Genus Deserticossus Yakovlev, 2006

Yakovlev, 2006: 32.

Type species: Cossus arenicola Staudinger, 1897, by original designation.

Deserticossus arenicolus (Staudinger, 1879) (Figs 19, 101)

Cossus Arenicola Staudinger, 1879: 317 .

Type locality: [Narun, nordostlich von Astrachan zwischen Wolga- und Ural-Flu., etwa 15 deutsche Meilen ostwarts von der Wolga] (NW Kazakhstan, european part).

Type material: lectotype (male) in MHUB, examined. Designation by Yakovlev (2006a). Distribution: Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, N. Afghanistan, NW China (Xinjang) (Hua et al. 1990; Yakovlev 2006a).

In central and southern Afghanistan: subspecies iranica (Austaut, 1897)

Deserticossus arenicolus iranica Austaut, 1897

Cossus iranicus Austaut, 1897: 44 .

Type locality: Sefis Kuh, Perse [S. Iran, Fars prov.].

Type material: holotype (male) in BMNH, examined.

Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan (Yakovlev 2006a).

Reported for “ 35 km nördlich Kandahar, Arghadab Dam” (Daniel 1964) and “SO v. Shindan” (Daniel 1965). Habitat and biology. Flight period: May −June. Altitude: 1150 m. Host plants: in Tadzhikistan (Tigrovaya balka Reserve) and Uzbekistan: Tamarix ramosissima, T. hispida (Tamaricaceae), Caragana sp. ( Fabaceae) (Sinadsky 1960; Stschetkin 1963; Falkovitch 1986).

Material examined: 2 males, 20 km N. Kandagar, Afghan-Dab dam, 1150 m, 23.0 5.1961, Ebert (ZSSM); 1 male, W. Afghanistan, SO v. Shindan, 25.0 6.1963, leg. Kasy & Vartian (MNHW).