Pyropteron meriaeformis ( Boisduval, 1840 )

Bartsch, Daniel, Pühringer, Franz, Milla, Liz, Lingenhöle, Arthur & Kallies, Axel, 2021, A molecular phylogeny and revision of the genus Pyropteron Newman, 1832 (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) reveals unexpected diversity and frequent hostplant switch as a driver of speciation, Zootaxa 4972 (1), pp. 1-75 : 62

Pyropteron meriaeformis ( Boisduval, 1840)

( Figs 36–38 , 203–205 )

Sesia meriaeformis Boisduval, 1840 : Genera et Index Methodicus Europaeorum Lepidopterorum (Pars I sistens Papiliones, Sphinges, Bombyces, Noctuas), 1: 42. Syntypes: Southern France; Spain, Andalusia (MNHN).

Sesia philanthiformis var. corsica Staudinger, 1856 : Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung, 17 (3/12): 274. Lectotype ♂: France, Corsica (MFNB).

Sesia corsica race venetensis Joannis, 1908 : Annales de la Société entomologique de France (Deuxième Série), 77: 758. Lectotype ♂: France, Bretagne, Morbihan, vic. Vannes (MNHN).

We follow Laštůvka (1990) and consider the taxon venetensis Joannis, 1908 a synonym and not a separate subspecies. The taxon was erected for the most northern populations in France, which are, however, neither geographically isolated nor otherwise significantly different. Coloration and pattern of the type specimen is in the normal variation range of the species.

Barcodes. A homogenous species with minor differences in barcodes between specimens from the Iberian Peninsula and France.

Biology and habitat. The hostplant is Rumex acetosella . The relatively thin main root is usually completely destroyed by the activity of the larva and replaced by a silken tube in the empty root channel. Pupation takes place without cocoon in this tube. The moth is on the wing in May and June. The flight is slow and low in the immediate vicinity of the hostplant, often interrupted for resting in the vegetation or flower visiting. The latter has been observed in Corsica on Matricaria (Asteraceae) , Globularia (Plantaginaceae) and Scabiosa (Caprifoliaceae) . The species occurs in many different habitats with preference for sandy, schistous or volcanic soils, like beaches, dunes, stony slopes or rocks.

Distribution. South-western Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula, through southern and western France, northwards to the southern Bretagne, eastwards to Central and Southern Italy, including the Mediterranean islands Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily ( Laštůvka & Laštůvka 1995, 2001, Špatenka et al. 1999).

Specimens examined. 1♂, Portugal, Guarda [Beira Alta], Pinzio, 21. VI.2008, leg. Z. Laštůvka (CCDB-02112 E07); 1♂, Spain, Malaga, Almogia , e.l. 13.IV.1993 (ex Rumex scutatus ) , leg. RB (CCDB-04684 H06); 1♂, Spain, Avila , Las Vueltas, 15.–16. VI.2005, leg. Z. Laštůvka (CCDB-02112 E08); 2♂, Spain, Katalonien, Vidreras, Puig Ventos, 27. V.1996, leg. Kettner; 2♂, ibid., 30. V.1996, leg. Kettner (CFP); 1♂, Portugal, Candee iros Valverde, 13. VI.2010, leg. Laštůvka & Laštůvka; 3♂, Spain, Andalusia, Sierra Nevada, Trevelez , 1450m, 21., 22., 23. VI.1991, leg. DB; 1♂, Spain, Andalusia, Sierra Nevada , N Laujar, 1450m, 29. VI.1992, leg. Laštůvka & Laštůvka; 1♂, Spain, Almeria , Sierra Baza, El Haza, 16. VI.1997, leg. Laštůvka & Laštůvka; 11♂ ( Figs 203–204 ), 11♀ ( Fig. 205 ), France, Pyrenees, Estagel , Col de la Dona, e.l. ex Rumex acetosella , larvae 22. III., adults 4. VI.–13.VII.1995, leg. DB; 4♂, 7♀, France, Cevennes, Dept. Gard, St. Etienne , Val Francaise / Andajac , 500–550m, e.l. ex R. acetosella , larvae 18.X.2007 adults 28.V.–21.VI.2008, leg. DB (BOLD DB-Lep-00056; DB-Lep-00165); 1♂, 1♀, France, Roussillon, Estagel, 5. VI.1995 and e.l. 20.–30.VI.1995, leg. E. Bettag (BOX-2219 F11); 2♂, France, Corsica, Evisa , VII.1921, leg. Bubacek ; 1♂, Italy, Sardinia, SS, Monte Limbara, 1200 m, 4. VI.1999, leg. F. Laube (DNAtax 09-17) (CFP); 11♂, 7♀, France, Corsica, vic. Ghisonaccia, costal dunes at Etang de Palo , 2. 5. and 10. VI.2019, leg. DB; 5♂, Italy, Scilly, Etna N of Nicolosi, 1150m, 10. VI.1993, leg. Kristal (CDB).

Figures

FIGURES 31–38. Pyropteron Biology. 31–34. Pyropteron erodiiphaga, (31) male, reared, (32) larva in root of Erodium arborescens, (33) habitat with host plant Erodium arborescens, Tunisia, Djerba (images Friedhelm Mai), (34) male, Morocco, Middle Alas, Col du Zad. 35. Pyropteron affinis, male, Austria, Tirol, Zirl (images FP). 36–38. Pyropteron meriaeformis, (36) habitat with host plant Rumex acetosella, France, Corsica, Ghisonaccia (image DB), (37) male, reared, Portugal, Guarda, Pinzio (image Zdeněk Laštůvka), (38) female, old specimen, France, Corsica, Ghisonaccia (image DB).

FIGURES 191–205. Pyropteron species. 191–193. Pyropteron maroccana, (191–192) ♂, (193) ♀, Morocco, High Atlas. 194–199. Pyropteron borreyi, (194) ♂, (195) ♀, Morocco, Middle Atlas (from Limonium), (196) ♂, Morocco, Middle Atlas, (197–198) ♂, (199) ♀, Morocco, High Atlas (from Armeria). 200–202. Pyropteron hellenicum sp. nov., (200–201) ♂ holotype, (202) ♂, paratype, Greece, Evrytania. 203–205. Pyropteron meriaeformis, (203–204) ♂, paratype, (205) ♀, France, Pyrenees. Scale 10mm.