First records of the Eublemma deserta (Staudinger, 1900)-species group from Saudi-Arabia (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Boletobiinae) with description of a new species

Abstract

The genus Eublemma Huebner, [1821] (Lepidoptera, Erebidae) is currently subdivided into nine species groups along diagnostic character states in the wing pattern and in the male and female genitalia. In this paper faunistic and taxonomic results on one of these species groups, the Eublemma deserta Staudinger, 1900 species group, are presented on the basis of specimens collected in Saudi-Arabia and in Oman. The specimens are attributed to two species. One of the two species is Eublemma skoui Fibiger, Hacker, 2004, which is reported as new to the entomo fauna of Saudi-Arabia. The diagnostic characters, the global distribution and the local distribution of this species on the Arabian Peninsula are commented on. Data on the phenology and macro-habitat choice of the newly discovered Saudi-Arabian populations are given. The other species is closest related to Eublemma skoui Fibiger, Hacker, 2004, however differs significantly in external and internal character states, namely in the scaling of the labial palpus, the shape of the valva, the shape of the clasper and the harpe, the shape of the saccus, the shape of the phallus apodeme and in the sclerotization of the vesica. These differential character states result in the description of the new species Eublemma constricta sp. nov. The adults and the male genitalia of the new species are described and figured. The female is unknown.