Schinia varix Knudson, Bordelon and Pogue

Knudson, E, Bordelon, C & Pogue, MG, 2003, A new species of Huebner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae) from Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana., Zootaxa 382, pp. 1-7 : 2-7

Schinia varix Knudson, Bordelon and Pogue , new species

( Figs. 1–2 , 7 , 9, 11, 13, 15 )

Diagnosis. Maculation: Forewing pattern is similar to that of S. siren ( Figs. 3–4 ), except that the darker basal and subterminal areas are a rich, reddish purple (maroon) in varix and orange to greenish yellow in siren . The median paler area is wider in siren than in varix and is more heavily shaded with the basal and subterminal coloring in the females of both siren and varix . The basal area of the male hindwing is black in varix with no trace of the basal white scaling present in siren . The hindwing fringe is immaculate white in siren and cream with a dark inner band in varix . The wings undersurface in varix is similar in general pattern to those of siren , but in varix , the pale areas are strongly suffused with reddish purple, whereas in siren , they are white to pale yellow. Abdomen: Males of siren have prominent, eversible, hair pencils, with scent pockets on sternite 2. Males of varix have only vestigial scent pockets. Male genitalia: The uncus is short in varix , approximately 2/3 the length of the uncus in siren . The outer margin of the valve is slightly angulate at 2/3 length in varix and more smoothly curved in siren . The coronal spines are heavier and extend about 15% of valve length from apex along the outer margin of the valve in siren and are thinner and extend about 10% of valve length from apex along the outer margin of the valve in varix . The ampulla is shorter in varix than in siren . The vesica is shorter in varix with 3 coils and longer in siren with 3 1/2 coils. Female genitalia: The ovipositor lobe in varix has a slightly more pointed apex; the apex is more rounded in siren . The signa is not as well developed in varix , but in siren it is more conspicuous.

Description: MALE: Head: Front and vertex yellow orange, antenna and palpus yellow orange; ventral lip of frons slightly projected; eye large and globular. Thorax: Yellow orange, clothed dorsally with long hairlike scales; legs yellow orange; foretibia with one inner and one outer pair of heavy spines and a variable number of smaller spines dorsal to these; underside with shiny white flat scales and yellow­orange hairlike scales. Abdomen: Yellow orange, but slightly lighter than thorax; sternite 2 with lateral vestigial scent pockets. Forewing: Length 8.6–10.2 mm, average 9.6 mm (n = 12). Dorsally with extreme base clothed with long yellowish, hairlike scales, which partially obscure a small basal patch of lead­colored scales; basal third to antemedial line reddish purple (maroon); antemedial line obscure, pale yellow, angled outwardly over cell; median third pale yellowish, variably shaded with darker scales; orbicular spot absent; postmedian line pale yellow, obscure, slightly expanded at costal margin, gently sinuate from outer 1/3 of costa to inner 1/3 of inner margin; subterminal space maroon, variably spotted with blackish scales, especially near tornus; subterminal line obscure, yellowish, somewhat dentate; terminal space brownish, variably suffused with maroon scales; terminal line absent; fringe yellowish white with dark inner band. Ventrally blackish, with costal margin and apex maroon, inner margin pale yellowish. Hindwing: Dorsally black, with extreme costal margin to outer 1/3, pale yellow; fringe whitish yellow, with dark inner band. Ventrally with costal 2/ 3 maroon, anal 1/3 black. Genitalia ( Figs. 9, 11 ): Uncus short (0.3 X valve length), robust. Valve of medium width (length 6.25 X width), costal margin slightly angulate at approximately 2/3 length; ampulla short (0.03 X valve length); corona at apical 10% of valve length; sacculus well developed and 1/3 length of valve; ventral margin produced. Aedoeagus slightly curved; vesica with 3 coils and minute spicules.

FEMALE: As in male except forewing length 8.9–10.2 mm, average 9.6 mm (n = 8); maculation of forewing darker maroon; median space narrower, more suffused with maroon and blackish scales; antemedial and postmedial lines better defined. Genitalia ( Figs. 13, 15 ): Papillae anales broadly rounded, apex broadly rounded. Seventh segment longer than eighth; short setae randomly scattered. Eighth segment with fine spicules. Ductus bursae moderately elongate, approximately 1 1/4 times length of corpus bursae. Appendix bursae with 3 coils. Corpus bursae ovate; signa composed of 2 faint scobinate bars.

Type material. HOLOTYPE: Male, Texas, Hardin Co., Big Thicket National Preserve, Turkey Creek Unit, Kirby Nature trail (HQTRS), 4 Oct. 1994, collected by Ed Knudson. Deposited in USNM.

PARATYPES: LOUISIANA: Bossier Parish, Barksdale A.F.B., 14 Sep. 1996 (5 males), R. L. Brown, shortleaf pine forest (MSU). Natchitoches Parish, Red Dirt National Wildlife Refuge, Kisatchie National Forest, 6 Sep. 2002 (31 males, 3 females), V. A. Brou (VAB). Vernon Parish, Kisatchie National Forest, 14­IX­96, (1 male, 31°00’48”N, 93°04’49”W; 1 female, 30°58’57”N, 93°08’05”W), D. Landau coll. (LSU). OKLA­ HOMA: Lincoln Co., Chandler, 29 Aug. 1991 (1 male), Chuck & Cecil Harp coll. (CEH). Oklahoma Co., Luther, 30­VIII­91 (1 male, 1 female), Chuck Harp coll. (CEH). TEXAS: Same data as holotype (3 males) (TLS). Bastrop Co., Stengl Ranch, 5­6 Sep. 1994 (1 male), J. Gillaspy (TAMU). Brazos Co., College Station, 27­IX­56 (1 male), H. Van Cleave coll. (TAMU); 20­IX­78 (1 male), R. Peigler coll. (RSP). Cass Co., Atlanta State Park, 30­VIII­85 (1 male), Knudson coll. Hardin Co., Silsbee, 14­IX­96 (4 males), C. Bordelon (CWB); R.E. Larsen Sandyland Preserve (Texas Nature Conservancy), 14­IX­96 (7 males (TLS), (1 male and genitalia slide USNM 47173) (USNM), (1 female) (TLS), Bordelon & Knudson coll. Kenedy Co., Padre Island National Seashore, 29 Sep. 1975 (1 male), M. & A. E. Blanchard (USNM). Leon Co., Buffalo, 7­IX­75 (1 female), Knudson coll. Montague Co., 8 mi S of Forestburg, 26 Aug. 1944 (1 female), L. H. Bridwell (USNM). Tyler Co., BITH, Hickory Creek Unit, Easement Rd., 16­IX­95 (1 male), Knudson coll.; Kirby State Forest, 3­4­IX­94 (2 males (TLS), (1 male and genitalia slide USNM 47174) (USNM), 4 females (TLS), 1 female (USNM), Bordelon & Knudson coll.; Town Bluff (Dam B), 21 Sep. 1970 (3 males, 2 females, genitalia slide USNM 47168), 22 Sep. 1970 (2 males, genitalia slide USNM 47167), M. & A. E. Blanchard (USNM).

Larval host: Unknown

Flight period: August to early October.

Distribution: Central Oklahoma, eastern Texas, Louisiana.

Etymology: The name varix , from Latin, refers to the predominant color of the wings, which is a dark purplish red, like the color of a bruised or broken vein.

Discussion: Schinia varix is probably both sympatric and synchronic with S. siren in most of the localities from where it is known. However, S. siren has a much wider distribution, occurring throughout the southeastern U.S. and west to Arizona. Schinia varix is sexually dimorphic with the females having the forewing median space heavily inundated with maroon ground color resulting in light colored antemedial and postmedian lines; sometimes the forewing can be the solid maroon ground color. There is no other species in the range of varix with which it may be confused. S. roseitincta (Harvey) may come close to the range of S. varix in Oklahoma, but the former is smaller and usually has reddish on the dorsal surface of the hindwing. Schinia antonio is a tiny, diurnal species that occurs in southern Texas. It easily can be separated from S. varix by the reduced eyes, size, and habits.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. Adults. 1, Schina varix, Holotype male. 2, Schinia varix, paratype female, Texas, Hardin Co., RE Larsen Sandyland Preserve. 3, Schinia siren, male, Texas, Hardin Co., RE Larsen Sandyland Preserve. 4, Schinia siren, female, Texas, Briscoe Co., Caprock Canyon State Park. 5, Schinia roseitincta, male, Texas, El Paso Co., W. Montana Hwy. 6, Schinia antonio, male, Texas, McMullen Co., 18 mi N of Freer.

FIGURES 7 ­ 8. Scent pockets on second sternite. 7, Schina varix, paratype male, Texas, Tyler Co., Town Bluff (Dam B), Genitalia slide USNM 47167, USNM ENT 155500. 8, Schinia siren, male, Texas, Nueces Co., N. Padre Island, Genitalia slide USNM 47165.

FIGURES 9 – 16. Genitalia. 9, Schina varix, paratype male, Texas, Tyler Co., Town Bluff (Dam B), Genitalia slide USNM 47167, USNM ENT 155500. 10, Schinia siren, male, Texas, Nueces Co., N. Padre Island, Genitalia slide USNM 47165, USNM ENT 155685. 11, Schina varix, paratype male, aedoeagus of USNM 47167. 12, Schinia siren, male, aedoeagus of USNM 47165. 13, Schina varix, paratype female, Texas, Tyler Co., Town Bluff (Dam B), genitalia slide USNM 47168, USNM ENT 155499. 14, Schinia siren, female, Texas, Tyler Co., Town Bluff (Dam B), genitalia slide USNM 47166, USNM ENT 155686. 15, Schina varix, paratype female, papillae anales of USNM 47168. 16, Schinia siren, female, papillae anales of USNM 47166.