Porphyrophora chelodonta Vahedi

(Fig. 71, distribution map Fig. 92A)

Porphyrophora chelodonta Vahedi 2007 in Vahedi & Hodgson, 2007: 40.

Field characteristics: Appearance of live specimens not recorded.

Microscopic diagnosis: Slide-mounted adult female broadly oval; both surfaces of body quite sparsely covered with long hair-like setae and small setae. Antennae each with 7 segments; sensillum placodeum on antennal segment IV usually present, small and circular, containing 1–3 or 4 sensilla; segments I‒III, V and VI naked; apical segment enlarged, bearing some flagellate setae, several fleshy setae and sensilla. Prothoracic legs each with a wide femur, deeply curved posteriorly at an angle of about 80˚; tarsus fused with claw; enlarged claw very short (claw length less than 1.7x basal width) and pointed, with a serrate edge. Thoracic spiracles each with a long apodeme; each peritreme with about 6 spiracular disc-pores, and a group of 2–4 perispiracular sensilla on lateral margin. Abdominal spiracles apparently absent. Multilocular disc-pores each normally with 1 or 2 rings of loculi; outer ring with about 8–14 loculi and inner ring with up to 10 loculi; pores present across each segment in transverse bands 2 pores wide. Anal opening situated in a naked area surrounded by numerous setae.

Distribution: Porphyrophora chelodonta is known only from Iran, Kermanshah province (Vahedi & Hodgson 2007).

Host-plants: On an unidentified plant.

Economic importance: Porphyrophora chelodonta is of no economic importance in Iran.

Natural enemies: None recorded in Iran.