Tettigometra (Tettigometra) sulphurea Mulsant et Rey 1855

Tettigometra (Tettigometra) sulphurea Mulsant et Rey, 1855

(Figs 20a–b and 36)

Tettigometra sulphurea Mulsant et Rey, 1855: 209

T. sulphurea Mulsant & Rey: Mirzayans et al. (1976), Dlabola (1981), Mirzayans (1995), Mozaffarian & Wilson (2011), Mozaffarian (2014).

Material examined. Alborz province: Karaj, 15.x.1974, leg. Sabzevari, 1 specimen (HMIM); Azarbaijan-e Sharghi province: Tabriz, Osku, Kandovan, 37°54’N 46°05’E, 1.x.1975, leg. Sadeghzadeh, 8 specimen (HMIM), Ahar-Kalibar Rd., 15 km Kalibar, 1582 m., 38°45’N 47°6’E, 2.ix.2007, leg. Mozaffarian, 1 specimen (HMIM); Esfahan province: Chadegan, Zayandehrood river, 2065m., 32°43’N 50°44’E, 20.vi.2009, leg. Mozaffarian, 1 specimen (HMIM), Daran, 32°58’N 50°24’E, 30.vi.1970, leg. Safavi / Haschemi, 1 specimen (HMIM), Ghom- Esfahan, 29.vi.1970, leg. Safavi / Haschemi, 1 specimen (HMIM); Fars province: 16 km N. Shiraz, 14.vi.2002, leg. R. Linnavuori, 1 specimen (NMWC), Fasa, Mianjangal, 18-19.vi.2006, leg. R. Linnavuori, 1 specimen (NMWC), Firuzabad, 15–16.vi.2006, leg. R. Linnavuori, 1 specimen (NMWC), Gavkoshak, 29°38’N 51°48’E, 27.vi.1975, leg. Abaii, 1 specimen (HMIM), Maharlu, 14-15.vi.2003, leg. R. & S. Linnavuori, 2 specimens (NMWC), Maharlu, 1718. vi.2002, leg. R. Linnavuori, 3 specimens (NMWC), Mianjangal, 18 – 19.6.2006, leg. R. Linnavuori, 1 specimen (NMWC), Sarvestan, 10.vi.1996, leg. R. Linnavuori, 1 specimen (NMWC), Zargan, Bamoo Nat. Park, 13–14.vi.1996, leg. R. Linnavuori, 1 specimen (NMWC); Ghazvin province: Takestan, Band-e Delavar, 5.vii.2006, leg. Mozaffarian / Nematian, 1 specimen (HMIM); Ghom province: Salafchegan, Dizijan, 1550m., 29.vii.1997, leg. Barari / Mofidi, 1 specimen (HMIM); Gilan province: Sangrud, 19–20.viii.2002, leg. R. & S. Linnavuori, 2 specimens (NMWC), Sangrud, 20.ix.2007, leg. R. Linnavuori, 4 specimens (NMWC), Sangrud, 21.ix.2000, leg. R. Linnavuori, 6 specimens (NMWC), Sangrud, 4.viii.1998, 19–20.viii.2002, leg. R. Linnavuori, 5 specimen (NMWC), Sangrud, Jirandeh, 25.vi. 1996, leg. R. Linnavuori, 1 specimen (NMWC); Golestan province: Golestan National Park, Sulgerd, 1150m., 20–21.vii.1996, leg. Ebrahimi / V. Nazari, 1 specimen (HMIM); Hormozgan province: Bandar-Abbas, Geno Mountain, Bagh-e Tang, 410m, 27°24’N 56°12’E, 7–8.v.1977, leg. Pazuki, 1 specimen (HMIM); Kermanshah province: 30 Km Kermanshah-Sanandaj Rd., Cham-e Luch, 2.vii.1975, leg. Nuri, 1 specimen (HMIM), Ravansar, 18.ix.1976, leg. Nuri, 1 specimen (HMIM); Khorasan-e Shomali province: Zard, 100 km WNW Bojnurd, 13.7.1994, leg. R. Linnavuori, 4 specimen (NMWC); Kordestan province: 15 Km Sanandaj, 13.vii.1975, 2 specimens (HMIM); Markazi province: 30km. Delijan, 33°59’N 50°40’E, 29.VI.1970, leg. Safavi / Haschemi, 1 specimen (HMIM); Tehran province: Evin, 12–13.vii.1974, 3 specimens (HMIM).

Distribution and habitat. Southern, Western and Eastern Europe, North parts of Western Asia, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia (Mozaffarian & Wilson 2011). The distribution of the species in Iran (Fig. 36) appears to be in the continuation of its distribution from western European countries to, north and northeast of Iran. Dlabola (1981) recognized this species as an arboreal-pontomediterranean faunal element which can be found in forest steppes and steppes with Alhagi, Artemisia, Populus alba and Salim. The examined specimens has also been attracted to a light trap and found on alfalfa and sunflower fields, vinyards and near water with Typha, Mentha sp. and Salix. The examined specimens were collected from 410 m to 2650 m elevation which is a noticeable range. The wide distribution range of the species together with the noticeable morphological variation of the species might suggest hight ability of adapting to various environmental conditions including different elevations. However, the possibility of the existence of cryptic species may be another explanation.