Subject Editor: Sven Erlacher
The West-Mediterranean geometrid moth genus
The concept of the geometrid genus
The genus
Between 1995 and 2011, 11 specimens of a small
The study is based on material housed in the following collections: Private collection of Bernd Müller, Berlin, Germany (Müller);
Distribution map is based on examination of authentic specimens, and was created by compiling label data from collection specimens. These data were supplemented by additional information from recent publications with precise distribution data including Spain and Portugal (
The taxa were delimited on the basis of combining data from various sources including morphology, biology and DNA barcodes, and applying the phylogenetic species concept of
The genitalia and the abdomen were prepared following methods described by
For the DNA analyses, one or two legs were removed from each dried specimen and stored in an individual tube, which in most cases contained ethanol. DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing of the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (
The genus
With regard to the external characters, the group is less uniform.
DNA barcodes were available for the majority of named taxa (Fig.
The larvae of the taxa whose biology is known feed exclusively on needles of
To conclude, four correlating characters sets were useful in delimiting the species (not all character sets were available for all species): external features, genitalia structures (including both the external and internal genitalia), DNA barcodes, and details of life history. Three of these characters sets were available for
Four species are presently considered valid:
Four species in the West-Mediterranean area, including the French Alps, Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, Sardinia in Italy, and Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia in North Africa (Fig.
Medium-sized, wingspan 18–29 mm. Wings grey-brown or different shades of brown, markings blackish.
Wing venation of
Male abdominal sternite A3 has a small setal comb in
Uncus triangular, with slightly elongated tip, apex rounded. Socii absent. Gnathos arms fused ventrally, upturned, plate-shaped.
Papillae anales rather short, oval, setose.
Probably all species feed on
Larvae of
Larva, pupa and adult of
139 specimens (100♂♂, 39♀♀; data provided in a Suppl. material
Diagnostic external characters (indicated) of
Spring generation much larger. Wings vary from grey-brown to different shades of brown. Medial area sometimes completely suffused with dark grey or brown. Terminal line can be continuous or discontinuous. Very rarely specimens occur with stronger dentation on postmedial line and/or a shallow incision near inner margin, producing a somewhat
Confirmed records of
Multivoltine. Recorded from early March to early November with a few additional records in late January, February, and December. Larvae have been found in February (
Larva monophagous. It has been found on
In a variety of habitat types where the foodplant occurs, including coastal dunes as well as non-sandy inland localities. From sea level up to 300 m; according to
BIN: BOLD: AAD7906 (n=11 from Morocco, Portugal and Spain including the Balearics belonging to nominal subspecies) (Fig.
Forewing postmedial line weakly dentate and not angled outwards towards posterior margin in
Taxon
65 specimens (22♂♂, 43♀♀; data provided in Suppl. material
Wingspan varies quite a lot, the holotype female (collected in May/June) with 29 mm wingspan is the biggest specimen encountered so far. Specimens in the
Male genitalia of
Probably bivoltine. Only rather few and imprecise records available: February, March, April, May, June, October.
Unknown.
Unknown.
No data available.
Although the genitalia of
13 specimens (6♂♂, 7♀♀; data provided in a Suppl. material
Forewing medial area concolorous with wings or darker, particularly near inner margin. Forewing postmedial line can be rather smooth or distinctly dentate.
Female genitalia of
Uni- or bivoltine. In Spain from early June to mid-July, in France from early May to late June and in August. Larval period and method of hibernation are unknown. The moths are nocturnal and come to light.
Larva monophagous on
Mountain slopes with scattered trees and bushes. In France from 1150 to 1400 m, in Spain known from around 1200 to 1400 m. In Spain, Leon found on slopes with
Neighbour-joining tree of
There are no similar species in Europe. Rather uniform greyish brown colour and small angle in forewing postmedial line near costa are diagnostic.
Holotype male, pinned, with genitalia on a separate slide. Original labels: HOLOTYPE/
Paratypes 5 ♂♂ and 5 ♀♀, all with same type label: PARATYPE/
June specimens are dark brown; the specimen taken in October is light brown, except terminal area, which is distinctly dark brown (see Figs
The species name
Possibly bivoltine. So far, the species has been recorded in mid-June and once between 16 September and 10 October. Nothing is known about larval time and hibernation. The moths are nocturnal and come to light.
Unknown.
Open pine forests (
Habitat of
Habitat of
Habitat of
There are no similar species in Europe.
BIN: BOLD: AAZ6253 (n=2 from Portugal) (Fig.
Brian Elliot, Barry Goater, and Ales and Zdenek Lastuvka are thanked for donating
Examined non-type material.
MS Excel file
Explanation note: Examined non-type material.