[Entomology • 2025] Igoria parwanae, Colotois shabazherica, ... • Four new ennomine Moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) from Iraqi Kurdistan

  Igoria parwanae gen. n. et sp. n. 
Colotois shabazherica sp. n. 

 Khudhur & Axel Hausmann, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2025.2535148

 

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a new genus, three new species, and one new subspecies of moths from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Aleucis orientalis suleimana ssp. n., Pseudopanthera kurdistanica sp. n., Colotois shabazherica sp. n., and Igoria parwanae gen. n. et sp. n. We provide detailed differential diagnoses along with images of adult specimens and both male and female genitalia. Analysis of the mitochondrial COI gene (barcoding region) reveals genetic divergences ranging from 2.45% to 7.35% between these newly described taxa and their closest related congeners.

 

Keywords: Aleucis, Pseudopanthera, Colotois, Igoria gen. nov., Middle East 

Aleucis orientalis suleimana ssp. n.

 Pseudopanthera kurdistanica sp. n.

 Colotois shabazherica sp. n.

Igoria parwanae gen. n. et sp. n. 

Farhad A. Khudhur & Axel Hausmann. 2025. Four new ennomine Moths from Iraqi Kurdistan (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Zoology in the Middle East. 71(3); 339-350. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2025.2535148 [23 Jul 2025]

[Entomology • 2019] Arctesthes avatar & A. titanica • Review of the endemic New Zealand Genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae), with Descriptions of Two New Range-restricted Species

12) Arctesthes avatar, male paratype upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 13) A. avatar, female upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 
14) A. catapyrrha, male underside, Yaldhurst MC; 15) A. siris, male underside, Zero Gully CO; 
16) A. titanica, male paratype underside, White Burn OL; 17) A. avatar, male underside, Denniston Plateau NN.

B. H. Patrick, H. J.H. Patrick & Hoare, 2019

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.3.33944 

Researchgate.net/publication/334624591

Scale bars: 10 mm.

Abstract

The genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Geometridae: Larentiinae: Xanthorhoini), endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, is revised. Four species are recognised, including two new species, as follows: Arctesthes catapyrrha (Butler, 1877), A. siris (Hudson, 1908), A. titanica sp. nov. and A. avatar sp. nov. All except A. catapyrrha are restricted to subalpine and alpine localities. Adults and genitalia are fully described and illustrated for all species; larvae of A. catapyrrha are also briefly described and illustrated. Only Arctesthes catapyrrha is widespread; A. siris is restricted to a few mountain ranges of Central Otago; A. titanica is only known from two wetland localities in the Von Valley of the Otago Lakes district, and A. avatar is only known from a few wetlands in a restricted area of north-west Nelson. The two new species are considered of very high priority for conservation.

Key Words: New Zealand, Southern Alps, Geometridae, Larentiinae, Xanthorhoini, new species, conservation

Arctesthes spp. 
12) A. avatar, male paratype upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 13) A. avatar, female upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 
14) A. catapyrrha, male underside, Yaldhurst MC; 15) A. siris, male underside, Zero Gully CO;
16) A. titanica, male paratype underside, White Burn OL; 17) A. avatar, male underside, Denniston Plateau NN. Scale bars: 10 mm.

Brian H. Patrick, Hamish J.H. Patrick and Robert J.B. Hoare. 2019. Review of the endemic New Zealand Genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae), with Descriptions of Two New Range-restricted Species. Alpine Entomology. 3: 121-136. DOI: 10.3897/alpento.3.33944 

Researchgate.net/publication/334624591_Review_of_the_endemic_New_Zealand_genus_Arctesthes

 

[Entomology • 2024] Chloecolora vergetaria • 130 years from Discovery to Description: micro-CT Scanning applied to construct the Integrative Taxonomy of A forgotten Moth from Southern Africa (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Chloecolora vergetaria Englund & Staude, 

(b, f, j) Males; (c, g, k) females;   

(a, e, i) under side of the left pair of male wings; (d, h, j) under side of the right pair of female wings;

(f) the holotype, all other specimens paratypes.  

  

in Englund, Lee, Staude, Duplouy, Hausmann, Laiho,  Söderholm et Sihvonen, 2024.

  DOI: 10.1111/syen.12627 

 x.com/Systematic_Ent

 

Abstract 

X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) of dried and pinned museum specimens combined with advanced image processing can provide a useful, novel and non-destructive tool for integrative insect taxonomy. This paper demonstrates how micro-CT can be applied to provide unambiguous illustrations of diagnostic morphological characters for new taxa description and to understand how micro-CT imaging may complement other imaging techniques. Following micro-CT scanning, a semi-automatic segmentation and volume rendering protocol was used to portray the wing venation and diagnostic structures and ornamentation of male genitalia from multiple angles. Using micro-CT images, we provide the description of a conspicuous geometrid moth from southern Africa (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), which has been present in collections since 1894, but left without an available name. Using a multigenetic dataset comprising 273 terminal taxa from the superfamily Geometroidea, we constructed a molecular phylogeny to place our study species to an isolated lineage in Geometridae: Larentiinae, tribe Xanthorhoini sensu lato. We describe it as Chloecolora vergetaria new genus, new species Englund & Staude, and provide diverse ecological information on its distribution, habitat, host plant, adult and immature stages, and parasites. We found micro-CT imaging particularly useful in two- and three-dimensional imaging of wings, providing detailed information for instance on non-tubular folds that may be difficult to distinguish using other techniques.

Keywords: Geometridae, integrative taxonomy, Lepidoptera, micro-CT, non-destructive imaging

Type specimens of Chloecolora vergetaria.
 (b, f, j) Males; (c, g, k) females;
(a, e, i) under side of the left pair of male wings; (d, h, j) under side of the right pair of female wings;
(f) the holotype, all other specimens paratypes.

Type material of ‘Xanthorhoë chloëphora Prout m.s.’ in NHMUK.
(a) The type specimen; (b) the labels of the same specimen; (c) the unit box containing the three specimens in NHMUK (Photos: Hossein Rajaei).

 

Chloecolora Englund & Staude gen. n. 

Type species: Chloecolora vergetaria Englund & Staude sp. n.; description below.

Diagnosis: Monotypic Southern African genus of subfamily Larentiinae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and tribus Xanthorhoini sensu lato. Larvae phytophagous on S. harveyanus (Acanthaceae: Acantheae). Multivoltine nocturnal mid-sized moths with conspicuous, persistent, widespread green dorsal coloration on wings, head, antennae, thorax and abdomen. Male antenna bipectinate, female antenna unipectinate, with setose branches each ending in straight, stiff and long spine. Male coremata vestigial and assumedly defunct. Barcode 658 bp sequence K2P minimum distance to closest species (Euphyia unangulata and E. intermediata) > 8.6%. Closest sister genus Scotopteryx based on multigene 4989 bp maximum likelihood phylogenetic estimation. Morphologically Chloecolora differs from Scotopteryx by the following characters: persistent green coloration of scales on wings, body and flagellomeres in Chloecolora, not present in Scotopteryx, single strong spine in the apex of each ramus of antennae in Chloecolora, not present in Scotopteryx, male coremata vestigial and defunct in Chloecolora, generally well developed and functional in Scotopteryx.

Etymology: Chloe (Greek) young, green foliage or shoots of plants in spring, yellowish green colour in general; refers to the persistent, conspicuous coloration of the type species; color (Latin) tint, colour.

Chloecolora vergetaria Englund & Staude sp. n.

Systematics: Based on molecular data and morphology, C. vergetaria is classified in Geometridae: Larentiinae, Xanthorhoini sensu lato (Figure 12), as sister to Scotopterygini. The classification of Xanthorhoini sensu lato lineage needs further research.

Etymology: Vergeet (Afrikaans) to forget; refers to the so far incomplete and forgotten efforts to describe this species.

Mikael Englund, Kyung Min Lee, Hermann Staude, Anne Duplouy, Axel Hausmann, Elina Laiho, Max Söderholm and Pasi Sihvonen. 2024. 130 years from Discovery to Description: micro-CT Scanning applied to construct the Integrative Taxonomy of A forgotten Moth from Southern Africa (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Systematic Entomology.   DOI: 10.1111/syen.12627

  x.com/Systematic_Ent/status/1773277667929759922 

[Entomology • 2025] Psilocladia indica • A New Species of Genus Psilocladia Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae) from India, bridging the boundaries of Africa and Asia

 

Psilocladia indica M. Singh, Lenka & N. Singh, 

in M. Singh, Lenka, Chatterjee et N. Singh, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.2.4 

 Researchgate.net/publication/389403720

 

Abstract

In the present manuscript, we describe a new species i.e., Psilocladia indica M. Singh, Lenka & N. Singh, sp. nov., from India and diagnose with its close congeners based on wing pattern and genitalia. Psilocladia indica sp. nov. is the fifth species of the genus. This study also reports Psilocladia Warren, 1898, a genus hitherto known only from Africa, for the first time from Asia. Psilocladia is closely similar to an African genus, Xenimpia Warren, 1895 and an Oriental genus Krananda Moore, 1868. The diagnostic attributes are explained and illustrated herein. Additionally, global checklist and identification key to all the species of the Psilocladia are provided.

Lepidoptera, Checklist, Eastern Ghats, East Himalayas, global distribution, Gonodontini, identification key

Psilocladia indica M. Singh, Lenka & N. Singh, sp. nov.

Mandreet SINGH, Rajesh LENKA, Pallab CHATTERJEE and Navneet SINGH. 2025. A New Species of Genus Psilocladia Warren from India, bridging the boundaries of Africa and Asia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae).  Zootaxa. 5594(2); 316-324. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.2.4 [2025-02-28]

  Researchgate.net/publication/389403720_A_new_species_of_genus_Psilocladia_from_India_bridging_the_boundaries_of_Africa_and_Asia

New Moth Species Discovered in India, Bridging Gap Between Africa and Asia

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified a previously undescribed species of the genus Psilocladia while studying geometrid moth collections from the Eastern Ghats and Eastern Himalayas. Psilocladia was previously believed to be restricted to central and southern Africa, making this discovery a significant biogeographical breakthrough. 

Psilocladia indica, The newly described species, the first of its kind recorded in India, provides crucial evidence of the genus’s wider distribution, linking Africa and Asia.

[Entomology • 2025] Eupithecia anfala & E. kurdistanica • New geometrid Species of the Genus Eupithecia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) from Iraqi Kurdistan

Eupithecia anfala & E. kurdistanica

 Khudhur, Mironov & Hausmann, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2025.2459502

  facebook.com/FarhadKhudhur

Abstract

Based on the newly collected geometrid moths in Iraqi Kurdistan, two new geometrid species are described: Eupithecia anfala sp. n., and Eupithecia kurdistanica sp. n. Differential diagnoses and images of adult moths, male and female genitalia are presented. The status of E. kurdica Prout, 1938 has been elevated from the subspecies of E. irriguata (Hübner, 1813) to species rank based on both morphological and molecular evidences. Additionally, morphological and genetic data are presented to clarify the taxonomy of the species complex around E. unedonata Mabille, 1868.

 

Keywords: Genetic data, macro-moths, new taxa, pug moth

 

Eupithecia anfala sp. n.

Eupithecia kurdistanica sp. n. 

  

Farhad A. Khudhur, Vladimir Mironov and Axel Hausmann. 2025. New geometrid Species of the Genus Eupithecia from Iraqi Kurdistan (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Zoology in the Middle East. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2025.2459502 

 facebook.com/FarhadKhudhur/posts/10004209232939733

[Entomology • 2024] Lulavia mahwii, Idaea medianocturna walaila & Protorhoe drechseli nebuloides • New geometrid Moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae, Larentiinae) from Iraqi Kurdistan

 

Lulavia mahwii 

Khudhur & Hausmann, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.3.7

 facebook.com/FarhadKhudhur

Abstract

A large number of geometrid moths was collected by the first author in Iraqi Kurdistan including several undescribed species and subspecies. In this paper we describe three new geometrid taxa: Idaea medianocturna walaila ssp. nov., Lulavia mahwii sp. nov. and Protorhoe drechseli nebuloides ssp. nov. We present differential diagnoses and images of adult moths and genitalia.

Lepidoptera, Idaea, Lulavia, Protorhoe, fauna

 

Lulavia mahwii sp. nov., paratype, male. 

Lulavia mahwii Khudhur & Hausmann, sp. nov.

 

Differential diagnosis: In wing coloration and pattern no significant difference from Israeli Lulavia multipunctata (Staudinger, 1898). Male genitalia are very similar to those of L. multipunctata, but transtilla sclerites of the latter rounded towards the centre, less projecting, cornutus (bundle of microspinules) shorter: 0.3–0.4 mm.

 Etymology: The species is named after Mahwi who was one of the most prominent classical Kurdish poet and Sufis from Kurdistan. Mahwi was always using “Parwana – in Kurdish” meaning “Moth” as moth and flame metaphor in his poems.

 

Farhad A. Khudhur and Axel Hausmann. 2024. New geometrid Moths from Iraqi Kurdistan (Lepidoptera, Geometridae: Sterrhinae, Larentiinae).  Zootaxa. 5543(3); 423-432. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.3.7

 facebook.com/FarhadKhudhur/posts/9568932456467415

[Entomology • 2023] Achagua magna, A. cooperae & A. velata • The Known Species of the Genus Achagua Rindge, 1983 (Geometridae: Ennominae), with the Description of Three New Species from the Neotropics

 

(2) Achagua magna n. sp., holotype, (Peru: Cusco);
(3) A. cooperae n. sp., holotype, (Costa Rica: Alajuela);
(4) A. velata n. sp., holotype, (French Guiana: Régina). 

Matson, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.4.7 

twitter.com/MothMatson

 

Abstract

The previously monotypic geometrid genus Achagua (Ennominae: Nacophorini) is reviewed following the discovery of three undescribed species. New species are as follows: A. cooperae n. sp. described from Costa Rica, A. magna n. sp. described from Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia; and Achagua velata n. sp. described from French Guiana. Available COI barcode data is briefly reviewed, and adult and genitalic illustrations are provided for each of the four known species.

Lepidoptera, COI barcode, Guanacaste, Yungas

1–4. Achagua adult habitus. (a) dorsal view, (b) ventral view.
(1) A. obsoleta Rindge, AMNH_IZC 00353009, paratype,(Colombia: Cundinamarca), AMNH; (2) A. magna n. sp., AMNH_IZC 00353021, holotype, (Peru: Cusco), AMNH;
(3) A. cooperae n. sp., USNMENT01771270, holotype, (Costa Rica: Alajuela), USNM; (4) A. velata n. sp., holotype, (French Guiana: Régina), MNHN.

Scale bar = 2 cm.

Tanner A. Matson. 2023. The Known Species of the Genus Achagua Rindge, 1983, with the Description of Three New Species from the Neotropics (Geometridae: Ennominae).  Zootaxa. 5352(4); 565-576. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.4.7

 twitter.com/MothMatson/status/1712107282878623994

[Entomology • 2023] Mirlatia arcuata • Surprising Discovery of an enigmatic geometrid (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Croatia

Mirlatia arcuata

Hausmann, László, Mayr & Huemer, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1183.110163

Abstract

A new monotypic genus of Geometridae, Mirlatia gen. nov., and a new species, M. arcuata sp. nov., are described from Croatia. Based on external and genitalia characters, the new genus is tentatively placed in the subfamily Larentiinae. However, the new genus takes a highly isolated position by having unique characters of the tympanum and showing an unusually long pectination of female antennae. Genetic analysis of a fragmented DNA barcode (mtDNA; cytochrome c oxidase 1) did not result in a clear assignation to any geometrid subfamily or tribe. Adults, male and female genitalia, and habitat photos of the type locality of the new species are illustrated.

Key words: Cold-adapted, DNA barcoding, geometer moths, Mediterranean, tympanum

Adult. Mirlatia arcuata sp. nov., holotype, male (coll. TLMF).

Genus Mirlatia gen. nov.

Differential diagnosis: Presence of paired tympanal caves with ansa at the base of the abdomen clearly proves the assignation of the new genus to the family Geometridae. Mirlatia is distinguished from the vast majority of members of the subfamily Ennominae by the tubular M2 vein of the hindwing and the long fusion of hindwing veins Sc+R1 and Rs. It differs from the genera of the subfamilies Ennominae, Geometrinae, Larentiinae, and Sterrhinae by the very broad base and in the lacking apical dilatation of the tympanal ansa. So far, no other geometrid is known to display a similarly shaped ansa, although a broad ansa basis is found in Archiearinae, Desmobathrinae, and Alsophilini, but these groups have an ansa with a pointed tip. The new genus differs from the vast majority of geometrid genera also by the long pectination of the female antenna.

 

Etymology: The new generic name Mirlatia is introduced as a feminine noun. It is an aggregate of the stems of two latin words, i.e. mir- (stem of the noun mirum, mira meaning surprise(s)) and lat- (latum, the perfect participle form of the verb ferre meaning to bring, referring to the rather surprising discovery of this curious new geometrid moth.

 Mirlatia arcuata sp. nov.

Etymology: The species name refers to the arcuate hindwing termen.

Habitat of Mirlatia arcuata sp. nov., Croatia, Podgora (photograph S. Gomboc).

Axel Hausmann, Gyula M. László, Toni Mayr and Peter Huemer. 2023. Surprising Discovery of an enigmatic geometrid in Croatia: Mirlatia arcuata, gen. nov., sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Geometridae). ZooKeys. 1183: 99-110. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1183.110163

[Entomology • 2023] Macaria garupa • A New Species for the Genus Macaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and the report of its host plant in Argentina

Macaria garupa 

Figueredo, Chalup & Fernández Díaz, 2023

 

DOI: 10.30550/j.azl/1782

Abstract

In Argentina, the real diversity of the Geometridae family is greatly underestimated due to insufficient sampling and fragmented studies. Within highly diverse genera such as Macaria (Curtis, 1832), which includes around 330 species and subspecies with similar color patterns, there is the potential for the existence of as yet undiscovered species. A new species for the genus Macaria (Geometridae: Ennominae: Macariini) is described and illustrated in Argentina, based on specimens collected in the city of Garupá, Misiones. The male genital morphology and wing pattern of Macaria garupa sp. nov. are similar to those of Macaria rigidata, Guenée, [1858], but the diagnostic characters of the new species allow easily differentiation. The immature stages of M. garupa are associated with Duranta erecta L. (1758) (Verbenaceae). The significance of this discovery lies in the the description of a new species belonging to a poorly studied genus in the region, the characterization of its natural history, and the determination of its degree of synanthropy. 

Keywords: Taxonomy, Macaria, new species, Duranta erecta

Adult male specimen of Macaria garupa sp. nov.:
 a) male in dorsal view b) male in ventral view. Scale = 10 mm.

Macaria garupa sp. nov.

  

 Hernán S. Figueredo, Adriana E. Chalup and Cecilia Fernández Díaz. 2023. Description of A New Species for the Genus Macaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and the report of its host plant in Argentina. Acta Zoológica Lilloana. 297–309. DOI: 10.30550/j.azl/1782

 facebook.com/100065411733472/posts/642125354644517

  Researchgate.net/publication/372087508_Descripcion_de_una_nueva_especie_para_el_genero_Macaria

[Entomology • 2023] Hygrochroma xitle • A New Hygrochroma Herrich-Schäffer (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae) from Mexico City named by its residents after An ancient Volcano

 Hygrochroma xitle 

Garzón-Orduña, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5318.4.13

 

Abstract

A new species of Hygrochroma Herrich-Schäffer is described and illustrated from a male and two females deposited in Mexico’s National Insect Collection. Hygrochroma xitle Garzón-Orduña sp. n. is distinguished from other Hygrochroma by its two, bold, longitudinal white lines on the ventral surface of the wings. The species name was chosen by a crowd-sourced initiative that presented the general public with five alternative names. Xitle, the name of an ancient volcano located inside Mexico City, was the most popular, winning over the others with 1,881 votes.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, biodiversity, crowd-sourced science, Ennomini, Hygrochroma, Taxonomy

Ivonne J. Garzón-Orduña. 2023. A New Hygrochroma Herrich-Schäffer (Geometridae: Ennominae) from Mexico City named by its residents after An ancient Volcano. Zootaxa. 5318(4); 594-600. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5318.4.13

https://unamglobal.unam.mx/global_revista/hallazgo-de-la-unam-nueva-polilla-mexicana/

[Entomology • 2022] Sabzia gen. nov. • Taxonomy and Systematics of the enigmatic Emerald Moth Xenochlorodes graminaria (Kollar, 1850) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), and Its Assignment to A New Genus

Sabzia Wanke & Rajaei, gen. n., 
 Sabzia graminaria (Kollar, 1850), comb. n. 

[1–3: Iran, Fars, Komehr; 2: g. prep. 11052; 3: g. prep. 11051; 4: Iran, Fars, Miyan Kotal, g. prep. 272/2016 S.F.; 5: Illustration from PROUT (1935)]. 

(a = upperside; b = underside). Scale bar: 1 cm.

10. Adult of  S. graminaria comb. n. from Iran (Kerman, Hanna protected area; photo by H. Rajaei). 

in Wanke, Feizpour, Hausmann, Viidalepp & Rajaei, 2022.

DOI: 10.18476/2022.857803

 twitter.com/IntegSyst

Abstract

A new genus, Sabzia Wanke & Rajaei, gen. n., is described based on the Iranian species Phorodesma graminaria Kollar, 1850, which in recent taxonomy was combined with the genus Xenochlorodes Warren, 1897. Moreover, Xenochlorodes albicostaria Brandt, 1938, syn. n. is synonymized with Sabzia graminaria (Kollar, 1850), comb. n. The new genus is established based on external and internal characters of the adult specimens. Morphological traits including wing pattern, wing venation and male and female genitalia are described and illustrated.

KEYWORDS: Iran, Middle East, new combination, new synonymy

Wing colouration and pattern of Sabzia Wanke & Rajaei, gen. n., Xenochlorodes Warren and Hissarica Viidalepp spp. (a = upperside; b = underside). – 1–5. S. graminaria (Kollar, 1850), comb. n. [1–3: Iran, Fars, Komehr; 2: g. prep. 11052; 3: g. prep. 11051; 4: Iran, Fars, Miyan Kotal, g. prep. 272/2016 S.F.; 5: Illustration from PROUT (1935)]. 6–7. X. olympiaria (Herrich-Schäffer, [1852]) [6: Krk, Fiumebucht, g. prep. 1087/2021, D. Wanke; 7: Turkey, Mugla, vic. Esen, g. prep. 1088/2021, D. Wanke]. 8–9. H. postalbida Viidalepp, 1988 [all Tadjikistan, Kondara; 8: g. prep. 1091/2021, D. Wanke; 9: g. prep. 1090/2021, D. Wanke]. 10. Adult of  S. graminaria comb. n. from Iran (Kerman, Hanna protected area; photo by H. Rajaei). Scale bar: 1 cm.

Sabzia Wanke & Rajaei, gen. n.

Type species: Phorodesma graminaria Kollar, 1850: 51, 53.

Etymology: The name of this genus derives from the Persian word “Sabz”, meaning green, and refers to the wing colour of type species Sabzia graminaria comb. n.

Dominic Wanke, Shamsi Feizpour, Axel Hausmann, Jaan Viidalepp and Hossein Rajaei. 2022. Taxonomy and Systematics of the enigmatic Emerald Moth Xenochlorodes graminaria (Kollar, 1850) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), and Its Assignment to A New Genus. Integrative Systematics: Stuttgart Contributions to Natural History. 5(1); 61-71. DOI: 10.18476/2022.857803

  twitter.com/IntegSyst/status/1504745873322004488

[Entomology • 2021] Geometridae (Lepidoptera) of the Baikal Region: Keys to Species and An Annotated Catalogue. Part 1. Ennominae

Hypoxystis reticulata (Sterneck, 1928)

in Makhov, 2021.  

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4962.1.1

Abstract

The dichotomous keys to 106 species from 62 genera of Ennominae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) of the Baikal region (Irkutskaya Oblast and Buryatia, Russia) is given. The annotated catalogue including synonyms, the details of examined specimens, data on distribution and hostplants with references is provided. Distribution of Macaria artesiaria ([Denis et Schiffermüller], 1775) in the Baikal region is confirmed. One species is newly combined with genus Hypoxystis Prout, 1915: H. reticulata (Sterneck, 1928) comb. nov. The genus name Scardostrenia Sterneck, 1928 is established to be a synonym of Hypoxystis Prout, 1915 syn. n. Some taxonomic aspects of Charissa turfosaria (Wehrli, 1922), Hypoxystis reticulata (Sterneck, 1928), Synopsia strictaria Lederer, 1853 and Autotrichia heterogynoides (Wehrli, 1927) are discussed. New westernmost boundary of the range of Abraxas karafutonis Matsumura, 1925 is established.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae, external morphology, genitalia, identification keys, checklist, Russia Irkutskaya Oblast, Republic of Buryatia

Hypoxystis reticulata (Sterneck, 1928)

Ilya Makhov. 2021. Geometridae (Lepidoptera) of the Baikal Region: Keys to Species and An Annotated Catalogue. Part 1. Ennominae. Zootaxa. 4962(1); 1-125. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4962.1.1

[Entomology • 2019] Ophthalmoblysis ibarrai • A New Species of Ophthalmoblysis Scoble, 1995 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae) from México with ‘Sleepy’ Eyespots

Ophthalmoblysis ibarrai Garzón-Orduña, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4706.3.7

Abstract

A new species of Ophthalmoblysis Scoble, 1995 from Mexico is described and illustrated: O. ibarrai Garzón-Orduña, sp.n. The species is known only from Los Tuxtlas (Veracruz, Mexico), and is distinguished by the shape and pattern of the hindwing eyespot. Unlike the eyespot of other species in Ophthalmoblysis, that of O. ibarrai has a smaller and not fully circular inner black disc. In addition, O. ibarrai can be distinguished from a similar, undescribed species from Costa Rica by the presence of a sclerotized extension at the tip of the male valva and by the shape of the cornutus in the vesica. Ophthalmoblysis ibarrai represents the northernmost member of the genus.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Lepidoptera, taxonomy, Veracruz, eyespots, moths, Neotropics

Ophthalmoblysis ibarrai Garzón-Orduña, sp.n.

Ivonne J. Garzón-Orduña. 2019. A New Species of Ophthalmoblysis Scoble, 1995 (Geometridae: Ennominae) from México with ‘Sleepy’ Eyespots. Zootaxa. 4706(3); 469–476. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4706.3.7

[PaleoEntomology • 2019] Eogeometer vadens • Geometrid Caterpillar (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) in Eocene Baltic Amber

Eogeometer vadens

 Fischer, Michalski & Hausmann, 2019

 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53734-w

Abstract

Lepidoptera have little fossilization potential due to the presence of delicate structures and hence are exceptional findings, even in ambers that allow their preservation in sufficient detail for interpretation. From Eocene Baltic amber, the volumetrically largest known deposit of amber, there has been no reliable report of any member of the Macrolepidoptera (informal group of higher moths and all butterflies). Any such lepidopteran fossil would provide insight into evolutionary processes during the Eocene, long after flowering plants had completed their initial radiation. Here, we report on a first geometrid caterpillar from Baltic amber which is described as the oldest evidence for the subfamily Ennominae (tribe Boarmiini) and as one of the oldest records of the currently mega-diverse family. The new finding provides an important calibration point for molecular clock analyses within the family Geometridae and predates the basal divergence of Boarmiini from 32–38 to 44 Mya. It also predates the occurrence of this highly specialized form of caterpillar locomotion that allows for rapid movement.

Figure 1: Looping geometrid caterpillar from Baltic amber. It is situated in a dorsal to lateral aspect with the Geometridae-type prolegs clearly visible.

Scale bar equals 1 mm.

The software Helicon Focus Mac 7.0.1 was used (https://www.heliconsoft.com/helicon-focus-history-of-changes-mac/).

Eogeometer vadens nov. gen., nov. spec

Systematics: 

Order LEPIDOPTERA Linnaeus, 1758

Clade DITRYSIA Börner, 1925

Superfamily GEOMETROIDEA Leach, 1815

Family GEOMETRIDAE Leach, 1815

Genus Eogeometer nov. gen.

Etymology: The prefix ‘Eo’ refers to the Eocene, ‘geometer’ to the family name.

 Eogeometer vadens nov. spec.

Holotypus: Specimen SNSB-ZSM-LEP amb002 (Fig. 1)

Locus typicus: Amber mine of Yantarni, Russia

Stratum typicum: “Blaue Erde” Horizon (Upper Eocene – Lower Oligocene)

Etymology: The species name ‘vadens’ - “walking” refers to the looping manner of locomotion.

Repository: Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Munich, Germany; accession number SNSB-ZSM-LEP amb002.

Diagnosis of genus: 

The genus Eogeometer is established for this Eocene geometrid caterpillar presumably belonging to the tribe Boarmiini. A differential diagnosis will be given when more Eocene geometrids will become known. Attribution to any extant geometrid genus would be highly speculative. The amber larva shares the character combination of supposed conifer-feeding (see below) and a conspicuous semicircular anal plate with only a few extant geometrid larvae (see discussion), which, however, do not show a longitudinal stripe pattern.

Description of species: 

The looping caterpillar is 5 mm in length; the body is long and approximately cylindrical, smooth, but with transversal wrinkles. Along the uppermost ventral side of thorax and abdomen runs a longitudinal protruding and darkish stripe. The head diameter is about 1.5 times the diameter of the body, hypognathous and rounded; both parts of the head capsule show a symmetric spotty dark and light pattern. The legs are well developed (first right leg is missing); prolegs are well developed at abdominal segments A6 and A10 (one proleg of A10 is broken off and is preserved at some distance to the head of the caterpillar); only rudimentary prolegs are present at abdominal segment 5. There is a shield-like protrusion from the ventral side of A10. The setae D1, D2 are positioned at the edge of the longitudinal, dark protrusion. L1, L2 and SV1 are present in lateral positions. MD1, MSD1, MSD2, SD1, SD2 are seemingly absent (Setal map as Supplementary Information).

Taphonomy: The geometrid inclusion occurs within a flat piece of non-autoclaved Baltic amber with dimensions 30 mm by 20 mm, and a height of 4 mm. At one edge, about 5 mm were removed from the sample for IR analysis. The caterpillar is situated centrally within the amber, close to an internal boundary of two resin flows. The only syninclusions preserved adjacent the caterpillar are two different but poorly preserved mites. Some pyrite is present in cracks of the amber.

Thilo C. Fischer, Artur Michalski and Axel Hausmann. 2019. Geometrid Caterpillar in Eocene Baltic Amber (Lepidoptera, Geometridae). Scientific Reports. 9: 17201. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53734-w

Erste Großschmetterlings-Raupe im Baltischen Bernstein entdeckt idw-online.de/-CxmEAA