Xenophysa xenogramma Boursin, 1969

Varga, Zoltán, 2011, Revision of the genus Xenophysa Boursin, 1969 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), Zootaxa 3094, pp. 1-29 : 7

Xenophysa xenogramma Boursin, 1969

Xenophysa xenogramma Boursin, 1969 , Entomops 15: 223.

Type material. Holotype: 3, Afghanistan centr. (Koh-i-Baba Mts.), Band-i-Amir, 3000 m, 30. VII. 1963, leg. Kasy & Vartian (coll. Vartian, NHMW). Paratypes: 1 3 and 2 Ƥ from the same locality and data (coll. Vartian, NHMW), 1 3 from the same locality and data (coll. Varga), 2 Ƥ Afghanistan, Hazaradjat, Koh-i-Baba, Shah Fuladi, 3–6.VII.1961, Ebert leg. ( ZSM). Genital slides: 3 1426, 4814 Varga, Ƥ Ronkay 1334, Varga 8068, 8069.

Taxonomic notes. A variable species with narrow and acute forewings, often faint markings, with tiny and narrow orbicular spot, and broad light greyish submarginal line (especially in males) and with a rather characteristic diffuse, whitish-ochreous longitudinal “wash” on the forewings (Plate 3, Figs. 15–16).

In the male genitalia uncus with strongly expressed bilateral hook, very long bilateral lobes of the tegumen, high, extended and convex costal extension of valva and with regular, diamond-shaped juxta (Plate 7, Fig. 36 a,b). In female genitalia with deep V-shaped incision of the antrum with strongly sclerotised “arms” (Plate 11, Fig. 53).

Biological notes. This species was previously known only from the western part of the Hindukush Mts (Koh-i- Baba). Its habitat is a typical high mountain semi-desert with thorny cushion vegetation (Eva Vartian, pers. comm.).