LEPIDOPTERA

• N Y M P H A L I D A E Swainson, 1827

  • MELITAEA Fabricius, 1807

    
    

    • Melitaea solona Alpheraky, 1881

Melitaea solona Alpheraky, 1881

• TYPE LOCALITY. «... le Tian-Chian... entre 4 et 9000' d'elevation, du Kounquesse, qui'en Aout sur le Jouldousse». «Kounguesse» [Kulja, Kunges Valley, W. China]. Lectotype designation by Churkin et al. (2000).

• DISTRIBUTION AND VARIATION. The E. Tian-Shan, China is populated by the nominotypical form. The N. Tian-Shan (Zailiisky Alatau Mts.) supports the ssp. filipjeui Churkin, Kolesnichenko et Tuzov, 2000. From the Central Tian-Shan (Sary-Dzhaz and Kokshaal-Tau mt. ranges), the ssp. plyushchi Churkin, Kolesnichenko et Tuzov, 2000 is known. The E. Alai Mts. and the Inner Tian-Shan are populated by the ssp. pletneui Churkin. Kolesnichenko et Tuzov, 2000; the E. Transalai Mts. by the ssp. evadne Hemming, 1934 (= pallida Staudinger, 1901, nom. praeoccup.).

• HABITAT AND BIOLOGY. Rubble-clad slopes and mountain ridges with poor vegetation at about 3,000-4,000 m a.s.l. Flight period: June to July.

• SIMILAR SPECIES. Melitaea sultanensis: genitalia different. M. pallas, M. minerva: inner part of median band on UNH whitish. M. ludmilla: discal cell on UPH with a black oval spot at external border; median band on UNH silvery; genitalia different.

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