Dasypolia templi (Thunberg, 1792)

(Figs. 1–4, 30, 31, 46, 55)

Noctua templi Thunberg, 1792, Dissertatio Entomologicae 4: 56, pl. 4 (Type-locality: Sweden).

Material Examined. 2 females, 22.v.2011, Altai terr., Krasnoschekovo distr., Tigireksky Ridge, Tigirek vill. env., h = 450 m. On light [Coll. AVB]; 3 male, 26–28.ix.2009, Altai Republic, Ulagan district, Aktash village, bottom of southern steppe stony slope, h = 1350 m. 50°19' N, 87°35' E. On light. Nakonechny A.N. leg. [Coll. AVB]; 2 females, 03.v.2010, same locality, Volynkin A.V. leg. [Coll. AVB]; 2 males, 18.x.2010, Altai Republic, Shebalino district, Shebalino village, 51°18' N, 85°41' E. Nakonechny A.N. leg. [Coll. AVB]; 2 males, 26.ix.2011, Altai Republic, Ongudai district, NW Tuekta env., 53º10'31'' N, 83º46'53'' E, h = 900 m. On light. Volynkin A.V. leg. [Coll. AVB]; 1 female, Altai, Teletskoye lake, 29.iv.1982, A. Esenin [leg.] / ex coll. A.V. Nekrasov [Coll. ZISP]; 2 males, 11.iv.1961, Altai, Yajlyu [Coll. SZMN].

Diagnosis. D. templi is well distinguished from other Altaian Dasypolia species by larger size and wing pattern. Externally it strongly varies in size and wing coloration from red brown to brown olive. The male genitalia (Figs. 30, 31) vary in the width of the cucculus, the length of harpe and the size of diverticuli of vesica.

Bionomics & Distribution. This species is common and widely distributed in the Altai Mountains. It inhabits mesophilous and xerophilous biotopes at low and medium altitudes. Larvae feed on Apiaceae (Ronkay et al. 2001). More broadly, the species is widely distributed in the temperate zone of Eurasia from Europe eastward to Transbaikalia southward to the Pamir Mts. Some authors divide this polymorphic species into a number (up to twelwe) of subspecies (Ronkay et al. 2001). Taking into account the high level of polymorphism in the habitus and genitalic morphology even within one population, the infraspecific structure of D. templi requires revision.