Antepione tiselaaria (Dyar, 1912)

Ferris, Clifford D., 2010, A revision of the genus Antepione Packard with description of the new genus Pionenta Ferris (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae), ZooKeys 71, pp. 49-70 : 58-59

Antepione tiselaaria (Dyar, 1912) Figs 6-10

Paragonia tiselaaria Dyar 1912

Type material.

Male HT (Fig. 6), Mexico, Minerale de Zacualpan, January, 1911 [USNM]. Comment: Dyar (1912: 87) stated the type locality only as “Zacualpan” and not "Minerale de Zacualpan" as shown on the specimen label. I interpret the label to mean the Zacualpan mining region located in the state of Morelos south of Mexico City, today still an active silver mining district.

Other material examined

(Figs 7-10). MEXICO. Puebla, 2 mi. SW Tehuacan, 5300', 4.x.1975, Powell (1m, dissected); same, 5.x.1975, J. Powell (1m) [EME].

Diagnosis.

Females not known to the author. Mexican specimens of Antepione tiselaaria males are most easily separated from Antepione imitata based on geography, since the latter species does not penetrate south to central Mexico. In Costa Rica, where Antepione thisoaria is also reported, Antepione tiselaaria manifests a more orange-brown overall color than the drab ochreous-gray form of thisoaria. In the male genitalia, the apical region of the valva is covered with multiple short slender translucent spines over most of the surface except toward the base; spines are absent in the valva of Antepione thisoaria , and 3 long robust spines occur in Antepione imitata .

Description.

Adults. Only males were available for examination. As described above for the genus, other than the wings. FWL 17-18 mm. Wings - FW outer margin arcuate (roundly produced about) vein M3 and HW; DFW apex sightly acute, not falcate. Dorsal color pale orange-brown-ochreous with darker maculation. AML a narrow band centrally with a few paler scales, PML an interrupted band with irregular edges and centrally paler, widening substantially approaching inner margin; MB not clearly defined with splotchy brown maculation over paler ground color; a dark triangular patch with blunted or acute apex, with or without pale oblong spot, located along costa distad of PML; small dark discal spots FW and HW. Ventrally paler with dorsal maculation repeated with slightly less intensity. Male genitalia. Figs 9-10. Dissection 1m. Uncus stout, slightly decurved, tapering to a rounded tip; gnathos with unjoined slender arms, medial gnathos with a few very small dark teeth; valva rounded at apex with multiple short slender translucent spines over most of the surface excepting toward the base, produced ventral ridge forming one large and one short projection; anellus with two sclerotized spinose lobes; aedeagus truncate with one large (equal to diameter of aedeagus shaft) oblong triangular cornutus near base of vesica; fully everted vesica initially spherical becoming a tapered tube.

Biology and distribution.

Early stages unknown. Current distribution records are for the Mexican states of Morelos and Puebla, and Costa Rica.