Nychiodes princeps Wiltshire, 1966

Wanke, Dominic, Hausmann, Axel, Krogmann, Lars, Petrányi, Gergely & Rajaei, Hossein, 2020, Taxonomic revision of the genus Nychiodes Lederer, 1853 (Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) with description of three new species-an integrative approach, Zootaxa 4812 (1), pp. 1-61 : 20

Nychiodes princeps Wiltshire, 1966

( figs 35, 102 ; map 3)

Nychiodes princeps Wiltshire, 1966 . Zeitschrift der Wiener entomologischen Gesellschaft, 51, 142. Holotype ♂ ( Afghanistan: Band-i-Amir ), (in NHMV, examined).

Type material examined. Holotype, ♂, Afghanistan, 30.vii.1963, centr[al], Band-i-Amir, 3000 m, leg. Kasy & Vartian, [genital] preparation WW-36; in NHMV.

Diagnosis. For this species, only the holotype is available, therefore a confidential diagnosis is not possible. However, the holotype shows clear diagnostic characters, which we present here. Wingspan ♂ 41 mm ( fig. 35). Ground colour of wings pale yellow, slightly suffused with grey. Based on its geographic distribution, this species can be confused with N. quettensis and N. antiquaria , but all of these species show different genitalia patterns. In male genitalia these three species can be diagnosed based on the apex of costa of valva (exceeding apex of valva in N. antiquaria , in contrast to N. princeps , N. quettensis ) ( figs 100–103 ). N. princeps and N. quettensis can be separated based on the aedeagus/cornutus ratio, which is clearly larger in N. quettensis (see figs 102b , 103b ). Female genitalia of N. princeps unknown.

Phenology, biology and habitat. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality in central Afghanistan (map 3). Distribution in Afghanistan, needs further investigation.

DNA barcoding. No data available.

MAP 3. Distribution patterns of N. princeps , N. quettensis , N. subfusca , N. leviata , N. subvirida and N. eberti sp. nov..

Figures

FIGURES 96-102. Male genitalia of Nychiodes species. 96: N. amygdalaria (Turkey, Aksehir, g.prep. 2089/2017 H. Rajaei); 97: Uncus, lateral view, N. amygdalaria (Turkey, Maras, g.prep. 0411/2019 D. Wanke); 98: Holotype of N. farinosa (Iran, Fars, g.prep. 10924); 99: Uncus, lateral view, N. farinosa (Iran, Hamadan, g.prep. 0414/2019 D. Wanke); 100: N. antiquaria (Tadjikistan, Kalaishum, g.prep. 0365/2019 D. Wanke); 101: Uncus, lateral view, N. antiquaria (Uzbekistan, Guzar, g.prep. 0408/2019 D. Wanke); 102: Holotype of N. princeps (Afghanistan, Band-i-Amir, g.prep. WW36). a = genitalia capsule; b = aedeagus. Scale-bar 1 mm.

FIGURES 103-107. Male genitalia of Nychiodes species. 103: Paratype of N. quettensis (Pakistan, Quetta, g.prep. WW223); 104: Paratype of N. admirabila (Iran, Fars, g.prep. 10920); 105: Holotype of N. rayatica (Iraq, Rayat, g.prep. 11019); 106: Paratype of N. subfusca (Iran, Komehr, g.prep. 10932); 107: Uncus, lateral view, N. subfusca (Iran, Dasht-e Arjan, g.prep. 0412/2019 D. Wanke). a = genitalia capsule; b = aedeagus. Scale-bar 1 mm.