Lithostege hausmanni, Rajaei & Kostjuk, 2024

Lithostege hausmanni sp. n. ( Figs 7–8 & 15, 18, 21)

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Material examined. Holotype ♂, Afghan.[ Afghanistan], Dasht-i-Nawar, NW v. Ghazni, 3000 m, 8– 10.vi.1965, [leg.] Kasy & Vartian; ex. Ausbeuten G. Ebert, SMNK, E-Lep 22; gen. prep. 2760/2023 H. Rajaei; in SMNK . Paratypes ( 12 ♂, 10 ♀): 1 ♂, same data as holotype, gen. prep. 1025/2010 H. Rajaei ; 2 ♂, Afghanistan, SO Afghanistan, Safed Koh, S-Seite, Kotkai , 2350 m, 23.vi.1967, M. Müller leg.; ex. Ausbeuten G. Ebert, SMNK, E-Lep 22; gen. prep . ♂ 2758/2023 H. Rajaei; 3 ♀, same data, 30.vi.1968 ; 1 ♀, same data, 25.vi.1968, gen. prep. 988 I. Kostjuk ; 1 ♂, 3 ♀, same data, 14–23.vi.1966, leg. G. Ebert, gen. prep . ♂ 2764 /2023 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, same data, 21.vi–1.vii.1969, leg. G. Ebert ; 4 ♂, Z- Afghanistan, Oberlauf d. Helmand, Mullah-Jaqub-Pass, 3000 m, 16.vii.1966, leg. G. Ebert, gen. prep. 989 I. Kostjuk ; 1 ♀, E- Afghanistan, prov. Bamian, vic. Panjao , 2300 m, 27.vi.70, leg. C. Naumann, coll. Nr. 1083; all in SMNK . 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Afghanistan, SO Afghanistan, Safed Koh, S- Seite, Kotkai , 2350 m, 2.vi.1967, M. Müller leg.; ex. Ausbeuten G. Ebert, SMNK, E-Lep 22; gen. prep . ♀ 2759; ♂ 2758/2023 H. Rajaei; 1 ♀, same data, 14–23.vi.1966, leg. G. Ebert, gen. prep . ♀ 2765/2023 H. Rajaei; 1 ♂, Z- Afghanistan, Oberlauf d. Helmand, Mullah-Jaqub-Pass, 3000 m, 16.vii.1966, leg. G. Ebert; all in SMNS .

Additional material. Two additional specimens were also identified as L. hausmanni (not included in the type material): 2 ♂, N Iran , 2400 m, Demavend, 25.–26.IX.1965, [leg.] E. & A. Vartian, ZSM Genital prep. No. 4530 and 4531 [dissected by A. Hausmann], both in ZSM. Note. The geographic location of these two specimens does not match the distribution pattern of L. hausmanni sp. n., and it cannot be ruled out that the specimens are mislabeled or a confusion of their locality data happened during dissection. Further field works are required to prove the presence or absence of this species in North Iran .

Etymology. This new species is named after Dr. Axel Hausmann, head of lepidoptera section at the Bavarian State Collection for Zoology (ZSM). Axel Hausmann is the founder of the scientific initiative “Forum Herbulot”, and has played a prominent role in the taxonomic studies of the family Geometridae in the last few decades. He is a senior author of numerous monographs on this moth family, including the book series “Geometrid Moths of Europe”, where he also served as editor-in-chief.

Diagnosis. Lithostege hausmanni sp. n. belongs to the amoenata species-group (the defining characteristics of which are discussed under L. amoenata ). Externally this new species could be mistaken for L. amoenata and L. viidaleppi sp. n. ( Figs 5–10), but it is clearly distinguishable by the genitalia structures in both sexes. In the male genitalia of L. hausmanni sp. n. ( Fig. 15), the apical process is very long and the costal process is reduced into a series of small teeth; the juxta is elongated with its basal part narrower than the apical; the aedeagus is short and subapically curved (in L. amoenata ( Fig. 14) both apical and costal processes of the valva are equal in length; the juxta is elongated, but its apical part is narrower than the basal; and the aedeagus is short and not curved; in L. viidaleppi sp. n. ( Fig. 17) the apical process of the valva is roughly twice longer than the stout costal process; the juxta is elongated, which its basal section narrower than the apical; the aedeagus is long, subapically curved).

In the female genitalia of L. hausmanni sp. n. ( Fig. 18), the antrum is short and triangular, with a short V-shaped incision in the ventral margin; the narrow ductus bursae is curved; the corpus bursae is spherical, half covered with small spicules (in L. amoenata ( Fig. 17) the antrum is very short, its ventral margin is lip-shaped; the tick ductus bursae is tubular; the corpus bursae is spherical and fully covered with dense spicules; L. viidaleppi sp. n. ( Fig. 19) has a bowl-shaped antrum, with a U-shaped incision in the ventral margin; the short ductus bursae is tubular; the corpus bursae is spherical and with only the dorsal third covered with loose spicules).

Description. Wingspan 24–28.5 mm (measured based on the whole type series). Wing ground colour dark-creamy to brown. Forewings with light to dark brown transverse lines; basal and antemedial lines projected towards termen on common stalk of Rs and M, angled at 80° then connected to the costal part of forewing; postmedial line brown, externally highlighted by a thick, creamy line, strongly curved towards termen on M1 and M3 and towards basis on M2; subterminal line very thin, light creamy, sometimes discontinued. There are several additional transverse lines, including a weaker basal line, a broad grey and a narrow wavy line at median area which show intraspecific variation. Fringes chequered creamy and brown. Hindwings elongate-oval, light brown to grey-ocher. Underside light creamy to light brown with traces of pattern similar to upper side.

Male genitalia ( Figs 15). valva broad at base, tapering towards largely projected and pointed apex; costa of valva covered with a series of small teeth; sacculus medially curved. Uncus basally trapezoid, medially constricted, distally finger-shaped; lateral arms of gnathos present, but medially not connected; socii at the base of uncus as tiny setose projections. Saccus short and broadly arched. Juxta elongate, its apical part shallowly notched, bowl-shaped, wider than basal part. Aedeagus short, subapically curved; vesica largely inflated with a short and broad sack-like diverticulum submedially and extensive field of sparse short teeth distally surrounding narrow tubular vesica ejaculatorius.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 18). ovipositor as thick as ductus bursae; posterior apophyses three times longer than anterior apophyses; antrum triangular, its ventral margin with short V-shaped incision; ductus bursae curved, narrow; corpus bursae spherical, half covered with small spicules.

Bionomics. The known specimens were collected between the early June to mid-July, at altitudes ranging from 2350 to 3000 m.

Distribution. Lithostege hausmanni sp. n. is known from central and eastern Afghanistan. Two specimens from northern Iran have also been identified as L. hausmanni sp. n. ( Fig. 21), but the presence of this species in that region requires further confirmation, as explained above.