Pyropteron maroccana (Kallies, 1999)

(Figs 42, 43, 191–193)

Synansphecia maroccana Kallies, 1999: Nota lepidopterologica, 22 (2): 90, 87 Figs 1–2, 92 Fig. 17a, 96 Fig. 18. Holotype: ♂, Morocco, Haut Atlas, Oukaimeden, 2600 m (MNHN).

P. maroccana occurs in the same region and sometimes together with P. borreyi . It is easily recognized by its brown base colour (dark grey to black in P. borreyi), the broad and short discal spot on the hindwing (usually smaller and longer in P. borreyi), the white subapical spot on the antenna of the male (absent in P. borreyi) and the shape of the PTA (see also Kallies 1999).

Barcodes. P. maroccana is the most basal of a large clade of species, the P. muscaeformis species group. This group contains a number of similar species that feed on Armeria, Limonium and Rumex . P. borreyi is the nearest neighbour of P. maroccana, with an average distance of 5.7%.

Biology and habitat. The larva feeds in the main root of Rumex acetosa (Kallies 1999, pers. observations Bettag, Bläsius and authors) in humid places at altitudes between 1650 and 2700 m.

Distribution. Only known from the High Atlas and the Middle Atlas Mts, Morocco (Kallies 1999, our own results).

Specimens examined. 3♂ (paratypes), Morocco, High Atlas, Oukaimeden, 2700m, 22. VI .1998, leg. AL (CDB); 4♂ paratype, ibid., 2600m, 5.–10.VII.1994, leg. Drechsel; 9♂ (paratypes), ibid., 2300–2700m, 5.–10.VII.1994, leg. Löbel (CDB, SMNS); 1♀ (Fig. 193), ibid., 2650m, 25. VI .2001, leg. RB; 5♂, ibid., 2300–2700m, 12. VI .1999, leg. DB; 47♂ (Figs 191–192), ibid., 2700m, 14., 22. and 23. VI .2007, leg. DB (CDB) 4♂, 1♀ (paratypes), Morocco, Middle Atlas, Ifrane, 1700m, 27. VI .–6.VII.1994, leg. Riefenstahl; 4♂, 1♀ (paratypes), Morocco, Middle Atlas, Tizi-n Tretten, 2200m, 30. VI .–5.VII.1994, leg. Riefenstahl (SMNS); 66♂, Morocco, Haut Atlas, Oukaimeden, 2620–2740 m, 2.VII.2005, leg. FP (BOX-2221 C08 and BOX-2219 G02, photo 2005/1274-1293) ; 3♂, ibid., 6. VI .2008, leg. FP (photo 2008/180-198); 17♂, ibid., 20. VI .2008, leg. FP; 48♂, ibid., 28. VI .2009, leg. FP (photo 2009/408-422); 1♂, ibid., 29. VI .2009, leg. FP; 4♂, ibid., 29. VI .2009, leg. FP; 1♂, Morocco, Moyen Atlas, Tizi-n-Ilissi SE Ait Mhammed, 2780 m, 29. VI.2005, leg. FP (photo 2005/1071-1093) (CFP) .