Pyrausta shirazalis, Amsel, 1961

Yepishin, Viktor, 2022, A new synonym of the Pyraloidea from the genus Loxostege Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Pyraustinae), Zootaxa 5134 (3), pp. 448-450 : 448

Pyrausta shirazalis

was described based on one male and one female specimens by Amsel (1961: 424) from South Iran. More than half a century later, Loxostege ayhanana Kemal & Koçak, 2017 was described from East Turkey based on 3 males. L. ayhanana was noted for Europe from the Crimea by Savchuk & Kajgorodova (2018) for the first time. Based on numerous material and personal observations as well the observations of other entomologists in nature (Lepiforum 2022), some questions on the biology of this species were answered and a photo of female genitalia was published for the first time. Since no description of the female genitalia was given, it is provided in this Correspondence. The molecular analysis and the phylogenetic position of this species (as L. ayhanana ) in the genus Loxostege were shown by Kizildağ (2020).

Material examined: Iran: Holotype of Pyrausta shirazalis , 1♂ ( Figs 2–3 ), “ Holo Typus ♂ | leg. H. Amsel || Pyrausta | shirazalis [on the reverse]”, “ Iran, Shiraz | 7000 ft. 12.5.40 | E. P. Wiltshire ”, “GU | 3595 ” . Paratype of Pyrausta shirazalis , 1♀, ( Figs 1, 4 ), “ Allo Typus ♀ | leg. H. Amsel || Pyrausta | shirazalis [on the reverse]”, “ SHIRAZ | 12.5.40 ”; prep. no. ♀ 599.21 (slide) V. Yepishin . Ukraine: 1♂, Crimea, Kara-Dah , 20.IV.1990, Yu. Budashkin leg. 1♀, Crimea, Kara-Dah , Lehener, 10.V.2004, Yu. Budashkin leg.; prep. no. ♀587.21 (slide) V. Yepishin .

Description of female genitalia ( Figs 4–5 ): papillae analles flat-elongated C-shaped. Apophyses short, apophyses posteriores 1.5× shorter than apophyses anteriores.Apophyses anteriores are bent in the middle at an obtuse angle. Segment VIII short, 2× shorter than apopyses anteriores. The shape of the antrum varies from funnel-shaped to cylindrical, strongly sclerotized, length-to-width ratio about 1.3×. Antrum variation can be observed in specimens from the same geographical place, as, for example, specimens from the Crimea have both forms of the antrum that is mentioned and illustrated by Savchuk & Kajgorodova (2018: 85: fig. 6). Colliculum slightly narrower and shorter than the antrum. Ductus seminalis enters immediately following the colliculum. Ductus bursae very long, without pronounced spirally twisting, slightly narrowed in the middle part, with a characteristic spinulose band at base of bursa. Bursa copulatrix and appendix bursae rounded. Rhomboid signum variable, length-to-width ratio about 1.8–1.9×.

The fact that the taxon shirazalis Amsel, 1961 belongs to the genus Loxostege is indicated by both evidences: molecular phylogenetic analysis ( Kizildağ 2020) and the combination of morphological features as follows: i) rounded top of the uncus; ii) juxta distally bifid; iii) clasper simple, directed anal-cranially, usually bearing spinules; iv) distal part of aedeagus with a spiral arrangement of spinules in male genitalia; v) in female genitalia, wide and short colliculum; vi) a spinulose band of ductus bursae at base of bursa. Thus, a new combination and a new synonymy:

Figures

FIGURES 1–5. Loxostege shirazalis, adults, male and female genitalia. 1–2. Adults (photo by O. Bidzilya). 3. Male genitalia, aedeagus is separated. 4–5. Female genitalia. 1, 4. Paratype of Pyrausta shirazalis, prep. no. ♀599.21 (slide) V. Yepishin. 2–3. Holotype of Pyrausta shirazalis, prep. no. ♂3595 (slide) H. G. Amsel. 5. Crimea, prep. no. ♀587.21 (slide) V. Yepishin.