Eublemma melabela Hampson, 1910, comb. rev.

(Figs. 22, 34, 44)

Eublemma melabela Hampson, 1910, Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum 10: 94, Pl. 151: 6 (Type-locality: Pakistan, Belutschistan, Quetta [Holotype: BMNH, London]).

Material examined. 2 ex., Tajikistan, Pamir Mts., Khorog, botanical garden, 2340 m, 21.vii.1960, 7, vii.1962 (M. Zaprjagaev), prep. 0 0 36 Matov; 2 ex., same locality and collector, 2200 m, 15.v.–1.vi.1976, prep. 0 0 52 Matov; 1 ex., Tajikistan, Hissar mts., Kondara, 18.v.1965 (A. Tsvetaev, ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov) [coll. ZISP].

Diagnosis. This species was referred by earlier authors (Poole 1989; Hacker 1990) to the genus Metachrostis . Our study of the genitalia of both sexes indicates it is a representative of the genus Eublemma, belonging to the Eublemma polygramma -species group. Externally, Eublemma melabela differs from all Palaearctic species of Metachrostis by the characteristic V-shaped medial line on the forewing, and from most other Metachrostis species (except M. velox and M. velocior) by its larger size.

Description. Adult (Fig. 22). Wingspan: 24–27 mm. Head, body and wings rufous-ochreous. In forewing pattern ante- and postmedial lines brown, dentate; medial line rufous, thin, V-shaped; submarginal line ochreous-grey with 3 large black dots near apex; reniform and orbicular stigmata brown. Tergite 8th of male quadrangular with two long extensions. In male genitalia (Fig. 34) uncus slightly curved; valva relatively narrow, with parallel margins to central part, constricted from central part apically; costa well expressed in basal half of valva; dorsal margin with wide triangular extension in mid of valva; harpe wide, triangular, curved dorsally; digitus slightly curved, narrow, 2 times longer than harpe; aedeagus relatively wide, coecum long, about 1/3 length of aedeagus; vesica with large and wide dorsal diverticulum and oval plate-like cornutus in distal part. In female genitalia (Fig. 44) ovipositor moderate, papillae anales wide, triangular; apophyses anteriores 2 times shorter than posterior ones; antrum not expressed; ductus bursae with colliculum, about half of the length of bursa, strongly curved before joining with bursae copulatrix; corpus bursae pear-like, with twisted neck, bearing 2 irregular shape signa.

Distribution. Iran (Beluchistan), Tadjikistan (Pamir), Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (Himalaya).