Taxonomic comments on the treatment of the Zygaenidae (Lepidoptera) in volume 3 of Moths of Europe, Zygaenids, Pyralids 1 and Brachodids (2012) Author Efetov, Konstantin A. Author Hofmann, Axel Author Tarmann, Gerhard M. Author Tremewan, Walter Gerald text Nota Lepidopterologica 2014 37 2 123 133 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/nl.37.7940 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/nl.37.7940 2367-5365-2 384F4C62-0E0E-4B66-B720-3177920ABA23 Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Zygaenidae Zygaena (Zygaena) rhadamanthus azurea Burgeff, 1914 stat. rev. Zygaena rhadamanthus azurea Burgeff, 1914, Mitteilungen der Muenchener Entomologischen Gesellschaft 5: 60, pl. 2, fig. 158, pl. 6, figs 75, 76 ( Zygaena ). Type-locality. France: Alpes-Maritimes (excluding coastal regions). Distribution and taxonomic notes. Zygaena rhadamanthus azurea is distributed in the departements of Var and Alpes-Maritimes (excluding coastal regions). Although Leraut (2012 : 98) synonymised this taxon with the melanistic Zygaena rhadamanthus stygia Burgeff, 1914, the distribution of the latter ranges from east of the River Var (Alpes-Maritimes) in France to Imperia in Italy. Much has been written about littoral melanism (e.g. Burgeff 1951 , 1956 , 1965 ; Dujardin 1965 : 586-587) and that exhibited by subsp. stygia is a good example for comparison with the 'normal' phenotype of subsp. azurea - to consider both taxa as one subspecies clearly disregards the concept of littoral melanism and the zoogeography of Zygaena rhadamanthus in south-eastern France. Consequently, Zygaena rhadamanthus azurea is here reinstated as a valid subspecies (stat. rev.).