Pyropteron meriaeforme ( Boisduval, 1840 )

Bąkowski, Marek & Piątek, Wiktoria, 2020, Morphology of pupae of the Pyropteron (Synansphecia) triannuliforme-group (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), Zootaxa 4786 (1), pp. 93-100 : 97

Pyropteron meriaeforme ( Boisduval, 1840)

5 exuviae, all males ( France, 1994–1999)

Length and width: 11.5 × 2 mm (average: 11.2 × 2 mm).

Area of head projection blade prolonged and fairly sharply pointed in dorsal view, its length is slightly longer than half of its width. Frontal setae situated prior to level of lateral angles of frons in dorsal view. Frons depressions shallow, but distinctly wrinkled, frontally ended by a wrinkled mound (Fig. 3a). Head projection blade distinctly curved in lateral view, dark margin robust. Lateral depression on head wide and rounded ventrocaudally. Frons rises at a slight angle from projection blade (Fig 3b). Distance between setae Cl 2 from 3 to 4 × greater than distance of C1 2 from Cl 1. Setae Cl 1 and Cl 2 situated close to each other. Labrum truncate for a greater distance and with straight or concave lateral sides. Mandibles wide. Postclypeus separated from labrum by a convex rim (Fig. 3c). End of ab- domen in ventral view heart-shaped. Cremaster elongated, relatively roundly pointed at end. Anal suture distinctly shorter than cremaster in males. Anal area slightly convex and strongly elevated at the end in lateral view. Spines on the 10th abdominal segment robust, triangular, their setae short (Fig. 3d). Spines of basal row on the 2nd abdominal segment tiny, but with distinguishable point. Spines of caudal row approximately 2 × smaller than those of basal row on the 3rd abdominal segment. The 4th abdominal segment bears 7 slender spines of basal row between setae D1.

Diagnosis. Pyropteron meriaeforme is distinguished from other study species by the presence of fewer (7 on average) slender spines on the basal row between setae D1 on the 4th abdominal segment. The other species average 10–11 spines. Distance between setae Cl 2 from 3–4× greater than distance of C1 2 from Cl 1.

Biology. Host plants– Rumex spp. Small species of the Rumex acetosella -group.

Distribution. Iberian Peninsula, France, Italy, Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily ( Laštůvka & Laštůvka 2001).