Mesoptyelus iranicus (Tishechkin, 2013), New Combination

(Figs 8, 17 a–c, 27)

Philaenus (Gyrurus) iranicus Tishechkin, 2013: 75 .

Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (misidentified in part): Mirzayans (1995): 21.

The species was originally described in Philaenus (Gyrurus) by Tishechkin (2013). It is here transferred to Mesoptyelus due to the lateral prolongation of the anal tube and the general shape of the aedeagus.

Material examined. Ardabil: Bostanabad, 30.viii.1980, leg. Aivazzadeh, 1♂, 1♀ (HMIM). Esfahan: 15 km Niasar, 1769m, 17.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♂ (HMIM); Abyaneh, 2253m, 15.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 3♂ (HMIM); Avreh, 2165m, 17.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♂ (HMIM); Bidhend, 2342m, 15.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 3♂, 3♀ (HMIM); Frizhand, 2419m, 5.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♂ (HMIM); Ghazaan, 14.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 4♂, 2♀ (HMIM); Hasangoon Vil., 2440m, 16.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♂ (HMIM); Jevinon, 2000m, 12–13.vi.1984, leg. Pazuki/ Hashemi, 1♂, 5♀ (HMIM); Kamu, 2548m, 16.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 3♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Margh, 1947m, 18.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 5♂, 3♀ (HMIM); Niasar, 1827m, 18.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 2♂, 3♀ (HMIM); Sericheh, 1650m, 9–11.vi.1984, leg. Pazuki/ Hashemi, 2♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Sheikh Bahaii Dam, 1955m, 16.vi.2011, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♀ (HMIM); Tahagh, 2000 m, 14–15.vi.1984, leg. Pazuki/ Hashemi, 13♂, 9♀ (HMIM). Fars: 15 km E Saadatshahr, 1680 m, vii.1996, leg. Linnavuori, 1♂, 4♀ (NMWC); Bamoo National Park, 1650 m, vi.1996, 13 –14.vi.1996, leg. Sarafrazi/ Linnavuori/ Badii 24♂, 15♀, leg. Linnavuori (HMIM and NMWC); Niriz– Sirjan Rd (10 km), 1950m, 18.x.1999, leg. Badii/ Barari/ Mofidi, 1♂, 3♀ (HMIM). Ilam: Ghallajeh, 1810m, 18–19.viii.1996, leg. Barari/ Parchami/ Nazari, 1♂ (HMIM). Kerman: Dalfard, 1387m, 28.iv.2012, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Rayen, 2150m, 16.vi.1988, leg. Hashemi/ Badii, 1♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Sarcheshmeh, 2225m, v.1996, leg. Linnavuori, 2♂ (NMWC). Kohkiluyeh va Boyerahmad: 1♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Cheshmehmishi, 2575m, 15.vi.2009, leg. Mozaffarian, 10♂, 7♀ (HMIM); Kuhgol Fal., 3022m, 15.vi.2009, leg. Mozaffarian, 2♂, 1♀ (HMIM). Lorestan: Dolatshahi, 1298m, 5.vi.2007, leg. Hajiesmailian, 1♂ (HMIM). Mazandaran: Marzanabad, 2107m, 3.vii.2009, leg. Hajiesmailian, 1♂ (HMIM). Sistan va Baluchestan: Jalgh, 19.iv.1950, leg. Salavatian, 1♂ (HMIM).

Distribution and habitat: Tischechkin (2013) recorded this species from 2400 m to 3000 m elevation. However, the collecting data of our specimens indicates the presence of the species from 1298 m to 3022m. The species is known only from Iran and the known distribution is from northwest to southeast (Fig. 27).