Schinia obliqua Smith

Pogue, Michael G. & Harp, Charles E., 2003, Revised status of Schinia unimacula Smith including morphological comparisons with Schinia obliqua Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae), Zootaxa 226 (1), pp. 1-8 : 2-4

Schinia obliqua Smith

( Figs. 1­3 , 7­8, 11 , 13 )

Schinia obliqua Smith 1883:229 Smith 1893:276 . Dyar 1903:188. Barnes and McDunnough 1917:39. McDunnough 1938:105. Todd 1982:154. Franclemont and Todd 1983:159. Poole 1989:896. Poole and Gentili 1996:772. Hardwick 1996:183 [syn.: S. unimacula Smith , S. coolidgei Hill ]

Diagnosis. Maculation: Forewing of obliqua has distinct, basal, median, and subterminal bands that are light brown to grayish olive in coloration. The median band is sinnuate around the reniform spot. The subterminal band is constricted opposite the reniform spot and can be contiguous or separate at this point. In unimacula the bands are less distinct, and the median band is straighter, resulting in a larger white area between the basal and median bands ( Figs. 4­6 ). The subterminal band in unimacula is represented by a distinct subapical spot with the remainder of the band faint, becoming more distinct towards the posterior forewing margin. The reniform spot is usually larger and better developed in unimacula than in obliqua . Male genitalia: The uncus is longer and thinner in unimacula than in obliqua . The costal valve margin is gently curved in unimacula and distinctly angulate toward the apex in obliqua ; the valve is narrower in unimacula than in obliqua ; and the corona has fewer, stouter setae in unimacula than in obliqua . The saccus in unimacula is only slightly wider than in obliqua . Female genitalia: The papillae anales apex is pointed in unimacula and broadly rounded in obliqua , which can easily be seen without dissection. The setae on the distal margin of the seventh segment are large and numerous in unimacula and are weak and fewer in obliqua ; smaller setae occur sparsely over the rest of the segment in obliqua , but are absent in unimacula .

Description. Male genitalia ( Figs. 7­8 ): Uncus short (0.28 X valve length), robust. Valve elongate (length 7.5 X width), costal margin angulate at approximately 85% of length; ampulla short (0.04 X valve length); corona at apical 10% of valve length; sacculus well developed and 25% of valve length, dorsal margin distinct. Aedoeagus slightly curved; vesica with 2 coils and minute spicules. Female genitalia ( Fig. 11 ): Papillae anales broadly triangulate, apex broadly rounded. Seventh segment with weak, elongate setae in a row along distal margin; smaller setae sparsely scattered on remainder of segment. Eighth segment with fine spicules. Ductus bursae moderately elongate. Appendix bursae coiled. Corpus bursae ovate; signa composed of 4 scobinate bars.

Type material. Lectotype male, in USNM designated by Todd (1982). Label data: (1) S. obliqua Smith (handwritten in black ink); (2) Collection J.B. Smith; (3) Type No. 288 USNM [red label]; (4) male genitalia on slide, Nov. 29, 1937, JFGC # 1382; (5) Genitalia slide male, JFGC, USNM 40062; (6) LECTOTYPE, Schinia obliqua Smith ; (7) USNM ENT 00143254 [bar code].

Larval host plant. Unknown.

Flight period. July through September.

Distribution ( Fig. 13 ). Western Texas, southwestern New Mexico, and southern Arizona.

Material Examined. Specimens were examined from the following states and counties: ARIZONA: Apache Co., Cochise Co., Graham Co. , Maricopa Co. , Pima Co. , Santa Cruz Co. NEW MEXICO: Luna Co. TEXAS: Brewster Co. , Jeff Davis Co .

Discussion. The intensity and color of the forewing bands are variable. The small black spots at the ends of the cells along the outer margin can be present or absent. The hindwing can be almost immaculate to quite well marked with a distinct discal spot and marginal band.

Figures

FIGURES 13. Collecting localities of Schinia obliqua (open squares) and S. unimacula (solid circles). Distribution of larval hosts of S. unimacula, Ericameria paniculata (dark shading) and E. nauseosa nauseosa (light shading).

FIGURES 1-6. Adults. 1, Schinia obliqua, f, Arizona, Pima Co., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mts., 17 Aug. 1943, USNM ENT 143043. 2, Schinia obliqua, m, Arizona, Pima Co., Redington, USNM ENT 143050. 3, Schinia obliqua, m, New Mexico, Luna Co., Deming, 8-15 Sep., USNM ENT 143072. 4, Schinia unimacula, Lectotype m [designated by Todd], Colorado, Type No. 33719 USNM, USNM ENT 143255. 5, Holotype m, Schinia coolidgei Hill [synonym of S. unimacula], California, San Diego Co., Jacumba, 28 Sep. 1924, USNM ENT 143256. 6, Schinia unimacula, f, Washington, Bar, 10 Aug. 1940, USNM ENT 143116.

FIGURES 7­12. Genitalia. 7, Schinia obliqua, m, Arizona, Pima Co., Redington, Genitalia slide USNM 46784, USNM ENT 143044. 8, aedoeagus of same specimen. 9, Schinia unimacula, m, Utah, Utah Co., Vineyard, Genitalia slide USNM 46782, USNM ENT 143124. 10, aedoeagus of same specimen. 11, Schinia obliqua, f, Arizona, Pima Co., Redington, Genitalia slide USNM 46785, USNM ENT 143052. 12, Schinia unimacula, f, Utah, Utah Co., Vineyard, Genitalia slide USNM 46783, USNM ENT 143127.