ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI T o m u s 70. Budapest 1978

Larentiinae (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) from Mongolia, I . *

by A . M . VoJNiTS, Budapest

Abstract — Discussion o f nine species and subspecies. Ortholitha kaszabi sp. n . and Lithostege coassata mongolica ssp. n . are new to science, while Lithostege coassata ochraceata STGR. is new to the fauna o f Mongol ia . W i t h 3 figures.

The present paper discusses the first, smaller part o f Larentiinae species collected by Z . K A S Z A B , in Mongol ia . The value o f the material is especially enhanced by the fact that the species are represen­ted by several, or in many cases large series o f exemplars.

1. Ortholitha chenopodiata sibirica B A N G - H A A S , 1907 ( D . ent Z . Ir is , 20 : 82). — The Mongol ian occurrance o f the subspecies sibirica B . - H . , described from the M t s . Kentei, has been recorded also by V I I D A L E P P (1975). The species ranges f rom Europe to the Far East.

Collection data. — B u l g a n a i m a k : Namnan ul Gebirge, 23 k m N W von Somon Chutag, 1150 m , 21. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1137), 2 9 ; 7 k m N W von Somon Chanzargalant, 1350 m, 22. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1140), 8 9 . — C e n t r a l a i m a k : Ulan-Baator, Nucht im Bogdo u l , 1500-1800 m, 22-23. V I I . 1965 (Nr . 293), 2 9 ; idem, 2000 m, 27. V I I . 1966 ( N r . 745), 1 cf ; SO von Somon Bajancogt, 1600 m , 27. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 751), 1 cf} H k m OSO von Somon Bajancogt, 1600 m, 26. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1153), 1 cf. — C o j b a l s a n a i m a k : Chamardavaa uul , 80 km SO von Somon Chalchingol, 600 m, 12. V I I I . 1965 (Nr . 399) 1 çf ; Somon Chalchingol, 600 m , 13. V I I I . 1965 ( N r . 409), 1 9 ; 15 k m N von Somon Galuut, 850 m , 17. V I I I . 1965 (Nr . 435), 2 çf.

2. Ortholitha kaszabi sp. n . (Fig. 1)

D i a g n o s i s . Ala r expanse o f the two known male specimens 27.5 and 28 mm. Wings rather elongated, also costa o f fore wing convexely arcuate. Basic colour o f wings a pale, pruinose greyish brown. The slightly convex decurrence o f antemedian on fore wing slightly angulate medially, but rightangled at costa. Postmedian wi th a smaller, and a longer, semicircular, concave section. Ante-and postmedians marked, dark brown. Basal field bisected by a paler, brown line, at a ratio o f 1/3-2/3. I n median field, antemedian backed by a single, postmedian by a triple shadowy line. Discal spot minute, rounded, brown. Middle o f wide terminal field wi th a centrally constricted grey stripe; also termen grey. Apica l area wi th a dark brown cuneiform spot. H i n d wing pale, median stripe decurrent i n an elongated W-shape; wing area towards base unicolorous yellowish grey, towards margins wi th darker grey stripes (as in terminal field of fore wing). Underside o f wings yellowish grey, pattern ele­ments well discernible. Cilia wi th short, greyish yellow to grey striation, shiny.

G e n i t a l i a . çf: Rather stout as a whole. Valvae short, triangular. Vinculum angulate. Uncus large, arcuate. Aedoeagus long, cyl indrical , straight, without any sclerotized formations (Fig. 1 ) . — 9 : unknown.

B i o l o g y . First stages and foodplant unknown. The known specimens were collected in the middle o f July.

D i s t r i b u t i o n . Ranging in Mongol ia . — Locus typicus: Alag M o r t , near the river Tesijn gol , 1900 m .

S p e c i f i c d i f f e r e n c e s . The new species reminds one o f O. peribolata H B N . , but i t is larger, the basal field o f the fore w i n g ra ther patternless, the decurrence o f the post-med ian is different, and the t e rmina l field is also more u n i f o r m . I t also resembles the consid­erably larger O. lantoscona W E H R L I , at least some exemplars o f this species, bu t they are w e l l

•Ergebnisse der zoologischen Forschungen von D R . Z . K A S Z A B in der Mongolei, N r . 4 3 1 .

192 A . M . VOJNITS

dis t inguishable b y the conf igu ra t ion o f the m e d i a n field. A s regards size a n d c o l o r a t i o n , O. carsicola S T D . appears t o be near ly related, b u t the t w o species can easily be separated by the decurrence o f the an temedian w h i c h tends basal i n carsicola and apica l i n the new species.

H o l o t y p e , ( - f : " M o n g o l i a : Chövsgö l aimak: Alag mort , 4 2 k m N O vom Pass Chaldzan Sogotyn davaa, am Fluss Tesijn gol, 1 9 0 0 m , Exp. D R . Z . K A S Z A B , 1 9 6 8 " " N r . 1 1 0 9 14 . V I I . 1 9 6 8 " "Gen . prep. N o . 1 1 . 2 0 4 çf D R . A . VOJNITS Budapest T T M " . — P a r a t y p e : 1 c f , idem. — Holotype and paratype deposited in the Hungarian Natura l History Museum, Budapest.

S l i d e s : Nos. 1 1 . 2 0 4 , 1 1 . 2 0 5 (çf), gen. prep. A . VOJNITS.

3. Mesotype virgata H U F N A G E L , 1 7 6 7 (Berk M a g á z . 4 : 6 0 8 ) . — The species, ranging in Europe , Siberia, and the A m u r region, was first shown from Mongol ia by V I I D A L E P P ( 1 9 7 5 ) .

Collection data. — A r c h a n g a j a i m a k : Changaj Gebirge, 8 k m W von Somon Urd tamir , 1 6 2 0 m, 18 . V I . 1 9 6 6 ( N r . 5 3 7 ) , 2 c f ; Changaj Gebirge, zwischen Somon Ichtamir und Somon Culuut , cca 2 0 k m W von Somon Ichtamir, 3 k m S vom Tal des Flusses Charnuj gol, 2 1 5 0 m , 19 . V I T 1 9 6 6 (Nr . 7 1 6 ) , 1 c f . — B u l g a n a i m a k : 1 1 k m W von Somon Bajannuur am S ü d r a n d des Sess Bajan nuur, 1 0 0 0 m , 14 . V I . — 2 4 . V I T 1968 ( N r . 9 5 8 ) , 1 c f ; zwischen Somon Ch i sch ig -Öndör und Somon Orchon, 2 3 k m N N O von Chisch ig -Öndör , 1 3 9 0 m, 15. V I . 1 9 6 8 ( N r . 9 6 4 ) , 1 r* ; Namnan u l Gebirge, 2 3 k m N W von Somon Chutag, 1 1 5 0 m , 17 . V I . 1 9 6 8 (Nr . 9 7 7 ) , 1 çf; idem, 2 1 . V I T 1968 (Nr . 1 1 3 7 ) , 2 4 çf, 2 9 ; 7 k m N W von Somon Chanzargalant, 1 3 5 0 m , 2 2 . V I I . 1 9 6 8 (Nr . 1 1 4 0 ) , 6 çf, 2 $ . -C e n t r a l a i m a k : 2 6 k m O von Somon L u n , 1 1 8 0 m, 3. V I T 1 9 6 4 (Nr . 2 6 0 ) , 1 çf ; SO von So­mon Bajancogt, 1 6 0 0 m , 1 1 . V I . 1 9 6 6 (Nr . 5 2 1 ) , 1 çf ; 2 5 k m O von Somon L u n , 1 2 0 0 m, 2 5 . V I L 1 9 6 8 ( N r . 1 1 4 8 ) , 1 4 c f ; 1 1 k m OSO von Somon Bajancogt, 1 6 0 0 - 1 7 0 0 m , 2 6 . V I L 1 9 6 8 (Nr . 1 1 5 0 ) , 1 cf.— C h e n t e j a i m a k : zwischen Somon Cenchermandal und Somon Zargaltchaan, 1 0 k m O von Cenchermandal, 1 4 0 0 m, 2 7 . V I I . 1 9 6 5 ( N r . 3 1 3 ) , 1 c f ; 7 k m N O von Somon M ö r ö n , 1 2 0 0 m, 2 8 . V I L 1 9 6 5 (Nr . 3 2 4 ) , 1 çf; 1 5 0 k m O N O von Ö n d ö r c h a a n , 1 0 k m S vom Fluss Kerulen und 1 0 k m N von Somon Tumuncogt, 1 0 0 0 m , 3 0 . V I I . 1965 (Nr . 3 3 3 ) , 8 c f . — S u c h e b a a t o r a i m a k : Chada-tin-bulan, 6 0 k m N von Somon Bajanterem, 9 5 0 m, 3 1 . V I T 1 9 6 5 (Nr . 3 4 2 ) , 1 c f .

S l i d e s : Nos. 1 1 . 1 8 1 , 1 1 . 1 8 2 (c f ) , gen. prep. Á . M É S Z Á R and A . VOJNITS.

4 . Stamnodes daniiovi ERSCHOV, 1 8 7 7 (Hor . Ent. Ross., 1 2 : 3 8 8 ) . — The species, demonstra­ted from Kasahstan, Siberia, the Tuva area, Mongol ia , and Nor thern Tibet, was recorded f rom M o n ­golia also by V I I D A L E P P ( 1 9 7 5 ) .

Fig. 1 . Male genitalia and aedoeagus separated o f Ortholitha kaszabi sp. n . — Scale 1 m m

Collection data. — A r c h a n g a j a i m a k : Changaj Gebirge, 8 k m W von Somon Urdtamir , 1620 m, 18. V I . 1966 (Nr . 537), If; idem, 21. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 722), 1 9 . — B u l g a n a i m a k : 7 k m N W von Somon Chanzargalant, 1350 m, 16. V I . 1968 (Nr . 968), 4 çf ; idem, 22. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1140), 1 f. — C e n t r a l a i m a k : Borulcin tala, cca 100 km SO von Ulan-Baator, 1400 m, 5. V I I . 1963 (Nr . 89), 1 9 ; SO von Somon Bajancogt, 1600 m, 27. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 751), 1 9 ; 11 k m S vom Pass Zosijn davaa, (cca 90 k m S von Ulan-Baator), 1650 m, 16. V I I . 1967 (Nr . 920), 1 9 ; Tosgoni ovoo, 5-10 km N von Ulan-Baator, 1500-1700 m, 19-20., 23-24. V I I . 1967 (Nr . 925), 1 çf, 4 9 • — U V s a i m a k : am Fluss Changilcagijn gol, 6 km SW von Somon Baruunturuun, 1350 m, 24. V I . 1968 (Nr . 1009,1011), 4 c f .

5. Baptria tibiale ESPER, 1790 (Schmett. Abb i ld . , 4 : 568). — The species, rare in Europe and the Caucasus area and more frequent in the Far East (Siberia, Japan, Korea), was first shown from M o n ­golia by V I I D A L E P P (1975). I n his opinion, the form eversmanniaria H.-S. occurs in Mongol ia .

Collect ion data. — C e n t r a l a i m a k : Ulan-Baator, Zaisan im Bogdo u l , 1450-1500 m, 13. V I . 1964 (Nr . 126), 1 of.

6. Schistostege nubilaria H Ü B N E R , 1799 (Sammlg. Eur. Schmett. Geom., 2: 512). — This species, ranging in East Europe, Southern Russia, the Ura l , Kasahstan, Siberia, the Tuva area, the Caucasus and Mongolia , is recorded also in V I I D A L E P P ' S (1975) paper. The large series deriving from K A S Z A B ' S expeditions permits a microsystematical treatment of the species, to be made in the next future. I n the present paper, 1 call attention only to the conspicuous greyish hue o f the exemplars collected in Chentej-aimak.

Collection data. — A r c h a n g a j a i m a k : Changaj Gebirge, 8 k m W von Somon Urdtamir , 1620 m, 21. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 722, 725), 3 f- — B u l g a n a i m a k : 5 k m W von Somon Daschin-cilen, 1140 m, 2. V I I . 1964 (Nr . 253), 3 çf ; Namnan ul Gebirge, 23 k m N W von Somon Chutag, 1150 m , 21. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1137), 2 c f ; 7 k m N W von Somon Chanzargalant, 1350 m, 22. V I T 1968 (Nr . 1140), 11 çf. — C e n t r a 1 a i m a k : 26 k m O von Somon Lun , 1180 m, 3. V I T 1964 (Nr . 260), 15 c f ; SO von Somon Bajancogt, 1600 m, 4. V I L 1964 (Nr . 263, 267), 5 rf ; idem, 27. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 751 ), 5 c f ; 11 k m OSO von Somon Bajancogt, 1600 m, 26. V I L 1968 (Nr . 1153), 1 çf. — C h e n t e j a i m a k : zwischen Somon Cenchermandal und Somon Zargaltchaan, 10 k m O von Cenchermandal, 1400 m, 27. V I I . 1965 (Nr . 313), 25 çf. — C h ö v s g ö 1 a i m a k : Alag M o r t , 42 k m N O vom Pass Chaldzan Sogotyn davaa, am Fluss Tesijn gol , 1900 m, 14. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1108), 1 c f ; am See Tuna-mal nuur, 26 k m SW von Somon Scharga, 1950 m , 15. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1112), 2 c f ; 8 k m N von Somon Alag-erdene, am Fluss Egijn gol, 1600 m , 17. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1121), 2 c f ; N von Somon Chatgal am SW-Ecke des Sees Chövsgöl nuur, 1650 m , 18. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1124), 2 çf; 4 k m N W von der Stadt M ö r ö n , 1500 m, 19. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1128), 4 cf .

7. Lithostege mesoleucata PÜNGELER, 1899 ( D . ent. Z . Iris, 12: 105). — The species, described f rom the Hi region, was first shown from Mongol ia by V I I D A L E P P (1975). According to h im , meso­leucata is a characteristic species o f the Central Asiatic steppes. V I I D A L E P P also published the figure of the male genitalia, now to be supplemented by the female genitalia on the basis of K A S Z A B ' S ma­terial (Fig. 2).

Collection data. — G o b i A l t a j a i m a k : zwischen dem See Beger nuur und Somon Beger, 1400 m, 25. V I . 1966 (Nr . 580), 2 c f , 1 9 ! B a § a nuuryn urd els, am SO Ecke des Sees D ö r ö ö nuur, cca 1200 m, 12. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 680), 1 çf ; Mongo l els, 10 k m SO von Somon Chechmort, 1600 m , 13. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 684), l çf. — M i t t e l g o b i a i m a k : 8 k m N W v o n den Ruinen des Klosters Oldoch Chi jd , 54 k m N N W von Somon Cogt-Ovoo, 1350 m, 9. V I I . 1967 (Nr . 905), 1 9 . — O s t -g o b i a i m a k : Cagan els, 30 k m OSO von Zuun-Bajan, 800 m , 22. V I . 1963 (Nr . 21), 1 $ . -5 ü d g o b i a i m a k : 60 k m W von Somon Bulgan, 1120 m, 20. V I . 1964 (Nr . 162), 1 9 ; Gurban Sajchan ul Gebirge, zwischen Somon Churmen und Somon Bajandalaj, 24 k m N W von Churmen, 1550m, 14. V I . 1967 (Nr . 800), 21 cf , 2 9 ; SW Rand des Sees Dund gol (am „ a l t e n " Somon Gurban-tes), 1300 m, 18. V I . 1967 (Nr . 817), 1 cf , 1 9 ; Nojon nuruu Gebirge, Grenzposten Ovot Chuural , 1500 m, 20. V I . 1967 (Nr . 827), 1 c f ; Baján Cag, 20 k m N O von Somon Bulgan, 1200 m, 6. V I I . 1967 ( N r . 892), 1 c f ; abfiussloses Becken 10 k m N N O von der Stadt Dalanzadgad, 1450 m , 7. V I L 1967 (Nr . 898), 5 c f , 10 9 .

S l i d e s : Nos. 11.175, 11.176 ( 9 ) , gen. prep. Á . M É S Z Á R and A . VOJNITS.

8. Lithostege coassata ochraceata S T A U D I N G E R , 1897 ( D . ent. Z . Ir is , 10: 72). — The fore wings of typical specimens of the subspecies described from the A m u r region are light ochreous, the white transverse stripes partially evanescent, the veins especially in the median field covered by dark sclaes. H i n d wing definitely greyish. A number o f light-coloured exemplars also occur in the Mongol ian series, but they are never like the species described hereunder, rather they are worn exemplars. New to then fauna o f Mongol ia .

1 3 Természettudományi Múzeum Évkönyve 1978.

Collection data. — A r c h a n g a j a i m a k : 20 k m N von Charchorin, 1640 m, 30. V I . 1964 (Nr . 233), 34 c f ; 30 k m S vom See Ogij nur am Chogschin-Orchon, 1450 m, 1. V I I . 1964 (Nr . 245), 3 c f . — B a j a n c h o n g o r a i m a k : SO Ecke des Sees Orog nur, 1200 m , 24. V I . 1964 (Nr . 186), 1 cf• — B u l g a n a i m a k : 5 k m W von Somon Daschincilen, 1140 m , 2. V I I . 1964 (Nr . 253), 53 c f ; 9 k m O von Somon Abzaga, 1300 m, 22. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 728, 729), 2 c f ; 11 k m W von Somon Bajannuur am S ü d r a n d des Sees Bajan nuur, 1000 m, 14. VI .—24. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 958), 2 c f ; idem, 24. V I I . 1968 (Nr . 1144), 4 cf , 2 $ . — C e n t r a l a i m a k : Onzulin chundi, 100 km SW von Ulan-Baator, 1400 m, 15. V I . 1964 (Nr . 128), 4 c f ; 26 k m O von Somon L u n , 1180 m , 3. V I I . 1964 (Nr . 260), 5 cf , 3 9 ; Zuun-Chara, 800 m, 8. V I I . 1964 (Nr . 285), 2 c f ; Tal des Flusses Tola, zwischen Somon Altanbulag und Somon Tariat, cca 30 k m O N O von Somon Tariat , 1200 m, 24. V I I . 1966 (Nr . 742), 2 c f , 1 9 ; 12 k m S von Somon Bajanbaarat, 1380 m , 13. V I I . 1967 (Nr . 919), 1 cf . -C h e n t e j a i m a k : 15 k m O von Ö n d ö r c h a a n , 1 k m S vom Fluss Kerulen, 1000 m, 29. V I I . 1965 ( N r . 325), 5 cf , 2 9 - — C h ö v s g ö l a i m a k : 6 k m W N W von Somon Tosoncengel, 1480 m, 18. V I . 1968 (Nr . 981), 6 c f , 3 9 ; zwischen Somon Cecerleg und Somon Bajan-ul, 65 k m W von Ce-cerleg, 1700 m, 22. V I . 1968 (Nr . 1003), 2 c f ; 4 k m N W von der Stadt M ö r ö n , 1500 m, 19. V I L 1968 (Nr . 1128), 2 cf . — C o j b a l s a n a i m a k : Menengijn tal, 80 k m W S W vom SW Ecke des Sees Bujr nur, 600 m, 14. V O L 1965 (Nr . 415), 1 r f . — U b u r c h a n g a j a i m a k : Changaj Gebirge, 21 k m O von Somon Narijnteel, 2080 m, 27. V I . 1964 (Nr . 213), 1 9 .

S l i d e s : Nos. 11.206, 11.207 ( f ) , gen. prep. A . VOJNITS.

9. Lithostege coassata mongolica ssp. n . (Fig. 3)

D i a g n o s i s . Only males known so far, their average alar expanse: 24 m m , extreme values: 22-27 m m . Shape o f fore wings corresponding to that of nominate subspecies. Basic colour a very light whitish or yellowish grey, fore and h ind wings o f about similar or identical coloration. Pattern of fore wing greyish yellow and white, in most cases hardly discernible or completely obscured. Under­side of wings shiny, fore wing slightly darker, h ind wing lighter, yellowish white. Cilia short, shiny whi te .

G e n i t a l i a , c f : On the whole, similar to those o f nominate subspecies, excepting mult iply curved aedoeagus which, by this feature, differs both f rom that o f nominate subspecies and o f ssp. ochreata STGR. , also occurring in Mongol ia (Fig. 3). — 9 unknown.

B i o l o g y . First stages and foodplant unknown. The known specimens were collected in July.

Fig . 2. Female genitalia of Lithostege mesoleucata P Ü N G . — Fig . 3. Male genitalia and aedoeagus separated o f Lithostege coassata mongolica ssp. n . — Scale 1 m m

D i s t r i b u t i o n . Ranging in Mongol ia (Mit te lgobi aimak, Suchebaator aimak, Uvs aimak. — Locus typicus: Somon Delgercogt, 1 4 8 0 m (Mit te lgobi aimak).

S u b s p e c i f i c d i f f e r e n c e s . T h e typ ica l f o r m o f the n o m i n a t e subspecies o f L . coassata H B N . is rather d i spu ted ; recent ly exemplars w i t h a heavy pa t t e rn are considered typ i ca l , w h i l e earl ier the un ico lo rous l i gh t ones have been regarded as such. F r o m b o t h o f these and f r o m a l l o ther described forms , the subspecies ochreata S T G R . , o ccu r r ing also i n M o n g o l i a , and mongolica ssp. n . , differ sa t i s fac tor i ly ; the distinctness o f the la t ter is sub­stantiated b o t h by external m o r p h o l o g i c a l characters and differences i n geni ta l con f igu ra t ion . I n v iew o f the fact that the genital ia o f the Lithostege species are ra ther o f the same cast, the compara t ive ly s l ight (bu t constant ! ) divergence is conv inc ing .

H o l o t y p e , çf: "Mongo l i a : Mit te lgobi aimak, 2 0 k m S von Somon Delgercogt, 1 4 8 0 m , Exp. D R . Z . K A S Z A B , 1 9 6 7 " " N r . 9 1 6 , 13. V I I . 1 9 6 7 " "Gen. prep. N o 1 1 2 0 9 D R . A . VOJNITS Budapest T T M " . — P a r a t y p e s : 1. Mit te lgobi aimak: 2 0 k m S von Somon Delgercogt, 1 4 8 0 m, 13. V I I . 1967 (Nr . 9 1 6 ) , 1 4 çf. 2 . Uvs aimak: am Fluss C h ö n d l ö n gol, 3 2 k m N W von der Stadt Ulaangom, 1 2 0 0 m , 7. V I I . 1 9 6 8 (Nr . 1 0 7 8 ) , 1 çf. — Holotype and paratypes deposited in the Hunga­rian Natural History Museum, Budapest.

S l i d e s : Nos 1 1 . 2 0 8 , 11.209 ( - ) , gen. prep. Á . M É S Z Á R and A . VOJNITS.

References

B A N G - H A A S , A . (1907): Neue oder wenig bekannte palaearctische Macrolepidopteren. — D. ent. Z. fris, 20: 69-88.

PÜNGELER, R. (1899): Neue Macrolepidopteren aus Centrai-Asien. — D. ent. Z. Iris, 12: 95-106. S T A U D I N G E R , O. (1897): Die Geometriden des Amurgebietes. — D. ent. Z. Iris, 10: 1-122. V I I D A L E P P , J. (1975): On the fauna of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) of the Mongol ian

People's Republic. — Biological Resources and Natural Conditions of the Mongolian People's Republic VI., Insects of Mongolia, 3: 437-490 (in Russian).

Author 's address: D R . A . M . VOJNITS Zoological Department Hungarian Natural History Museum H-1088 Budapest, Baross utca 13. Hungary