Xestia (Raddea) alexis Kozhanchikov 1928

Xestia (Raddea) alexis (Kozhanchikov, 1928)

(Figs. 3–5, 7, 8–16, 33–35; 37, 39, 40, 42)

Estimata alexis Kozhanchikov, 1928. Revue Russe d'Entomologie 22: 94, Fig. 3 (Lectotype, hereby designated), male, [ZI, St. Petersburg]). Type locality: [South Kazakshstan], Dzhaidak Mts., Semirechje, Naryn.

Note. The original spelling of the name alexis was changed to alexii by Kozhanchikov (1937) as “more correct grammatically” (loc. cit). However, the subsequent change of the name by author (Kozhanchikov 1937) is not only an unjustified emendation according Article 33.2.3. (ICZN 2009), but also wrong in Latin. To whom it was owned was collector Alexis G. Jakobson, the brother of famous Russian coleopterist Georgy G. Jacobson. The genitive in Latin would also be Alexis, and would also work as apposition, Alexis, too. Kozhanchikov has probably had an erroneous belief that also the substantive specific name should follow the gender of the generic name and therefore made the change. But his alexii is in Latin wrong. Boursin (1963) referred the name alexii in synonymy to Estimata alexis.

Synonymy: = [Agrotis] oschi Bang-Haas, 1922, Iris, 36:5,Pl. 7:1, nom. nudum (as described in synonymy)

= Estimaja alexii Kozhanchikov, 1937, Fauna de l'USSR, 13(3): 224, unjustified emendation.

= Estimaja oschi Kozhanchikov, 1937, syn. n. Fauna de l'USSR, 13(3): 223, Pl. 4:6, fig. 80.

= Estimaja militzae Kozhanchikov, 1937, syn. n. Fauna de l'USSR, 13(3): 222, fig. 79, (Holotype: male, ZI, St. Petersburg. Type locality: [Kazakhstan], Dzhungaria, Kharciktai Pass to Tsagan-gol river,).

= Agrotis nomas: Corti, 1931 in Seitz; 3. suppl.: 41, nec Ersсhov, 1874, misidentification.

References: Kozhanchikov 1937: 223 Pl. 4:6, genit. p. 80 (Estimaja alexii);—:224 (Estimaja oschi Bang Haas, 1922);—:222, male genit.79; 615 - englisch (Estimaja militzae); Corti & Draudt 1931 –1938 or. syn.: 41 (Estimata oschi); Boursin 1963:71 (alexis Kozhanchikov, 1928 = alexii Kozhanchikov, 1938);—:71 (oschi);—:71 (militzae); Zolotarenko 1970:226, male genit. P. 64 (alexii); Poole 1989:381 (Estimata alexis);—:381 (Estimata oschi Kozhanchikov, 1937);—1989:381 (Estimata militzae); Lehmann et al., 1998:493, male genit. (Estimata alexii);—:473, 493, male genit., Pl. M2–4 (Estimata oschi Kozhanchikov, 1937); Kononenko 2005:110, 192 (Estimata oschi Kozhanchikov, 1937);—:110, 192 (Estimata alexii);—:110, 192 (Estimata militzae); Lehmann & Bergmann 2005:55 (Estimata militzae) Matov et al. 2008:295 (Estimata alexii);—295 (Estimata oschi Kozhanchikov, 1937);—:295 (Estimata militzae).

Material examined. Lectotype of Estimata alexis, male, [Altai] Dopyat, between Ostruga and Dzhaitak, 19.vi. [19]06, leg. A. Jakobson, designated herewith; paralectotypes: 4 males, [E Kazakhstan, Altai Mts., Narymsky Range] Dopyap road between Ostrukha and Dzhaidak, 19.vi. [19]06, leg. A. Jakobson (ZISP). Holotype of Estimaja militzae: male Dzhungaria, pass from Khartsiktai river to Tsagan-gol river, 28.vii. [18]98, leg. Klemenz (ZISP). Male specimen, indicated by Staudinger as “ Agrotis oschi ”, SE Altai, Tschuja Mts. 700 feet. July, 98. H.J.Elves / n. sp. bei nomas Ersch./ Agr. Osch in l.? /Preparation No MB. 150 Ch. Boursin/ Ag. Oschi?”; 2 males, [E Kazakhstan, Altai Mts., Narymsky Range] Dzhaidak Mt., 2000 m, 16.vi.1906, leg. A. Jakobson (ZISP); 1 male, [E Kazakhstan, Altai Mts.] Narymsky Range, 1800 m, 6.vi.1906, leg. A. Jakobson (ZISP); 2 males, Kazakhstan, South Altai, Tarbagatai Mts., Burkhat Pass, 49o07’ N 86o02’ E, 2100–2500 m, 11–15.VII.1998, leg. Lukhtanov; 1 male, Altai, Ongudai, 27.vi.1908, leg. A. Jakobson (ZISP); 1 male, Altai, Chagan-Uzun, Sukor Mt., 7.vii. [19]68 [leg. A. Tsvetaev] (ZISP); 7 males, same locality, 2500 n, 5.vii. [19]63, leg. A. Tsvetaev / ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov (ZISP); 3 males, Altai, [North]-Chujsky Range, Sukor Mt., 2500 m, 5.vii. [19]68, leg. A. Tsvetaev (ZISP); 8 males, Altai, North-Chujsky Range, Chagan-Uzun, 2600, 3.vii.1968, leg. A. Tsvetaev (ZISP); 1 male, Altai, Kalguty, 28–30.vi. [19]92, leg. E. Matveev / ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov (ZISP); 1 male, Altai, Aktash, 5.vii. [19]88, leg. E. Matveev / ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov (ZISP); 1 male, Altai, Aktash, Kuraisky Range, 2250 m, 29.vi. [19]93, leg. S. Reshetnikov / ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov (ZISP); 2 males, USSR, S-W Altai, 7 km N Katanda, 2200–2500 m, Exp. Mikkola, Hippa & Jalava leg. (ZISP); 1 male, [Altai, Kuraisky Range], Kuektanar camp, Chuya road, Bijsk u., 29.vii. [1]912, leg. P. Sushkin, V. Redikortsev (ZISP); 1 male, [Altai, Kuraisky Range] Kuadru riv., Bijsk u., 26.vii. [1]912, leg. P. Sushkin, V. Redikortsev (ZISP); 1 male, Russia, SW. Tuva, W. Mugur-Aksy, Mts. Tsagan- Shibetu, Alt. 2150 m, 1-07-2001, Coll Herzet / ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov, genit. prep. M. Fibiger 5742; 5 males, Russia, Altai, Aktash, 2000 m, on light, 6.vii.1998, leg. A.L. Lvovsky, genit. prep. M. Fibiger 5740; 2 males, Altai, 10 km N of Katanda, 20.vii. [19]83, leg. V. Dubatolov; the large series of the male specimes (more than 30), Southern Altai, Chagan–Uzun, North Chuisky Range, 2600 (A. Tsvetaev leg.) (ZMMU); the large series (about 70) of male specimens, SW Altai, 7 km N Katanda, 2500 m, 21.vii.1983 (K. Mikkola, H. Hippa & J. Jalava leg). (FMNH); 4 males, Altai, Terektinsky Range, 7 km W. of Katanda, 20.VII.1983, G.S. Zolotarenko, V.V. Dubatolov [SZMN]; 5 males, Altai, Katunsky Range, 15 km SE of Katanda, 14.VII.1983, G.S. Zolotarenko, V.V. Dubatolov [SZMN]; 1 males, Ukok [plateau], 2424 m, 49.3º N, 87.7º E, Muzdy-Bulak lake, 29.06.2006, Barkalov [SZMN]; 15 males, 3 females, 13–14.vii.2008, Russia, Altai Republic, Kosh-Agach distr., Sailyugem Ridge, 8 km ESE Tashanta vill., 2650 m. 49º42’ N, 89º16’ E. Volynkin A.V., Nakonechny A.N. leg. (AV); 5 males, 7–8.vii.2008, Russia, Altai Rep., Kosh-Agach distr., 15–20 km NE Kokorya, Chikhacheva Ridge, Talduair Mts., Buguzun riv. valley, 2300. Yakovlev R.V. & Guskova E.V. (AV); 3 males, 12–15.vii.2009, Russia, Altai Rep., Ulagan distr., 7 km NE Aktash vill., Kuraisky Ridge, 2600 m. 50º29’ N, 87º36’ E. Volynkin A.V., Černila M., Nakonechny A.N. leg. (AV); 1 male, 26–30.vii.2009, W. Mongolia, Bayan-Ulegei aimak, Kobdo-gol river valley, 20 km SW Tsengel, 1800 m, E.V. Guskova & R.V. Yakovlev leg. (AV); 1 female, Russia, Altai Rep., plateu Ukok, Akkol creeck, 2400 m, 49º25’ N, 87º36’ (R. Dudko leg.).

Note. The name [Agrotis] oschi is a manuscript name of Staudinger marked on the label of the specimen from SE Altai, Chuya Mts. (Fig. 3) from H. J. Elwes collection (preserved in NMKB). The specimen bears labels ”SE Altai, Tchuja Mts. 7000 feet. July, 98. H.J. Elwes / n. sp. bei nomas Ersch./ Agr. Osch in l.? /Preparation No MB. 150 Ch. Boursin/ Ag. Oschi?”. Because the description of this taxon was never published, the name oschi is not available. Bang–Haas (1922) illustrated the specimen of “ oschi ” in the type list of Agrotinae from the Staudinger’s and Bang-Haas collections, among the species which were named but not described by Staudinger. He incorrectly referred “ oschi ” in the synonymy to Euxoa (Chorisagrotis) nomas (Erschoff, 1874) in the explanation to the illustration as follows: “1 nomas Ersch = oschi Stgr. i.l.” (Figs. 1, 2). As the name oschi Bang-Haas 1922 was published in synonymy, according to Article 11.6. (ICZN 2009), it is invalid (nomen nudum). Kozhanchikov (1937) is the first author who used the name oschi with authorship of Bang-Haas 1922 supplied with description and illustration, therefore the authorship of the valid name oschi belongs to Kozhanchikov (1937) (Article 11.6. ICZN 2009). He described also two taxa of Estimata: alexis Kozhanchikov (1928) (later corrected to alexii by Kozhanchikov 1937) (an unjustified emendation) and militzae Kozhanchikov (1937). In the course of the present revision we examined the specimen labelled by Staudinger as “ oschi ” (Fig. 3), the syntypes of alexis (Fig. 4) and holotype of militzae (Fig. 5) and concluded that all three names belong to the same species. The oldest valid name for this taxon is Estimata alexis Kozhanchikov 1928; Estimata oschi Kozhanchikov, 1937 and Estimata militzae I.Kozhanchikov, 1937 are junior synonyms of the first one. By our revision, the specimen of “ oschi ” is externally identical with syntypes of alexis and militzae. The male genitalia of all three examined specimens are identical (Figs. 33–35).

Diagnosis. Male, adult. (Figs. 3–5, 9–16, 42). Relatively small sized moths, wingspan 26–28 mm. Body stout, forewing rather short; vesture of head and thorax formed by long hairs; antennae of male bipectinate, those of female strongly serrate; labial palps short, pressed or slightly extended; their 3rd segment very small 3–4 times smaller than 2nd. Ground colour of male forewing varies from bluish-grey in fresh specimens to brownish grey in worn specimens; wing pattern formed by distinct brown medial field with clearly expressed pale orbicular and reniform, connected in subcellular vein, cell between stigmata black or dark-brown, claviform stigmata indistinct; subterminal line black or brownish-black, cilia grey; hindwing unicolorous grey, cilia pale. Wing colouration and pattern vary considerable even within the same population in contrast, sharp specimens to pale, grayish-brown, with diffused pattern. Male genitalia (Fig. 33–35). Uncus short and broad, diamond-shaped, tegumen shorter than vinculum, with broad lobes, juxta with hat-like central extension; valva short, broad basally, tapering apically, bearing short pollex ventro-apically, costa strong, ending in a slightly curved finger-like extension, which together with pollex forms a bifurcated tip of the valva; clasper rather long and strong, harpe short, flattened, deposited in distal third of the valva. Aedeagus rather short, strong, slightly curved, carina with small dentate plate; vesica short, projecting dorsally, bearing granulate cornuti. Female, adult. (Figs. 7). Female brachypterous, with vestigial wing, reaching 2nd segment of abdomen; antennae rather thick, bisserate; proboscis fully developed; vesture of head, body and reduced wings covered by short hair-like scales; body and wing colouration dark, brown-grey, each segment of abdomen outlined by pale yellowish-grey scales. Female genitalia (Fig. 37). Ovipositor elongate, papillae anales relatively long, covered with long hairs; apophyses posteriores on wide sclerotised base, rather long, 3–4 times longer than anterior ones; 8th segment ring-like, with incision in central part; ostium split-like; ductus bursae relatively wide, sclerotised, flattened; corpus bursae rounded.

Distribution and bionomics (Map. 43). The species has a rather limited distribution in South of Russian Altai, West Tuva, Kazakhstan Altai, northwest China and northern part of Mongolian Altai, and is partially sympatric with X. herrichschaefferi. It inhabits mountain tundra, alpine meadows and tundra-steppe at elevation 2300–2800 m, with Dryas oxyodonta, Papaver alpina and Bistorta elliptica (Figs. 39, 40). Moths fly in July at night, with males attracted to light in great numbers. In daytime males often site on flowers of Bistorta elliptica (Polygonaceae) (Fig. 42), but do not fly actively. The following South-Siberian alpine and boreomontane species are found with X. alexis in mountain tundra and alpine meadows: at daytime Sympistis nigrita (Boisduval, 1840) and Syngrapha hochenwarthi (Hochenwarth, 1785); at night Lasionycta buraetica Kononenko, 1988 and L. hampsoni Varga, 1974 (boths in great number), Xestia lorezi sajana (Tschetverikov, 1904), Apamea ingloria (Bang-Haas, 1912); in tunda-steppe: Xestia herrichschaefferi Apamea ingloria, Isochlora herbacea Alphéraky, 1895, Apamea altijuga (Kozhanchikov, 1925), Prognorisma albifurca (Erschoff, 1877) and Rhyacia schistochroa Varga, 1973. Females of X. alexis at daytime sit under stones, appearing at dusk on the stone surface or on flowers. They move rather rapidly between stones or grasses, jumping when disturbed.