Sympistis shait 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 : 49-50

Sympistis shait Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. H-14, O-3, T-8)

Diagnosis. Sympistis shait can be recognized by the sooty gray forewing, black antemedial and postmedial lines, obscure orbicular and reniform spots, and contrasting white band through the thoracic collar.

Description. Antennae filiform, prothoracic dark gray with broad, white median band; head, thorax and abdomen dark gray. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 15-17 mm. Dorsal forewing dark gray; orbicular and reniform spots obscure, dark gray, encircled with single row of black scales; antemedial and postmedial lines black, somewhat obscure, bordered by scattered white scales below cell; diffuse subterminal line of scattered white scales; diffuse black dashes through subterminal line meet black terminal line; terminal line composed of obscure black chevrons between veins; fringe dark gray with cream basal tint, black medial line, and checkered with darker scales between veins. Dorsal hindwing off-white basally, blending to dark gray terminal shade; veins highlighted with scattered black scales; fringe white with narrow gray median line and cream basal tint. Male genitalia. (Fig. O-3) Valve shaped like the prow of a canoe, bends slightly upward, with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper bends distally toward apical spine, which bends anteriorly. Vesica bends abruptly to the right with basal diverticulum on left; a ribbon of sparse but stout cornuti extends from base of vesica to a point ½ way along posterior margin; a second ribbon of cornuti extends along ventral side of vesica to apex; a third patch of heavy cornuti occupies dorsal surface of central ½ of vesica; a single spine and a small patch of longer cornuti at apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. T-8) Ovipositor lobes rounded with scattered setae; a small sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, short ductus bursae widening to appendix bursae; elongate appendix bursae rounded at anterior end with corpus bursae arising on left; corpus bursae about a as large as appendix bursae with elongate signa on dorsal and ventral sides.

Type material. Holotype female: USA, New Mexico, McKinley Co., McGaffey, Zuni Mts , 7000’, 2 vii 1962, E. and I. Munroe, in the CNC . Paratypes: 2♂ 1♀: New Mexico: Silver City, J. B. Wallis, 8 viii 1913 , 1♂; Silver City, J. B. Wallis, 3 vi 1913, 1♀. Arizona: Coconino Co., 7 mi W. of Williams, 8-15 viii, 1956, Noel McFarland , 1♂.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Shait is a goddess of destiny. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known from mountainous areas of Arizona and western New Mexico.