Zizyphia zizyphella Amsel, 1935

Kaila, Lauri, Karsholt, Ole & Revilla, Txema, 2024, The genus Zizyphia Chretien, 1908, with notes on its systematic position and the first record of Z. cleodorella Chretien, 1908 from Europe (Lepidoptera, Depressariidae, Cacochroinae), Nota Lepidopterologica 47, pp. 19-28 : 19

Zizyphia zizyphella Amsel, 1935

Zizyphia zizyphella Amsel, 1933: 127 (nomen nudum); Amsel 1935a: 298, pl. 11, fig. 101; 1935b: 210; 1935c: 266; Gerghiou 1977: 198; Lvovsky 2009: 149-152, figs 1-2; Gozmány 2012: 348-349; Lvovsky et al. 2016: 108.

Examined material.

Image of the holotype ♀ with labels: Jericho (Pal), 30.4.1930 H. Amsel (Lichtfang); Typus leg. H. Amsel; ex coll. H.G. Amsel (SMNK).

Examined paratypes: 1♂ with same collecting data as in holotype, but the collecting date 28.iv.1930; with labels Zizyphia zizyphella Amsel teste A.L. Lvovsky; L. Kaila prep. 6358 (SMNK); 1 ♀: Jericho Z.312 Zyzyphus spina-christi 4.5.; Palästina expedition 18.2.- 14.6.1930 H.G. Amsel, L. Kaila prep 6359 (SMNK).

Diagnosis (Fig. 2 ).

Similar to Z. cleodorella , but forewings paler ochreous brown with only a little grey along costa; near apex usually two inconspicuous dark spots (forewing in Z. zizyphella dark brown, costal side broadly grey, near apex one more prominent spot). Male genitalia (Fig. 5 ) similar to those of Z. cleodorella . The sclerotization in the female ostium+antrum is shorter and broader, and likewise, the ductus bursae is with shorter and broader sclerotization in Z. cleodorella (Fig. 6 ) than in Z. zizyphella . In Z. cleodorella the sclerotization is three times as long as broad, whereas in Z. zizyphella it is four times as long as broad.

Biology.

According to the original description the type series was collected as larvae in late April and early May on Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd., but according to a label on the holotype it was apparently collected at light. In the original description Amsel (1935a: 298) gave no details on the life history, but stated that the larvae were common. In another paper from the same year (Amsel, 1935c) he described the larva in some detail, stating that it lives in a boat-shaped leaf, which it skeletonizes. When disturbed it becomes very lively. Gerghiou (1977: 198) reported larvae being a leaf tier on leaves on Paliurus sp. ( Rhamnaceae ) in January and July-August, mentioning that these specimens had been identified by H. G. Amsel, the author of the species. According to Christophides (2017: 282), records of Paliurus from Cyprus refer to Zizyphus lotus .

Distribution (Fig. 8 ).

Known only from the type locality Jericho (Palestine/Israel) and the southern shore of the Dead Sea (Amsel, 1935b: 210), and from Cyprus, but without an exact locality ( Gerghiou 1977). Z. zizyphella was not included in Fauna Europaea ( Karsholt and Nieukerken 2004-2023) although this website treats Cyprus as a part of Europe.

Remarks.

The name Zizyphia zizyphella was first listed by Amsel (1933: 127) in a checklist of Palestinian Lepidoptera , but without a description. It was subsequently described by Amsel two years later ( Amsel 1935a). In that publication the species was illustrated from a black/white photograph of low quality, making it look much darker that the holotype, which may in turn be bleached.

Although Z. zizyphella is similar to the other species of the genus, Z. cleodorella , Amsel (1935a: 298) wrote: "Mit keiner Art näher verwant" (Not related to any species).

Zizyphia zizyphella was described within the Gelechiidae , and stayed there until Lvovsky (2009) transferred it into the Depressariidae (tribe Orophiini ). During a recent survey of the Gelechiidae of Israel ( Bidzilya et al. 2019) no additional specimens were examined.

Figures

Figures 1, 2. Zizyphia adults. 1. Z. cleodorella Chretien; 2. Z. zizyphella Amsel, holotype.

Figures 3 - 6. Zizyphia genitalia. 3. Z. cleodorella Chretien, ♂; 4. Z. cleodorella Chretien, ♀; 5. Z. zizyphella Amsel ♂; 6. ♀. In the male genitalia images the anellus has been severed from the rest of the genitalia and is surrounding the phallus.

Figures 7, 8. 7. Habitat of Zizyphia cleodorella Chretien, Spain, province Almeria, Retamar; 8. Distribution map of Zizyphia cleodorella Chretien and Z. zizyphella Amsel.