Lythria (Microlythria) venustata Staudinger, 1882

Makhov, I. A., Gorbunov, P. Yu. & Lukhtanov, V. A., 2024, Lythria (Microlythria subgen. nov.) venustata Staudinger, 1882 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae): distribution and description of the female, with a brief review of the genus, Zootaxa 5448 (1), pp. 29-48 : 31

Lythria (Microlythria) venustata Staudinger, 1882

Figs 1 , 3 ; Pl. 1: 1a–1c

Lythria venustata Staudinger, 1882: 64 . TL: [ Kazakhstan]: “Saisan” [ Saur ] ( HT ♂ in MNB)

Material examined. Western Kazakhstan: Aktobe Region , Bayganin District , 103 km NEE of Kulsary, Aktolagai Mts., chalk mountains, 47.5923314N, 55.147003E, 24.IV.2023, 2 ♀, (biotope: Figs 4A ), I. Makhov leg. (the moths were collected among Caragana bushes) [ ZISP]; Aktolagai Plateau, 35 km E of Miyaly, 140 m a.s.l., 47.483333N, 55.183333E, 16.IV.2013, 6♀, 1♂, P. Gorbunov leg. [ CSM]; Southern Kazakhstan: Syrdariya Karatau Mt. Range , 12 km NW of Aksumbe, 450 m, 44.516667N, 67.416667E (biotope: Fig. 5B ), 19.IV.2014, 1 ♀, P. Gorbunov leg. [ CPG] .

Other material (visual observations). Western Kazakhstan: Ustyurt Nature Reserve, Karynzharyk Sands at Akkuduk , Kyzylsengir , 120 m a.s.l., 42.833333N, 54.116667E (biotope: Fig. 5A ), 24.IV.2009, P. Gorbunov obs.; Ustyurt Nature Reserve , Kendyrli , 130 m a.s.l., 42.950000N, 54.683333E, 20.IV.2010, 1 ♀ (imago: Fig. 3E ), V. Zurilina obs.; Bostankum Sands, 35 km N of Zhanaozen, 180 m a.s.l., 43.700000N, 53.150000E, 7.IV.2013, P. Gorbunov obs.; Aktolagai Plateau, 35 km E of Miyaly, 140 m a.s.l., 47.483333N, 55.183333E, 17-18.IV.2013, 1 ♀ (imago: Figs 3D, 3F ), P. Gorbunov obs.; Altynshokysu chalk cliffs, 5 km S of Akespe r/w station, 208 m., 47.333333N, 60.850000E, 30.IV.2014, P. Gorbunov obs.; Chelkar District , 7 km E of Zhylan aul, 240 m a.s.l., 47.633333N, 60.433333E, 1.V.2014, P. Gorbunov obs.; Chelkar District , Shagan River head, 72 km W of Baikadam, 280 m a.s.l., 47.450000N, 58.283333E, 3.V.2014, P. Gorbunov obs.; Southern Kazakhstan: Syrdariya Karatau Mt. Range , Kurkal dry valley, 40 km N of Igilik, 540 m a.s.l, 43.783333N, 68.050000E, 18.IV.2014, P. Gorbunov obs.; Syrdariya Karatau Mt. Range , 12 km NW of Aksumbe, 450 m, 44.516667N, 67.416667E, 20.IV.2014, 17.IV.2015, 12.IV.2018, P. Gorbunov obs.; Aktau Mt. Range , Daut Mt. , 65 km N of Shieli town, 140 m, 44.766667N, 66.966667E (biotope: Fig. 5A ), 21.IV.2014, 1 ♀ (imago: Figs 3B, 3C ), P. Gorbunov obs.; Aral Sea Region , Bestoba Mt. , 14 km W of Kosaman aul, 170 m a.s.l., 46.916667N, 60.383333E, 27.IV.2014, P. Gorbunov obs.; Aral Sea old bank, 6 km NE of Akespe aul, 200 m a.s.l., 46.800000N, 60.566667E, 29.IV.2014, P. Gorbunov obs.; Zhambyl Province, 10 km NE of Khantau railway station, mt. steppe, 730 m a.s.l., 44.300000N, 73.866667E, 14.IV.2015, P. Gorbunov obs.; Syrdariya Karatau Mt. Range , Koshkarata River , 980 m a.s.l., 43.666667N, 68.800000E, 16.IV.2015, P. Gorbunov obs.; South-East Kazakhstan: Almaty Province, Katutau Mts. Range, 8 km S of Konyrolen, 1160 m., 44.200000N, 79.333333E (biotope: Fig. 5B ), 18.IV.2015, 1 ♂ (imago: Fig. 3A ), 28.V.2015, P. Gorbunov obs .

A brief description of the male external morphology (wing pattern and head) was given by Vasilenko (2009). Since sexual dimorphism in L. (M.) venustata is expressed mainly in the structure of antennae, the description of the remaining external features is suitable for both sexes, however, below we provide the detailed description of the female morphology with additions and clarifications to the description of the male genitalia morphology.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Lythria (Microlythria) venustata, females, external morphology of imago. A, B—dorsal view; C—label of the pictured specimens; D—ventral view; E, F—head and its parts, lateral view.

FIGURE 3. Lythria (Microlythria) venustata in natura. A—East Kazakhstan, Almaty Province, Katutau Mts. Range, 8 km S of Konyrolen; B, C—Southern Kazakhstan, Aktau Mt. Range, Daut Mt., 65 km N of Shieli town; D, F—Western Kazakhstan, Aktolagai Plateau, 35 km E of Miyaly; E—Western Kazakhstan, Ustyurt Nature Reserve, Kendyrli. Photos by P. Gorbunov.

FIGURE 4. Habitats of Lythria (Microlythria) venustata. A—Western Kazakhstan, Aktobe Region, Aktolagai Mountains. Photos by V. Lukhtanov. B—Western Kazakhstan, Ustyurt Nature Reserve, Karynzharyk Sands at Akkuduk, Kyzylsengir. Photo by P. Gorbunov.

FIGURE 5. Habitat of Lythria (Microlythria) venustata. A—Southern Kazakhstan, Aktau Mountain Range, Daut Mountain; B—East Kazakhstan, Almaty Province, Katutau Mountain Range, 8 km S of Konyrolen. Photos by P. Gorbunov.