Polyommatus (Aricia) crassipunctus varicolor ssp. n., a new subspecies from Iran (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Date: 2009

Pub:  Nachrichten des Entomologischen Vereins Apollo. 30(1/2) 9-17

Author(s): ten Hagen, W., & Schurian, K. G

Abstract: From the central Zagros Mountains in Iran a new subspecies of the lycaenid Polyommarus (Aricia) crassipunctus (CHRISTOPH, 1893) is described: varicolor ssp. n. The butterflies are similar to the nominotypical subspecies from eastern Anatolia (Kasikoparan, Agri), but differ by the greenish tint of the blue ground color on the upperside of ♂♂ as well as by the more intensive colouration of maculae and ocelli on the underside of the wings, producing their own appearance. The blue butterfly is polyvoltine and could be found from May to July at 2450 m above sea level. Ab-ovo breeding was successful until pupation. At the type locality (prov. Esfahan, Fereydoun Shahr) larvae feed on Geranium persicum SCHÖNBECK-TEMERSY (Geraniaceae). Preimaginal instars and genitalia did not show significant differences to other members of the anteros-crassipunctus group. First prelimery results of DNA barcoding justify the subspecific level.