Scopula diffinaria (Prout, 1913)

Wanke, Dominic, Hausmann, Axel, Lee, Kyung Min, Murillo-Ramos, Leidys, Sihvonen, Pasi & Rajaei, Hossein, 2023, Systematics and integrative taxonomic revision of the tribe Scopulini Duponchel, 1845 in Iran (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae), Zootaxa 5359 (1), pp. 1-96 : 38-39

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5359.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:11CC5175-7CCE-453F-88EB-3490E82F4972
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/D52D6D50-FFA6-FFE6-FF6F-FB2AFB6ADAE4
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Scopula diffinaria (Prout, 1913)
status

Treatment

( Plate 9, Figs 1–6; Plate 19 View PLATE 19 , Figs 2–3; Plate 26 View PLATE 26 , Fig. 6; Plate 27 View PLATE 27 , Fig. 1; Map 12)

Glossotrophia diffinaria Prout, 1913 . In: Seitz, A. (Ed.), Die Grossschmetterlinge der Erde 4: 83. Syntype (s) ( Asia minor) (NHMUK, examined).

Glossotrophia asiatica Brandt, 1938 View in CoL . Entomologische Rundschau, 55 (49): 574. Syntypes 6 ♁, ♀ ( Iran, Fort Mian-Kotal ) (NHRS, examined). Here regarded as synonym based on morphological examination and no clear geographical delimitation to the nominate subspecies.

Type material examined. Glossotrophia asiatica Paratypes 1 ♁, 1 ♀, Iran, Fars, Strasse, Ardekan–Talochosroe [Ardakan–Talle Khosrow], Comé [Komehr], 2600 m, 5.viii.1937, coll. Brandt, (♁) NHRS-LEPI 000010178, g. prep. 10872, (♀) NHRS-LEPI 000010179, g. prep. 10873; in NHRS .

Additional material examined: 68 ♁/ ♀ (see appendix).

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♁ ♀ 22–29 mm. In Iran, Scopula diffinaria can externally be confused with S. orbeorum , S. chalcographata and S. sacraria , therefore here we compare S. diffinaria only with these three species. Largest species of the subgenus Glossotrophia in Iran (size range similar but ground colour paler in S. orbeorum ; S. chalcographata and S. sacraria smaller) (see Plate 9, Figs 1–12).

In the male genitalia 8th sternite, with polymorphic cerata, cerata short or right ceras long and slender, left ceras short or both cerata long (sternite, with both cerata of medium size in S. orbeorum ; sternite, with right ceras of medium size, left ceras short in S. chalcographata ; sternite basally strongly elongated, both cerata long and narrow in S. sacraria ) (see Plate 19 View PLATE 19 , Figs 2–4; Plate 20 View PLATE 20 , Figs 1–2).

In the female genitalia lamella antevaginalis with a large squared sclerite (similar in S. orbeorum and S. sacraria ; with a large sub-rectangular sclerite in S. chalcographata ). Antrum with long sclerite, posteriorly notched (similar in S. orbeorum ; long sclerite, posteriorly strongly notched in S. chalcographata ; with long and narrow sclerite, posteriorly notched in S. sacraria ) (see Plate 26 View PLATE 26 , Fig. 6; Plate 27 View PLATE 27 , Figs 1–5).

Phenology. Bivoltine species flying from May to September, second generation sometimes incomplete (Hausmann 2004). Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from March to October.

Biology. Larval host plants unknown. Adults feed on various Caryophyllaceae , Linum catharticum ( Linaceae ), and probably on Polygonum ( Polygonaceae ) (Hausmann & D̂tterl 2004).

Habitat. At altitudes from 700 m to 1800 m (Hausmann 2004). Investigated specimens in Iran were collected from 700 m to 2800 m.

Distribution. Distributed from Turkey to Transcaucasus and northern Iraq ( Viidalepp 1996; Hausmann 2004). In Iran distributed in the northern and western parts to the south Iranian province Fars (Map 12). Reported in the literature also for the province Tehran ( Schwingenschuss 1939; Wiltshire 1966; Hausmann 2004).

DNA-barcoding. Nearest species: S. alba ( Hausmann 1993) with 2.0 % (see Supplementary Table S1).

MAP 12. Distribution patterns of the Scopula species S. diffinaria , S. orbeorum and S. gracilis in Iran.