S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 43/1. (Budapest, 1982)

FOLIA ENTOMOLOGICA HUNGARICA ROVARTANI KÖZLEMÉNYEK XLIII. 1. 1982 p. 147-150 Notes on the genus Agrochola Hübner, 1821 By L. RONKAY and Z. MÉSZÁROS (Received December 1, 1981) Abstract: The occurrence of two Agrochola species, new for the European fauna is reported from SW Bulgaria. One of them is a new, distinct subspecies. Collections were made on two occasions by the authors and colleagues in the autumn of 1981 (between 20 and 30 of September and 19 and 29 of October) in the Southwestern part of Bulgaria. Main collection areas were around Sofia and in the Southern part of the Pirin Mountains (Melnik, Struma valley, Kresna). Study of the collected material has only been started but it can be seen that a number of interesting species were caught. So, for example, Griposia pinkeri Kobes was collected, which had been described from Anatolia (KOBES, 1973), and this second collection site is new for this species in Europe (MÉSZÁROS et S ZABOK Y, in print). A further interesting species is Xylena lunifera Warren, which had been reported on in Europe by KÖNIG (1975), and a few new collection sites had been discovered only recently (von MENTZER, 1979, MOBERG, 1981 and MÉSZÁROS, in print). This species is missing from the HARTIG-HEINICKE checklist for Europe. The two Agrochola species discussed here (

Agrochola gratiosa Staudinger, 1881, Agrochola rupicapra kresnaensis ssp.n.) are to be regarded as new for the European fauna as well. Their range and behaviour is not well known, and references concerning them are old. Type locality for A. gratiosa Staudinger is Amasia, catalogues of S TAU DINGER-REBEL (1901, "Pont.") and HAMPSON (1906, Asia Minor, Pontus) also indicate only this territory, just as Warren (in SEITZ). Its larva and host plant is unknown. Structure of the male genitalia is reported by BOURSIN (1951), and it is very similar in shape the those of species of the genus Conistra. Valvae and harpe are similarly shaped, while the aedoeagus is lightly chitinized, without cornuti, short. Specimens collected in Bulgaria are dark tobacco brown, their venation with light irroration, design marked and contrasty, first of all In males (Table 1.). Their genitalia did not show significant deviation as compared to genitalia of a specimen originating from the type locality, the only difference was the fultura inferior being wider at the base. For thorough taxonomic studies more material needed, it is possible, that we deal with a geographical subspecies. The species is on the wing early, as compared to the pontomediterranean Agrochola, in the last decade of September part of the specimens was shabby. At this time occurred first specimens of Aporophyla nigra Hübner, A. australis Boisduval, Ammoconia senex Hübner-Geyer, Polymixis canescens Duponchel. Collection data: Melnik, 24.09.1981, 2 ri? Kresna, 25.09.1981, 3 3 specimens were collected P. GYULAI, K. SZEOKE and the authors. Agrochola rupicapra Staudinger, 1879 is known also from Asia Minor and Pontus. The specimens captured in Bulgaria differs from the nominate subspecies in both colouring and structure of male genitalia.