Heterocera (Metallopolia), Varga, Ronkay & Ronkay, 2017

Varga, Zoltan, Ronkay, Gabor & Ronkay, Laszlo, 2017, Revised taxonomic check list of the Eurasiatic species of the subtribe Poliina (Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Hadenini), Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 64 (2), pp. 133-160 : 135

Subgenus Metallopolia Varga, Ronkay & Ronkay, 2017

Metallopolia Varga, Ronkay & Ronkay, 2017, Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 21.Type-species: Mamestra culta Moore, 1881, Proceedings of the Zoological Society ofLondon1881: 347.

Taxonomic notes.

The revision of the subgenus Metallopolia is published in a separate paper (Vargaet al. 2017b). It contains five easily distinguishable species representing three main lineages, the culta -, the subviolacea - and the kalikotei -lineages. The shortened diagnosis of the subgenus is presented below; the detailed analysis of the clade is given in the above-mentioned publication.

Diagnosis.

Metallopolia species are large, robust moths, resembling the larger south Siberian Polia species but have shorter abdomen bearing 3-4 prominent blackish tufts on the first abdominal segments dorsally. The most conspicuous external character of the members of this subgenus is the presence of optically structured “metallic” scales with „neon-greenish” colouration (see: Etymology) within or near to the maculation and the anal edge of the postmedial transversal line. The forewing ground colour is rather dark brown to blackish-brown with some purplish-violaceous hue and diffuse, smaller or larger reddish-brownish patches; the hindwings are also dark brown or grey-brown. The members of the subgenus are externally often confusingly similar, the proper identification often requires the study of genitalia.

In the male genitalia, the saccular processes are slightly asymmetrical, extended, acute or obtuse, with strong setae terminally, in most species with characteristic brush of specialised setae on the right (in figures left) side. Vesica long, tubular, partly or entirely coiling, medial and distal sections armed by numerous small, spiniform cornuti arranged into a long and variably dense stripe. In the female genitalia, the ductus bursae is sclerotised, compressed dorso-ventrally; the appendix bursae is tubular, sausage-shaped, slightly retroflexed, bursa globular with longitudinal, extremely faint signa.

Etymology.

The name refers to the scales with light greenish optical colouration and metallic shine on the fore wings as unique character within the genus Polia .