Cossus Fabricius, 1794

Yakovlev, Roman V., Pljustch, Igor G., Skrylnik, Yuriy, Pak, Oleg & Witt, Thomas J., 2015, The Cossidae (Lepidoptera) of Afghanistan with description of three new species and special notes on the fauna of Bande-Amir National Park, Zootaxa 3990 (1), pp. 41-72 : 46

Genus Cossus Fabricius, 1794

Fabricius, 1794: 3.

Type species: Phalaena cossus Linnaeus, 1758 . Designation by monotypy.

Cossus afghanistana Daniel, 1953 ( Figs 8−10, 88 , 96 )

Cossus cossus afghanistana Daniel, 1953: 256 .

Type locality: Afghanistan, Wardik [Central Afghanistan, Paghman Mts.].

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

General distribution: Afghanistan, Pakistan ( Yakovlev 2011).

Reported for Kabul, Paghman, Herat, Gulbahar and Polichomri (30 km NW Kabul) (Daniel 1953; 1963; 1964; 1965).

Habitat and biology. Flight period: April −September. Altitude: 700−2100 m (Daniel 1953; 1963; 1964). Systematic note. The taxon аfghanistana Daniel, 1953 was described as a subspecies. We found strong differences in the male genitalia between the taxon in question and C. cossus (L.), namely absence of developed crest on costal edge of valva, short processes of transtilla and slender aedeagus. Cossus afghanistana Daniel, 1953 was raised to species level ( Yakovlev 2009b). External differences are less pronounced and include dark brown spots in the postdiscal area of the forewing which are fused and form a broad transverse band.

Material examined: 1 male (holotype), Afghanistan, Wardik, 7.0 7.1950, Volk leg. ( ZSSM); 1 male, Kabul ( ZMMU); 9 males, Afghanistan, Paghman, 30 km NW v. Kabul, 2100 m, 20- 30.07.1963, leg. Kasy & Vartian ( MNHW); 2 males, Hindukush, bei Rukha, 2400 m, 21.0 5.1977, de Freina ( MWM); 3 males, 30 km NW Kabul, 2500, 15.5.65 ( MWM); 1 male, Paghman, 3000 m, 6.7.73 ( MWM); 2 males, Kabul prov., Tangi ( MWM); 3 males, Khurd-Kabul ( MWM); 2 males, Panjir Valley, Kotul e Shava, Astana, 2500 m, 2005 ( MWM).

Figures

FIGURES 88 − 90. Collecting localities in Afghanistan (photo by Yu. Skrylnik): 88. C Afghanistan, prov. Kabul, Paghman distr., 5 km NW Paghman, Kokh-e-Paghman Mts., 2665 m, 34 ° 36 ' 49.94 " N 68 ° 54 ' 32.53 " E; 89. C Afghanistan, prov. Bamian, Yakawlang distr., Band-e Amir National Park, 3 km W Sabzel vill., 2910 m, 34 ° 47 ' 58.56 " N 67 ° 10 ' 58.82 " E; 90. C Afghanistan, prov. Bamian, Yakawlang distr., 5 km NE Jarukashan vill., Band-e-Amir res., 3140 m, 34 ° 51 ' 49.57 " N 67 ° 12 ' 31.05 " E.

FIGURES 91 − 98. Distribution maps of Cossidae of Afghanistan: 91. Catopta cashmirensis (Moore, 1879); 92. Catopta eberti Daniel, 1964; 93. Catopta kendevanensis Daniel, 1937; 94. Catopta rocharva Sheljuzhko, 1943; 95. Kotchevnik tapinus (Püngeler, 1898); 96. Cossus afghanistana Daniel, 1953; 97. Holcocerus nobilis Staudinger, 1884; 98. Holcocerus tancrei Pungeler, 1898.