The Apameini of Israel (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

In Israel, 20 species of tribe Apameini belonging to 10 genera have been found to date. Four species are endemic of the Levant (Sesamia ilonae, Luperina kravchenkoi, Gortyna gyulaii and Lenisa wiltshirei). Others are mostly Palaearctic, Mediterranean, Iranian and Irano-Turanian elements. Grassland species of the Apameini are mainly associated with the Temperate region and are univoltine with highest rate of occurrence in May, or in autumn. Most wetland and oases species are multivoltine and occur in oases and riverbeds over the country, though few of the species are extremely localized. The S. ilonae is presently known only from northern area of the Sea of Galilee, while A. deserticola is from oases of the Dead Sea area. Four species inhabit the higher altitudes of Mt. Hermon.