Schinia alencis (Harvy) Revised Status

Pogue, Michael G. & Harp, And Charles E., 2005, Systematics of Schinia chrysellus (Grote) complex: Revised status of Schinia alencis (Harvey) with a description of two new species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae), Zootaxa 898, pp. 1-35 : 13-16

Schinia alencis (Harvy) Revised Status

( Figs. 10–11 , 18 , 23 , 30–31 , 38, 41 , 48 )

Tricopis alencis Harvey 1875: 117 .— Hardwick 1996: 189 [synonym of chrysellus ].

Tricopis aleucis auth., misspelling; Grote 1875: 18.— Grote 1882: 35.— Grote 1883: 153.— Grote 1890: 37.— Grote 1895: 67.

Schinia aleucis auth, misspelling; Smith 1891: 54.— Smith 1893: 275.— Dyar 1903: 188. — Barnes and McDunnough 1917: 39.— McDunnough 1938: 105.

Schinia alencis ; Franclemont and Todd 1983:159.— Poole 1989: 892.— Poole and Gentili 1996: 771.

Diagnosis. Schinia alencis can be separated from S. chrysellus by the form of the median band in the forewing, which has jagged, irregular margins in alencis ( Figs. 10–11 ) and is less irregular in chrysellus ( Figs. 4–5 ). The reniform spot is either just contiguous or separate from the median band in alencis , but is more absorbed by the median band and never separate in chrysellus . The ventral projection of the frons is more produced in chrysellus ( Fig. 16 ) than in alencis ( Fig. 18 ). In the female genitalia the papillae analis is straight to slightly curved in alencis ( Fig. 41 ) and is obviously curved in chrysellus ( Fig. 39 ).

Description. Male. Head: Frons white, ventral lip moderately produced ( Fig. 18 ); vertex white; labial palp long, extends beyond frons, white; eyes large and globular. Thorax: Narrow scales overlaying wide scales, white to light brown; forefemur with dorsal and inner surface tan, outer surface white becoming light tan apically; tibia white with some tan scales medially, largest spine on inner side flat, 2 slender spines dorsal to it, outer side with 4 flat spines that become progressively shorter proximally; tarsi tan with white apical rings on dorsal surface, ventral surface white; middle femur with dorsal surface cream, ventral surface white; tibia cream with white apical ring; tarsi tan with white apical rings; hind femur white; tibia white to tan; tarsi tan with white apical rings; underside white. Forewing: Length 9.72–11.75, mean 10.86 + 0.63 mm (n=11). Ground color shiny white; basal patch tan to brown; median band broad with wavy margins, light brown to brown and variably over scaled with brown to black; reniform spot round, concolorous with median band, can be variously ringed with black scales, can be contiguous or separate from median band; terminal band broad, tan, subapical spot white, an irregular white vertical band from middle to tornus, black spots at margin between veins with largest at apex and become progressively smaller toward tornus with most never reaching tornus; fringe with short scales concolorous with terminal band, longer scales white, a few black scales at apex; underside gray, subapical and apical patch white, variably distinct white band at approximately 2/3 length below end of discal cell, white along posterior margin. Hindwing: Ground color shiny white; marginal band pale grayish­tan, lacking a well­defined inner margin; fringe white. Abdomen: White, distal border of sternites cream; scent pockets and hair pencils on second sternite absent. Genitalia ( Figs. 30–31 ): Uncus elongate, approximately 0.3–0.35 times length of valve, apex blunt with small hook; valve elongate (length approximately 8.3–9.1 X width), costal margin gently curved, posterior margin angulate at 2/3 length, apex round; ampulla short to long (0.02–0.06 length of valve); corona with stout spines; sacculus with ventral margin produced; juxta rectangular, height greater than width, ventral margin U­shaped and more sclerotized than rest of juxta; saccus V­shaped; aedoeagus slightly curved, dorsodistal third with fine spines; vesica emerging ventrally, basal diverticulum present, 2 1/2 coils; cornuti finely scobinate.

Female. As in male except forewing length 9.86–11.61, 10.84 + 0.54 mm (n=11). Genitalia ( Figs. 38, 41 ): Papilla analis a slightly curved elongate triangle, apex pointed; posterior apophysis approximately 0.81–0.89 X length of anterior apophysis; ductus bursae membranous, elongate; appendix bursae shorter than corpus bursae, with 2 1/2 coils; corpus bursae ovate; signa 4 scobinate bars.

Type material. Tricopis alencis (Harvey) : Male holotype is in BMNH. Type locality: Texas. A genitalic dissection of the holotype is labelled BMNH 650. Type examined.

Biology. The life history of Schinia alencis is poorly understood. The larval host plant for S. alencis is suspected to be Heterotheca canescens (DC.) Shinners ( Asteraceae ), because a female was observed on immature blooms of this plant at Ft. Sill, Comanche Co., Oklamoha in August 2003. Heterotheca canescens , or hoary false goldenaster, is found on prairies, open hills, and roadsides over much of the same range as alencis , and grows in red, brown, or black sandy calcareous clay soils, igneous soils, and sandy gypsiferous loamy soils over its distribution ( Semple1996). Hoary false goldenaster occurs at several of the same localities as Schinia alencis in Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico. This host plant association needs to be confirmed by larval rearings.

Schinia alencis flies with chrysellus in southwestern Oklahoma and central Kansas, but flies with Schinia ciliata in northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Colorado.

The distribution of this host corresponds with the known collecting localities of S. alencis , except for moth records in central and southern New Mexico ( Fig. 48 ).

Distribution ( Fig. 48 ). From southeastern Colorado to southeastern Arizona east to western Oklahoma, northern Texas to southwestern and southeastern Texas.

Material Examined. All specimens are from the National Museum of Natural History ( USNM) collection except as noted. U.S.A.: ARIZONA: COCHISE CO. Paradise, 1– 7 July (1ɗ, 1Ψ), Ψ genitalia slide USNM 47108, Barnes Coll. COLORADO: [No specific locality] (3Ψ, 1ɗ), Bruce. BACA CO. Picture Canyon, n of Picnic Area, sw of Campo, 4282 ft., 26 Aug. 2002 (1Ψ), genitalia slide USNM 47106, M.G. Pogue & C.E. Harp; Picture Canyon at parking area, 4255 ft., 29 Aug. 2002 (1Ψ), C. Harp (CEH); S end of Springfield, Hwy. 385/287, 4409 ft., 26 Aug. 2002 (1ɗ), genitalia slide USNM 47107, M.G. Pogue & C.E. Harp, 28 Aug. 2002 (1Ψ), C. Harp (CEH). KANSAS: RILEY CO. Manhattan, campus of Kansas State University, 20–25 Sep. 20 –25, 2003 (1Ψ), J. Matlevski (KSU). NEW MEXICO: [No specific locality], southern, 23–30 Aug. (2Ψ), 1–10 Sep. (1Ψ), Poling. EDDY CO. White City, 16 Sep. 1963 (1Ψ), A. & M.E. Blanchard. LUNA CO. Deming, 1– 7 July (3ɗ, 2Ψ), Barnes Coll., no date (2Ψ). OTERO CO. High Rolls, Sep. (1ɗ). UNION CO. Clayton, 29 Aug. 1964 (1Ψ). QUAY CO. San Jon, 12 Sep. 2003 (1ɗ) C. Harp (CEH). TORRANCE CO. Gran Quivera, 10 Aug. 1994 (1Ψ) D.E. Bowman ( CSU). UNION CO. Clayton, 29 Aug. 1964 (1Ψ). OKLAHOMA: COMANCHE CO. Ft. Sill, Lawton, CSU study site, West Range, 17–18 Aug. 2003 @ blacklight, M. Garhart & C. Harp, (1ɗ) ( CSU). COTTON CO. 2 mi w of Walters, along Hwy. #53 at 1008 ft. elev., 18 Aug. 2003 at building lights, (1Ψ) M. Garhart & C. Harp (CEH). JEFFERSON CO. Ryan at blacklight, 3 Sep. 1993 (3Ψ), J.M. Nelson (ORU). STEPHENS CO., Lake Fuqua at blacklight, 29 Aug. 1993 (1ɗ, 1Ψ), J.M. Nelson (ORU). TEXAS CO. Lake Optima at blacklight, 5 Sep. 1993 (1Ψ), J.M. Nelson (ORU). TEXAS: [No specific locality], (2ɗ) Barnes Coll., (1ɗ) Brooklyn Mus. Coll., (2ɗ, 1Ψ) G.D. Hulst, (1ɗ) O. Meske, (3Ψ). BAS­ TROP CO. Bastrop State Park, 28 Sep. 1964 (1Ψ), A. & M.E. Blanchard. BEXAR CO. San Antonio, (1Ψ). BOSQUE CO. Clifton, (1ɗ, 1Ψ), Belfrage. BRAZOS CO. College Station, 20 Sep. 1978 (1ɗ), 12 Oct. 1978 (1Ψ), R.S. Peigler, 4 Oct. 1928 (1Ψ), S.E. Jones ( TAMU). BREWSTER CO. Alpine, 8–14 July 1926 (2ɗ), 22–31 Aug. 1926 (1ɗ, 1Ψ), 1–7 Sep. 1926 (1ɗ, 2Ψ), 8–14 Sep. 1926 (1ɗ, 1Ψ), O.C. Poling, 9 Sep. 1963 (1ɗ), 11 Sep. 1963 (2Ψ), 12 Sep. 1963 (1ɗ), 14 Sep. 1963 (1Ψ), genitalia slide USNM 47113, 18 Sep. 1963 (2ɗ, 2Ψ), A. & M.E. Blanchard; Alpine, Davis Mountains, 1 Sep. 1958 (1Ψ), 2 Sep. 1958 (3ɗ), 3 Sep. 1960 (1Ψ), 10 Sep. 1958 (5ɗ), R.R. McElvare; 10 mi S Alpine, Davis Mountains, 6 Sep. 1960 (1ɗ, 4Ψ), R.R. McElvare; Big Bend National Park, Gov. Spring, 23 Sep. 1963 (1ɗ), genitalia slide USNM 47109, A. & M.E. Blanchard; Big Bend National Park, Oak Spring, 26 Aug. 1965 (1Ψ), A. & M.E. Blanchard. BURNET CO. Shovel Mountain, (1Ψ), Barnes Coll. CHAMBERS CO. Black Jack Springs, (1ɗ). CHILDRESS CO. 10 mi n of Childress, 31 Aug. 1996, C.W. Bordelon ( CWB). COTTLE CO. Paducah, 8 Sep. 1966 (1ɗ, 1Ψ), A. & M.E. Blanchard. CULBERSON CO. Guadalupe Mts. National Park, Ship on Desert, 6–8 Sep. 1991 (1ɗ), E.C. Knudson ( TAMU), (1ɗ), ( AMNH). EL PASO CO. Hueco Tanks State Park, 23 Sep. 1995 (1ɗ), E.C. Knudson (ECK), 19 Sep. 1998 (1Ψ), R.D. Worthington ( UTEP), Franklin Mts., Bajada 740 Tepic at 4000 ft. elev., 1 Aug. 1997 (1Ψ), R.D. Worthington ( UTEP). HUDSPETH CO. Sierra Blanca, J.K. Adams (JKA). LA SALLE CO. Chaparral Wildlife Management Area, 29–30 Sep. 1989 (3Ψ), J. Schaffner ( TAMU). KERR CO. Kerrville, no date (1ɗ), 21 Sep. 1906 (1ɗ), F.C. Pratt, Sep. 1902 (1Ψ) H. Lacy, Sep. 1902 (1Ψ), Sep. 1904 (1Ψ), no date (4ɗ, 7Ψ), Barnes Coll., 10 Sep (1ɗ), H. Lacey ( UCB); Mountain Home, 22 Sep. 1906 (1Ψ), F.C. Pratt. KLEBURG CO. Kingsville, J.K. Adams (JKA). MONTAGUE CO. [No specific locality], 5 Aug. 1940 (1ɗ), 25 Aug. 1940 (1ɗ), 29 Aug. 1940 (1ɗ, 1Ψ), 1 Sep. 1940 (2ɗ, 1Ψ); 8 mi s Forestburg, 11 Sep. 1940 (1Ψ) ( USNM), 11 Sep. 1949 (1Ψ), L.H. Birdwell ( UCD). POTTER CO. Amarillo, 12 Aug. 1977 (1Ψ), R.E. Howard ( BYU). RANDALL CO. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 11 Sep. 1966 (1Ψ), A. & M.E. Blanchard. UVALDE CO. Garner State Park, 6 Oct. 1984 (1ɗ), E.C. Knudson (ECK); Sabinal, 5 Sep. 1910 (2Ψ), 10 Sep. 1910 (1ɗ), Oct. 1910 (1Ψ), F.C. Pratt. VAL VERDE CO. Del Rio, 4 Oct. 1994 (1Ψ), E.C. Knudson (ECK).

Discussion. Hardwick (1996) gave no explanation for synonymizing S. alencis with S. chrysellus . The species has a long flight period from early July to early October with the bulk of the specimens being collected in August and September.

Figures

FIGURES 4 – 11. Adults. 4, Schinia chrysellus, male, Texas, Val Verde Co. Lake Walk, USNMENT 00220471; 5, S. chrysellus, male, Texas, Val Verde Co. Lake Walk, USNMENT 00220471; 6, S. chrysellus, male (lanul phenotype), Texas, USNMENT 00220456; 7, S. chryselloides, male, Texas, Cottle Co., Paducah, USNMENT 00220482; 8, S. chryselloides, female, Holotype, Colorado, Elbert Co., Elizabeth, lights for new grocery mall, USNMENT 00220214; 9, S. chryselloides, male, Colorado, Elbert Co., Elizabeth, lights for new grocery mall, USNMENT 00220211; 10, S. alencis, female, Texas, Brewster Co., Alpine, USNMENT 00220501; 11, S. alencis, female, Texas, Cottle Co., Paducah, USNMENT 0 0 220513.

FIGURES 16 – 20. Heads. 16, Schinia chrysellus; 17, S. chryselloides; 18, S. alencis; 19, S. ciliata; 20, S. rufocostulata.

FIGURES 21 – 25. Foretibia showing form and arrangement of claws. 21, Schinia chrysellus; 22, S. chryselloides; 23, S. alencis; 24, S. ciliata; 25, S. rufocostulata.

FIGURES 26 – 31. Male genitalia and aedoeagus. 26, Schinia chrysellus; 27, S. chrysellus, aedoeagus; 28, S. chryselloides; 29, S. chryselloides, aedoeagus; 30, S. alencis; 9, 31, S. alencis, aedoeagus.

FIGURES 36 – 41. Female genitalia and papillae analis. 36, Schinia chrysellus; 37, S. chryselloides; 38, S. alencis; 39, S. chrysellus, papillae analis; 40, S. chryselloides, papillae analis; 41, S. alencis, papillae analis.

FIGURE 48 – 49. 48, Collecting localities for Schinia alencis, shaded area is distribution of suspected host plant, Heterotheca canescens (Asteraceae); 49, Collecting localities for Schinia ciliata (closed circles), shaded area is distribution of host plant, Gutierrezia sarothrae (Asteraceae); S. rufocostulata (triangle).