Gnopharmia cocandaria afghanistana Wiltshire, comb. nov.

(Fig. 12, Map 2)

Gnopharmia maculifera afghanistana Wiltshire, 1967, p. 157, pl. 2, fig. 16; pl. 14, fig. 58. Holotype 3 (by monotypy), SMNK (examined). Type locality: Pul-i-chomri, N. Afghanistan. Gnopharmia maculifera afghanistana: Parsons et al., 1999: 406 .

Type material examined. Gnopharmia maculifera afghanistana, Holotype 3, ‘N Afghanistan | Pul-i-chomri | 28.6.1956 | H. G. Amsel. leg., 700 m’, ‘ Gnopharmia maculifera Stgr. afghanistana Wilts., Holotype’, ‘preparation WM.108’, in SMNK.

Description. The single male specimen (holotype) quite agrees with the ‘ maculifera ’-form of cocandaria, though it is smaller and the wings are a little shorter. The specimen is worn. Other external characters and genitalia also agree with those of cocandaria . Wiltshire mentions “several slight differences” without indicating them clearly. The under side cell spots are said to be absent, but they are present, though weak (see fig. 12).

Taxonomic note. Wiltshire (1967: 157) admitted that “the differences may be only an individual variation” and “describing the Afghan form as a distinct race....may prove to be illusory”. No further material has been collected from the type locality, so we are still unable to confirm or reject the validity of a separate race afghanistana.

Life history and habitat. Preimaginal stages and biology unknown. The holotype has been collected in the end of June, at an elevation of 700 m.

Distribution (Map 2). N. Afghanistan. Only known from the type locality.

MAP 2. Distribution patterns of G. erema, G. kasrunensis and G. cocandaria

1. Kokand, Soch, Uzbekistan (type locality of G. cocandaria); 2. Margelan, Alai, Uzbekistan (type locality of G. r u b r a r i a v a r. subrubraria); 3. Samarkand, Uzbekistan (type locality of G. maculifera);

4. Pul-i-chomri, Afghanistan (type locality of G. maculifera afghanistana); 5. Kerbela desert, Iraq (type locality of G. erema); 6. Kunar Takteh, Iran (type locality of G. kasrunensis).