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A team of researchers from Germany, Austria, and the UK have made an extraordinary discovery in the world of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). The newly described genus and species, Mirlatia arcuata, is a testament to the fact that European Lepidoptera, with a current inventory of approximately 11,000 species, is not as well-researched as previously thought.
Despite its small size, the Mirlatia arcuata is a significant discovery in the world of Lepidoptera. The moth was described in the scientific journal ZooKeys and is a result of the collaborative efforts of researchers from Germany, Austria, and the UK.
A long-lost treasure
In the early 1980s, Austrian amateur entomologist Robert Hentscholek collected three specimens of a moth species in southern Dalmatia, Croatia. However, the specimens were not identified and were either integrated into his collection or given to colleagues. Decades later, the collection was acquired by Toni Mayr, another hobbyist researcher from Austria, who immediately noticed the unique insect that did not fit into any known European species.
After contacting the collector for more information, it was discovered that a male and a female specimen of the same species had been given to another collector who had since passed away. The female specimen was rediscovered in 2015 in the collection of the Natural History Museum in Vienna, while the whereabouts of the other specimen remained unknown. The unique male specimen was finally acquired by the Tyrolean Federal State Museums from Toni Mayr.
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Mild traps are set in Podgora, Croatia, in 2022. Photograph by Stanislav Gomboc
In early November 2023, a team of researchers made a surprising discovery in southern Croatia – a previously unknown species of moth. After thorough analysis and examination, the moth was officially described as a new genus and species, named Mirlatia arcuata. The name is a combination of two Latin words that loosely translate to “bringing a surprise,” a nod to the unexpected discovery of this unique moth.
Chilly-adapted or introduced?
The discovery of such a large and distinctive moth in a well-explored region like southern Croatia may seem unlikely. However, according to researcher Peter Huemer, there has been surprisingly little research conducted in the area during the moth’s flight season in March. It is possible that Mirlatia arcuata is a cold-adapted, winter-active species that would need to be sought in the middle of winter.
The theory of introduction from other continents was ruled out by the researchers for several reasons. They examined all known moths from cold regions in the northern and southern hemisphere and could not find a similar species. Additionally, the collecting location in Podgora is not near a port, and during the Yugoslavian era, there was limited traffic in Dalmatian ports. Furthermore, the researchers had never collected in the tropics, eliminating the possibility of a labeling error.
Many questions, few answers
Despite their efforts, the relationships of the new genus and species have not been definitively clarified. The assignment to the subfamily Larentiinae is not entirely secure and is based on a few features like wing venation. Initial genetic data and characteristics of the moth’s auditory organ suggest a largely independent systematic position. Further investigations of the entire genome may provide more clarity.
Little is known about the biology of Mirlatia arcuata, other than its habitat consisting of coastal rock biotopes with Mediterranean vegetation. A comprehensive search in March 2022 was unsuccessful, leading researchers to believe that the moth’s flight season may have already ended due to climate warming.
The study authors hope to rediscover Mirlatia arcuata soon and learn more about its habitat requirements and biology.
Research Article:
Hausmann A, László GM, Mayr T, Huemer P (2023) Stunning discovery of an enigmatic geometrid in Croatia: Mirlatia arcuata, gen. nov., sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Geometridae). ZooKeys 1183: 99-110. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1183.110163
Wow, I never knew there were still undiscovered moth species in Europe. This is fascinating!