Sympistis hapi 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 : 50-51

Sympistis hapi Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. F-15, O-4)

Diagnosis. Sympistis hapi is known from the unique holotype. It is most similar to S. chorda (Fig. F-14) and probably flies with it in Colorado. They are separated by the dorsal forewing, which in S. hapi is light gray, lacks a dark shade where the median line would have intersected the costa, lacks black scales on the veins in the subterminal area, and by the postmedial line that is slightly sinuous, angles towards and almost touches the antemedial line at the posterior margin. In S. chorda , dorsal forewing is darker gray, has a dark shade where median line (if present) intersects the costa, has black scales on the veins in the subterminal area, and the postmedial line that is more jagged, angles straight towards the posterior margin, not towards the antemedial line. Internally, the vesica of S. chorda has a pronounced dorsal, subbasal hump that is covered with a broad patch of cornuti; that of S. hapi lacks the hump and the corresponding patch of cornuti is much narrower.

Description. Antennae filiform, head white with distinct black band across vertex, prothoracic collar, thorax and abdomen light grayish brown. Small, vestigial pockets present on male abdomen but levers and hair pencils absent. Forewing length 15 mm. Dorsal forewing light grayish brown, with darker gray terminal band beyond postmedial line; orbicular spot absent; obscure reniform spot white without distinct margin; antemedial, postmedial, and basal lines black; antemedial line almost meets postmedial line at trailing edge of forewing; median and subterminal lines absent; terminal line black; fringe grayish brown with off-white basal line. Dorsal hindwing white with broad grayish brown terminal shade; fringe white with off-white basal line and gray median line. Male genitalia. (Fig. O-4) Valve shaped like prow of canoe, with distinct corona and fleshy area along ventral margin below cucullus; ampulla of clasper bends posteriorly and narrows to form terminal spine. Vesica with dorsal, subbasal patch of spine-like cornuti; a narrow ribbon of cornuti lies flat against ventral side of posterior ½ of vesica; a broad ribbon of erect cornuti extends dorsally along middle ½ of vesica; a bundle of two long cornuti beside a single stout cornutus extend from apex. Female genitalia. Unknown.

Type material. Holotype male: Colorado, Mesa Co., Colorado National Monument, Upper Red Canyon , 21 viii 1997, Rogers family, in the CNC.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Hapi was one of the four sons of Horus. He protected the canopic jars containing the embalmed lungs of the deceased. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. Sympistis hapi is known only from the Colorado National Monument.