Deleproctophylla variegata (Klug in Ehrenberg, 1834)

Figs 3 E, 3 F, 22, 23, 24 C, 24 D

Ascalaphus variegatus Klug in Ehrenberg, 1834: 36 (type locality: northern Lebanon; holotype in MfN). Hagen 1860: 53 (Ascalaphus). Hagen 1866: 387 (Ascalaphus). McLachlan 1873: 260 (Ascalaphus). van der Weele 1904: 98 (Theleproctophylla). van der Weele 1908: 287 (Deleproctophylla). Navás 1909: 54 (misidentification, Theleproctophylla). Navás 1911: 92 (misidentification, Theleproctophylla). Navás 1912 a: 124 (misidentification, Theleproctophylla). Navás 1925: 31 (misidentification, Theleproctophylla). Alexandrov-Martynov 1926: 199 (probably misidentification of D. tengri, Ascalaphus). Scott 1929: 80 (Deleproctophylla). Navás 1929: 14 (misidentification, Theleproctophylla). H. Aspöck et al. 1980: 317 (Deleproctophylla). H. Aspöck and Hölzel 1996: 78 (Deleproctophylla). Sziráki 1998: 61 (Deleproctophylla). Sziráki 2000: 91 (Deleproctophylla). Santos 2000: 282 (Theleproctophylla). H. Aspöck et al. 2001: 302 (Deleproctophylla). Whittington 2002: 377 (Deleproctophylla). Koçak and Kemal 2002: 7 (Deleproctophylla). Canbulat 2007: 36 (Deleproctophylla). Dobosz and Ábrahám 2007: 19 (Deleproctophylla). Koçak and Kemal 2012: 17 (Deleproctophylla). Ilyina et al. 2013: 35 (Deleproctophylla). Krivokhatsky et al. 2015: 814 (probably misidentification of D. tengri, Deleproctophylla). Aistleitner 2019: 124 (Deleproctophylla). Monnerat and Ábrahám 2020: 144 (Deleproctophylla). Kerimova et al. 2023: 132 (Deleproctophylla). Poggi 2024: 10 (Deleproctophylla).

Examined material.

Type material. Lectotype • Smyrna Leonis col., 129, Type, Syria Ehren., variegatus Klug, variegatus Kl, Theleproctophylla variegata Kl. Soldaniky det. (MfN) (Fig. 24 C, D).

Other specimens.

• Cyprus: Umg. v. Paphos ca 350 m, 1980 (27. V – 8. VI), H. u. L. Hölzel, 27 ♂ 27 ♀ (NHMW); • Cyprus: 6 km Z v. Kyrenia, 300 m, 15. VI. 1971, M. J. and J. P. Duffels, 1 ♀ (RMNH); • Cyprus: Larnika Salt Lake, 1–16. VI. 1982, M. C. and G. Kruseman, 2 ex (RMNH); • Cyprus: Mamonia, N of Kouklia, 7–14 and 18. VI. 1982, M. C. and G. Kruseman, 1 ♀ (RMNH); • Greece: Rhodes, Mount Profitis Ilias, 22. VII. 2009, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ D. Badano, (DB); • Iran: Lorestan, Zagros Mts. near Borujerd, Vil. Vaenna’Ialt. 2400–3000 m, 29. VII. 2014, E. Rutjan, 1 ♀ (DB); • Iran: Tehran, Qolhak, 1700 m, 1961. VI. 1923, J. Klapperich, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (HUAC); • Iran: N Iran, Abyek, Loc. No. 30, 24.06. [19] 70, Exp. Nat. Mus. Praha, 1 ♂ (NMPC); • Iran: S Iran, 30 km E Kazerun, 1300 m, Loc. No. 229, 08–10.06. 1973, Exp. Nat. Mus. Praha, 1 ♀ (NMPC); • Iran: S Iran, 28 km N Masiri, 1650 m, Loc. No. 236, 12. 06. 1973, Exp. Nat. Mus. Praha, 2 ♀♀ (NMPC); • Iran: Qolhak, B. Tehran, 1700 m, 09. 06. 1961, J. Klapperich, 1 ♂ (SCM); • Iran: Qolhak, B. Tehran, 1700 m, 23. 06. 1961, J. Klapperich, 1 ♀ (SCM); • Iran: Province Fars, Persepolis, Zagros Mts., 1200 m, 25–26.05. 1999, Hácz-Kőszegi, 1 ♂ (SCM); • Iran: Province Lorestan, Ostoran Mt., 17 km E from Dorud, 2300–2700 m, 22. 06. 2000, Gy. Fábián, L. Szécsényi and K. Székely, 1 ♀ (SCM); • Iran: Province Hamadan, Nahavand 34°02.756'N, 48°22.614'E, 1851 m, 26. 06. 2005, L. Ábrahám, 4 ♂♂ 14 ♀♀ (SCM); • Iran: Province Fars, Kuh-e Kum Mts., Hasanabad vill. env., 2100 m, 27. 05. 2000, M. Kalabza, 1 ♀ (SCM); • Iran: E Téhrán, 2200 m, 18. 05. 2000,?, 1 ♀ (SCM); • Iran: Province Hamadan, Nahavand 34°02.756'N, 48°22.614'E, 1851 m, 26. 06. 2005, L. Ábrahám, 1 ♀ (USMB); • Iran: Province Fars, S of Nüräbäd, 30°12'38"N, 51°32'02"E, 900 m, 29. 04. 2016, netting, R. Królik, 1 ♀ (USMB); • Israel: Tabgha 10 km N. v. Tiberias, 25. V. 1967, C. A. W. Jeekel, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ (RMNH); • Jordan: Oberes Jordantal, 06.1999, G. Müller, 1 ♂ (SCM); • Syria: Damascus, Mts. Hermon, 1 km E Burqus, 33°28.261'N, 36°01.636'E, 1140 m, 12. 06. 2006, N. Rahmé, A. Kotán, A. Márkus, D. Szalóki and K. Székely, 1 ♀ (SCM); • Turkey: Anatolia orient., vil. Elâzıg ˘, valico Gözeli, m 900, 24. VI. 1968, V. Sbordoni, 1 ♂ (MNSG); • Turkey: Bingöl, 38°55'11.3"N, 40°20'8.3"E, T. and W. Garrevoet and N. Vandorpe, 1 ♀ (RMNH); • Turkey: Bitlis, Kuzkun Kiran Gecidi, 2100 m, 28. VII. 1992, J. A. W. Lucas, 1 ♀ (RMNH); • Turkey: Hakkâri, Süvarihalil Geçidi, 1800–2400 m, 37°29'49.7"N, 43°22'19.8"E, 11. VII. 2004, Dils J. and Faes J., 4 ♀ (RMNH); • Turkey: İçel (present Mersin), Güzeloluk, 950 m, 38°41'54"N, 34°09'52"E, 15. VI. 1999, Dils J. and Faes J., 1 ♂ 3 ♀ (RMNH); • Turkey: Izmir, Foça, 50 m, 38°39'33"N, 26°49'16"E, 9. VI. 1999, Dils J. and Faes J., 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (RMNH); • Turkey: Gevaş 1870 m, 38°16'31"N, 43°03'52"E, 16. VII. 2006, Dils J. and Faes J., 2 ♀ (RMNH); • Turkey: Mut, VI – VII. 1966, H. H. F. Hamann, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (HUAC); • Turkey: Mut, 5–8. VI. 1968, Josef Schmidt, 1 ♀ (HUAC); • Turkey: Mut, 8. VI. 1968, Jos. Schmidt, 1 ♂ (HUAC); • Turkey: Mut, 12. VI. 1965, Jos. Schmidt, 4 ♀ (HUAC); • Turkey: Urfa, 30–31. V. 1978, J. Schmidt, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (HUAC); • Turkey: Urfa, 10. VI. 1988, J. Schmidt 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (HUAC); • Turkey: Province Agri, 7 km W of Aydintepe, 39°49'N, 42°30'E, 1800 m, 05–06.08. 1988, Gyulai, Hreblay, Ronkay and Ronkay, 2 ♂♂ (SCM); • Turkey: Kusgunkiran Gecidi, 12. 07. 1989,?, 1 ♀ (SCM); • Turkey: mer., village Icel Orta Toroslar, Hocali, 500 m, 03–04.06. 2004, Z. Rahmé, L. Nádai and K. Székely, 2 ♀♀ (SCM); • Turkey: Province Mersin, 10 km E of Aydincik, 37°08'N, 36°34'E, in meadows, 01. 06. 2001, R. Dobosz, 3 ♂♂ 4 ♀♀ (USMB); • Turkey: Province Mersin, 10 km E of Aydincik, 37°08'N, 36°34'E, in meadows, 01. 06. 2001, J. Kurzawa, 1 ♂ 2 ♀♀ (USMB); • Turkey: Province Mersin, 3 km N of Erdemli, 36°37'N, 34°19'E, oak woods, 350 m, A. Lasoń, 1 ♀ (USMB); • Turkey: Province Mersin, 3 km N of Erdemli, Taşeli Platosu, 36°37'N, 34°15'E, 05. 06. 2011, A. Lasoń, 1 ♂ (USMB); • Turkey: Province Şanliurfa, Yeni Halfeti, 37°14'N, 37°53'E, 08. 06. 2011, A. Lasoń, 1 ♂ (USMB); • Turkey: Province Şanliurfa, Yeni Halfeti, 37°14'N, 37°53'E, 08. 06. 2011, R. Królik, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (USMB); • Turkmenistan: Turkmenia SW, КАЛА-Kala, V. 1993, [S.] Naglis, 1 ♂ (ex coll. Gallo, 2000), det. Badano, 2012 (MSNG).

Diagnostic characters.

Forewing unmarked; hindwing posterior margin curved, convex; hindwing with faint marking below pterostigma, usually just a shade around crossveins; male ectoproct with branch stout, in apical third, well after mid-length, after branch ectoproct narrowing and progressively broadening caudally; setae on branch for its entire length; setae on branch and tip of ectoproct long and thin.

Redescription.

Size (mm, based on 5 specimens). Head + thorax length 6.01–7.04; antenna length 10.83–12.78; fore wing length 16.30–17.87; fore wing width 4.14–5.38; hindwing length 10.61–13.02; hindwing width 3.84–4.78.

Head. Vertex yellowish brown; setae dense, long, pale yellow (Fig. 22 C). Para-ocular band yellow. Frons yellowish brown; setae dense, long, pale yellow. Clypeus and labrum yellowish brown; setae long, pale. Mandible yellowish brown, darker apically. Labium and palp yellowish brown, of the same color of mandible (Fig. 22 B). Antenna with pedicel with dense pale and dark setae, flagellomeres brown, nodes slightly darker; club brown, paler anteriorly (Fig. 22 A).

Thorax. Cervical sclerite yellowish brown. Pronotum brown; setae long, pale yellow. Mesonotum brown with yellowish brown markings: an anterior stripe-like pair, a median triangular pair, and a posterior rounded pair; mesoscutellum dark brown, with yellowish brown posterior margins. Metanotum yellowish brown, with dark brown median marking; setae pale yellow (Fig. 22 B). Pleurae yellowish; setae pale yellow (Fig. 22 D).

Legs. Pro- and mesothoracic legs entirely yellowish brown. Metathoracic leg yellowish brown, usually unmarked, occasionally with a faint brown marking. Setae of coxae pale yellow setae of femora and tibiae thin and pale yellow dorsally, thicker and blackish ventrally; tibial spurs narrow; setae of tarsi blackish (Fig. 22 D).

Wings. Forewing long, apex rounded. Pterostigma with ~ 4 unforked brown veinlets; membrane brown. Presectoral area with ~ 6 crossveins. RP with four branches. MA gradually curving toward hind margin in distal portion. MP - CuA area with ~ 3 irregular rows of cells. Anal area hind margin straight; axillary lobe slightly prominent. Forewing venation brown, paler toward wing base and at tip; Sc and R yellowish. Forewing membrane hyaline, unmarked. Hindwing broad, wider at RP fork; hind margin markedly convex, with a pronounced curve. Presectoral area with three crossveins. RP with three branches. MA largely straight, slightly curved toward hind margin distally. MP - CuA area with ~ 2 irregular rows of cells. Hindwing venation brown, paler near wing base; Sc yellowish (Fig. 3 E, F, 22 A). Hindwing membrane hyaline, distal section with an inconspicuous brown marking, as a shade bordering crossveins from pterostigma to first branch of RP (Fig. 3 E, F, 22 A).

Abdomen. Tergites pale brown, each with a caudal pair of yellowish markings. Sternites pale brown, paler than tergites. Pleural membrane pale brown.

Male genitalia. Ectoproct with branch bifurcating at two-third of length; ectoproct abruptly narrowing after branching and gradually expanding caudally. Setae of ectoproct long, dark brown; setae of branch arranged on entire length, sparse and gradually denser toward apex, black, long, and slightly curved; setae on tip of ectoproct, black, long, and slightly curved, denser apically (Fig. 23 A – C). Tergite 9 sub-rectangular in lateral view, with large ventral thumb-like projection; setae long and black, longer and denser on projection. Sternite 9 with three lobes, lateral pair slightly prominent, median pair large; setae thin, thicker on median lobe (Fig. 23 A – C). Gx 11 slightly curved downward; gp 11 as wide as gx 9, forming a furrow, with short setae; gx 9 set apart, relatively broad, almost subrectangular, strongly sclerotized, folded downward (Fig. 23 F – J).

Female genitalia. Ectoproct elongated, with ventral projection, setae long, black. Tergite 9 sub-rectangular. Gx 9 wider than long, wider than tergite; setae long. Tergite 8 subrectangular. Gx 8 wider than long, with long setae. Gp 8 ventrally prominent; setae thin (Fig. 23 D, E).

Comparative notes.

Deleproctophylla variegata differs from most species of Deleproctophylla due to the highly reduced hindwing pigmentation, which is often limited to a slight shading around the crossveins in the radial area (Fig. 3 E, F). Deleproctophylla variegata is easily distinguishable by the male ectoproct with branch arising at two-third of length — the most apical position among Deleproctophylla species (Fig. 23 A – C). Additionally, the caudal narrowing of ectoprocts after the branch is unique to this species.

Distribution.

Cyprus, Greece (Aegean and Dodecanese islands), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan?, Kyrgyzstan?, Lebanon, Russia? Turkey, Turkmenistan (NEW RECORD), Uzbekistan (H. Aspöck et al. 2001; Monnerat and Ábrahám 2020; Oswald 2025) (Fig. 25).

Remarks.

Deleproctophylla variegata is a species with a wide distribution (Oswald 2025), but it is likely that some old records belong to other species (see D. tengri). The specimen reported as D. variegata from Azerbaijan by Kerimova et al. (2022) is D. australis, as shown by molecular data (Fig. 1) and confirmed by examination of the voucher photograph by RD. Records of D. variegata from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia are also likely misidentifications and require verification.