Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 87. (Budapest 1995)

Bálint, Zs.: Two new Polyommatus species from the Himalayan region (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Polyommatini)

Bionomics - The species is most probably univoltine, flying in mountainous conditions, most probably in the Transhimalayan area. The tendency of loosing the dark elements of the markings suggest that the taxon is breeding under very dry, arid circumstances (HOVANITZ 1979). The larval hostplant and the nectar sources of the imagines arc unknown. Remarks - The superficial appearance of the taxon is remarkable, and it is easily distinguishable by the following characters: (1) Pattern. The maculations on both of the wings are strongly reduced, the submedian patches are very small, hindwing basal area with extended gleaming bluish scales, submedian and conspicuous white polyommatine spot along vein M3. (2) Sympatry. Other, closely related species as P. arene and P. nepalensis were also collected along with the type material. Only two close relatives, namely "Polyommatus stoliczkanus arene" and "Polyommatus nepalensis" were known to occur in Nepal (SHIELDS 1982: 75-76, SMITH 1989: 136-137). Another species, which is the most closely related species according to its superficial appearance, P. stoliczkanus was exclusively reported from the Ladakh region, North India. Consequently P. pierinoi and P. stoliczkanus are allopatric, while P. pierinoi, P. pseuderos and P. ariánus seem to be sympatric (see Discussion). The BMNH expedition, which resulted in the primary types and several paratype specimens, collected another still undescribed lycaenid species of the Albulina s.l. group in Sabze Khola, which shows a remarkable pattern reduction recalling some high Andean polyommatines (BÁLINT, in preparation). 7 Figs 7-8. 7 - Male genitalia of Polyommatus fraterluci sp. n., holotype, gen. prep. No. 218, BÁLINT, 8 = Male genitalia of P. pierinoi sp. n., gen. prep. No. 220, BÁLINT