A molecular phylogeny and revision of the genus Pyropteron Newman, 1832 (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) reveals unexpected diversity and frequent hostplant switch as a driver of speciation Author Bartsch, Daniel daniel.bartsch@smns-bw.de Author Pühringer, Franz f.puehringer@sesiidae.net Author Milla, Liz liz.milla@csiro.au Author Lingenhöle, Arthur arthur.lingenhöle@gmx.de Author Kallies, Axel 0000-0002-3778-2187 axel.kallies@unimelb.edu.au text Zootaxa 2021 2021-05-18 4972 1 1 75 journal article 6247 10.11646/zootaxa.4972.1.1 cdd9688e-9a3f-4602-992e-1f8693caab9b 1175-5326 4771798 E78473FE-5662-409A-90C2-7C4912DC57E8 Pyropteron aistleitneri (Špatenka, 1992) ( Figs 17 , 19 , 129–131 ) Synansphecia aistleitneri Špatenka 1992 : Alexanor. Revue des lépidoptéristes français, 17 (7): 436, 437 Fig. 5 , 445 Figs 14–15 . Holotype : ♀ , Spain , Prov. Granada, Sierra de Guillimona (ZSM). This and the following species are close related. Despite the small difference in the DNA barcodes of an average less than 2%, both species seem well separated by external appearance and local distribution. Although both species utilize the same hostplant, they are limited to different altitudes. In the Sierra Nevada , P. aistleitneri occurs in direct proximity ( 6 km ) to P. kautzi , but it remains limited to a much lower altitude (pers. observations Lingenhöle, Pühringer). Diagnosis. In P. aistleitneri , the body is black with white markings, labial palps dorsally and ventrally densely suffused with white; especially frons, pericephalic scales and fore coxa laterally white; tegula caudally white; a white lateral spot on the meso-thorax below the forewing; a white lateral patch on mid- and hind tibia; abdominal tergites 2, 4 and 6 with white narrow caudal margins. In P. kautzi , the body, including labial palps, frons, lateral part of meso-thorax and entire fore coxa, is dark bronze-brown; pericephalic scales, tegula caudally and a lateral patch of mid- and hind tibia ochre-yellow; caudal margins of abdominal tergites 2, 4 and 6 yellowish. One specimen of P. aistleitneri from Sierra Nevada ( 2200 m ) has the usually white markings pale yellow as P. kautzi , but is otherwise typical. Its location is just 6 km (airline distance) from the nearest P. kautzi -biotope ( 2870 m ). Variability. One specimen of P. aistleitneri from the Sierra Nevada ( 2200 m ) has the usually white markings pale yellow as in P. kautzi , but is otherwise typical. Its location is just 6 km from the nearest P. kautzi habitat ( 2870 m ). Barcodes. Despite the considerable external differences, this species differs from its sister, P. kautzi , by only 2.0% in the barcode. A very homogenous species with intraspecific barcode differences of less than 0.2%. Biology and habitat. The host plants are perennial Erodium spp. such as the closely related E. cheilanthifolium Boissier , E. glandulosum Cavanilles and E. saxatile Paul (Geraniaceae) ( Pühringer & Pöll 2004a , pers. observation Laštůvka; Manceñido in litt. 2015). The latter is concluded from the sole occurence of E. saxatile (= E. valentinum (Lange) Greuter & Burdet ) in Sierra de Maria and Sra de Espuña, where P. aistleitneri has been detected recently (pers. observation Pühringer & Pöll). The species occurs in dry and stony places on mountain slopes and in the summit areas of mountain ranges in altitudes of 1350–2200 m . It seems confined to lime stone or dolomite, whereas P. kautzi lives on crystalline floor. Distribution. Endemic to mountain ranges of northern, central and southern Spain ( Laštůvka & Laštůvka 1995 , 2001 , Pühringer & Pöll 2004 a , González-Estébanez & Manceñido-González 2012, pers. observation Pühringer & Pöll 2018). Specimens examined. 11♂ ( Figs 129–130 ), 1♀ ( Fig. 131 ), Spain , Granada , Sierra Guillimona , 29.VI.2004 , 22.VI.2009 , 21.VI.2010 , 25.VI.2011 ( ♀ ), 23.VI.2012 , 20.VI.2014 , 17.VI.2015 , leg. Laštůvka ( CDB , SMNS ) ; 1♂ , Spain , Granada , Sierra Nevada , Cañadillas , 2200 m , 2. VII .2018, leg. FP (photo IMG_033599-621); 9♂ , ibid., 2170 m , 3. VII .2018, leg. FP; 3♂ , Spain , Granada , Sierra Arana , 2000 m , 9. VII .2000, leg. FP & N. Pöll (BOX-2219 H02, DNAtax 02-20, photo 43/6/9-45, gen. prep. FP 01/18); 2♂ , Spain , Granada , Sierra de Guillimona , Cuenca de Guillimona, 1980 m , 6. VII .2000, leg. FP (DNAtax 02-22, photo 43/4/10-12); 2♂ , Spain , Albacete , Sierra de las Cabras SW Nerpio , 2050 m , 7. VII .2000, leg. FP (BOX-2219 H03, DNAtax 02-21, gen. prep. FP 01/17); 1♂ , Spain , Almeria, Sierra de Maria , 1460 m , 26. VI .2018, leg. FP (male with antennae subapically white!); 9♂ , ibid., 1680–1740 m , 27. VI .2018, leg. FP (photo IMG_033311-29); 2♂ , Spain , Murcia , Sierra de Espuña , 1530 m , 28. VI .2018, leg. FP & N. Pöll ( CFP ) .