Biston regalis (Moore, 1888)

Jiang, Nan, Xue, Dayong & Han, Hongxiang, 2011, A review of Biston Leach, 1815 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae) from China, with description of one new species, ZooKeys 139, pp. 45-96 : 64-66

Biston regalis (Moore, 1888) Figs 41, 4281108124

Amphidasys regalis Moore, 1888, in Hewitson & Moore, Descr. new Indian lepid. Insects Colln late Mr W.S. Atkinson, (3): 234. Syntypes ♂♀, India: Darjeeling. (BMNH)

Biston regalis : Prout, 1915, in Seitz, Macrolepid. World, 4: 359, pl.19: h.

Diagnosis.

The wing pattern of this species is similar to that of Biston exalbescens Inoue, 2000 (Philippines) as follows: the forewing postmedial line is weakly waved, broadly protruding outwards between R5 and M3 and below CuA2; the hindwing outer margin is concave between M1 and M3; the hindwing postmedial line protrudes outwards between M1 and M3; dark brown bands are present basally of the forewing antemedial line and distally of the postmedial line of both wings, and usually absent at apical area and between M3 and CuA1 of the forewing. But the species can be distinguished from Biston exalbescens by the following characters: the forewing antemedial line is thinner, the dark brown band basally of it is narrower; the medial lines of both wings are less conspicuous. In the male genitalia, it differs in the much stronger central setose area of the valva; the median process of the gnathos is spatulate terminally, but pointed in Biston exalbescens ; the juxta is longer and narrower; the vesica with two cornuti, a basal, oval plate with a lateral tooth and an elongate, sclerotized, spined fold. The female genitalia of this species are close to that of Biston betularia , but it has a nearly triangular lamella postvaginalis, which is absent in Biston betularia ; the ductus bursae is broader and sclerotized, without antrum; the corpus bursae is pouched, but enlarged posteriorly and narrow medially in Biston betularia ; the signum is almost oval, but bar-like in Biston betularia .

Material examineds.

CHINA,Liaoning (IZCAS): Fengcheng, Sitaizi, 23.VII.1982, coll. Song Shimei, 2♂. Henan (IZCAS):Nanyang, Baiyunshan, 1300 m, 1.VI.2001, coll. Shen Xiaocheng, 1♂; Nanyang, Baiyunshan, 1400 m, 21-27.VII.2003, coll. Zhang Dandan, 2♂; Nanyang, Baotianman, 24.VI.2006, coll. Shen Xiaocheng, 1♂; Nanyang, Baotianman, 623 m, 12.VIII.2008, coll. Xue Dayong, 1♂; Yanshi, 21.VI.1981, 1♂. Shaanxi (IZCAS):Foping, 950 m, 24-25.VII.1998, coll. Yuan Decheng, 4♂; Ningshaan, Huoditang, 1580 m, 19.VIII.1998, coll. Yuan Decheng and Zhang Xuezhong, 3♂;Liuba, Miaotaizi, 1020-1350 m, 18-21.VII.1998, coll. Yao Jian and He Tongli, 5♂; Zhouzhi, Houzhenzi, 1350 m, 24.VI.1999, coll. Zhu Chaodong, 1♂; Huangbaiyuan, 1000 m, 13-18.VII.1980, coll. Han Yinheng and Zhang Baolin, 4♂. Gansu (IZCAS): Yongdeng, Tulugou, 2280 m, 4.VI.1992, coll. Xue Dayong, 1♂; Tianshui, Longmen Linchang, 1990, 1♂; Chengxian, Feilongxia, 1020 m, 4.VII.1999, coll. Yao Jian, 2♂; Kangxian, Baiyunshan, 1250-1750 m, 12.VII.1998, coll. Wang Shuyong and Yao Jian, 2♂; Kangxian, Qinghe Linchang, 1450-1650 m, 4-8.VII.1999, coll. Yao Jian and Zhu Chaodong, 3♂; Kangxian, Yangba, 1000 m, 10-11.VII.1999, coll. He Tongli and Zhu Chaodong, 2♂; Wenxian, Tielou, 1450 m, 24.VII.1999, coll. Zhu Chaodong, 3♂; Wenxian, Qiujiaba, 2350 m, 22.VII.1999, coll. Yao Jian, 2♂. Zhejiang (IZCAS): Tianmushan, 21.VII.1973, coll. Zhang Baolin, 1♂. Hubei (IZCAS): Shennongjia, Songbai, 950 m, 14-18.VII.1980. coll. Yu Peiyu, 3♂; Shennongjia, Dajiuhu, 1800 m, 1.VIII.1981, coll. Han Yinheng, 1♂; Shennongjia, Jiuchong, 700 m, 1.VII.1998, coll. Ye Chanjuan, 1♂; Hefeng, Fenshuiling, 1240 m, 29-31.VII.1989, coll. Li Wei and Yang Longlong, 9♂1♀; Xingshan, Longmenhe, 1300-1350 m, 21. VI– 18.VII.1993, coll. Song Shimei and Huang Runzhi, 5♂; Lichuan, Xingdoushan, 800 m, 21-23.VII.1989, coll. Li Wei and Yang Longlong, 2♂. Jiangxi (IZCAS): Guling, 13.VII.1935, 1♂; Lushan, 5.VII.1975, coll. Liu Youqiao, 1♂. Hunan (IZCAS): Sangzhi, 8.VII.1981, 2♂. Fujian (IZCAS): Mt. Wuyi, 21.IX.1982, coll. Zhang Baolin, 2♂. Hainan (IZCAS):Qiongzhong, Limushan, 647 m, 29.XII.2007, coll. Li Jing, 1♂; Bawangling, Donger Linchang, 1015 m, 8-10.V.2007, coll. Chen Fuqiang, 1♂; Baisha, Yinggeling, Yinggezui, 619 m, 17-19.XI.2009, coll. Yang Chao, 1♂; Wuzhishan, Shuiman, 730-900 m, 8.V.2007, coll. Lang Songyun, 1♂; Jianfengling, 18.V.1982, coll. Chen Zhiqing, 1♀; Ledong, Jianfengling, 934 m, 14-17.XII.2007, coll. Li Jing, 4♂; Ledong, Jianfengling, 934 m, 14-17.XII.2007, coll. Li Jing, 1♂; Lingshui, Diaoluoshan, 920 m, 3.V.2007, coll. Lang Songyun, 1♂; Lingshui, Diaoluoshan, 929 m, 11-12.XII.2007, coll. Li Jing, 2♂. Sichuan (IZCAS): Mt. Emei, Qingyinge, 800-1000 m, 29. VI– 15.VII.1957, coll. Yu Youcai, 4♂; Xichang, Lushan, 8.VIII.1980, 1♂; Dukou, Pingdi, 28.VI.1981, coll. Zhang Baolin, 2♂. Yunnan (IZCAS): Weixi, 2320 m, 24.VI.1979, coll. Yan Xiangqun, 1 ♂; Baoshan, Bawan, 1100 m, 19-23.V.1992, coll. Xue Dayong, 1♂; Tengchong, Heinitang, 1930 m, 28-30.V.1992, coll. Xue Dayong, 5♂; Xiaomenglun, 7.V.1980, 1♂; Qujing, 7.IX.1982, coll. Fang Chenglai, 1♂. More material from Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Hubei and Yunnan, in coll. ZFMK.

Distribution.

China (Liaoning, Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Taiwan, Hainan, Sichuan, Yunnan), Russia (Amur, Ussuri), Japan, North Korea, South Korea, India, Nepal, Philippines, Pakistan, United States.

Remarks.

The subspecies of Biston regalis from China is Biston regalis comitata (Warren, 1899) ( Eubyjodonta comitata Warren, 1899, Novit. zool., 6: 50. Syntypes 2♂, Russia: Amurland, Sidemi. (BMNH)).