Subject Editor: Jadranka Rota
Two well-defined
Currently the family
On June 25, 2006, A. Naderi discovered near the top of Kuh-e Samamus (3687 m) south-east of Ramsar (Iran), at an altitude of
More general introductions of the topic for a whole series of papers can be found in
CAHO Collection Axel Hofmann, Linkenheim-Hochstetten, Germany.
CWGT Collection W. Gerald Tremewan, Truro, Great Britain.
CV used for chronological reference of cultures in captivity; it means “Copula-Versuch” or beginning of ‘curriculum vitae’, e.g. CV070604 began with a copula on 4 June 2007.
HMIM Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum, Tehran, Iran.
SMNK Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Germany.
List of localities in Iran.
Prov. Gilan, Kuh-e Samamus, Javaherdeh 20 km SSW. | 3350 – 3400 m |
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Prov. Mazandaran, Tonekabon SW., Gardaneh-ye Tondrokosh (Zarout) | 3270– 3350 m |
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Prov. Qazvin NE., Mo’allem Kalayeh, vic., Kuh-e Khash-Chal | 3390–3430 m |
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Prov. Qazvin, Hir NE., Gardaneh-ye Anbarkesh, N. side | 2780–2900 m |
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Prov. Mazandaran, Tonekabon SW., Tamol vic. | 2250–2400 m |
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Prov. Mazandaran, Tonekabon SW., Gardaneh-ye Tondrokosh (Zarout) N. | 2800–3000 m |
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Traditionally the genus
On several expeditions to the central and western Alborz in 2006 and 2010 the authors had the opportunity to accrue new data on the
Described from the Alam-Kuh region, the melanistic form (
Holotype ♂, 28 mm wingspan, “Iran, Prov. Gilan, Kuh-e Samamus, Javaherdeh 20 km SSW, 3350–3400 m, 30.6.2006, leg. A. Hofmann & A. Naderi”, [
Dedicated to Abbas Oseyi (Karaj), who accompanied the second author when discovering the first population at Kuh-e Samamus.
A group of strictly non-melanistic populations. Black ground colour of forewings with greenish sheen, more greyish and more translucent in females. Hindwings with black border of medium width, stronger at apex and with a double-tooth in the beginning of anal field at the tornus, but never invading the discal area. Forewing spots 1+2, 3+4 and 5 well developed and always present, spots 1+2+2a forming the basal blotch, with spot 2 elongate, longer than spot 1, while spot 2a is vestigial. Spot 3 small, ovoid, spot 4 larger, quadrangular; both spots always separated by the cubitus stem vein. Spot 5 of similar size and form as spot 4, but standing more vertically, isolated from spot 6. The latter (spot 6) more variable: it can be absent in both sexes (20%), but more frequently in the males, it can be vestigial and reduced to a few scales (25%), or well developed as a normal spot in the costal part (25%), or reniform, the upper part then smaller (30%). Red patagia and red abdominal cingulum present on one segment, well developed in females, reduced or vestigial in males. The abdominal cingulum can even be absent or reduced to only a few red lateral scales (20%).
Specimens from two other populations that are not from the type-locality are well separated geographically and differ slightly from the type-series; while they can be assigned to
In specimens from Gardaneh-ye Tondrokosh (Figs
We found slight differences in the uncus and lamina dorsalis of the male genitalia between
Detailed data on the bionomics with figures of larvae, host-plants and biotopes, together with a distribution map that includes the populations of
In addition to the type-locality,
The pure red populations of the Kendevan region have been described as ssp.
Holotype ♂, 31 mm wingspan, “Iran, Prov. Qazvin, Hir NE, Gardaneh-ye Anbarkesh, N-Seite, 2780–2900 m, 13.7.2006, leg. A. Hofmann & A. Naderi”, [
Dailam (persian دیلم) is the historical name of the mountain region on the south-west side of the Caspian Sea. Because of its mountain location Dailam was for a long time protected from the attacks of invading Arabs, its inhabitants much later being converted to Islam. The centre was the Assassin fortress of Alamut, a castle at 2100 m altitude that was regarded as impregnable, but was destroyed in 1275 by the Mongols.
Black ground colour with greenish or greyish sheen. Coloration of forewing spots warm red but without a tendency to orange. Hindwings less densely scaled, slightly translucent. Spots 1+2+2a forming a large basal blotch that is always well separated from the spot pair 3+4. Spot 3 smaller than spot 5, connected to the largest spot (spot 4). Spot 5 quadrangular, attached to spot 6, in the majority with a groove in the upper part, occasionally isolated, especially in the males. Spot 6 large, pear-shaped when separated from spot 5. Spot 6 completely absent in one female. Hindwings with a narrow greyish black border that can be broadened slightly at the apex. Red patagia and red abdominal belt always present on one segment, the latter closed ventrally. Tegulae consistently black in males, in females sometimes mixed with a few red scales. Legs greyish white in both sexes.
Imago: From all other populations of
Preimaginal stages: Already the L1 larva is darker than larvae of
All habitats of Z.
After 10.00 h, moths were observed nectaring at the pinkish flowers of
We thank Prof. Dr Gerhard Tarmann and Dr W. Gerald Tremewan for help and fruitful discussions; moreover, the latter kindly improved an earlier draft of this manuscript. Host-plants and nectar plants were kindly determined by Dr Amirhossein Pahlevani (Bayreuth). Dr Tabassom Kia-Hofmann helped with the cultures and paid careful attention to the feeding larvae when the first author was away on expedition. For companionship and patience during the quite difficult tours to Kuh-e Samamus and over the passes between Qazvin and Tonekabon we thank our Iranian friends Messrs Mustafah Selahi, Hamid Mohareri, Abbas Oseyi and Ali Mohajeran. The peer reviewers and the editor are thanked for valuable advice which essentially improved the manuscript.
(see Hofmann & Tremewan, 2001: 133–136, Hofmann & Kia-Hofmann, 2008: 51, 52)