HYLES SALANGENSIS (Ebert, 1969)

UK: Salang Hawkmoth

Type locality: Salang Pass, eastern Afghanistan.

(Taxonomic note. The number of specimens caught over many years indicated that this taxon was a valid species. This is now confirmed by Hundsdörfer et al. (2017), who demonstrate that it is most closely related to Hyles nicaea (de Prunner, 1798) and Hyles gallii (Rottemburg, 1775).)

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL AFFILIATION

Holarctic; western Palaearctic region. Pleistocene refuge: Unknown -- its present-day distribution suggests an origin within the Afghan secondary centre in the Turkestan refuge.

ADULT DESCRIPTION AND VARIATION

Wingspan: 55--70mm. Gives the impression of being a dark hybrid between Hyles hippophaes (Esper, 1789) and Hyles euphorbiae (Linnaeus, 1758), although some specimens may resemble Hyles euphorbiae robertsi (Butler, 1880). Lacks an aroliumon on the pretarsus.

ADULT BIOLOGY

Little known. In the Salang Pass it flies at 2000--2700m.

FLIGHT-TIME

Early July.

EARLY STAGES

Unknown.

PARASITOIDS

Unknown.

DISTRIBUTION

Salang Pass, Afghanistan, and surrounding mountains.

Extra-limital range. None.