University of Birjand Faculty Member Discovers and Names New Insect Species Globally

Birjand, Iran — In a significant scientific achievement, Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Rabie, a faculty member of the Department of Plant Protection at the University of Birjand, has discovered and described a new species of moth. The new species has been officially named Euxoa rabiehae in his honor.

According to the University of Birjand’s Public Relations and Information Office, this discovery is the result of extensive international collaborative research and precise field studies conducted in the highlands of Razavi Khorasan Province. The findings were published in the specialized and reputable journal Lepidopterologica Hungarica (Volume 22, pages 171–187).

Research Details

The article, titled “New taxa of Euxoa decora and Euxoa heringi species complex from Asia”, reports the identification of new taxa within the genus *Euxoa* in Asia. Specimens of this new species were collected from the Hezar Masjed Mountains in northern Razavi Khorasan Province.

Dr. Rabie played a central role in collecting, identifying, and studying these specimens. The research not only introduces three new species and five new subspecies to the world but also resolves taxonomic ambiguities in this complex group through detailed examination of genitalia and morphological characteristics. The study includes 32 color images and microscopic analyses, comparing the new species with their closest relatives.

The paper highlights the importance of Iran, particularly the Alborz and Khorasan mountain ranges, as the eastern boundaries of the distribution of these species and provides new data on the rich biodiversity of these regions.

Significance of the Achievement

This discovery enriches the country’s biodiversity records and elevates the international scientific standing of the University of Birjand in the fields of basic sciences and agriculture. It also underscores the need to protect the unique ecosystems of the Hezar Masjed region.

Congratulations to Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Rabie on this outstanding contribution to global entomology, which brings pride to the University of Birjand and the Iranian scientific community.