Loxostege sticticalis (Linnaeus, 1761)

(Fig. 27A)

Phalaena Pyralis sticticalis Linnaeus, 1761: 352 .

LT: Sweden, Uppsala.

Syn.: Phalaena Tortrix miana O. F. M̧ller, 1764: 53.

Pyralis lupulina Clerck, 1764: Pl. 9 fig. 63.

Pyralis fuscalis Ḩbner, 1796: 29, pl. 7 fig. 45.

Pyralis sylvata Panzer, 1804: 213 .

Pyralis tetragonalis Haworth, 1811: 385 .

Botys lupulinalis Guenée, 1854: 331–332 .

Loxostege sticticalis tenebrosa Caradja, 1939: 22 .

Material examined. 24 ♂♂, 40 ♀♀: Alborz Prov.: 1 ♀, Karaj, Arangeh, 19.viii.1978, Hâshemi, Zairi leg. ; Ardebil Prov.: 1 ♂, Moghân, 19.xi.1970, Damanâbi leg. , 1 ♂, Neur Lake, 2500 m, 26.viii.2010, Khâni, Mofidi-Neyestânak leg. ; Châhârmahâl and Bakhtiâri Prov.: 1 ♂, Kuhrang, 26.vii.1974, Hâshemi, Zairi leg. ; Esfahân Prov.: 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Natanz, Tâmeh, N 33˚27΄43.44˝, E 51˚50΄52.44˝, 2283, 11.viii.2010, Âlipanâh, Nematiân leg. , 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Natanz- Targh Rd., Mazdeh, N 33˚23΄36.24˝, E 51˚49΄56.52˝, 2192 m, 12.viii.2010, Âlipanâh, Nematiân leg. ; Fârs Prov.: 1 ♀, Basirân, Bidhâshem, 2600 m, 12.ix.1998, Manzari, Mofidi-Neyestânak leg. ; Gilân Prov.: 1 ♂, Asâlem, Shondol, 950 m, 9.viii.1974, Mirzâyâns, Farahbakhsh leg. (gen. prep. HA-2459, HMIM) , 1 ♂, Parehsar, 750 m, 13.viii.1974, Mirzâyâns, Ilkhâni leg. , 2 ♀♀, Bandar Anzali, 8.viii.1974, Mirzâyâns, Farahbakhsh leg. , 1 ♀, Bandar Anzali, 15.ix.1969, Mirzâyâns leg. , 4 ♀♀, Bandar Anzali, 26.viii.1983, Barâdarân-Anâraki leg. , 1 ♀, Heyrân mountain pass, 1128 m, 10.ix.2004, Moghaddam, Hâjiesmailiân leg. , 1 ♀, Âstârâ, N 38˚17΄14.6˝, E 48˚52΄22.1˝, 46 m, 18.vii.2013, Afsariân, Sarafrâzi leg.; Golestân Prov.: 1 ♀, Golestân forest, 770 m, 25.viii.1983, Borumand, Pâzuki leg.; Hamedân Prov.: 3 ♂♂, Arzânfud, 2240 m, 29.vii.1987, Mirzâyâns, Hâshemi leg. ; Mâzandarân Prov.: 1 ♀, Tonekâbon, 11.vii.1974, Abâi leg. ; North Khorâsân Prov.: 5 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀, Golestân National Park, Âlmeh, 1700 m, 25.vii.2001, Gilâsiân, Moghaddam, Ghayurfar leg. , 2 ♀♀, Sulgerd, 1250 m, 28.vii.2001, Gilâsiân, Moghaddam, Ghayurfar leg. ; Razavi Khorâsân Prov.: 1 ♂, Ghuchân- Bâjgirân Rd., 46 km N Ghuchân, Dorbâdâm protected area, N 37˚25΄25.5˝, E 58˚31΄34.0˝, 1800 m, 20.vi.2013, Âlipanâh, Falsafi leg. ; Semnân Prov.: 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Shâhrud, S Shâvâr Mt., 2030 m, 26.-28.viii.1983, Borumand, Pâzuki leg.; Tehrân Prov.: 5 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀, Evin, 19, 21, 22, 30, 31.vii.1974, 25.viii.1974, 13.ix.1974, no collector is given (gen. prep. HA-2451, HMIM); West Âzarbâijân Prov.: 1 ♀, 15 km NE Mâku, 6.vi.1975, Abâi leg. , 1 ♀, Orumiyeh, Band ( Mirzââbâd), 1450 m, 21.vii.1976, Pâzuki, Borumand leg.

Distribution. A migrant species, which is widely distributed throughout the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions (Slamka 2013). In Iran it has previously been reported from Golestan [Golestan National Park (Tang-e Gol) and Gorgan] (Lederer 1871; Wieser et al. 2002), Razavi Khorasan (Binalud Mt.) (Amsel 1961) and Tehran (Damavand: Rineh) (Zerny 1939) Provinces.

Remarks. There is an intraspecific variation among the examined material in the bright area between the discoidal spots of the forewing, even within a population. In most of the specimens this area is yellow and contrasty, but in a few specimens it is dirty-yellow to pale brown, with less contrast.