Pachypasa otus (Drury, 1773)

Fig. 20, last instar larva.

Sphinx otus Drury, 1773, Illustr. Nat. Hist. Exot. Insects 2: Index to 1. TL: [Turkey, Izmir] Smyrna. Pachypasa otus fulvescens Kotzsch, 1932, Int. Ent. Z. 25(43): 440. TL: Syria, Akbes. Types: [eine Anzahl]. References: Barou 1967: 54; Modarres Awal 1994 & 1997: 209.

Distribution (Map 37): southern Europe, Transcausasus, Turkey, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq. - In Iran: Kohkiluyeh va Boyerahmad, Kermanshah, Ilam provinces.

MAP 37. Pachypasa otus (Drury, 1773).

Bionomics. The biology of this species in Iran is poorly known. It occurs from 1125 to 2210 m and is on the wing from late June to August. In Transcaucasus the species inhabits humid mountain forests dominated by oak and Juniperus trees. The caterrpillars are reported as polyphagous but mostly noted from Quercus spp., Pinus spp, Juniperus spp. (J. foetidissima, J. polycarpos), Pistacia pudica and Cypressus spp.; in Iraq larvae are reported from Quercus and Pistacia (Wiltshire 1957: 44). Modarres Awal (1994, 1997) lists pistachio, oak, juniper and Cupressus sempervirens var. cereiformis as host plants in Iran. One generation develops every two years (at least in Caucasus) with hibernation as a mid instar. A yellowish colored population from western Iran belongs to subspecies fulvescens Kotzsch, which was described from Syria.

Material Examined: 8 males, W. Iran, Karmanschahan, Gholladje Pass, 40 km S. Schahabad, 1880 m, 13.VII 1975, leg. Ebert & Falkner (SMK); 2 males, Iran, Shiraz, Fars (CMSW). (HMIM): Kermanshah: Ghalladjeh, Schahabad, 1800 m, 18.VIII.1996, leg. Nazari V., Barari & Parchami; Ghaladjeh Paas, 38 km S Schahabad, 1880 m, 13.VII.1975, leg. Pazuki A.; Chaharzebar-e-Olya, Mahidasht, 1500 m, 21.VIII.1996, leg. Parchami, Barari & Nazari V. Ilam: Chovar, 1125 m, 20.VIII.1996, leg. Parchami, Barari & Nazari V.; Ilam (Kermanshah), 03.VII.1973,. Kohkiluyeh va Boyerahmad: Sisakht vicinity, 2430 m, last instar larva (Fig. ???), 22.VI.2005, leg. Zahiri & Mont.; Yasuj, 24.VI.1987,.; Maymand, 5 km N, Dena Mnt., 2210 m, 18– 20.VIII.1976, leg. Pazuki & Borumand. Fars: Chahchenar, Mamasani, 8.VIII.1976, leg. Abai M.; Shiraz,.