Grammia virgo (Linnaeus, 1758)

Schmidt, B. Christian, 2009, Taxonomic revision of the genus Grammia Rambur (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Arctiinae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 156 (3), pp. 507-597 : 525-526

GRAMMIA VIRGO VIRGO (LINNAEUS) (FIG. 8A, C)

Diagnosis: The nominal subspecies of G. virgo averages slightly smaller, with less intensely coloured hindwings than ssp. gigas , (male forewing length 22.2 mm).

Distribution: The nominate subspecies occurs from the Great Lakes region and Atlantic seaboard south through New England, to at least West Virginia. Boreal populations (Fig. 8C) occur west to northeastern BC.

GRAMMIA VIRGO GIGAS SCHMIDT SSP. NOV.

(FIG. 8B)

Type material: Holotype (Fig. 8B) – ♀. Highlands , NC, USA, 17.vii.1957. C.J. Durden, coll. [ CNC] . Paratypes – 25 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀. USA: NC: same locality as holotype, 25–27.vii.1957 , 7 ♂♂ [ CNC]; Highlands , Horse Cove, 3.viii.1957 , C.J. Durden, 1 ♂, [ CNC]; Highlands , viii.1951 , E.C. Zimmerman, 1 ♂, [ CNC]. South Caro- lina: McClellanville, 12–21.ix.1970 , E.G. Munroe, 1 ♂ [ CNC]. GA: Rabun Co., Glassy Mtn Tower , 25.vii.1964. L. Cambre, coll. 1 ♂ [ UCB]. TN: Great Smoky Mtns National Park , Cades Cove loop road, 25.vii.2000. P. Goldstein, coll. 1 ♂ [ UCB]. KY: Morehead , 5–9.vii.1962 , Freeman & Lewis, 6 ♂♂ 2 ♀♀ [ CNC]; 22–28.vii.1963 , Freeman , 7 ♂♂ [ CNC] .

Etymology: The name gigas is derived from Latin for gigantic, as females of this subspecies are the largest of any Grammia .

Diagnosis: In pattern and colour, ssp. gigas is very similar to ssp. virgo , but gigas is much larger overall (with the wing area often two to three¥ greater than that of ssp. virgo ) and the hindwing colours are often brighter or more saturated, particularly in comparison to boreal G. virgo populations. The genetic differentiation of G. v. gigas is discussed under ‘Molecular variation’ for G. virgo .

Description: Head – Palps black, frons and vertex yellowish to creamy buff; male antennae moderately bipectinate, rami averaging 7.75 ¥ 10 - 1 mm, (N = 2); female antennae slightly bipectinate; dorsal scales dark brown to black with scattered buff scales; eyes well developed. Thorax – Vestiture black with yellowish to creamy buff borders on vertex, patagia, and tegulae; entirely dark brown to black ventrally, including legs. Abdomen – Dorsal ground colour pinkish orange; apex pale buff; medial and lateral markings black; medial band relatively broad; ventrally usually entirely black, sometimes with traces of pale buff along midline at distal margins of segments. Forewing – Length averaging 29.2 mm (N = 3); black dorsally, vein lines complete, lines and bands yellowish buff to creamy buff; antemedial band usually absent, or visible as slight pale bar along costa; postmedial band variable, most often present as rectangular bar across discal cell onto costa, rarely extending slightly beyond cubital vein; postmedial and subterminal bands well developed; postmedial angled strongly at M 3, not extending through postcubital stripe; fringe, costa, and anal margin concolourous with pale markings; ventral markings similar, but dark markings slightly paler, and with a distinct yellowish cast overall; sexes similar, with females slightly larger. Hindwing – Ground colour orange to pinkish-orange; black markings well developed; antemedial spots consisting of costal, discal and anal spots, discal spot nearly always present and well developed; postmedial and subterminal spots well developed, not confluent except near tornus; ventral markings similar, but colours more washed-out and with overall yellowish cast; sexes similar. Genitalia: larger overall than G. v. virgo , but otherwise indistinguishable.

Distribution: The range of this subspecies is cantered on the south-eastern USA, including the Great Smoky Mountains of TN and NC, and occurring south to GA and northern FL. The northern limits of this taxon, and the relationship to ssp. virgo , should be looked at in more detail. Nominate G. virgo occurs in the Great Lakes region and New England, presumably grading into ssp. gigas along the Atlantic coastal plain and the Applachian mountains.