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LEPIDOPTERA

Aglais nixa (Grum-Grshimailo, 1890)
Aglais nixa (Grum-Grshimailo, 1890)

• TYPE LOCALITY. We designate here the lectotype of nixa from the BMNH. Lectotype: male, with the following labels: 1 - ORIG (green circle, printed), 2 - Elwes coil. 1902-85 (white, printed), 3 - Hissar Mt. (white, handwritten), 4 - 5.VI.92. XoA^a MexMeTb-Masap (white, handwritten), 5 - Lectotype. Aglais nixa Grum-Grshimailo (red square).

• RANGE. Ghissar-Darvaz, Pamirs-Alai, Afghanistan, Pakistan, W. China.

• DISTRIBUTION AND VARIATION. The Ghissar-Darvaz is populated by the nomino-typical form. Specimens from the Pamirs-Alai probably represent a separate subspecies. The taxon A. urticae chinensis Leech, 1893, described from China, seems to be a subspecies of A. nixa.

• TAXONOMIC NOTES. In some places (e.g., eastern part of Alaisky Mts.), A. nixa has been found together with A. urticae.

• HABITATS AND BIOLOGY.Meadows, screes, valleys of rivers and streams at about 2,500-4,000 m a. S.I. Flight from earlier spring to autumn, probably in two genera­tions. Host plant: Urtica. Instar 1 larvae gregarious, later instars solitary. Pupation either on host plants or under stones. Hibernation imaginal.

• SIMILAR SPECIES. Aglais urticae: UNF with a yellow area at base. A. rizana: UNS anthracite black; black spot at anal margin of FW merged with median spot and with a darkened basal area. A. caschmirensis: UPS with a more strongly developed black marking and dark dust, ground colour reddish brown; black spot at anal margin of FW merged both with median spot and basal darkened area; a large tooth on vein M^ present.

Photo and text: Guide to the BUTTERFLIES OF RUSSIA and adjacent territories Volume 2. PENSOFT, Sofia - Moscow. 2000