Brachodes cf. rasata (Staudinger, 1900)

Bąkowski, Marek & Kallies, Axel, 2025, Description of the pupae of Brachodes species (Lepidoptera, Cossoidea, Brachodidae) with emphasis on diagnostic generic characters, Zootaxa 5679 (2), pp. 277-285 : 281-282

Brachodes cf. rasata (Staudinger, 1900)

( Figs. 3 , 4A–D )

2 males, pupal exuviae, Kyrgyzstan, Fergana valley , 5km W Dzhalalabad, vii. 1998, leg. A. Kallies & K. Špatenka

Pupal exuvium: Length 9 mm

Plate of frontal projection blade large, rounded in dorsal view. The dark margin robust.

Clypeal depression fairly deep in ventral view, bearing distinct lateral mounds. Frontal setae long and thin, situated behind level of lateral angles of frons in dorsal view. Frons slightly protuberant and without wrinkles and depressions.

Maxillary palpi visible and are not adjacent to the maxillae. Mandibles distinct and elongated or rhomboidal shape. Labrum large, truncate for a greater distance, wrinkled. Labium short and large. Palpi labiales short and 4 times longer than labium. Distance between clypeal setae C1 2 approximately 2× greater than distance between C1 2 and Cl 1. External setae Cl 1 short, three times shorter than C1 2.

Forewing extending to half of 5th abdominal segment. Proboscis does not reach level of end of antennae, it is at the level of end of prothoracic legs. Mesothoracic legs almost overlaps level of ends of forewings. Metathoracic legs very long and segmented. Ends of metathoracic legs extending to half of 7th abdominal segment.

Spines of basal row on the 2nd abdominal segment absent. The 4th abdominal segment bears 7 slender spines of basal row between setae D1. The dorsal spines of basal rows of the 3rd–6th abdominal segments, distinct and slender. The spines of caudal rows very small, sometimes reduced. The 9th and 10th segments with a pair of hooked dorsal spines. One pair of distinct ventral spines on 10th segment. End of abdomen obtuse with two distinct lateral spines.

Diagnosis. Plate of frontal projection blade large, rounded in dorsal view. The dark margin robust. Metathoracic legs very long and ends of metathoracic legs extending to half of 7th abdominal segment. Distance between clypeal setae C1 2 approximately 2 × greater than distance between C1 2 and Cl 1. Spines of basal row on the 2nd abdominal segment absent. Maxillary palpi similar to B. gaditana . Labium short and large, palpi labiales short, 4 times longer than labium. Similar to B. flavescens , abdominal segments 9 and 10 with a pair of hooked dorsal spines. End of abdomen obtuse with two distinct lateral spines.

Biology. Grass ( Poaceae ). The identity of the hostplant was not established. Related species observed to be associated with Stipa species (Kallies unpublished observations).

Distribution. Currently only known from the Kyrgyzstani part of the Fergana valley where it was collected on hot and bar slopes at low elevation ( Špatenka & Kallies 2001).

Remarks. The specimens studied here likely represent an unnamed species related to Brachodes rasata , which is widely distributed in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan ( Špatenka & Kallies 2001). Typical B. rasata occur in alpine meadows at high elevations and the larvae feed in Stipa caucasica ( Poaceae ) as described by Špatenka & Kallies (2001) who also figured the pupa albeit without detailed description. In contrast, the exuviae studied here were found on dry and hot slopes at about 800 m altitude in a different Stipa species, and emerging specimens differed in details of their coloration. Brachodes rasata belongs to the B. fallax (Staudinger, 1900) group, which is characterized by its large size, narrow and long forewings, simple antennae, and its mainly central Asian distribution (Kallies 1998).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Morphology of Brachodes cf. rasata pupa: ventral view. Abbreviations: Ant—antennae, Fw—forewings, Gs— genital suture, Lb—labium, Lbr—labrum, Lp—labial palpi, Md—mandible, Msl—mesothoracic legs, Mtl—metathoracic legs, Pcx—prothoracic coxae, Pl—prothoracic legs, Pr—proboscis, V segment. Scale bar—1.0 mm.

FIGURE 4. Morphology of Brachodes cf. rasata pupa: A. Labrum and vicinity. B. Dorsal abdominal end. C. Lateral view of frons. D. Ventral abdominal end. Scale bar—A,B 0.5 mm, C,D 0.2 mm.