Pyrausta cingulata (Linnaeus, 1758)

(Fig. 12C)

Phalaena (Geometra) cingulata Linnaeus, 1758: 529 .

TL: Europe.

Syn.: Phalaena aethiopata Scopoli, 1763: 231 .

Pyralis cingulalis Denis & Schifferm ̧ller, 1775: 123.

Phalaena nigralis Fabricius, 1781: 508 .

Phalaena eremitica Fourcroy, 1785: 289 .

Botys vittalis La Harpe, 1864: 33 .

Pyrausta rectefascialis Toll, 1936: 404, pl. 47 figs 5–6, 9.

Material examined. 5 ♂♂: East Âzarbâijân Prov.: 3 ♂♂, Kaleybar, Ghaleh Bâbak, 1500 m, 5.vii.1997, Mofidi-Neyestânak, Barâri leg. , 1 ♂, Kaleybar, Arasbârân protected area, near Vinâgh, N 38˚59΄56.6˝, E 46˚51΄45.4˝, 1194 m, 23.vi.2015, Hâjiesmailiân, Nâserzadeh, Montreuil leg. , 1 ♂, Kaleybar, Tâzehkand, 1200 m, 12.viii.1992, Badii, Parchami-Arâghi leg.

Distribution. Europe; Transcaucasia; Turkey, south of Siberia, Sayan Mts, Mongolia (Slamka 2013).

Remarks. The specimens collected in Iran are externally similar to the taxon P. rectefascialis . Haslberger and Segerer (2016) studied both P. cingulata and P. rectefascialis in Bavaria (Germany). Based on DNA barcoding, they showed that there are genetical differences between these taxa on the subspecies or species level, but it is still not clear if P. rectefascialis is a distinct species (Haslberger & Segerer 2016). Pyrausta rectefascialis is presently considered to be a junior synonym of P. cingulata (Nuss et al. 2003 –2022). In the present study we provisionally consider P. rectefascialis as a synonym of P. cingulata . This species is newly reported for the fauna of Iran.