Xenophysa junctimacula huberi Varga, 1989

Varga, Zoltán, 2011, Revision of the genus Xenophysa Boursin, 1969 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), Zootaxa 3094, pp. 1-29 : 4

Xenophysa junctimacula huberi Varga, 1989 , comb. nov., stat. rev.

Xenophysa huberi Varga, 1989 , Zeitschrift der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Österreichischer Entomologen 41 (1–2): 4.

Type material. Holotype: male, “ Türkei East (sic!), Baskale Umgb. 2900 m, Güseldere Paß, 30. VI.-7. VII. 1984, leg.Kurt Huber (coll.Huber, Scharten, Österreich)”. Paratypes: 21 3 and 9 Ƥ with the same data (coll. Huber), 4 3 and 2 Ƥ in coll. Hacker (Staffelstein, now ZSM), 4 3 in HNHM and 3 3 and 1 Ƥ in coll. Varga. Further 5 3 and 1 Ƥ from the same place, 30.VI.1984, leg.Thöny (coll. Hacker and HNHM), Figs 5–6. Genital slides: 3 Varga 3508, 6060, 7768, 8064, Ronkay 9806; Ƥ Varga 8066.

Taxonomic notes. Xenophysa junctimacula huberi has slighly lighter, more ochreous-brownish colouration than the typical X. junctimacula (Plate 1, Figs 5–6). However, the genitalia proved to be practically identical with that of X. j. junctimacula with some insignificant differences. In the male genitalia of X. junctimacula huberi : uncus somewhat thicker and shorter, apical lateral spine slightly stronger than in X. j. junctimacula and the costal process of valva shows two nearly equal “humps” (Plate 6, Figs 33a, b; 34a, b). All other typical characters of both taxa are completely similar, including the female genitalia. Therefore, despite the external differences, I here relegate X. huberi to subspecific rank.

Biological notes. X. junctimacula huberi is only known from the type series and a few additional specimens (coll. Thöny, HNHM) collected in the high mountains of the southeastern edge of Turkey (Kurdestan, Mengi Dagi, Güseldere pass). Its distribution, probably extends also into the adjacent parts of Iran and Iraq (Kurdestan). Judging from the few available data, X. junctimacula (incl. X. junctimacula huberi ) seems to be more localised and restricted to high altitudes than the closely related and partly sympatric X. cacumena (see: below).