Expansion of Distribution Area following Climate Change versus Increasing Knowledge Accuracy: The case of Earias albovenosana in the Iberian Peninsula (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Nolinae)

Abstract

Earias albovenosana (Oberthur 1917), for a long time considered a North African species, is reported from several locations in the Iberian Peninsula (both Portugal and Spain), from where it is formally mentioned for the first time. Adults are characterized and compared to those of other Iberian congeneric species, particularly the most similar one, Earias vernana (Fabricius 1787). Male genitalia are illustrated and diagnosed. Geographic distribution patterns of both E albovenosana and E vernana in the Iberian area are examined; E albovenosana occupies roughly the southern 2/3 of the Iberian Peninsula, whereas E vernana displays a north-eastern distribution pattern. Faunistic data regarding E albovenosana are discussed, emphasizing geographical and temporal (i e, recording year) aspects. Some Iberian high latitude records of E albovenosana (published as E vernana; material checked) exist from the first third of the XX century; furthermore, there is no trend relating more recent records with more northern latitudes. Therefore, the hypothesis of a recent colonization of the Iberian Peninsula from the Maghrebian area is disregarded. The need for continuous monitoring is stressed in order to relate the presence of species with their causes (be it global warming or not).