LEPIDOPTERA
PIERIDAE Duponchel,1835
COLIAS Fabricius,1807
Colias staudingeri Alpheraky, 1881
Colias staudingeri emivittata Verity, 1909
• RANGE . Ghissar, Alai, Tian-Shan.
• DISTRIBUTION AND VARIATION. Besides the nominate subspecies (N. and Inner Tian-Shan), the following forms are known: ssp. maureri Staudinger, 1901 - the Alaisky Mts.; ssp. emivittata Verity, 1909 - central Tian-Shan; ssp. pamira Grum-Grshimailo, 1890 - the Zaalaisky Mts. Populations from Ghissar (the Fanskie Mts.). probably represent a distinct subspecies.
• HABITAT AND BIOLOGY. Alpine meadows at 2,000-3,900 m a.s.l. Flight period: June-July.
• SIMILAR SPECIES. C. romanovi: larger; UPS ground colour bright reddish-orange, often with violet tinge.
Photo and text: Guide to the BUTTERFLIES OF RUSSIA and adjacent territories Volume 1. PENSOFT, Sofia - Moscow. 1997