Catocala Schrank species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Iran with new distribution data

Abstract

The holarctic moth genus Catocala Schrank (1802) (Erebidae: Erebinae, Catocalini) includes about 300 species that are often monophagous on oak (Quercus), willow (Salix) and poplar (Populus). In this research, we studied the moths of the genus Catocala in Iran that were collected by light traps in different Iranian provinces, mostly during 2010 –2018. Our results revealed eight species and two subspecies of Catocala from the provinces of Kermanshah, Lorestan, Chaharmahal-va Bakhtiari, Ilam, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh-va Boyerahmad, Fars, Kerman, Khorasan-e Jonubi, Yazd and Khorasan-e Razavi. Among the records there are 14 new provincial records. Overall, we list 20 species and four subspecies of Catocala as occurring in Iran. This list is compiled from our own research and a review of existing literature.