Introduction

The general fauna of Noctuidae s. l. in Iran is almost known since numerous expeditions have been done on this area mostly by European researchers during more than 150 years (e.g. BIENERT, 1870; BRANDT, 1941; EBERT & HACKER, 2002). Recently, due to scientific interest in Noctuidae s. l. fauna by Iranian researchers, studies have been carried out to investigate such diverse fauna in different areas of Iran, resulted in reporting new taxa, new distributional records and local revisions (e.g. SHIRVANI et al., 2008b; RABIEH et al., 2013; ESFANDIARI et al., 2015). However, still White patches remain to be extensively explored in this vast country which should be done by local experts of this mostly arid territory.

Noctuidae species are plant feeding as caterpillars and nectar feeding as adults, functioning as herbivores, pollinators and prey, as well as being one of the most destructive groups of pests to crops (REGIER et al., 2009). Here we intend to deal with some species which, according to old fashion Noctuidae classification, belong to Xyleninae. However, Xyleninae is a paraphyletic group which has no derived character states to support it (YELA & ZAHIRI, 2011). According to inclusive definition of Noctuinae from POOLE (1995), Xyleninae must be integrated to Noctuinae s. s. together with Hadeninae to form the Noctuinae s. l. The monophyly of the subfamily Noctuinae s. l. is very well supported by the molecular results of MITCHELL et al. (2006) and ZAHIRI et al. (2013), and by morphology (clasper located in middle of valve, larva with dorsally-grooved spinneret) (LAFONTAINE & SCHMIDT, 2010, 2013). This clade includes the true cutworms, many of which are economically important agricultural pests.

Material and Methods

Numerous samplings were carried out to study the fauna of noctuid moths mainly in southern provinces of Khuzestan and Kerman (2015-2016). Additional materials were collected in Khorasan-e- Jonubi and Khorasan-e-Razavi in eastern parts of Iran (2015-2016) as well as Fars province in South of Iran (2011). Night samplings performed at different altitudes and vegetation types of the sampling localities by 8 watt black-light tube surrounded by 3 transparent panes, all perched over a funnel on top of a bucket. The genitalia of both sexes were examined using standard methods. Materials were deposited in the Insect and Mite Collection of Ahvaz (IMCA), Plant Protection Department, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, except some duplicates which were deposited in P. Gyulai’s private collection (Hungary). Genera and species were listed alphabetically. Collected species of the genus Caradrina were not listed here and will be presented separately.

Results and Discussion

A total of 43 species and subspecies belonging to 22 genera of Noctuinae were collected and identified. Three species of Dasypolia eberti Boursin, 1967, Episema minutoides Ronkay, Varga & Hreblay, 1999 and Polymixis schistochlora Ronkay, Varga & Hreblay, 1998 are newly reported for the fauna of Iran, with illustrations of their adults and genitalia and notes on their bionomy. Twenty-six species and subspecies are new provincial records which marked with an asterisk (*) in the text. Among the new provincial records, 10 taxa are new for the fauna of Kerman province, 12 for Khuzestan province, 4 for Fars province, 3 for Khorasan-e-Jonubi province and 1 for Khorasan-e-Razavi province. Collected materials are presented here, together with provincial distribution in Iran for each taxon.

Family Noctuidae Latreille, 1809

Subfamily Noctuinae Latreille, 1809

Apamea anceps (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)*

Distribution in Iran : Khorasan, Tehran (HACKER, 1990; KOÇAK & KEMAL, 2014), Golestan (GUTLEB & WIESER, 2002).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Kerman, Omrudoieh, 29º 05’ 55” N 57º 33’13” E, 2971 m., 15-V-2015.

Apamea maraschi (Draudt, 1934)*

Distribution in Iran: Northwest Iran (HACKER, 1990), Khuzestan (RAVAN et al., 2015).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Fars, Shiraz, Nurabad, 29º 07’ 25” N 52º 38’ 05” E, 1000 m., 5-V-2011.

Apamea minocBabics & Benedek, 2011*

Distribution in Iran: Mazandaran (BABICS & BENEDEK, 2011). This is second record of thisspecies after its description in 2011.

Material examined. 1 ♂, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 27-IV-2011.

Apamea oblonga (Haworth, 1809)*

Distribution in Iran: Northwest Iran (HACKER, 1990), Sistan-va-Baluchistan (EBERT & HACKER, 2002).

Material examined: 2 ♂♂, Kerman, Omrudoieh, 29º 05’ 55” N 57º 33’ 13” E, 2971 m., 30-VII- 2015; 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Kerman, Babgorgy, 29º 05’ 17” N 57º 33’ 33” E, 3029 m., 10-VIII-2015; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’12” E, 2966 m., 13-VIII-2015.

Agrochola lychnidis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)

Distribution in Iran: Tehran (EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Khuzestan (RAVAN et al., 2015), Bushehr (LEHMAN et al., 2009). Khorasan-e-Shomali (FEIZPOOR & SHIRVANI, 2014).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 23-VI-2011.

Anchoscelis oropotamica archar (Ronkay, Varga & Hreblay, 1998)*

Distribution in Iran: Markazi, Mazandaran, Tehran, Alborz (EBERT & HACKER, 2002).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Khorasan-e-Jonobi, Alborz, 32º 59’ 59” N 58º 44’ 10” E, 1881 m., 16- VI-2015.

Aporophyla canescens (Duponchel, 1826)

Distribution in Iran: Kermanshah, Fars, Bushehr (HACKER, 2001; KOÇAK & KEMAL, 2014; RONKAY et al., 2001), Khuzestan (RAVAN et al., 2015).

Material examined: 3 ♂♂, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 2-VI-2011; 1 ♀, same locality, 3-VI-2015; 1 ♂, Fars, Shiraz, Nurabad, 29º 07’ 25” N 52º 38’ 05” E, 1000 m., 15- IV-2011.

Aporophyla nigra (Haworth, 1809)

Distribution in Iran: Northwest Iran (RONKAY et al., 2001), Fars, Khuzestan (RAVAN et al., 2015).

Material examined: 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 14-VI- 2015; 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, same locality, 23-VI-2011; large series from different localities in Fars province in autumn 2016 were collected.

Auchmis detersa demavendi Schwingenschuss, 1955*

Distribution in Iran: Mazandaran, Azarbayejan-e-Sharghi (EBERT & HACKER, 2002; LEHMANN & ZAHIRI, 2011), Tehran, Fars, Lorestan (EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Golestan, Khorasan (GUTLEB & WIESER, 2002; WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Kerman, Mohammdabad, 28º 59’ 48.8” N 57º 43’ 20” E, 2495 m., 2-VII- 2015; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 13-VIII-2015; 2 ♂♂, same locality, 6-IX-2015.

Auchmis indica (Walker, 1865)

Distribution in Iran: Kerman (SHIRVANI et al., 2008a).

Material examined. 1 ♀, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 15-IV-2016.

Brandtaxia discalis (Brandt, 1941)

Distribution in Iran: Sistan-va-Balouchestan (BRANDT, 1941), Kerman (BIDAR, 2010; SHIRVANI, 2012), Fars (EBERT & HACKER, 2002).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Kerman, Khabr National Park, 28º 39’ 43” N 56º 26’ 50” E, 1937 m., 14- IX-2015.

Chloantha hyperici (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)*

Distribution in Iran: Kordestan, Azarbayejan-e-Sharghi, Guilan, Mazandaran, Tehran, Alborz, Khorassan-e-Shomali, Golestan (EBERT & HACKER, 2002; GUTLEB & WIESER, 2002; LEHMANN & ZAHIRI, 2011).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 13-V-2011.

Conistra pseudopolitinaHacker, 1990*

Distribution in Iran: Bushehr (LEHMAN et al., 2009).

Material examined: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 15-VII-2011.

Dasypolia eberti Boursin, 1967 (Figs. 1a-1d )

Identification: Forewing of female has a bluish grey tint but that of male has an orange brown hue.

Ante- and postmedial lines are prominent zig-zag in female with a dark median shade. Postmedial line continues to hindwing which is dark brown. However, in male lines are not as strong as female. The large size is a prominent characteristic of this species. It is similar to D. rjabovi (Bundel, 1966) but rjabovi is much larger and its hindwings present a clear terminal border which does not exist in D. eberti.

Distribution and bionomics: It was described from the high altitudes of central Afghanistan. In Iran, it was collected from high altitude of Binaloud on the way to Shirbad peak. The area has the common vegetation of Binaloud mountain (e.g. Mountain Sainfoin, Wild almond (Amygdalus scoparia), Downy brome (Bromus tectorum), Bromus, Artemisia and Astragalus). This is the first record for the fauna of Iran.

Material examined: 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Khorasan-e-Razavi, Binalood, Shirbad way, 36º 16’ 49” N 59º 05’ 49” E, 2496 m., 28-IX-2016.

Dasypolia ferdinandi Rühl, 1892*

Distribution in Iran: Alborz (EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Golestan, Khorasan (WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005). Mazandaran (KOÇAK & KEMAL, 2014).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 5-XI-2015.

Dasypolia templi (Thunberg, 1792)*

Distribution in Iran: Alborz (EBERT & HACKER, 2002). Golestan, Khorasan-e-Shomali (WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005).

Material examined: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Khorasan-e-Razavi, Binaloud, Shirbad way, 36º 16’ 49” N 59º 05’ 49” E, 2496 m., 28-IX-2016; 1 ♂, same locality, 21-IX-2016. Dicycla oo (Linnaeus, 1758)

Distribution in Iran: Esfahan (HACKER & KAUTT, 1999), Azarbayejan-e-Gharbi, Fars,

Kohgiluyeh-va-Boyerahmad, Kordestan (EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Kermanshah (MODARRESAWAL, 2012), Khuzestan (RAVAN et al., 2015), Golestan (GUTLEB & WIESER, 2002).

Material examined. 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 8-IV- 2016.

Dryobotodes eremita (Fabricius, 1775)*

Distribution in Iran: Golestan (GUTLEB & WIESER, 2002; WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005), Fars (KOÇAK & KEMAL, 2014).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 7-VI-2011; 2 ♀♀, same locality, 23-VI-2011.

Dryobotodes glaucusRonkay & Gyulai, 2006*

Distribution in Iran: Kohgiluyeh-va-Boyerahmad (RONKAY & GYULAI, 2006), Esfahan (SHIRVANI, 2012).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Fars, Nurabad, Babameidan, 30º 11’ 36” N 51º 31’ 27” E, 920 m., 15-IV- 2011; 3 ♀♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 16-V-2011 and 2-VI-2011.

Episema lederi Christoph, 1885*

Distribution in Iran: Kermanshah, Guilan, Alborz, Tehran, Azarbayejan-e-Gharbi, Fars, Golestan, Khorasan-e-Shomali, Khorasan-e-Razavi (EBERT & HACKER, 2002; GUTLEB & WIESER, 2002; WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005).

Material examined: 3 ♂♂, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 1-X-2015.

Episema minutoides Ronkay, Varga & Hreblay, 1999 (Figs. 2a, 2b)

Identification: It is closely related to Episema minuta Ebert, 1971 which was described from Afghanistan. However, it differs from minuta by having prominent black ante- and postmedial crosslines, stronger white cover on veins, darkened smaller reniform stigma and more grey Brown hindwing. The habitus is also similar to E. lederi but it has smaller size and half pectination in male antenna than lederi (RONKAY et al., 1998). There might be variation in wing colour in different populations of minutoides.

Distribution and bionomics: It was described from Turkmenistan and inhabits the hot and dry grasslands with sparse vegetation in Rocky Mountains of Kopet-Dagh (RONKAY et al., 1998). In Iran, it was collected from the village of Doulatabad which is located in a valley on the way to Binaloud peak. The area has the common vegetation of Binaloud mountain (e.g. Mountain Sainfoin, Wild almond (Amygdalus scoparia), Downy brome (Bromus tectorum), Bromus, Artemisia and Astragalus) with several gardens around. This is the first record for the fauna of Iran.

Material examined: 1 ♀, Khorasan-e-Razavi, Binaloud, Doulatabad, 36º 25’ 56” N 59º 09’ 41” E, 1558 m., 10-X-2016.

Frivaldszkyola cf. elami (Benedek & Ronkay, 2001)

Distribution in Iran: Lorestan (BENEDEK & RONKAY, 2001).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 23-VI-2011. This is a female and whole type series are male.

Karmanica chosroes (Brandt, 1938)*

Distribution in Iran: Fars, Bushehr (LEHMAN et al., 2009).

Material examined: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kerman, Hishin, 28º 38’ 23” N 57º 56’ 43” E, 1341 m., 24-II-2016.

Leptologia lota (Clerck, 1759)*

Distribution in Iran: Kermanshah, Markazi, Golestan, Khorasan-e-Shomali and Fars, according to distribution of the recently synonymized taxa for lota by RONKAY et al. (2017).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 14-VI-2015.

Maraschia grisescens Osthelder, 1933

Distribution in Iran: Fars (EBERT & HACKER, 2002; RAVAN et al., 2015), Kerman (BIDAR, 2010), Khuzestan (RAVAN et al., 2015).

Material examined: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kerman, Khabr National Park, 28º 39’ 43” N 56º 26’ 50” E, 1920 m., 14-IX-2015; 2 11, Fars, Neyriz, 29º 13’ 22” N 51º 26’ 17” E, 2050 m., 28-VIII-2011.

Mormo maura (Linnaeus, 1758)*

Distribution in Iran: It has reported from southwestern and central parts of Iran (HACKER, 1990).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 3-VI-2015.

Polymixis atossa (Wiltshire, 1941)*

Distribution in Iran: Fars (WILTSHIRE, 1941); Golestan, Khorasan-e-Shomali (WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005), Bushehr (LEHMAN et al., 2009), Khorasan-e-Razavi (RABIEH et al., 2013).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 5-XI-2015; 1 ♀, Khorasan-e-Jonobi, Birjand, 32º 59’ 59” N 58º 44’ 10” E, 1881 m., 16-VI-2015; 1 ♂, Khorasan-e- Razavi, Binaloud, 1504 m., 36º 11’ 59”N 59º 29’ 44”E, 21-XI-2011.

Polymixis crinomima (Wiltshire, 1946)*

Distribution in Iran: Kermanshah (WILTSHIRE, 1946), Fars (WILTSHIRE, 1946; EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Kerman (SHIRVANI, 2012), Golestan, Khorasan-e-Shomali (WIESER & STANGELMaier, 2005), Bushehr (LEHMAN et al., 2009).

Material examined: 7 ex., Fars, Nurabad, Babameidan, 30º 15’ 57” N 51º 30’ 14” E, 920 m., 15- IV-2011; 6 ex., Khuzestan, Baqmalek, Imamzade Abdollah, 31º 23’ 03” N 50º 09’ 13” E, 2030 m., 6-V- 2011.

Polymixis colluta apotheina (Brandt, 1938)

Distribution in Iran: Azarbayejan-e-Gharbi, Tehran, Alborz (EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Fars, Khuzestan (RAVAN et al., 2015). Lorestan, Kerman, Sistan-va-Balouchestan (FEIZPOOR & SHIRVANI, 2014), Hormozgan (LEHMAN et al., 2009). Golestan, Khorasan-e-Shomali, Kohgiluyehva- Boyerahmad and Kordestan (checked materials at the Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History).

Material examined: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kerman, Dochar, 29º 04’ 40” N 57º 37’ 01” E, 3223 m., 10-IX-2015; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kerman, Dehsard, 28º 40’ 39” N 56º 33’ 02” E, 1811 m., 29-X-2015; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 4-IX-2015; 4 ex., same locality, 6-IX-2015 and 1-X- 2015; 8 ex., Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 16-V-2011; 10 ex., same locality, 2-VI-2011; 1 ♂, Fars, Tange bolhayat, 29º 44’ 02” N 51º 47’ 00” E, 1300 m., 29-IV-2011; 3 ex., Fars, Nurabad, 29º 55’ 56” N 51º 35’ 52” E, 1100 m., 3-VI-2011.

Polymixis dubiosa (Brandt, 1938)

Distribution in Iran: Tehran, Sistan-va-Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Lorestan (EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Kerman (FEIZPOOR & SHIRVANI, 2014).

Material examined: 2 ♀♀, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 29-IX-2015 and 1-X-2015; 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, Kerman, Dochar, 29º 04’ 40” N 57º 37’ 01” E, 3223 m., 10-IX-2015.

Polymixis hedygramma (Brandt, 1941)*

Distribution in Iran: Lorestan, Sistan-va-Balouchestan (BRANDT, 1941; EBERT & HACKER, 2002).

Material examined: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Khorasan-e-Jonubui, Ark, 32º 57’ 39” N 58º 17’ 28” E, 1250 m., 8- XI-2015; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, same locality, 1-XI-2016.

Polymixis ivanchikiPekarsky, 2012*

Distribution in Iran: Kermanshah (PEKARSKY, 2012).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 2-XI-2011 and 12 ex., same locality, 15-XI-2016; 3 ex., Fars, Firuzabad, 29º 07’ 25” N 52º 38’ 05” E, 1900 m., 3- XI-2016.

Polymixis philippsi (Püngeler, 1911)*

Distribution in Iran: Fars (FEIZPOOR & SHIRVANI, 2014; SHIRVANI, 2012), Bushehr (LEHMAN et al., 2009).

Material examined: 2 ex, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 23-VI-2011.

Polymixis rosinae (Bohatsch, 1908)

Distribution in Iran: Tehran, Alborz (EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Kerman, Azarbayejan-e Sharghi, Markazi (FEIZPOOR & SHIRVANI, 2014), Golestan, Khorasan (WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 5-XI-2015.

Polymixis schistochloraRonkay, Varga & Hreblay, 1998 (Figs. 3a-3c)

Identification: It is an allopatric sibling species of P. zophodes Boursin, 1960, according to RONKAY et al. (1998). Forewings of P. schistochlora are almost unicolorous, dark olivegreyish with dispersed inconspicuous stigmata and crosslines, whereas P. zophodes has more prominent wing pattern and ocherous brown grey colour. The male genitalia of both species are very similar but with a prominent difference that is divergence of projection of the right costal extension from the ventral arch of the basal plate of the harpe in P. schistochlora whereas they are parallel in P. zophodes (RONKAY et al., 1998).

Distribution and bionomics: It was collected and described from semi-desert rocky grasslands in medium high altitudes of Turkmenistan (RONKAY et al., 1998). In Iran, it was collected from an área in the margin of Lut desert which has high altitude with sparse vegetation. This is the first record for the fauna of Iran.

Material examined: 1 ♀, Khorasan-e-Jonubui, Ark, 32º 57’ 39” N 58º 17’ 28” E, 1250 m., 8-XI- 2015; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, same locality, 1-XI-2016.

Polymixis zagrobia (Wiltshire, 1941)*

Distribution in Iran: Lorestan, Fars (WILTSHIRE, 1941), Kerman, Sistan-va-Balouchestan, Esfahan (FEIZPOOR & SHIRVANI, 2014; SHIRVANI, 2012).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 2-XI-2011.

Polymixis zophodes Boursin, 1960*

Distribution in Iran: Fars (FEIZPOOR & SHIRVANI, 2014).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 57º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 29-IX-2015.

Rhiza laciniosa (Christoph, 1887)

Distribution in Iran: Kerman (SHIRVANI et al., 2008a), Khorasan (KOÇAK & KEMAL, 2014).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Khorasan-e-Jonobi, Birjand, 32º 59’ 59” N 58º 44’ 10” E, 1881 m., 27-V- 2015.

Scotochrosta pulla (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)*

Distribution in Iran: Esfahan (Poorshabanan & SHIRVANI, 2012). This is the second record of this species from Iran.

Material examined: 1 ♂, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 15-VII-2011; 1, Fars, Nurabad, Babameidan, 30º 11’ 36” N 51º 31’ 27” E, 1000 m., 15-IV-2011; 1 1, Fars, Qir-va- Karzin, Imam Shahr, 28º 26’ 36” N 53º 10’ 11”, 700 m., 6-V-2011.

Spodoptera cilium Guenée, 1852*

Distribution in Iran: Kermanshah, Hormozgan (EBERT & HACKER, 2002).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Kerman, Jiroft, 28º 39’ 11” N 57º 45’ 56” E, 659 m., 9-V-2015; 1 1, same locality, 15-VI-2015.

Spodoptera exigua (Hübner, 1808)

Distribution in Iran: Azarbayejan-e-Gharbi, Mazandaran, Golestan, Guilan, Lorestan, Tehran, Fars, Kerman, Khuzestan, Sistan-va-Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, Kordestan, Kohgiluyeh-va- Boyerahmad (EBERT & HACKER, 2002; GUTLEB & WIESER, 2002).

Material examined: 1 ♀, Kerman, Khabr National Park, 28º 39’ 19” N 56º 26’ 46” E, 1920 m., 27- V-2015; 1 ♀, Kerman, Jiroft, 28º 39’ 11” N 57º 45’ 56” E, 659 m., 9-IX-2015; 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 8-IV-2016.

Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval, 1833)

Distribution in Iran: Hormozgan, Bushehr (EBERT & HACKER, 2002), Fars, Esfahan, Golestan (MODARRES-AWAL, 2012), Khuzestan (ESFANDIARI et al., 2011), Kerman (KOÇAK & KEMAL, 2014), Khorasan-e-Shomali (WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005).

Material examined: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Khuzestan, Malaqa, 31º 35’ 57” N 50º 00’ 50” E, 1100 m., 8-IV- 2016; 1 ♂, Khuzestan, Gotvand, 32º 18’ 24” N 48º 45’ 37” E, 112 m., 25-VI-2015; 1 1, Khuzestan, Ahvaz, 31º 16’ 15” N 481 36’ 02” E, 17 m., 16-II-2016; 1 1, Kerman, Dalfard, 28º 56’ 50” N 57º 39’ 29” E, 1605 m., 24-VI-2015.

Xanthia gilvago (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)*

Distribution in Iran: Golestan (GUTLEB & WIESER, 2002; WIESER & STANGELMAIER, 2005).

Material examined: 1 ♂, Kerman, Sangdan, 29º 06’ 06” N 56º 33’ 12” E, 2966 m., 1-X-2015; 3 ♀♀, same locality, 10-XI-2016; 1 ♀, Kerman, Dehsard, 28º 40’ 39” N 57º 33’ 02” E, 1811 m., 5-XI- 2016.

Conclusión

Larvae of some species which were recorded in our study such as D. glaucus, D. eremita, D. oo and S. pulla usually feed on oak as their host-plant. The collected localities of these moths in the studied areas include the oakwood forests. However, further studies are necessary for providing detailed information on the bionomics of some of our collected species.

All of our three new records for the fauna of Iran were collected in autumn which indicates the importance of investigating the autumn fauna in Iran. This period seems to be less explored than spring fauna. These results together with several new provincial records in our study point out that the Iranian fauna of Noctuidae still needs more intensive samplings to discover its unknown species. Moreover, since threats hanging over the fauna of Iranian ecosystems (JOWKAR et al., 2016), we should have the chance to finish compiling the inventory of the moth fauna before it disappears. Meanwhile, the knowledge of Noctuoidea in Iran suffers from the lack of identification books which contain high quality photos, detailed diagnostic characters and provincial distribution maps.

Acknowledgment

All supports provided by Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz are greatly appreciated. The authors sincerely thank Dr. Peter Gyulai and Dr. Laszlo Ronkay for their kind help in identification of materials. We appreciate Dr. M.M. Rabieh from University of Birjand who collected D. eberti, E. minutoides and P. schistochlora. We also thank Dr. Mahtab Arab as well as generous help of the people at villages of Dehsard, Sarbijan, Hishin, Alaadin-Olia, Saqder, Mohammad-Abad and Dalfard in Kerman province during sampling programs. Finally, a special thank is extended to Dr. Hossein Rajaei the curator of Lepidoptera collection of Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History, Germany for his support during collection visit of M. Esfandiari. This study was financially supported by Iran National Science Foundation (INSF).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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