Xenophysa monastica Boursin, 1969

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

Xenophysa monastica Boursin, 1969

Xenophysa monastica Boursin, 1969 , Entomops 15: 224.

Type material. Holotype: male, Afghanistan, Dasht-i-Nawar, Hokak, 2950 m, 7–9. IX. 1963. leg. E. & A. Vartian (coll. Vartian, NHMW). Paratypes: 3 3, Afghanistan centr. (Koh-i-Baba Mts.), Band-i-Amir, 3000 m, 30. VII. 1963, leg. Kasy & Vartian (coll. Vartian, NHMW), 1 3 with the same data (coll. Varga). Genital slides: 3 Va rga 1424, Ƥ Varga 8070.

Taxonomic notes. This is the most colourful and regularly marked species of the genus. The specimens from the Koh-i-Baba Mts. are slightly darker than the holotype from the eastern part of the country (Plate 3, Figs. 17– 18). Male genitalia are most similar to the externally rather different X. argyrogramma with clearly recognisable differences as follows: bilateral hook of the uncus is shorter, lateral lobes of tegumen are larger and more extended, costal extension of valva is higher and juxta is diamond shaped without a dorsal extension (Plate 7, Fig. 37 a–b). Female genitalia has a deep and narrow U-shaped incision of antrum (Plate 12, Fig. 57).

Biological notes. The habitat of this species is a typical high mountain semi-desert with thorny cushion vegetation (Eva Vartian, pers. comm.). It is quite curious that the male holotype was captured in early September, an unusual flight time for a Xenophysa species.