Zale lunifera (Hübner)

Schmidt, Christian, 2010, Taxonomic reassessment of Zale lunifera (Hübner) (Erebidae, Erebinae), ZooKeys 39 (39), pp. 99-106 : 103-104

Zale lunifera (Hübner)

Figs 5–8

Phaeocyma lunifera Hübner, 1818: 19 , pl. XX.

Homoptera cingulifera Walker, [1858] : 1056.

Zale lunifera ; Covell 1984: pl. 38 f. 21.

Type material. Phaeocyma lunifera – Type locality: “Georgien” [ USA: Georgia]; the type is apparently lost, but the illustration in the original description is most similar to the oak-feeding species, with a more brownish colouration, distinct orbicular spot, indistinct striations and even, slightly violaceous submedial forewing area. In contrast, specimens of Z. intenta from coastal Georgia tend to be heavily striate, greyish rather than brown, and with a contrastingly pale subterminal forewing area. To ensure the stability of the name, the following specimen is designated as neotype: “USA: GA [ Georgia] Long Co., Ludowici, / 3 mi SW, Griffi n Ridge / WMA. [Wildlife Management Area] 31.694N - 81.796W / 6-iii-08 C.Schmidt & J.Adams ” ; “ NEOTYPE / Phaeocyma / lunifera Hübner / desig. Schmidt 2010”. Homoptera cingulifera – Type locality: [ USA:] East Florida ; holotype in BMNH [photograph examined] .

Other material examined. Florida: Marion Co., Anthony ; Putnam Co., Ocala National Forest. North Carolina: Craven Co. , Croatan National Forest . New York: Suffolk Co., Dwarf Pine Plains . New Jersey: Lakehurst. Georgia: Long Co. , Ludowici , Griffin Ridge. Massachusetts: Plymouth Co., Myles Standish State Forest . Alabama: Ozark , Camp Rucker .

Diagnosis. Similar to Z. intenta ; see diagnosis under that species.

Redescription. Markings, colouration and genitalic structure as for Z. intenta , but differing in the following characters. Forewing – length averaging 17.4 mm (n = 4) in males, 18.9 mm (n = 3) in females; ground colour greyish brown to dark chocolate brown with a slight violaceous tinge; entire wing covered in fine black striae, less developed and thinner than in Z. intenta ; antemedial line with more pronounced medial angle than in Z. intenta ; orbicular small and black, sharply contrasting; subterminal area concolourous with medial area, never contrastingly paler with strong striae. Hindwing – as for Z. intenta , but without variation toward more contrasting hindwing markings seen in pale specimens. Male genitalia – valves slightly more elongate compared to Z. intenta ; aedeagus slightly shorter and less twisted than in Z. intenta . Female genitalia – ostium separated from caudal margin of antevaginal plate by diameter of ostium; proximal chamber of corpus bursae 1.9 × diameter of distal chamber.

Distribution and biology. Zale lunifera occurs primarily east and south of the Appalachian Mountains. Examined material and reliable records indicate a range from southern Maine ( Wagner et al. 2003) south to Lee Co., Mississippi (D. Schweitzer, pers. comm.) and Florida. Not known from south-eastern Virginia or South Carolina, but the species may occur in these regions. Lack of suitable habitat in Maryland and Delaware make occurrence in these states unlikely (D. Schweitzer, pers. comm.). Occurs inland to the mountains of Virginia and Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (Nature- Serve 2009).

In southeastern Georgia this species inhabits open, sandy pine-oak forest. Wagner et al. (2003) record it from sand plain pitch pine / scrub oak barrens in northeastern United States. Larvae feed on Bear Oak ( Quercus ilicifolia Wangenh. ) ( Wagner et al. 2003), and other scrub oak species (NatureServe 2009). Additional life history data are given by NatureServe (2009).

Remarks. DNA analysis of seven Z. lunifera specimens (New York, North Carolina, Florida) exhibited two ‘barcode’ haplotypes differing by one base-pair. Minimum divergence from Z. intenta haplotypes (five specimens from Quebec and Tennessee) was 1.2 %.