A revision of the Pieris napi-complex (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and similar species with distribution in China

Abstract

The taxonomic status of the Pieris napi-complex and similar species which occur in China are revised. Relevant species distributed in the adjacent regions were included to clarify the status of Chinese species and were briefly revised. All those species are described and illustrated and new synonyms are established. A molecular phylogenetic analysis is also performed on the species group including similar species, to investigate the phylogenetic relationships between taxa. Species of the Pieris napi-complex that occur in China and adjacent regions are redefined, with four similar species excluded (P. melaina, P. extensa, P. chumbiensis gyantsensis and P. melete). A distribution map and keys of the complex including similar species are provided. The taxon P. mihon Yakovlev, 2006 stat. nov. is raised from subspecies to species status; P. narina Verity, 1908 stat. rev. is confirmed as a distinct species rather than a subspecies of P. ochsenheimeri; Pieris euorientis Verity, 1908 stat. rev. is recovered as a distinct species sister to P. dulcinea. Two taxa, ssp. sauron and ssp. bryonides are moved from subspecies of P. euorientis and P. bryoniae, respectively, to P. napi, i.e. P. napi sauron Yakovlev, 2004 comb. nov and P. napi bryonides Sheljuzhko, 1910 comb. rev. A new synonym is proposed: Pieris ochsenheimeri tianshansis Tadokoro, Shinkawa & Wang, 2014, new synonym of P. mihon Yakovlev, 2006. A new mistaken identification is proposed: Pieris dulcinea kneitzi is a misidentification of Pieris erutae kneitzi Eitschberger, 1983 comb. rev. Five Chinese species belonging to the Pieris napi-complex were confirmed, namely P. narina, P. mihon, P. latouchei, P. dulcinea, and P. erutae. Among them, two species, P. mihon Yakovlev, 2006 and Pieris narina Verity, 1908, are newly recorded from China. The taxonomic status of Pieris steinigeri Eitschberger, 1983 and Pieris bryoniae sifanica Grum-Grshimailo, 1895 is also discussed.