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The tribe Tomarini is represented by the sole genus Tomares, comprising about eight species distributed from the western Mediterranean to Central Asia. We carried out a multilocus phylogenetic and a biogeographical analysis to test the taxonomy of the genus by several molecular species delimitation methods and reveal patterns shaping the current distribution of Tomares. The phylogenetic analysis based on four molecular markers recovered the monophyly of the genus and recovered two deep-branching lineages: an African clade and an Asian clade. Species delimitation analyses suggested six or ten putative species depending on the method applied. The haplotype network analysis of the Tomares nogelii clade revealed no phylogeographical and taxonomic structure. We consider the taxon Tomares nesimachus (syn. nov.) a synonym of T. nogelii and reinstate Tomares callimachus dentata stat. rev. for populations from south-eastern Turkey. Tomares originated between the early Oligocene and the early Miocene, most probably in south-west Asia. The split of the most recent common ancestor of Tomares occurred between the middle-late Miocene and middle-late Pliocene, probably as a response to increasing aridification and habitat fragmentation. Differentiation of the Asian clade took place in south-west Asia during the Pliocene and Pleistocene and coincided temporally with the evolution of Tomares host plants of the genus Astragalus (Fabaceae).

A new species of the Plebejus samudra (Moore, 1874) group is described from the vicinities of Kabul in eastern Afghanistan. It differs from the geographically adjacent species in colouration and ch...

The structure of the diet of passerine bird nestlings was analyzed in order to identify possible ways to reduce food competition between these species during the breeding period. We assumed that analysis of the effects of obtaining diets of heterospecific birds by nestlings in nature can help better understand their species-specific adaptations to living conditions, and we considered the case of joint nesting of the coal tit (Periparus ater (L. 1758)) (CT) and pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca (Pallas 1764)) (PF) in Moscow oblast as a key link. A PF male attracted a female to an artificial nest box, which has been already occupied by a CT pair. The females of both species incubated a mixed clutch sitting side by side. The CT nestlings hatched earlier than the PF nestlings, and the parents of both species began to feed them. The CT nestlings started to die one by one on the 4th day of joint feeding, and the last nestling died on the 11th day. This case encouraged us to compare the diets of nestlings from 22 broods of CTs and PFs in the same region. To compare the ratios of nestlings, we collected the portions of food that were delivered to nestlings by their parents and analyzed video recordings from the nests. The diet of PF nestlings was significantly more diverse than in CT nestlings (Berger–Parker reverse indices (1/d) were 3.01 and 2.11, respectively). Caterpillars and spiders (objects with a high content of carotenoids and taurine important for the development of nestlings) dominated in the CT diet. In PF feed, these objects occupied a much smaller portion. In addition to the above, compared with coal tits, PFs brought the following to nestlings: a significant number of objects with rough, highly chitinized covers (Coleoptera, Homoptera, etc.); objects with a sharp taste, such as true bugs (Heteroptera), ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), and millipedes (Diplopoda, Julidae); insects containing cantharidin toxin (soldier beetles, Coleoptera, Cantharidae). The nestlings developed successfully in PF nests to which parents brought such feed objects. The dimensional ranges of objects in the CT and PF diets completely overlapped. According to our opinion, the rougher, highly chitinized food and some poisonous insects (Cantharidae) in the PF diet make fundamentally important differences in the nutrition of PFs and CTs. Most likely, PFs have resistance to cantharidin and some other toxins that are contained in insects and therefore have a wider trophic niche.

Poorly known taxa of the Neolycaena (Rhymnaria) davidi (Oberthür, 1881) species group are reviewed in the light of modern findings. The taxon kozlovi Zhdanko, 1996 previously considered a subspecies of N. (R.) davidi is recognised here as a separate species, N. (R.) kozlovi Zhdanko, 1996, stat. rev., including the subspecies N. (R.) kozlovi namkhaidorji Churkin, 2004, comb. nov., based on morphological differences, the geographic isolation and ecological specialisation. A new species, N. (R.) markhasiovi sp. n., is described from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China (Eastern Tian Shan, the Karlik Mountains) on the basis of distinct genitalia morphology and features of the external morphology, including colouration of the female abdomen. Populations of the subgenus Rhymnaria from southern Tuva in Russia (the Tannu-Ola Mountains) are described as a separate subspecies, N. (R.) davidi tannuola ssp. n. A checklist of the taxa of the N. (R.) davidi species group including data on their distribution and host plants is presented, as well as a key to the species of the group.

A new epicopeiid species, Deuveia panda sp. n., is described from northeastern Sichuan, China. The new species differs from the sole congeneric species, D. banghaasi (Hering, 1936), in the remarkable black and white colouration pattern of the wings, the shape of the wings and the shape of the valva, juxta and aedeagus. The new species is geographically isolated from all known localities of D. banghaasi by highlands of the Min Mountains.

Colias palaeno (Linnaeus, 1761) is reported from Altai Krai for the first time. The DNA barcode of the collected specimen was analysed and compared with molecular data on European populations of C. palaeno available in the public databases GenBank (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and BOLD (http://www.boldsystems.org). The molecular analysis has shown that the specimen from Altai Krai shares mitochondrial barcode with some specimens from mountain populations of the Alps and the Czech Republic, and differs significantly from lowland populations of C. palaeno from Central and Northern Europe.

The female of lappet moth species Poecilocampa deqina Saldaitis & Pekarsky, 2015 recently described from northwestern Yunnan Province, China based on male specimens is reported for the first time. The female, pupa and pupal case of P. deqina are described and illustrated here for the first time. External morphology of the female as well as characters of pupa are discussed and compared with close species. Data on biology of P. deqina is provided.

A new species of elfin blue, Cissatsuma berezowskii Krupitsky sp.n., is described from the northwestern Sichuan Province, China, based on two old museum specimens, a male and a female. The new species differs from the most closely related one, C. albilinea (Riley, 1932), in lack of white band of ventral wing surfaces, broadened blue area of dorsal wing surfaces in female, and morphology of the male and female genitalia. The distribution map of the new species and C. albilinea is provided.

In the present paper we refine the systematic position of an unclear lycaenine taxon povolnyi Howarth & Povolny, 1976 previously known only from the holotype male. Based on the appearance and morphology of the male genitalia we recognize it as a subspecies of Athamanthia balucha (Howarth & Povolny 1976)—A. b. povolnyi (Howarth & Povolny, 1976), comb. nov. Morphology of the subspecies is redescribed, female is described and illustrated for the first time, and distribution data are added taking into consideration recent findings in Bamyan province of Afghanistan. Taxon athamantides Eckweiler & ten Hagen, 2001 from Central and Southeast Iran is also treated as a subspecies of A. balucha—A. b. athamantides (Eckweiler & ten Hagen, 2001), comb. nov.—based on the similarity of the male genitalia and the wing pattern with A. balucha.

A new species, Bembecia altyntaghica sp. nov. from the Altyn-Tagh Mts., Gansu, West China, is described and illustrated. The data on its biotope and host plant are presented and illustrated as well. An annotated catalogue of the Chinese members of the genus Bembecia is added to this paper. The catalogue contains the following information: the references to the original descriptions, information on name-bearing types, complete bibliographies of the presented taxa, data on host plants and distribution. Here below the Oriental species Bembecia fortis Diakonoff, 1967 is transferred to the genus Oligophlebia Hampson, 1893 comb. nov. (Sesiidae: Paraglosseciini).

The taxonomic status is clarified for the lycaenine taxon Chrysophanus phoenicurus transcaucasicus Miller, 1923 described from one male collected in eastern Turkey and currently treated within the genus Athamanthia Zhdanko, 1983. Based on the appearance and morphology of the male genitalia compared with A. phoenicurus (Lederer, 1870), it is recognized here as a separate species, A. transcaucasica (Miller, 1923), stat. nov. (= Lycaena melicertes Nekrutenko, 1985). Its holotype is lost, and a neotype is designated herein from recent material collected near the type locality to retain nomenclatural stability. A key to the species of the A. phoenicurus group based on wings pattern and male genitalia is presented.

The taxonomic status is clarified for the lycaenine taxon Chrysophanus phoenicurus transcaucasicus Miller, 1923 described from one male collected in eastern Turkey and currently treated within the genus Athamanthia Zhdanko, 1983. Based on the appearance and morphology of the male genitalia compared with A. phoenicurus (Lederer, 1870), it is recognized here as a separate species, A. transcaucasica (Miller, 1923), stat. nov. (= Lycaena melicertes Nekrutenko, 1985). Its holotype is lost, and a neotype is designated herein from recent material collected near the type locality to retain nomenclatural stability. A key to the species of the A. phoenicurus group based on wings pattern and male genitalia is presented.

A new species, recently misinterpreted as Callophrys mystaphia Miller, 1913, Callophrys mystaphioides Krupitsky & Kolesnichenko sp. n., is described from Central Iran (Esfahan Province). The new species differs from C. mystaphia in the combination of external characters and morphology of genitalia. Possible relations of C. mystaphia—species group with other Palaearctic Callophrys are discussed.

In the present paper we refine the systematic position of an unclear lycaenine taxon povolnyi HowarthPovolny, 1976 previously known only from the holotype male. Based on the appearance and morphology of the male genitalia we recognize it as a subspecies of Athamanthia balucha (HowarthPovolny 1976)-A. b. povolnyi (HowarthPovolny, 1976), comb. nov. Morphology of the subspecies is redescribed, female is described and illustrated for the first time, and distribution data are added taking into consideration recent findings in Bamyan province of Afghanistan. Taxon athamantides Eckweilerten Hagen, 2001 from Central and Southeast Iran is also treated as a subspecies of A. balucha-A. b. athamantides (Eckweilerten Hagen, 2001), comb. nov.-based on the similarity of the male genitalia and the wing pattern with A. balucha.

A new species from the Callophrys paulae Pfeiffer, 1932 species group--C. succuba sp. n.--is described from the mountains of Central Afghanistan, Bamyan Province. The new species differs from the geographically close C. p. jomuda NekrutenkoTshikolovets in morphology of the male and female genitalia along with the distinct wavy shape of the postdiscal white line on the hindwing underside. Discovery of the new species from C. paulae species group extends known distribution range of the group to the eastern part of the Iranian Plateau in Central Afghanistan.

А new species and a new subspecies of Satyrium Scudder, 1876 (subfamily Theclinae, tribe Eumaeini) from the subgenera Superflua Strand, 1910 and Armenia DubatolovKorshunov, 1984 respectively are described from Bamyan Province, Central Afghanistan-S. (S.) skrylniki sp. n. and S. (A.) hyrcanica bamiana ssp. n. The new species of Superflua belongs to the Iranian complex of species. It inhabits the territory of Afghanistan, being isolated from two other species of the subgenus known from the territory in question. The new subspecies of Armenia is also found in isolation both from the nominate subspecies and two Middle and Central Asian subspecies. Both findings clarify some aspects of zoogeography of the Central Afghanistan mountains.

A new species, recently misinterpreted as Callophrys mystaphia Miller, 1913, Callophrys mystaphioides KrupitskyKolesnichenko sp. n., is described from Central Iran (Esfahan Province). The new species differs from C. mystaphia in the combination of external characters and morphology of genitalia. Possible relations of C. mystaphia--species group with other Palaearctic Callophrys are discussed.

Basing on external differences and taking into consideration all modern data on a distribution of C. suaveola, the new subspecies, Callophrys suaveola kozlovi ssp. n., is described from Mongolian Altai. The new subspecies is сharacterized by the large androconial spots of males and details of colouration of wings.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the identity of the type species of the lycaenine genus Phoenicurusia Verity, 1943 so that the name can be used correctly in future taxonomic work. Phoenicurusia was originally typified by Polyommatus phoenicurus Lederer, 1870 which is currently treated as a member of the genus Athamanthia Zhdanko, 1983 (Bozano & Weidenhoffer 2001). However, the specimen examined and illustrated by Verity (1943) to diagnose the genus was an individual of Polyommatus phoenicurus var. margelanica Staudinger, 1881 currently treated as a distinct species. Consequently, Verity’s original typification was based on a misidentification. In order to make Phoenicurusia available, and taking in consideration differences in the male genitalia structure supporting distinct genera Phoenicurusia and Athamanthia , its type species is fixed under Article 70.3.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (1999) as Polyommatus phoenicurus var. margelanica .

A new species from the Callophrys paulae Pfeiffer, 1932 species group--C. succuba sp. n.--is described from the mountains of Central Afghanistan, Bamyan Province. The new species differs from the geographically close C. p. jomuda Nekrutenko & Tshikolovets in morphology of the male and female genitalia along with the distinct wavy shape of the postdiscal white line on the hindwing underside. Discovery of the new species from C. paulae species group extends known distribution range of the group to the eastern part of the Iranian Plateau in Central Afghanistan.