Sympistis opleri 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 : 48

Sympistis opleri Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. G-22, O-1)

Diagnosis. Sympistis opleri is a member of the Sympistis dayi (Grote) comb. n. group which is defined by the male clasper which arises distal to the sacculus and the tip of the valve which has a terminal spine and lacks the corona. Externally it looks quite similar to Sympistis kelloggii (Hy. Edwards) comb. n. (Fig. G-24), which flies in mid-summer in the Sierra Nevada and Sympistis saxatilis (Troubridge and Crabo) comb. n. (Fig. G- 21), which flies in mid-September in the Great Basin, but can be separated from them by the area of the forewing between the reniform spot and the postmedian line which is light grayish brown in S. opleri -white in S. kelloggii and S. saxatilis . The only other member of the group which could be confused with S. opleri is S. dayi , which flies in mid-summer in Colorado. In S. opleri , the hindwing is off-white, the area between the discal lunule and base is heavily suffused with dark scales (Fig. G-22), and the division between the terminal black band median pale area is not crisp. In S. dayi (Fig. G-23), the discal lunule is reduced to a small black spot, the hindwing is orange, the dark basal shade is considerably reduced compared to that of S. opleri , and the division between the terminal black band median orange area is crisp. Internally, the apical third of the valve of S. dayi is broader, than that of S. opleri , which tapers more slowly lo the apical spine, and the corona is absent in S. dayi .

Description. Head with a mix of black and white scales with narrow black band between eyes. Antennae filiform. Eye orbicular. Dorsal surface of thorax with a mix of gray, grayish brown and off-white scales and black scales and an antero-dorsal tuft of brown black and off-white scales. Thoracic collar black basally followed by bands of white light brown dark brown and white. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets absent from base of male abdomen. Forewing length 13 mm. Dorsal forewing basal area with white-tipped brown scales appears hoary grayish brown. Reniform spot ochre basally, becoming rust brown and dark brown distally. Orbicular spot with black center becoming brown and then ochre outwardly rimmed with a thin black line. Claviform spot off-white with a few rust brown scales basally edged black scales. Antemedial line faint black and irregular. Postmedial line white edged basally with black scales. Postmedian space with black lines between veins. Subterminal band of deep white chevrons between veins with base of chevrons meeting outer margin on veins. Fringe with three rows of white tipped black scales checkered with white and brown scales at tips of veins. Dorsal hindwing basal area dark grayish brown with broad off-white median band. Discal lunule well demarcated, black. Marginal band black. Fringe with two rows of scales: basal row black with off-white at base outer row white. Male genitalia. (Fig. O-1) Valve tapers distally with terminal spine; weak corona ventral to terminal spine. Uncus narrow, tapers to apex with small terminal spine. Ampulla of clasper spine-like, ½ as long as valve width, tapers evenly to tip, located ¾ of the way from base to apex of valve. Aedeagus bent ventrally at midpoint; vesica bends dorsally at base, equal to aedeagus in length, with a low, basal diverticulum on right; a wide ribbon of sparse, spine-like cornuti runs the full length of the ventral vesica; a large patch of dense, long cornuti is positioned centrally on the dorsal surface; a single, stout apical cornutus occurs with apical tuft of fine cornuti. Female genitalia unknown.

Type material. Holotype male: Wyoming. Teton Co., Gros Ventre R. Blacktail Crk. MVL, Bridger-Teton NF, 29 July 1994, Buckner and Opler, in the CNC.

Etymology. I name this species for Paul Opler who provided the unique holotype.

Distribution. Known only from Bridger-Teton NF, Teton Co., Wyoming.