Leucania merga Adams and McCabe, 2023

Mccabe, Timothy L. & Adams, Morton S., 2023, Five new species of the genus Leucania Ochsenheimer in Central America (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Zootaxa 5256 (3), pp. 250-266 : 253-255

Leucania merga Adams and McCabe new species

Figs. 4 (imago), 17 (valvae), 18 (endophallus), 37 (bursa copulatrix)

Material examined. Dissections examined (13♁♁, 5♀♀). Type material: Holotype male. GUATEMALA: Alta Verapaz: Biotopo del Quetzal , 15.191822, -90.212461, 1700m, 1♁, dissection TLM♁4385 (deposited in NYSM) ; Paratypes. (36♁♁, 11♀♀) COSTA RICA Guanacaste, 11.01602, -85.38053, 380m, 10-SRNP-114591, D. Janzen, 1♁ dissection TLM♁6020 ( USNM) , 1♀, dissection TLM ♀ 6021 ( USNM) ; Puntarenas: Monteverde, Pension Quetzal , 10.316877, -84.822019, 13880m, 14–21 Apr 1990, T. McCabe, 10–21 Feb 2007, T. McCabe, 10♁♁, dissection TLM♁1818 ( TLM) . GUATEMALA:: Alta Verapaz: Biotopo del Quetzal , 15.191822, -90.212461, 1700m, 3♁ ( TLM) ; Suchitepéquez: Patulul, Los Tarrales Natural Res. , 14.522925, -91.136243, 758m, 22 Jul 2009, T. Mc-Cabe, 1♁, 23–24 May 2014, T. McCabe, 1♀ ( TLM) ; Quetzaltenango: Fuentes Georgina, Volcan Zunil, 14.748972,- 91.48031, 2420m, 4–5 Oct 2012, T. McCabe, 1♁, dissection TLM♁4827, 13-21 Feb 2007, T. McCabe, 4♀♀, ( TLM) 1 dissection TLM ♀ 6484; Bosqueren de Majades , 15.54411, -92.36025, 2933m, 6 Oct 2012, T. McCabe, 1♁ ( TLM) ; Sacatapequez, Antigua , 25–29 Feb 1992, P.J. Landolt, 1♁, dissection MSA♁2900 ( NYSM) . NICARAGUA: Matagalpa: Selva Negra , 12.99698, -85.91395, 1300m, 10 Nov 2010, T. McCabe, 1♀ ( TLM) . MEXICO: Oaxaca: 7 mi S Miahuatian , 16.241039, -96.542979, 1672m, 19 Aug 1992, H. Romack, 1♁ ( TLM) ; Loxicha , 20 km N Candelaria, 1585m, 22–23 Jul 1993, P.J. Landolt, 1♁, dissection MSA♁3149 ( NYSM) ; Mitla , 19 Aug 1969, L.A. Kelton, 1♀, dissection MSA ♀ CNC22; ( CNC) ; Querétaro: 15 mi W Xilitia , 1585m, 31 Jul 1992, P.J. Landolt, 1♁, dissection MSA♁3148; Vera Cruz: Las Minas, near Permet, 1200m, 18 Jul 1993, P.J. Landolt,1♁, dissection MSA♁3190, 18 Jul 1993, P.J. Landolt, 1♀, dissection, MSA ♀ 3191 ( NYSM) ; Chiapas: El Bosque, 1♁, dissection MSA♁CNC19; Bochii , 24 Jul 1969, L.A. Kelton, 2♁♁; San Christóbal , Las Casas , 2295m, 12 May 1969, J.E.H. Martin,1♁, 6 May 1969, J.E.H. Martin, 1♁, dissection MSA♁CNC3; no specific locality, 18 Jul 1969, D. Kritsch, 1♁; Tapilulu, 21 May 1969, A. Mutuura, 3♁♁; 9 mi SE Tropisco, 16 May 1969, J.E.H. Martin, 1♁, 1♀ ; Durango, 10 mi W El Salto , 2743m, 3 Aug 1964, J.E.H. Martin, 1♀, dissection MSA ♀ CNC4 ( CNC) . ECUADOR: Zamora, Valladolid, 1♁, dissection MSA♁3593; Chinchipe, 3 km E Sabaanilla, Rio Zamora, 1610m, 1♀ dissection MSA ♀ 3896 ( NYSM) . VENEZUELA: no specific locality or date, 1♁ MSA♁2785; Aragua: Henri Pittier National Park, Rancho Grande , 22-31 Aug 1967, R. Poole, 1♁, dissection MSA♁ US197 ( USNM) .

Diagnosis. Leucania merga is compared to the widespread L. dorsalis Walker, 1856 ( Fig. 12 ). Leucania merga typically has a black spot similar to p.m. dots, but below the mid portion of the cell. This black spot is lacking in L. dorsalis . Diagnostic genitalia characters are as follows: In L. merga the combination of a “pitchfork-like” digitus and basal sclerite of the clasper contrasts with the “spade-like” structure of these two elements in L. dorsalis ( Fig. 19 ). The everted endophalli of the two species is also strikingly different (compare Fig. 18 with Fig. 20 ). In L. merga , after the basal straight portion the endophallus, makes a right angle capped by a diverticulum with a cluster of long, stiff cornuti. In L. dorsalis this structure is reduced to two small diverticula, one of which has a single hair-like cornutus. The terminal segment of the endophallus in L. merga has a row of robust, retrorse cornuti, which diminishes to a sparse row as it continues to the gonopore. In L. dorsalis this segment of the endophallus is completely unadorned. The bursae copulatrix are also distinct. In L. merga ( Fig. 37 ) the ductus bursae is short and thick whereas in L. dorsalis ( Fig. 38 ) the ductus bursae is long, narrow, and twisted.

Description. ( Fig. 4 ) Wingspan 34–36.5 mm. Head, palpi, frons, thorax, and tegulae light tan. Patagia with three bands, most anterior with brown scales, second less distinct, third with distinct, black-tipped scales; sex tufts present on male fore- and mid-tibia. Forewing light tan, veins with white interspaces with brown between veins, cubital vein white with faint brown shade along entire length, a black dot (not reniform) present at middle of cell below origin of vein Cu2; p.m. line not produced, apical shade faint, no terminal dots present. Hind wings of both sexes infuscated with some dark scaling on veins. Ventral forewing light tan, darker in subcostal area. Ventral hind wing with light infuscation. Abdomen light tan, shaggy. Sexes similar, except females somewhat darker. Males with basal abdominal eversible tubular structures.

Male genitalia. ( Figs. 17 & 18 ) Uncus slightly dilated before terminating in well-defined, claw-like tip; tegumen and vinculum unmodified; cucullus elongate and somewhat rectangular with row of marginal setae in sockets, pore plate present at valvulus; ampulla long and thin; digitus long and sharp-pointed; editum a conspicuous protuberance; basal sclerite of clasper produced into a sharp-pointed projection; claval area of sacculus unmodified. Phallus short and straight; proximal portion of everted endophallus unadorned followed by a right angle, then a diverticulum adorned by clump of long, sharp spines, then the endophallus balloons out, followed by a portion without cornuti; distal portion of endophallus with short single row of heavy retrorse spines leading to somewhat irregular row of shorter cornuti that extends to a narrower terminal portion.

Female genitalia. ( Fig. 37 ) Ductus bursae moderately long and sclerotized. Appendix bursae sclerotized and striate for proximal half, directed to left before overlapping ductus bursae and leading to membranous sac that terminates at the ductus seminalis. Corpus bursae sac-like and thin-walled, arising at juncture of ductus bursae and appendix bursae.

Global distribution. Mexico, Guatemala (type locality), Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador.

Etymology. The specific epithet merga , a noun in apposition (Latin merga for hayfork) refers to the sharp, tinelike digitus and pointed basal sclerite of the clasper.

Food plant. Unknown.

Larva. Unknown.

Remarks. A Guatemala specimen of L. merga with Janzen code 10-SRNP-114591 was sequenced in BOLD under the name Leucania Poole 11.

Figures

FIGURES 1–6. Imagos of male Leucania. 1. Leucania albifasciata, Stann Creek, Cockscomb District, Belize (TLM ♁6317). 2. Leucania mopan, Holotype, Mountain Pine Ridge, Cayo District, Belize (TLM ♁6326) 3. Leucania oaxacana, Mountain Pine Ridge, Cayo District, Belize (TLM ♁6319). 4. Leucania merga, Holotype, Quetzal Reserve, Alta Verapaz, 15°12’55”N, 90°13’09”W, 1700 m, Guatemala (TLM ♁4385). 5. Leucania complicata, El Cayon Pass crest, San Diego Co., 2000’, California, USA, reared ex ovo by J.G. Franclemont (TLM ♁6335). 6. Leucania complicata, Davis Mountains, Limpia Canyon, 30°26’24”N, 103.56°10”W, 1525 m, Texas (TLM ♁1558).

FIGURES 7–12. Imagos of male Leucania. 7. Leucania colorada, Paratype, 5 mi. S. Tliaxico, Oaxaca, 7,000’, Mexico (TLM ♁6361). 8. Leucania sororia, Paratype, 5 mi. S. Tliaxico, Oaxaca, 7,000’, Mexico (TLM ♁6067). 9. Leucania imperfecta, Cold Canyon, Napa County, 38°30’30”N, 122°05’49”W, 200 m, California, USA (TLM ♁2524). 10. Leucania championi, Holotype, Volcan Zunil, Fuentes Georginas, 14°45’00”N, 91°28’49”W, 2455 m, Guatemala (TLM ♁6056). 11. Leucania humidicola, Big Pine Key, Munroe Co., 24°40’48”N, 81°21’41”W, 2 m, Florida, USA. 12. Leucania dorsalis, Great Exuma, Simon’s Point, 23°31’50”N, 75°47’30”W, Bahamas (TLM ♁568).

FIGURES 17–20. Valvae and endophalli. 17–18. Leucania merga, Holotype, Quetzal Reserve, Alta Verapaz, 15°12’55”N, 90°13’09”W, 1700 m, Guatemala (TLM ♁4385). 19–20. Leucania dorsalis, Great Exuma, Simon’s Point, 23°31’50”N, 75°47’30”, Bahamas (TLM ♁568).

FIGURES 35–40. Bursa copulatrix. Ventral view except for Fig. 38. 35. Leucania mopan, Paratype, Mountain Pine Ridge, 1,000 Foot Falls, Cayo District, Belize (TLM ♀6329). 36. Leucania albifasciata, Mountain Pine Ridge, 1,000 Foot Falls, Cayo District, Belize (TLM ♀6333). 37. Leucania merga, Paratype, Volcan Zunil, Fuentes Georginas, 14°45’00”N, 91°28’49”W, 2455 m, Guatemala (TLM ♀6484). 38. Leucania dorsalis, Volcan Atitlan, Reserva Los Tarrales, 14°31’57”N, 91°08’46”W, 995 m, Guatemala (TLM ♀4378, lateral view). 39. Leucania colorada, Holotype, 3 mi. N. Tliaxico, Oaxaca, 7,500’, Mexico (TLM ♀6362). 40. Leucania sororia, Holotype, 7 mi. S. of Miahuatian, Oaxaca, Mexico (TLM ♀6308).