A study on Agrochola s. l. (Lep.: Noctuidae) of Iran with three new records

Abstract

The genus Agrochola s. l. Hübner, 1821 (Noctuidae, Xyleninae, Xylenini, Xylenina) include more than seventy described species, most of them have a quite typical external habitus. Due to recent revisions on this lineage in the Palaearctic, we decided to update the data of this group in Iran, according to the latest synonymy information and distribution data. A total of 18 taxa belonging to Agrochola s. l. of Iran was listed among them, three taxa namely Agrochola imitata Ronkay, 1984, A. consueta (Herrich-Schäffer, 1852) and A. helvola pallescens (Warren, 1911) are newly recorded for the fauna of Iran. A list of Agrochola s. l. taxa of Iran with their synonymy and distribution data is given together with some notes and illustrations of genitalia and wing pattern for the new records. It is suggested to do more intensive exploration and study the food plants of Iranian Agrochola in their habitats, especially in the Zagros range in western Iran.

Keywords

• agrochola
• fauna
• new record
• khuzetan
• ilam