Nychiodes rayatica Wiltshire 1957

Nychiodes rayatica Wiltshire, 1957

(figs 41, 42, 105; map 2)

Nychiodes rayatica Wiltshire, 1957. The Lepidoptera of Iraq, 111. Holotype ♂, Paratypes 2 ♂ (Iraq, Haj Omran), (in BMNH, examined).

Type material examined. Holotype, ♂, Iraq, Kurdistan, Rayat, 24.vi.[19]35, E.P. Wiltshire, Geometridae genitalia slide No. 11019; Paratype, 1 ♂, Iraq, Rayat, Haj Omran, 5000-6000 ft. [1524-1829 m], larva 2-13.vi.[19]56, hatched 1.vii.[19]56, E.P. Wiltshire; all in BMNH.

Additional material studied: 2 ♂ (see appendix).

Diagnosis. Wingspan ♂ 33–35 mm (Wiltshire (1957) measured 38–40 mm) (forewing length ♂ 18–21) (figs 41, 42). Ground colour of wings beige to light brown with slightly darker basal and medial areas. The species can be confused, in external appearance, with several Nychiodes species (N. antiquaria, N. divergaria, N. leviata, N. convergata sp. nov. and N. eberti sp. nov.), but unique male genitalia of N. rayatica differentiate it from all the others (examination of male genitalia is necessary for reliable identification). The male genitalia of N. rayatica is characterized by a large and broad apical part of the costa of valva, which is exceeding the apex of the valva (see fig. 105), this character is similar in N. antiquaria, N. convergata sp. nov. and N. eberti sp. nov., but all these species differ in the shape of ampulla superior and inferior (see figs 100, 120–123). Furthermore, the aedeagus of N. rayatica is very small and short compared to those in N. antiquaria, N. convergata sp. nov. and N. eberti sp. nov. (figs 100b, 105b, 120 b–123b). Female genitalia of N. rayatica are unknown.

Phenology. Univoltine (Wiltshire 1957). Specimens collected during June and July.

Biology. Larva recorded on Amygdalus sp. (Wiltshire 1957).

Habitat. Recorded in altitudes from 1524 up to 2300 m.

Distribution. Wiltshire (1957) suggested an occurrence of this species on neighbouring mountains in northwestern Iran and eastern Turkey, which we confirmed here. Recorded in Iraq, eastern Turkey and here we report this species from north-western Iran as a new element for the fauna of this country (map 2).

DNA barcoding. No data available.