Metachrostis velox (Hübner, [1813])

(Figs. 3, 24, 38)

Noctua velox Hübner, [1813], Sammlung Europäischer Schmetterlinge. Volume 4. Eulen. 1: Pl. 108: 515 (Type-locality: Europe).

Eublemma velox var.v inacea (de Joannis, 1931), Bulletin de la Société des Sciences Naturelles Maroc, 10: 149 (Typelocality: Morokko, Safi [Type (s): MNHN, Paris]) (subspecies).

Synonymy: Larentia caliginata Treitschke, 1828; Hercyna mendaculalis Treitchke, 1829; Noctua anomala Rambur, 1829; Leptosia velocissima Turati, 1926; Leptosia tarda Turati, 1926; Eublemma rubescens Schwingenschuss, 1930.

Material examined. 22 specimens: 4 ex., France, Col de Vence, [a mountainous locality in the French departement Alpes-Maritimes near Nice] 14–16.viii.1983 (Dr. Sielmann); 2 ex., Hispania Marbell, 14.xi.1966; 1 ex., Hispania, Favareta (Valensis), iv.1967; 7 ex., Dubrovnik, ex Yugoslavia 20.viii–2.ix.1965 (Dr. Sielmann); 1 ex., Greece, Itaka Seotenthruinakis (F. Danaeki); 4 ex., South Europe (without exact data) [coll. ZFMK]; 2 ex., Gallia m. (ex coll. Gr. Prince Nikolaj Mikhajlovich), prep. 0 0 46 Matov, prep. 0 0 56 Matov; 2 ex., Sardinia (ex coll. Gr. Prince Nikolaj Mikhajlovich), prep. 0 0 49 Matov; 1 ex., Greece, Joannina, Asprangeli, 11.vi.1998 (Z. Lastuvka, ex coll. M. Fibiger), prep. 0 0 34 Matov; 1 ex., Greece, Thesprotiko, 6.vi.1999 (Z. Lastuvka, ex coll. M. Fibiger) [coll. ZISP].

Diagnosis. M. velox differs from the similar M. velocior by the brown (not rufous) band in the subterminal field between postmedial and submarginal lines. In the male genitalia it differs from other examined species by the shape of the proximal extension of the aedeagus.

Description. Adult (Fig. 3). Wingspan: 18–24 mm. Head, thorax and abdomen pinky-brown. Wings pinkish-ochreous, sometimes with light greyish tint and waved greyish band in terminal field. All lines, orbicular and reniform spots brown, bordered with pale grey suffusion. Submarginal line with wide greyishyellow suffusion outside. Subterminal field between postmedial and submarginal lines with brown dentate band, broken in costal part of hindwing. Orbicular spot brown, reniform spot pinky-grey with wide brown border. Tergite 8th of male is rectangular shaped, its length slightly longer than height. In male genitalia (Fig. 24) valva wide with parallel margins, ventral margin slightly constricted medially. Proximal extension of aedeagus short, but very wide, its ventral margin smoothly constricted joining with wall of aedeagus. In female genitalia (Fig. 38) antrum extended proximally; ductus bursae 3 times narrower than antrum.

Distribution. Southern and central Europe: Portugal, Spain, Italy (including Sardinia and Sicily), Malta, Balkans, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Creta, Cyprus, Canary Islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura), south France, south Germany, south Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland; Middle East: Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Syria; North Africa: Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Morocco.