Dârân , 30.vi.1970, Safavi, Hâshemi leg. , 1 Ô, E Denâ Mt., Nurâbâd , 2450 m, 8.vi.2005, Hofmann, Meineke leg. ;

Fârs Prov.: 4 ÔÔ 1 ♀, 50 km NW Sepidân, Tang-e Sorkh , 2250 m, 16.vi.1972, Ebrâhimi, Pâzuki leg. (gen. prep. HA-2736, HMIM) , 1 Ô, Sepidân, Shool , 17.vi.1973, Hâshemi, Zairi leg. (gen. prep. HA-2717, HMIM) , Sepidân, Komehr, Mârgoon , 2100 m, 19.–22.viii.2000, Badii, Moghaddam, Mofidi-Neyestânak leg. , 8 ÔÔ 2 ♀♀, Mamasani, Châhtut , 1.–8.vi.1976, Abâi leg. ; Qazvin Prov.: 1 Ô, Alamut , 14.vii.1994, Ebrâhimi leg. ; Hamedân Prov.: 1 Ô, Malâyer, Lashkardar protected area, N 34°14 ΄43.4″, E 48°54 ΄00.9″, 1939 m, 10.vii.2014, Afsariân leg. ; Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad Prov. : 1 Ô, 1700 m, 12.v.1968, Mirzâyâns, Hâshemi leg. , 1 Ô, Sisakht , 2100 m, 16.vi.1986, Mirzâyâns, Hâshemi leg. , 1 Ô, 5–7 km N Sisakht , 1800 m, 2.vi.1983, Irânshahr leg. , 1 Ô, Yâsuj, Sisakht , 2430 m, N 30°53 ΄45″, E 51°25 ΄10″, 22.vi.2005, Zahiri, Nematiân, Falsafi leg. ; Kordestân Prov.: 5 ÔÔ, 45 km SW Saghez, Saghez- Bâneh Rd. , 2000 m, 30.vi.1975, Pâzuki leg. (gen. prep. HA-2713, HMIM) ; Mâzandarân Prov.: 1 ♀, Lârijân, Malâr , 8.vii.1971, Hâshemi, Zairi leg. ; Markazi Prov.: 16 ÔÔ 2 ♀♀, Khomein, Nâzi vill., N 33°41 ΄50.0″, E 50°02.0 ΄17.7″, 1872 m, 7.vi.2013, Afsariân leg. (gen. prep. HA-2738, HMIM) , 1 Ô, Tafresh, Dastgerd , 2300–2500 m, 15, 16.vi.2005, Meineke leg. ; Tehrân Prov.: 7 ÔÔ, Shemshak , 25.vii.1969, Mirzâyâns, Abâi leg. , 3 ÔÔ, Shemshak , 2700 m, 11.–12.viii.1981, Hâshemi leg. , 1 Ô, Rudehen , 23.vii.1969, Mirzâyâns, Abâi leg. ; West Âzarbâijân Prov.: 1 Ô, Takâb- Shâhindezh Rd. , N 36°32 ΄19.7″, E 46°41 ΄43.9″, 1521 m, 2.vii.2013, Afsariân leg. , 1 Ô, W Mâku, Ghezelbolâgh , 27.vii.1976, Pâzuki, Borumand leg. (gen. prep. HA-2748, HMIM) ; Zanjân Prov.: 1 Ô, N Zanjân, Armaghân Khâneh, Mâri vill., N 36°59 ΄52.0″, E 48°28 ΄39″, Hâjiesmailiân, Nâserzâdeh, Montreuil leg. , 1 Ô, Zanjân- Bijâr Rd. , 50 km SW Zanjân, 1700 m, 28.vi.1975, Pâzuki leg.

NHMW: 2 ÔÔ 1 ♀: Iran, Alborz Prov.: 1 Ô, Karaj, Elburz Mt., Kandovân Rd. , 2800 m, 3.–8.vii.1936, Schwingenschuss leg. (gen. prep. MV 18589 Slamka, 2012); Armenia, Gehard, 1 Ô 1 ♀, 40 km E Yerevan, 1700 m, 1.–2.viii.1976, Kasy & Vartian leg. (1 Ô 1 ♀ gen. prep. MV [unavailable] Slamka, 2012) .

MGAB: 1 Ô, Turkey (E), Kazkoparan [formerly Armenia], 1901, Mihail Korb leg. (gen. prep. 479 Slamka, 2012); 1 ♀ Turkey , Konya (gen. prep. 480 Slamka, 2012) .

Diagnosis. The newly described species is close to U. praepetalis both in external appearance and genitalia. It is externally distinguished from U. praepetalis by the more or less smooth postmedial line ( Figs 3A‒F , 5A‒D ) compared with the finely dentate one in U. praepetalis ( Fig. 5E‒H ). The ground colour of the forewing upperside in the new species varies from yellowish-creamy without distinct scattered pink scales ( Fig. 3A ) to pale pinkish-yellow ( Fig. 3C ), heavily admixed with pink scales ( Figs 3F , 5A, B, D ) and pale brown ( Fig. 3E ). The underside of the forewing varies from yellowish-creamy to dirty creamy ( Figs 3B, D , 5C ). The ground colour of the forewing cannot be considered as a discriminant character to separate the newly described species from U. praepetalis with yellowish-creamy upperside bearing a few scattered pink scales, but the two can be identified based on male and female genitalia. The male genitalia of these two species are distinguished as follows:

1) Shape of the fibula, which in both taxa is nearly hook-shaped apically. In U. praepetalis , gradually narrowed towards the apex, with a nearly smooth stem ( Fig. 9A, B, D, E ), whilst it is almost finger-shaped with a distinctly wrinkled stem in U. rajabii sp. n. ( Figs 6A‒F , 7A‒C ).

2) Shape of pseudognathos which is trapezoidal in U. rajabii sp. n. ( Figs 6A, B , 7A‒C ), but narrow and stripshaped in U. praepetalis (9A, D, E).

3) Saccus in U. praepetalis is slightly broader with spherical central part ( Fig. 9A, D, E ) compared with that of the newly described species which has an egg-shaped central area ( Figs 6A, B , 7A‒C ).

The main differences of their female genitalia are as follows:

1) In U. rajabii sp. n. the posterior end of the ductus bursae is sclerotized ( Fig. 8A, B, F, G ); while in U. praepetalis it is membranous ( Fig. 10A, D ).

2) In both species, the cestum is an irregularly sclerotized longitudinal structure. In U. rajabii sp. n. it is heavily sclerotized and equipped with minute and sharp spines internally (8D, E, H), whilst in U. praepetalis it is spineless and weakly sclerotized ( Fig. 10A, C, D, E ).

3) The anterior half of the antrum in U. praepetalis is more or less convexed and cup-shaped ( Fig. 10A, B, D ), but it is nearly funnel-shaped in the new species ( Fig. 8A, B, F, G ).

4) The more sclerotized side walls of the colliculum in U. praepetalis have shorter edges ( Fig. 10A, B, D ) compared with those of U. rajabii sp. n. ( Fig. 8A, B, F, G ).

Description. Male ( Figs 3A, B, E, F , 4A, B , 5A, B, C ). Head: Frons with nearly smooth, pale ochreous to ochreous-creamy scales; scales on vertex elongate, erect, ochreous-creamy, white at the middle between the compound eyes, external part of the antennae next to the compound eyes, and around oculi; labial palpus porrect with third segment slightly hanging, dark ochreous admixed with pink scales at the upper half laterally, first segment white at the lower half of lateral side, becoming whitish-creamy to pale ochreous-creamy towards the second and third segments, length 2.7–3.2 times the horizontal diameter of compound eye (n = 39), second segment the longest, nearly more than four times the length of third segment, first and third segments nearly in equal length (third one slightly shorter that the first segment); maxillary palpus slender, porrect, covered with dirty-creamy to pale ochreous-creamy or ochreous scales; proboscis with creamy scales basally; antennae with pale ochreous-creamy scales dorsally, bearing minute and dense ciliae ventrally.

Thorax: Nota and patagia smooth-scaled, pale ochreous-creamy admixed with pink scales anteriorly. Forewing ( Figs 3A, B, E, F , 5A‒C ) elongate, with nearly straight costa slightly arched outwards near the apex, termen obliquely rounded. Forewing length 9.3–12.3 mm (x = 11.15 mm ± 0.71, n = 62); upperside shiny, from yellowishcreamy without distinct scattered scales to pale pinkish-yellow, heavily admixed with pink scales, and pale brown. If with pink scales, they are mostly concentrated at costal margin. With pale brown antemedial and postmedial lines, antemedial line nearly straight to very slightly dentate with slight indentation near the costal margin, postmedial line mostly straight, broadly concave medially with a distinct inwardly-directed curve at two-thirds towards dorsum, reniform and antemedial spots light brown to dark pinkish-brown, fringes dirty creamy at distal half and pinkishcreamy basally; underside shiny, creamy, with traces of antemedial and postmedial lines and spots. Hindwing shiny, creamy with hardly visible pale brown medial line and discoidal spot, fringes creamy; underside yellowish-creamy to dirty creamy, with traces of medial line and discoidal spot, but sometimes hardly visible.

Abdomen: Creamy, first two segments and sometimes others admixed with yellow scales dorsally. Genitalia ( Figs 6A‒H , 7A‒C ) with uncus triangular at base and ovate apically, with a narrow neck bearing a few setae laterally, apex densely setose dorso-laterally; pseudognathos trapezoidal with rounded corners; transtilla triangular basally, narrow at the middle; valva elongate, wide at base and gradually narrowed distally with rounded apex, costa slightly concave basally, sometimes slightly concave near the apex, fibula nearly finger-shaped, extending ventrad, weakly sclerotized with wrinkled surface throughout and blunt apex, slightly curved distally; sacculus slightly inflated; saccus rounded anteriorly, rarely keeled, egg-shaped in the central part; Juxta nearly trapezoidal and convexed anteriorly, with dorsal one-third forked; phallus rod-shaped, mostly with slight curvature at distal one-third, cornuti included of 5–8 large and pointed spindle-shaped sclerotized structures, and mostly 6–9 small ones next to the large structures ( Figs 6A, B, G, H , 7B, C ). The small structures hardly visible in most cases and rarely missing ( Fig. 7A ).

Female. Head and Thorax: Essentially as described for male, except antennae with narrower basal half and very sparse minute ciliae ventrally ( Fig. 4C, D ); length of labial palpus 2.92‒3.28 times the horizontal diameter of compound eye (n = 12). Forewing ( Figs 3C, D , 5D ) with length of 10.6–12 mm (x= 11.27 mm ± 0.49, n = 19).

Abdomen: Essentially as in male. Genitalia ( Fig. 8A‒H ) with papillae anales flat, crescent-shaped, densely setose; anterior apophyses 0.6–0.75 as long as the posterior apophyses (n = 3); antrum funnel-shaped, sclerotized at anterior half, with a mesoventral groove and two nearly broad lateral longitudinal ridges anteriorly; colliculum deeply sclerotized, with a distinct groove mesoventrally and two relatively long, lateral longitudinal ridges; ductus bursae slender, posteriorly sclerotized, with a mesoventral groove, border with bursa copulatrix hardly distinguishable; ductus seminalis arises from colliculum at the junction with ductus bursae; bursa copulatrix elongate, pearshaped, cestum ( Fig. 8A, D, E, F, H ) elongate, narrow, irregularly-shaped, with pointed minute spines directed inwardly into bursa copulatrix; signum tear-shaped, sclerotized, with numerous pointed tiny spines directed inwardly into bursa copulatrix.

Etymology. The new species is named after late Prof. Gholamreza Rajabi, the well-known Iranian entomologist, who was serious in his work, with a lot of energy and innovative ideas.

Distribution. Iran, Turkey (Konya and Kazkoparan), Armenia (Gehard).

Remarks. There is an intraspecific variation in the shape of valvae among the examined males. In most of them, the width of the valva gradually decreases towards the apex. However, in a few specimens it is parallel-sided at distal half. Another variation was observed in the length of cestum—in some of the examined females it is long, but in others it is relatively short.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Udea rajabii sp. n.: Adult male, holotype (A, B), adult female, paratype (C, D) and adult males, paratypes (E, F) upperside (A, C, E, F) and underside (B, D) (scale bar = 10.0 mm).

FIGURE 4. Head of Udea rajabii sp. n. in frontal (A, C) and lateral (B, D) views. A, B) Male, holotype. C, D) Female, paratype.

FIGURE 5. Udea rajabii sp. n., paratypes (A‒D) and U. praepetalis (Lederer) (E‒H). A, D) Male (A) and female (D), re- spectively from Armenia (Gehard), upperside. B, C) Male from Iran (Elburz Mt., Kandovan Rd.), upperside (B) and underside (C). E‒G) Males from Iran (Shahkuh-e Paeen), upperside (E, F) and underside (G). H) Female from Iran (Elburz Mt., Polur), upperside (after Slamka 2013)

FIGURE 6. Male genitalia of Udea rajabii sp. n., holotype (A, C) (genitalia slide HA-2715, HMIM) and paratypes (B, D‒H) (genitalia slides HA-2543, HA-2712, HA-2713, HA-2714, HA-2717, HA-2739, HMIM).A, B) Main body in ventral vew. C‒F) Fibula. G, H) Cornuti.

FIGURE 7. Male genitalia of Udea rajabii sp. n., paratypes from Armenia (Gehard) (A) (genitalia slide MV [unavailable] Slamka, 2012), Iran (Kandovan Rd.) (B) (genitalia slide MV 18589, Slamka, 2012), and Turkey (Kazikoparan) (C) (genitalia slide 479 MGAB, Slamka, 2012).A‒C) Main body and phallus in ventral and lateral views, respectively.Arrows in the right and left parts of the figure A indicate pseudognathos and fibula, respectively.

FIGURE 8. Female genitalia of Udea rajabii sp. n., paratypes collected from Iran (Fars Province) (A‒E) (genitalia slides HA- 2736, HA-2737, HA-2721, HMIM) and Turkey (Konya) (F‒G) (genitalia slide 480 MGAB, Slamka, 2012). A, F) Main body in ventral view. B, G) Ostium, antrum, and colliculum. C) Signum. D, E, H) Cestum. Short and long arrows in figure F indicate antrum and sclerotized part of ductus bursae, respectively.

FIGURE 9. Male genitalia of Udea praepetalis collected from Shahkuh (Iran, Golestan Province).A‒C) Main body in ventral view (A), fibula (B), and cornuti (C) (genitalia slide HA-2716, HMIM). D, E) Main body in ventral and phallus in lateral views, respectively (genitalia slide MV [unavailable] Slamka, 2012) (D) (genitalia slide MV 18588 Slamka, 2012) (E). Arrows in the right and left parts of the figure E indicate pseudognathos and fibula, respectively.

FIGURE 10. Female genitalia of Udea praepetalis collected from Shahkuh (Iran, Golestan Province) (A‒C) and Polur (Iran, Mazandaran Province) (D, E) (genitalia slides MV 18591 Slamka, 2012 (A) and MV 18590 Slamka, 2012 (D)). A, D) Main body in ventral view. B, E) Antrum and colliculum. C, E) Cestum. Short arrows in figures A and D indicate antrum, long arrow in figure A indicates membranous part of ductus bursae, and arrow in figure C indicates cestum.