Lythria (Microlythria) venustata Staudinger 1882
Creators: name: Makhov, I. A.
name: Gorbunov, P. Yu.
name: Lukhtanov, V. A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Geometridae
Lythria
Lythria venustata

description: 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.
description: Published as part of 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, pp. 29-48 in Zootaxa 5448 (1) on page 31, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5448.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/11231079