Anarta fusculenta (Smith, 1891) Smith, 1891

Mustelin, Tomas, 2006, Taxonomy of southern California Erebidae and Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) with descriptions of twenty one new species, Zootaxa 1278, pp. 1-47 : 36-37

Anarta fusculenta (Smith, 1891) , NEW STATUS

Fig. 56 a and 56b

Based on differences in genital anatomy between typical Anarta crotchi (Grote, 1880) from Wyoming ( Fig. 57 a and 57b) and specimens referred to as ssp. fusculenta (Smith, 1891) from southern California ( Fig. 56 a and 56b), I raise the latter to species rank as Anarta fusculenta (Smith 1891) , NEW STATUS. The male valves of A. fusculenta are more robust, broader, and have a sharper outer angle and longer saccular extensions, which extend outward much further from the lateral margin of the valves ( Fig. 56 a). The valves are more similar to those of A. oaklandiae (McDunnough, 1937) ( Fig. 58 ), which also has broader and more angular valves, albeit not as prominent as those of fusculenta . The saccular extensions are asymmetrical in the three species, but are longest in fusculenta , forked and sharp on the left side in fusculenta , and blunt in crotchi . The saccular extensions on the right side are club­shaped and largest and angular in fusculenta , and smaller and more rounded in crotchi and oaklandiae . Anarta fusculenta is generally larger, much darker, and has a less streaky maculation than A. crotchi . Anarta fusculenta is more similar to A. oaklandiae in size and maculation, but considerably darker.

Anarta fusculenta (Smith, 1891) is a relatively common and sometimes abundant species in late April–May in the mountains of southern California, particularly in the Laguna Mountains of San Diego County. It also occurs in the Santa Rosa Mountains (Riverside County) and the Transverse Ranges of San Bernardino , Los Angeles, Ventura, and Kern counties.

Figures

FIGURES 40 – 63. Male genitalia of the new described species and related species: 40, Protoperigea calientensis (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 41, Aseptis fanatica (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 42, Aseptis ethnica. 43, Aseptis ferruginea. 44, Aseptis torreyana (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 45, Aseptis serrula. 46, Apamea robertsoni (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 47, Apamea digitula (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 48, Apamea sordens. 49, Photedes sofiae. 50, Mammifrontia sarae (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 51, Mammifrontia rileyi (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 52, Benjaminola colorada (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 53, Perigonica tertia. 54, Perigonica fulminans. 55, Perigonica angulata. 56, Anarta fusculenta (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 57, Anarta crotchi (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 58, Anarta oaklandiae. 59, Lasionycta sala (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 60, Trichocerapoda harbisoni (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 61, Trichocerapoda comstocki. 62, Trichocerapoda oceanis (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 63. Hexorthodes nipana.