Lygephila moellendorffi (Herz, 1904)

Pekarsky, Oleg, 2013, Taxonomic and morphological survey of the Lygephila lusoria (Linnaeus, 1758) species-group with description of a new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Toxocampinae), ZooKeys 351, pp. 49-81 : 62-63

Lygephila moellendorffi (Herz, 1904) Fig. 8

Material examined.

Paralectotype, ♂ [North] Korea (ZISP).

Note.

The name of this taxon was erroneously written as moellendorfii in Poole (1989) and as moellendorfi in Kononenko et al. (1998) and Kononenko and Han (2007). The correct spelling of the species described by Herz in honour of Paul von Moellendorff as per original description was moellendorffi.

Diagnosis.

Lygephila moellendorffi is known only from two males representing the type series. The photo of the paralectotype was illustrated in Kononenko et al. (1998); the genitalia of the paralectotype was first illustrated by Kononenko and Han (2007). Surprisingly, this species is confusingly similar to Lygephila subpicata , displaying no differential features comparing the habitus and the genitalia structures of the two species. The similarly elongated forewings with pointed tips have the same pattern, especially the triangular reniform stigma with sharp extension on the inner corner and satellite streak-like spots are practically identical in the two taxa. The common features of the male genitalia are the similar shape of uncus and valvae with the similarly sized and shaped ampulla being also located subapically and reaching the apical valval margins. Both species have short and relatively wide aedeagus and vesica with characteristic subbasal and 2nd medial diverticula topped by crown-like cornuti; the terminal diverticula are also similar. This striking resemblance suggests that they represent the same species, but the great distance between their ranges does not support this conclusion.

Male genitalia (Figs 33, 34). Clasping apparatus somewhat asymmetrical (left valva slightly wider). Uncus stem narrow, dilated distally, with fine tip; valva elongated, narrowed at base, with acute apex; ampulla long, spine-like, curved towards costa, finely pointed, reaching apex of valva and costal margin. Aedeagus short, straight, with heavily sclerotized convex field on carina. Vesica globular, everted forward and recurved laterally; medial part membranous; subbasal diverticulum with small, crown-like cornutus on top; 1st medial diverticulum elliptical; 2nd medial diverticulum large with crown-like cornutus on the top; 1st terminal diverticulum located near base of 2nd medial diverticulum. Female unknown.

Distribution.

North Korea.