Anaulacaspis caucasica (FAGEL, 1969)

(Figs 31–34, Map 2)

Melagria caucasica FAGEL, 1969: 11 f.

Type material examined: Holotype ♂: “Caucase / nigra / nigra Hochh. / R.I.Sc.N.B. 17.479, Falagria, Coll. et det. A. Fauvel / G. Fagel det. 1969, Melagria caucasica n. sp. / Type / Anaulacaspis caucasica (Fagel), det. V. Assing 2016” (IRSNB) . Paratypes: 1 ♂: “ Caucasus, Araxesthal, Leder . Reitter / Falagria nigra Grav ., Coll . Reitter / G. Fagel det. 1969, Melagria caucasica n. sp. / Paratype / Anaulacaspis caucasica (Fagel) , det. V. Assing 2016” (IRSNB); 1 ♀: “ Caucasus, Araxesthal, Leder Reitter / G. Fagel det. 1969, caucasica n. sp. / Paratype / Anaulacaspis caucasica (Fagel) , det. V. Assing 2016” (IRSNB) .

Comment: The original description is based on a male holotype from “Caucase”, two male and one female paratypes from “Caucasus, Araxesthal” and one female paratype from “Caspi-M. Gebiet, Resano” (FAGEL 1969).

Additional material examined: Azerbaijan: 1 ♂, Xanlar [“Helenendorf ”], leg. Reitter (NHMW).

Iran: Azarbayjan-e Gharbi: 9 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀, road Khoy – Siyah Chesmeh, 9 km W Zar Abad, 38°47'N, 44°32'E, 1970 m, 30.VIII.2008, leg. Frisch & Serri (MNB, cAss); 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, road Khoy – Siyah Chesmeh, 17 km W Zar Abad, 38°46'N, 44°29'E, 2640 m, 30.VIII.2008, leg. Frisch & Serri (MNB, cAss); 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, road Maku – Bazargan, 7 km road to Avajiq, 39°21'N, 44°19'E 1520 m, 27.VIII.2008, leg. Frisch & Serri (MNB, cAss); 10 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀ [partly slightly teneral], road Shot – Siyah Chesmeh, pass SW Shot, 39°09'N. 44°41'E , 1420 m, 28.VIII.2008, leg. Frisch & Serri (MNB, cAss); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Shot – Siyah Chesmeh road, Qarah Kelisa, 39°06'N, 44°33'E, 1860 m, 28.VIII.2008, leg. Frisch & Serri (MNB, cAss); 1 ♂, NW Piranshah, 7 km road to Hashkan, 36°48'N, 45°05'E, 1600 m, 2.IX.2008, leg. Frisch & Serri (cAss). Ardabil: 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 15 km S Germi, Beldashi, 38°58'N, 48°00'E , 1270 m, 12.X.2011, leg. Frisch (MNB, cAss) .

Redescription: External characters as in A. nigra, except as follows:

Elytra often extensively brown; legs reddish to reddishbrown; antennae reddish to dark-brown.

Eyes slightly longer than postocular region in dorsal view. Elytra approximately 1.1 times as long as pronotum. Abdomen narrower than elytra; posterior margin of tergite VIII convex, in the middle broadly truncate and with moderately long marginal setae (Fig. 31).

♂: head without depression in postero-median portion and with variable, fine and sparse to distinct and moderately dense punctation; pronotum with more or less distinct impression along middle and more or less extensively impressed in postero-median portion, punctation very dense and somewhat asperate; sternite VIII (Fig. 32) as in A. nigra; median lobe of aedeagus (Figs 33–34) approximately 0.28 mm long, ventral process in ventral view with a pair of conspicuous lateral projections in the middle, at base of ventral process with very weakly pronounced membranous median projection (lateral view).

♀: head with very fine and sparse punctation; pronotum with weakly pronounced impression along middle, punctation moderately dense and fine, not asperate.

Distribution and natural history: Confirmed records are known only from Azerbaijan and North Iran (Map 2). The material from Iran was collected at altitudes of 1270–2640 m. Several specimens found in August are teneral.