Genus Chrysozephyrus Shirôzu & Yamamoto, 1956 (Tribe: Theclini) contains species with high morphological plasticity, often complicating accurate identification. This study provides an integrative taxonomic assessment of C. syla (Kollar, [1844]) and C. birupa (Moore, 1877) based on specimens from the Himachal Pradesh region of the Indian Himalayas. Significantly, this investigation provides the first formal description and illustration of the female genitalia of C. birupa, alongside the first comprehensive illustrations of both male and female genitalia for C. syla. To supplement these morphological findings, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences were generated, representing the first global DNA barcoding data for these species. Molecular analysis revealed a characteristic A + T bias (average 70.3%), consistent with Lepidoptera mitochondrial evolution. Preliminary phylogenetic reconstruction using Maximum Likelihood confirms the placement of these Indian taxa within the Theclini clade, showing low intergeneric genetic distances (5.0-6.5%) that align with recent genomic hypotheses suggesting potential synonymy within the Hypaurotis Scudder, 1876 group. These findings provide essential morphological and molecular baselines for rare high-altitude Lycaenidae and underscore the importance of integrating genital morphology with molecular tools for resolving the complex systematics of the tribe.
Se describe una nueva especie del género Metzneria Zeller, 1839 para la península ibérica. Se presentan los caracteres diferenciales con otras especies del género, referidas a la morfología externa, genitalia y análisis genético.
Semiochemical lures known to attract Zygaenidae species were screened by means of sticky Delta traps and CSALOMON® VARL funnel traps in two Natura 2000 protected areas in Bulgaria - Nikopolsko plato (near Lozitsa village) (northern central Bulgaria) and Lozenska planina Mts, in 2015-2018 and 2023, respectively. As a result, Rhagades (Rhagades) pruni, Theresimima ampellophaga, Zygaena (Agrumenia) carniolica and Z. (Zygaena) filipendulae were recorded in the vineyards near Lozitsa vill. while Adscita (Eurasiterna) geryon, A. (Tarmannita) mannii, Jordanita (Tremewania) notata and Rh. (Rh.) pruni were registered in Lozenska planina Mts. Rhagades (Rh.) pruni was newly recorded in northern central Bulgaria. In addition to Zygaenidae species, a total of 62 non-target species belonging to following Lepidoptera families: Coleophoridae, Crambidae, Erebidae, Gelechiidae, Geometridae, Noctuidae, Nolidae, Nymphalidae, Oecophoridae, Pieridae, Plutelliidae, Pyralidae, Tortricidae and Yponomeutidae, were recorded. Sex attractants for one Coleophoridae, one Cambidae, one Geñechiidae and two Noctuidae species were established for the first time. Two Augasma species are new records for the fauna of the Balkan Peninsula.
The present study extends the distributional range of two Curetis Hübner, [1819] species in the southern part of West Bengal state, India. This study reports Curetis saronis Moore, 1877 for the first time from the coastal mangrove forests of India. Curetis bulis (Westwood, 1852) is reported for the first time from the Chhotanagpur plateau region of India and is the first report from West Bengal outside the Himalayan ranges.
