SMERINTHULUS MIRABILIS ORIENTOSINICA (Brechlin, 2014) -- Variegated hawkmoth

Upperside of male Smerinthulus mirabilis orientosinica, Luokeshan, Huaiji County, Guangdong, China. HOLOTYPE. Photo: © Ronald Brechlin. Underside of male Smerinthulus mirabilis orientosinica, Luokeshan, Huaiji County, Guangdong, China. HOLOTYPE. Photo: © Ronald Brechlin.

TAXONOMY

Degmaptera mirabilis orientosinica Brechlin, 2014, Entomo-Satsphingia 7(2): 37. Type locality: China, Guangdong, Huaiji County, Luokeshan, 1500m.

Synonym. Degmaptera mirabilis orientosinica Brechlin, 2014.

Note. The taxonomic situation of the various subspecies of Smerinthulus mirabilis is problematic. As this moth flies only at elevations exceeding 1000 meters, it is likely that isolated populations are found in all mountain ranges in Southeast Asia and southern China. These populations are all likely to be slightly different genetically. Thus, with the intensification of collecting, there is the possibility of creating different subspecies for each mountain range, or even on each mountain if the genetic (and morphological) interpretations are pushed too far, and if limits are not defined. Hence Haxaire, Melichar, Kitching & Brechlin, 2022, viewed the various subspecies, whose genital morphologies are otherwise identical and whose appearances are extremely similar, with a considerable degree of scepticism. When one must look at the origin of a specimen to give it a name, then there is an obvious problem. Nevertheless, for the time being, they maintained the various entities as subspecies.


ADULT DESCRIPTION AND VARIATION

Wingspan: 44--82mm.


ADULT BIOLOGY

Occurs at 1500-1800m altitude.


FLIGHT-TIME

China: iii.2006 (Hunan); 7.iv (Anhui); iv-vi.2004 (Jiangxi); v.2006 (Guangdong); vii.1983 (Fujian).


EARLY STAGES

OVUM: Unknown.

LARVA: Unknown.

PUPA: Unknown.

Larval hostplants. Unknown.


PARASITOIDS

Unknown.


LOCAL DISTRIBUTION

China: Anhui (She Tai); Zhejiang (Tianmu Shan); Hunan (Bamian Shan, 1800m); Jiangxi (Wuyi Shan, Xipaihe village, 1500m); Fujian (Wuishan Nature Reserve, Sangang); Guangdong (Huaiji County, Luokeshan Forest Park, 1500m).


GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION

Southeastern mainland China.

(The above records from mainland China represent a considerable eastward extension of the previously known range for this species, which was Nepal, northeastern India and northern Thailand).


Global distribution of Smerinthulus mirabilis orientosinica. Map: © NHMUK.

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL AFFILIATION

Holarctic; eastern Palaearctic region.



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© A. R. Pittaway & I. J. Kitching (Natural History Museum, London)