Sympistis apis 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 : 34-35

Sympistis apis Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. E-23, E-24, M-9, S-2)

Diagnosis. Sympistis apis is very similar to and most closely related to Sympistis pernotata (Grote) comb. n. (Fig. E-22). Without dissection, the species are most easily separated by range, S. apis on the plains of northern Texas and S. pernotata west of the continental divide in Arizona. Externally, the male hindwing averages whiter than that of S. pernotata . Internally, the vesica of S. apis lacks a subbasal diverticulum, that of S. pernotata has a subbasal diverticulum. The ventral margin of the valve of S. apis runs parallel with the dorsal margin of the valve distal to the ampulla of the clasper before arcing toward the tip of the valve, that of S. pernotata narrows from the ampulla of the clasper to the ventral margin of the cucullus. Females are best separated by location or association with males.

Description. Antennae filiform; prothoracic collar light brownish gray with black basal line, head, thorax and abdomen light brownish gray. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 13-16 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color light brownish gray; antemedial line black, bordered basally with brownish gray band; basal and postmedial lines black; orbicular and reniform spots delineated by black outer and pale gray inner lines, filled with darker gray scales. Claviform spot black or outlined in black if present. Veins between postmedial line and wing margin highlighted with blackish brown scales, broadly bordered with grayish brown; terminal line black; diffuse white subterminal line present only in anal angle; fringe grayish brown, lightly checkered with beige at tips of veins. Dorsal hindwing white basal area with dark brownish gray terminal shade; veins and discal lunule lightly highlighted with scattered grayish brown scales; fringe white with narrow brown median line and off-white base. Male genitalia. (Fig. M-9) Ventral margin of the valve runs parallel with the dorsal margin of valve distal to ampulla of clasper before arcing toward the tip of the valve, producing broad, lightly sclerotized extension below cucullus; cucullus narrow, arcing ventrally from tip of valve; basal margin of ampulla of clasper slightly higher than base of terminal spine arising on posterior margin. Vesica bends abruptly to the right and then abruptly upward to the left; a ribbon of sparse cornuti extends from base of vesica on left, ventrally around bends to the right side, becoming wider with longer cornuti along right side almost to apex; a ribbon of longer, stouter cornuti extends dorsolaterally on left side of terminal ½ of vesica; a small single spine and a tuft of longer cornuti extend from apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. S-2) Ovipositor lobes rounded, apex with ring of short setae, corona of short setae mid way down -these setae produced at 90° to the abdomen; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a small v-shaped sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, ductus bursae elongate, widens to form short tube towards junction of ventral corpus bursae and dorsal appendix bursae; appendix bursae sac-like with large anterior diverticulum on right which bends around dorsally as it gradually narrows posteriorly to ductus seminalis; corpus bursae about ½ as large as appendix bursae with elongate dorsal and ventral signae.

Type material. Holotype male: USA, Texas, Armstrong Co., Palo Duro Canyon, south rim on Hwy 207, 9 x 2001, G. Balogh, in the CNC . Paratypes: 24♂ 12♀: Texas: same data as holotype , 6♀; Canyon , 16 mi. ESE, 26 ix 1968, 3000’, D. F. Hardwick , 23♂ 6♀; Uvalde Co., Garner State Park , 6 x 1984, E. C. Knudson , 1♂.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Apis is the bull-god of Memphis. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species occurs in canyons on the plains of northern Texas.