Lophoterges (Fibigerges) mariannae FIBIGER, 2001

Ronkay, L., 2005, Revision Of The Genus Lophoterges Hampson, 1906 (S. L.) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Cuculliinae). Part Ii. The Genus Lophoterges S. Str., Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 51 (1), pp. 1-57 : 39-44

Lophoterges (Fibigerges) mariannae FIBIGER, 2001

( Figs 19, 20 , 51–53 )

Lophoterges mariannae FIBIGER, 2001 , Acta zoologica hungarica 46 (4): 333. Type locality: Iran, Elburs.

Type material examined. Holotype male, Iran, Elburs, Masandaran, Haraz-Rud-valley, Polur , 27.VI.1973, leg. WAGENER & SCHMITZ, deposited in coll. M. FIBIGER (Sorø; later in ZMUC) . Paratypes: 1 male and 2 females, with the same data, coll. S. WAGENER ( Bocholt , Germany) . Additional material examined. Iran: 1 male, Prov. Mazandaran, Demavend , 3000 m, 4.VI. 1999, leg. HÁCZ & KŐSZEGI (coll. P. GYULAI). Slide Nos: 2516 FIBIGER, 8090m RONKAY (males); 4404f RONKAY (female) .

Diagnosis. Lophoterges (Fibigerges) mariannae is rather remote from the other members of the species-group, its closest relative is L. (F.) hoerhammeri . Lophoterges (F.) mariannae differs externally from all related taxa by its generally brownish fore wing ground colour and less sharply defined lighter costal stripe and whitish stigmata. The diagnostic feature of the male genitalia are the narrow, bar-like distal half of the valva having parallel margins, without flattened, broad cucullus which is present in the other taxa of the subgenus. This shape of the valva resembles that of the subgenus Variterges but the valvae are less asymmetrical, the harpe is completely missing and the distal part of the valva is straight, not arcuate or curved. The socii of L. (F.) mariannae are strongly asymmetrical, with long, acute apical processi, those of L. (F.) hoerhammeri are significantly less asymmetrical, less dentated but having bifid apical process; those of L. (F.) millierei are similarly strongly asymmetrical but less strongly sclerotised and the apical processi are less differentiated, especially on left side. In addition, the uncus of L. (F.) mariannae is stronger than those of the other members of the subgenus Fibigerges . The ground plan of the vesica is the same in all taxa of the group but the cornuti of L. (F.) mariannae are longer, stronger than those of the related species.

The female genitalia of L. (F.) mariannae differ from those of the other allied species by its narrower, higher, more trapezoidal ostium bursae with stronger, larger dorsal plate and the more sclerotised apical section of the cervix bursae; in addition, the margins of the ductus bursae are almost parallel, not tapering caudally and anteriorly not bulbous as in case of the L. (F.) atlas – L. (F.) millierei species-pair.

Description. External morphology ( Figs 19, 20 ). Wingspan 28–30 mm. Antenna of male ciliate, that of female filiform. Head and thorax brownish, abdomen light brownish beige, dorsal crest consisting of long brown tufts. Fore wing ground colour fawn-brownish with costa light brown basally, interrupted by three black spots representing costal patches of basal, antemedial and postmedial lines. Basal dash narrow, black. Maculation of typical Lophoterges - type, stigmata white, orbicular stigma elongated, flattened, oblique, fused with white outline of subcellular stigma; reniform stigma lunulate. Marginal area rather unicolorous, termen with two wedge-shaped black dots near apex. Male hind wing whitish, with darker brownish marginal suffusion; cilia whitish. Hind wing of female more brownish with broader marginal suffusion, terminal line brown, cilia brownish white. Underside greyish white, slightly darkened towards termen; discal spot and terminal line of hind wing fine but visible.

Male genitalia ( Figs 51, 52 ). Uncus short, strong, slender, apically flattened and slightly hooked. Tegumen high, narrow, socii strongly sclerotised and markedly asymmetrical dentated extensions with acute apical processes; left extension significantly longer than right one. Fultura inferior small, rather weak, cup-shaped; vinculum long, slender, rather U- than V-shaped. Valvae only slightly asymmetrical, saccular part of left valva somewhat larger, broader. Valva elongated, saccular part broad at base, distally tapering, clavus a small, strong process with truncated apex, originating from a heavily sclerotised, narrow plate. Harpe reduced to its slender, sclerotised basal bar, fused with ventral margin. Distal half of valva sclerotised, narrow, flattened, with parallel margins, without wider apical part (“cucullus”); editum long, narrow, densely setose. Aedeagus elongated, cylindrical; ventral plate of carina short, double-peaked, sclerotised. Vesica tubular, membranous, everted forward, then bent dorso-laterally. Proximal half with a large field of short but strong, acute spinules and a tubular, curved, membranous diverticulum. Distal part of main tube slightly tapering, with two narrow, partly stalked fields of longer, finer spinules.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 53 ). Ovipositor weak, short, posterior papillae slightly elongated, intersegmental gelatinous plates fine, less strongly developed. Ostium bursae large, calyculate, sclerotized, almost symmetrical, dorsal plate strong, considerably smaller than ventral plate, caudal incision deep, triangular. Ductus bursae medium-long, flattened, its distal part heavily sclerotised, having more or less parallel lateral margins and a stronger lateral fold; connected to ostium bursae with a short, wrinkled, hyaline neck. Cervix bursae rather short, conical, sclerotised, with fine crests and ribs; corpus bursae elliptical, distal part rugulose, proximal part membranous, finely scobinate.

Bionomics. The habitats for L. (F.) mariannae are the open, dry mountain slopes, the imagines are on the wing in June (–July). The early stages are unknown.

Distribution. The species has been found only in a small area in the Mazandaran valley (Elburs Mts, northern Iran).

Lophoterges (Fibigerges) hoerhammeri ( WAGNER, 1931)

( Figs 21 , 54–56 )

Lithocampa millierei var. hoerhammeri WAGNER, 1931 , Internationale Entomologische Zeitschrift, Guben 25: 367. Type locality: Turkey, Akshehir .

Type material examined: holotype male, [ Turkey], Asia min. c., Akshehir, 24. VI., coll. WAGNER; deposited in the collection of the ZSM, Munich .

Additional material examined. Turkey: 1 male, Asia min., Akshehir , 3–15. VI ., leg. WAGNER (coll. NHMW); 1 male, “Umgebung Angora (= Ankara), SUREYA BEY, 1929” (coll. NHMW) . Greece: 1 male, Attika, Athens, Penteli, 1.VII.1919, coll. SHELJUZHKO (coll. HNHM) , 1 male, Meteora , VI .1986, leg. K. SZEŐKE (coll. SZEŐKE); 1 female, Peloponnes, Mt. Chelmos , 18.VII.1990, leg. Å. SELLING (coll. SELLING) ; 1 male, Voiotia, Mt. Parnassos , 8 km NW Arachova, 1400 m, 28. VI .1985, leg. P. SKOU & B. SKULE (coll. G. RONKAY); 1 male, 5 km E Delphi, Arachova , 11. VI .1989, leg. Å. SELLING (coll. G. RONKAY).

Slide Nos: 2760m, 2878m, 8055m RONKAY (males), 4865f RONKAY (female).

Diagnosis. The external appearance of L. (F.) hoerhammeri is highly similar to those of L. (F.) atlas and L. (F.) millierei ; the recognisable differences between them ( hoerhammeri has shorter, less elongated, apically less pointed fore wings, with less intense orange-brownish irroration, almost pure white hind wings with very narrow brownish margin but without darker shadow at apical part and along veins, etc.) often cannot serve as a good basis for the satisfactory identification due to the remarkable variation of the three species.

The specific autapomorphy of the male genitalia of L. (F.) hoerhammeri is the apically bifurcate, almost symmetrical socii; the socii of the millierei -line are much more asymmetrical and are terminated in an acute spine. In addition, the cornuti fields of the vesica in L. (F.) hoerhammeri consist of more numerous spinules, the uncus is somewhat shorter and the proximal parts of the valvae are shorter, broader than those of the taxa of the millierei- line. The female genitalia differ from those of the species of L. (F.) atlas and L. (F.) millierei by the longer, non-bulbous ductus bursae and the significantly smaller, shorter, more asymmetrical ostium bursae.

Description. External morphology ( Fig. 21 ). Wingspan 27–32 mm. Antenna of male ciliate, that of female filiform. Head and thorax brownish, collar silvery greyish; abdomen light brownish beige, dorsal crest consisting of long blackish brown tufts; pedicels of male brush organ weak, less sclerotised. fore wing relatively short with finely rounded apex; ground colour shiny brownish grey with fine orange-ochreous irroration between cell and termen, median zone of wing with long, interrupted blackish brown stripe running from base of wing to place of subterminal line (including also relatively long basal dash). Costal stripe suffused with light greyish, most intensely at basal third, a narrow zone along inner margin also irrorated with ashy grey. Maculation of typical Lophoterges - type, stigmata encircled with white filled partly with, orbicular stigma elongated, flattened, oblique, fused with white outline of subcellular stigma; reniform stigma lunulate. Marginal area rather unicolorous, subterminal line represented by a few cuneiform blackish dots near apex. Terminal line fine, double: black with white inner definition; cilia as ground colour, with fine ochreous-brownish inner line and whitish streaks at veins. hind wing brilliant white with very fine brown terminal line; distal parts of veins partly pale ochreous-brownish; discal spot shadow-like; cilia whitish with pale brown line. fore wing underside greyish white, slightly darkened towards termen; hind wing silky white, discal spot and terminal line visible but pale.

Male genitalia ( Figs 54, 55 ). Uncus short, slender; tegumen narrow, high. Socii almost symmetrical, long, projecting ventrally; their apices finely bifurcate, lateral sides moderately dentated. Valvae also only slightly asymmetrical, saccular part of left valva somewhat broader. Clavi reduced, basal costal process sclerotised, small; basal bars of harpes flattened, broad at base, tapering distally. Distal parts of valvae spatulate, forming variably broad, quadrangular cucullus connected to proximal part with short, narrow neck. Aedeagus long, strong, cylindrical, rather straight. Vesica narrowly tubular, everted forward then recurved dorso-laterally, basal bulb broader, inflated. Subbasal field or cornuti relatively long, terminal field of cornuti also elongated, rather dense, both fields of cornuti consist of fine spinules.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 56 ). Ovipositor short, broadly conical, papillae anales elongated, finely pointed; intersegmental appendages well-developed; gonapophyses slender, fine. Ostium bursae large, rather short and relatively strongly asymmetrical, rather calyculate than infundibular. Distal sclerotised part of ductus bursae relatively long, straight, distally slightly tapering, its lateral margins straight, proximal part not bulbous. Cervix bursae shortened, rather semiglobular, wrinkled-rugose, finely sclerotised. Corpus bursae elliptical-ovoid, weakly membranous; signum absent but a small scobinate patch present at place of signum consisting of short, fine ribs.

Bionomics. The species occurs in moderately warm biotopes of xerothermic mountain regions, inhabiting rocky gorges and slopes and clearings of shrubby forests at low and medium-high elevations. The few known examples were collected at light. The flight period is June–September. It is not exactly clear whether there is a long and extended generation or two more or less overlapping generations; the second possibility seems more probable.

Distribution. The species is restricted to the southern Balkans ( Greece, Albania, Makedonia) and western and central Turkey.

Figures

Figs 17–24. 17–18 = Lophoterges (Variterges) radians sp. n.: 17 = paratype, female, Uzbekistan,Hissar, 18 = paratype, female, Afghanistan, Salang; 19–20 = L. (Fibigerges) mariannae FIBIGER, 2001: 19 = holotype, male, Iran, Mazandaran, 20 = male, Iran, Mazandaran; 21 = L. (F.) hoerhammeri (WAG- NER, 1931), male, Turkey, Akshehir, 22–23 = L. (F.) atlas sp. n.: 22 = holotype, male, Morocco, 23 =

Figs 51–53. Lophoterges (Fibigerges) mariannae FIBIGER, 2001, Iran, Mazandaran: 51 = holotype male, 52 = paratype, male, 53 = paratype, female

Figs 54–55. Lophoterges (F.) hoerhammeri (WAGNER, 1931), males, Turkey

Fig. 56. Lophoterges (F.) hoerhammeri (WAGNER, 1931), female, Turkey