Eupithecia zagrosata Mironov & Ratzel

Mironov, Vladimir & Ratzel, Ulrich, 2012, New species of the genus Eupithecia Curtis (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae) from Iran, Zootaxa 3580, pp. 56-68 : 60-62

Eupithecia zagrosata Mironov & Ratzel , sp. n.

( Figs. 5, 6 )

Material Examined. Holotype: Ƥ, Iran, Prov. Esfahan, Zagros Mts., Fereidun Shar, 3000 m, 15–17.vi.2010, leg. B. Benedek & T. Hácz ( SMNK). Paratypes: 4 3, 1 Ƥ, same data, Mironov slide no. 8773 ( SMNK, coll. Ratzel, ZISP); 1 3, 1 Ƥ, Iran, Prov. Boyerahmad, Zagros Mts., Vazag, 2350 m, 19.vi.2010, leg. B. Benedek & T. Hácz, Ratzel slide no. GU6511/2w (coll. Ratzel); 1 3, S.- Iran, Prov. Fars, Tange Surkh, 50 km NW Ardekan, 2250 m NN, 12.–15. Juni 1975, leg. Ebert / Falkner, SMNK E-Lep.-47 ( SMNK).

Diagnosis. This species belongs to the graphata group. It is similar to E. xanthomixta derbendi Vojnits, 1988 from Alborz Mts., however, in E. zagrosata sp. n. all transverse lines on the fore wing are weakly visible, especially double medial, discal dot on the fore wing smaller, shorter, less elongate. The male genitalia rather similar to those of E. xanthomixta Vojnits, 1988 also but the basal plate-like part of uncus broader, the valve narrower on the whole with very narrowly rounded apex in the new species; the eighth sternite of the male with two short and narrow, pincers-like apical horns, which are absent in E. xanthomixta . In the female genitalia of E. zagrosata the spiniferous area reaches to the base of colliculum, and the separate rows of spines between base of ductus seminalis and colliculum are longer than in E. xanthomixta .

Description. Wingspan 18.5–21.0 mm; fore wing 9.0–10.5 mm. Labial palpi broad, very short, about 2–3 times shorter than diameter of eye, covered with brownish scales. Frons, vertex and notum covered with mixture of predominate light grey and light brown scales. Fore wing triangulate with straight costal margin and evenly curved terminal margin; ground colour grey or dark grey; dark transverse lines rather inconspicuous, basal, postbasal and antemedial lines oblique, right angled onto costa; postmedial line obtuse angled onto costa; general Cu vein usually covered with orange scales; terminal area darker near apex, blackish grey; light subterminal line usually weak visible; terminal line blackish, interrupted by veins; discal dot distinct, black, ovoid. Hind wing paler, light grey; blackish grey, dark transverse lines well marked along anal margin only; discal dot conspicuous, blackish grey, rounded or ovoid; terminal line as on the fore wing. Fringe distinctly chequered pale grey and dark, blackish grey at vein ends on all wings. Abdomen light grey, irrorated with brownish scales. Male genitalia ( Fig. 11 ). Uncus narrow, medium-sized, biapical, when viewed laterally. Valve tapered to apex, with slightly curved ventral margin, arched dorsal margin and very narrow, slightly turned-up apex; sacculus thickened and lightly sclerotized. Vinculum short and broad, semirounded. Papillae on the anterior arms of the labides medium-sized, curved. Aedeagus stout, broad and almost equal to length of valve. Vesica armed with one twisted U-shaped cornutus and other broad, irregular cornutus near ductus ejaculatorius base. Sternite A8 peg-like, sharply tapered to apex with two small, short and narrow apical horns; lateral margins of sternite more heavily sclerotized; basal hollow broad and deep. Female genitalia ( Fig. 15 ). Bursa copulatrix very large, longer 2 mm, pouch-like, evenly tapered postward, about 2/3 covered with narrow, slim spines which longer along diagonal border than in the anterior part of corpus. Ductus bursae sclerotized with oblique border and with rows of small spines along border and short longitudinal striae. Ductus seminalis slightly broadened in basal half, curved backward and attached the medium part of corpus bursae from spineless side. Colliculum collar-like, short and narrow, tapered backwards and slightly inclined to one side. Antrum short, campaniform, lightly sclerotized. Tergite A8 rectangular, short and broad, with sclerotized anterior margin. Anterior and posterior apophyses medium length, relatively broad, tapered at apices. Papillae anales rather small and narrow, covered with sparse short setae.

Distribution. Iran: Zagros Mts. (provinces Esfahan, Boyerahmad and Fars).

Etymology. Named for the Zagros, the largest mountain range in Iran and partly in Iraq, with a total length of 1,500 km. The highest point in the range is Zard Kuh, elev. 4548 m.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 9. Adults of Eupithecia species (enlarged; scale bar = 10 mm). 1, 2 — E. brandti sp. n. (holotype female and paratype female); 3, 4 — E. truschi sp. n. (holotype female and paratype female); 5, 6 — E. zagrosata sp. n. (holotype female and paratype male); 7 — E. basurmanca sp. n. (holotype female); 8, 9 — E. persidis sp. n. (holotype male and paratype female).

FIGURES 10 – 12. Male genitalia (with eighth sternite, scale bar = 1 mm), aedeagus enlarged. 10 — E. truschi sp. n. (paratype); 11 — E. zagrosata sp. n. (paratype); 12 — E. persidis sp. n. (paratype).

FIGURES 13 – 17. Female genitalia (scale bar = 1 mm). 13 — E. brandti sp. n. (holotype); 14 — E. truschi sp. n. (holotype); 15 — E. zagrosata sp. n. (paratype); 16 — E. persidis sp. n. (paratype); 17 — E. basurmanca sp. n. (holotype).