Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758)

(Figs 5, 14 a–c, 24)

Cicada coleoptrata Linnaeus, 1758: 437 .

Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758): Dlabola (1981): 211; Mirzayans (1995): 21.

Material examined. Azarbaiejan-e Gharbi: Doroud, 1841m, 30.viii.2007, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♀ (HMIM); Ghasemlu, 1350m, 17–18.viii.1994, leg. Ebrahimi/ Sarafrazi, 1♂ (HMIM); Piranshahr–Mahabad Rd, 1638m, 30.vii.2007, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♀ (HMIM). Azarbaiejan-e Sharghi: Bonab, 1316m, 27.viii.2007, leg. Mozaffarian/ Nematian, 1♀ (HMIM). Esfahan: Golestankuh, 2700m, 3–4.vii.1983, leg. Mirzayans/ Borumand, 2♂ (HMIM). Kohkiluyeh va Boyerahmad: Kuhgol Fal., 3022m, 15.vi.2009, leg. Mozaffarian, 1♂ (HMIM). Tehran: 8 Km W. Zidasht, 220m, 10–13.vii.1977, leg. Pazuki/ Mortazaviha, 2♂, 1♀ (HMIM); Tijkuh, 1950m, 9.vii.1997, leg. Barari/ Mofidi, 1♂ (HMIM). Zanjan: Zarrinabad, 1659m, 13.vii.2006, leg. Mozaffarian/ Hajiesmailian, 3♂, 1♀ (HMIM).

Distribution and habitat. The published data (Dlabola 1957, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1981; Nast 1972) and collecting data from the museum specimens shows the presence of this species at the elevation of 1000 m to 2700 m, in xerothermic habitats and halophilic plants in swamps, salt marshes, sandy habitats and steppes. Larvae may feed on Galium, Hypericum, Rumex, Cirsium and other forage plants. The species is considered as a potential vector for the bacterium X. fastidiosa, which infests olive trees in Europe (European Food Safety Authority 2013).

The species is known as a Holarctic faunal element distributed from Western Europe, Northern Africa, Northern and Western Asia, Iran (West, fig. 24), Afghanistan and Eastern Asia.