Sympistis min Troubridge, 2008

Troubridge, J. T., 2008, A generic realignment of the Oncocnemidini sensu Hodges (1983) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Oncocnemidinae), with description of a new genus and 50 new species, Zootaxa 1903 (1), pp. 1-95 : 43-44

Sympistis min Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. A-28, N-7, T-4)

Diagnosis. Sympistis min is most closely related and most similar to Sympistis subsimplex (Dyar) comb. n.. They are distinguished from each other by the much darker forewing of S. subsimple x; the hindwing of male S. min is off-white, usually with a dark terminal shade and dark gray scales on the veins at least in the subterminal area (Fig. A-28), but in S. subsimplex , the hindwing is whiter with a black terminal line, dark gray scales on the veins in the terminal area and without a dark terminal shade (Fig. A-29); the valve of S. min is longer between the cucullus and ampulla of the clasper than that of S. subsimplex , and the prothoracic collar of S. subsimplex is usually buff at the base, gray in S. min .

Description. Antennae filiform, head and thorax a mix of dark gray and white scales, producing a light gray appearance; abdomen light grayish brown; prothoracic collar light gray with off-white median band. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 11-13 mm. Foretibia with inner terminal seta and smaller outer terminal claw. Dorsal forewing ground color white with scattered charcoal scales giving light gray appearance; basal and postmedial lines black, edged distally with white scales; antemedial line black, edged basally with white scales; diffuse subterminal line gray; veins distal to postmedial line highlighted with scattered charcoal scales and small black lines between veins in submarginal area; obscure median line darker gray than ground color of wing; terminal line black. Orbicular, claviform, and reniform spots outlined with black, filled with white, and scattered charcoal scales in center; fringe white with scattered gray scales at tips of veins, checkered with charcoal gray between veins. Dorsal hindwing basal area a dirty white; veins highlighted with gray scales; discal lunule light gray; terminal shade dark grayish brown, may be present as dark scales around veins or submarginal band that is not sharply delineated in males or dark marginal shade blending gradually into basal area in females; postmedial line may be present as series of gray dots on veins; terminal line dark gray; fringe white with gray medial line. Male genitalia. (Fig. N-7) Valve shaped like the prow of canoe, with distinct corona; spine at apex of ampulla of clasper reaches suture at base of cucullus; ampulla of clasper arises at about 45° to lower margin of valve, more-orless evenly tapered towards terminal spine. Vesica bends abruptly to the right and then makes a half spiral dorsally; a basal patch of cornuti covers dorsolateral portion of vesica, cornuti becoming shorter and tapering out along ventral side at elbow where vesica bends dorsally; anterior portion of this elbow with a patch of long cornuti which tapers to a long row of single, much shorter cornuti along right side, joining a long, broad ribbon of sparse cornuti extending along left side of vesica from elbow to apex – this ribbon splits to form a narrow ribbon of dense cornuti that extends along anterior side of vesica towards apical tuft of cornuti. Female genitalia. (Fig. T-4) Ovipositor lobes rounded, corona of short setae near apex; a broad sclerite about 2x as long as width at ostium bursae occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae; ductus bursae narrows beyond sclerite to appendix bursae; appendix bursae shaped more-or-less like a chili pepper, widest at posterior end with elongate anterior tail terminating at ductus seminalis; minute corpus bursae present as a polyp on right side of appendix bursae.

Type material. Holotype male: USA, Colorado, Mesa Co., John Brown Canyon, gully S. of Gateway , 5000’, 15 v 1998, J. S. Nordin, in the CNC . Paratypes: 11♂ 3♀: Colorado: Mesa Co., John Brown Canyon , gully S of Gateway, 4986’, 7 v 1996, J. S. Nordin , 1♀; Hayden Mts. , Ouray Co., “August”, Oslar , 1♂; Mesa Co., Colo. N. Mon. , Upper Red Canyon , 31 v 1997, Rodgers family , 1♂; Mesa Co., Colo. N. Mon. , Upper Red Canyon , 4 vii 1997, Rodgers family , 1♂; Mesa Co., Colo. N. Mon. , Upper Red Canyon , 31 vi 1997, Rodgers family , 1♂; Mesa Co., Colo. N. Mon. , West Entrance , 4700’, 17 viii 1996, Rodgers family , 1♀; Mesa Co., Colo. N. Mon., sewage lagoon, w. entr., 30 vi 1997, Rodgers family , 1♂; Mesa Co., Col. NM., Echo Canyon, 6-7 v 2000, J. Moore , 3♂. Utah: Cedar City, 24 vi 1930 , 1♂. Nevada: Clark Co., Mt. Potosi turnoff,. 75 km. W of Hwy 160, Spring Mts. , 15 iv 1989, S. McKown , 2♂ 1♀.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Min is a fertility god, thus one of the most popular deities. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species has been collected in the Great Basin, from southern Nevada to the Colorado Plateau in western Colorado.