Sympistis isis 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 : 18-19

Sympistis isis Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. B-24, L-4, P-14)

Diagnosis. Sympistis isis most closely resembles S. osiris and may be separated from it by the characters listed under S. osiris , above. In addition, in S. isis , vein M1 of the forewing beyond the postmedial line has black scales on the vein and is edged with white scales (gray or a few scattered white scales in S. osiris ), and vein CuA2 is noticeably white in S. isis but microscopic examination is necessary to see the few white scales on that of S. osiris .

Description. Antennae filiform. Going from front to back, prothoracic collar has light rust, then rust, light rust, a mixed line of black and dark rust, white, rust, and white lines. Head light rust with scattered rust scales; vertex with a row of rust below a row of white scales; thorax a mix of rust, black and white scales. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets absent from base of male abdomen. Forewing length 12-16 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color rusty brown; ordinary lines sharply defined; white scales located basally on the radial veins; black antemedial line bordered basally with light rust scales; black postmedial line edged distally with light rust scales; obscure median line darker rust; basal line black; veins from base through postmedial line edged with white scales, black on veins and thinly bordered with gray scales between postmedial line and subterminal line; obscure subterminal line light rust, bordered basally with black, distally with rust scales; black terminal line edged basally with light rust chevrons; orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots well demarcated with thin black outer and light rust inner lines with an inner ring of darker rust scales; fringe a series of light rust, dark rust, black and finally white lines, terminal white line lightly checkered with dark gray between veins. Dorsal hindwing basal area cream, lightly suffused with pale rust scales; submarginal band dark grayish brown; fringe very light rust basally, white distally. Male genitalia. (Fig. L-4) Valve with rounded, upturned apex; ampulla of clasper tapers evenly to apex and arcs evenly without distinct bend in middle. Vesica with basal diverticulum on right curving to the left beyond diverticulum; a ribbon of fine, sparse cornuti extends from dorsal base of vesica across diverticulum, tapering off on dorsal surface; a second ribbon of cornuti extends along dorsal surface of apical ½ of vesica; a third ribbon of longer, coarser, ventral cornuti on apical ½ of vesica; a single, coarse apical cornutus and small bundle of cornuti projected from apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. P-14) Ovipositor lobes rounded with scattered setae; a corona of short setae surrounds ovipositor lobes near tip, these setae produced at 90° to the abdomen; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae; appendix bursae bulges ventrally near ductus bursae forming a wide tube at ductus bursae, then abruptly widens, projects dorsally and tapers to ductus seminalis on dorsal side; corpus bursae absent.

Type material. Holotype male: USA: Utah, San Juan Co., Comb Ridge W of Bluff, sandstone and sand, 20 ix 2000, G. J. Balogh, in the CNC . Paratypes: 13♂ 6♀: Utah: same data as holotype , 2♂ 4♀; San Juan Co., Comb Ridge W. of Bluff , 26 ix 2003, George J. Balogh , 1♂; San Juan Co., Comb Ridge W. of Bluff , 27 ix 2003, George J. Balogh , 3♂; San Juan Co., Comb Ridge W. of Bluff , 28 ix 2003, George J. Balogh , 5♂ 1♀; San Juan Co., Bluff airstrip E. of Butler Wash , 19 ix 2000, G. J. Balogh , 2♂ 1♀.

Etymology. Sympistis isis is named for the Egyptian goddess Isis, who was one of the most popular Egyptian goddesses and was worshiped as the divine mother-goddess, wife of Osiris, and mother of Horus. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known from sand habitats in southeastern Utah.