Schinia volupia (Fitch)

Pogue, Michael G., Ouellette, Gary D. & Harp, Charles E., 2013, A revision of the Schinia volupia (Fitch) species complex (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae), Zootaxa 3716 (2), pp. 157-191 : 166-178

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3716.2.3

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:768FB82B-5EA9-4C89-9F68-F5D5E6286570

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6164718

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03FBF16C-FFC3-E935-BBA4-95C3FE75131B

treatment provided by

Plazi

scientific name

Schinia volupia (Fitch)
status

 

Schinia volupia (Fitch) View in CoL

( Figs. 12–28 View FIGURES 5 – 19 View FIGURES 20 – 34 , 38–40, 44 View FIGURES 35 – 46 , 50–52, 56 View FIGURES 47 – 58 , 60–63 View FIGURES 59 – 66 , 81 View FIGURES 77 – 82 –82, 109 View FIGURES 109 )

Alaria volupia Fitch, 1868: 908 .

Rhododipsa volupia: Grote 1880: 47 .—Grote 1883:152.—Smith 1883: 250.—Smith 1891: 53.—Smith 1893: 273.—Dyar 1903: 186.— Holland 1903: 225.—Barnes and McDunnough 1917:38.—McDunnough 1938: 104.

Schinia volupia: Franclemont and Todd 1983:158 .—Poole 1989:898.—Poole and Gentili 1996:772.—Hardwick 1996:153.— Lafontaine and Schmidt 2010:69.

Rhododipsa masoni Smith, 1896:284 .—Dyar 1903:186.— Holland 1903:225.—Barnes and McDunnough 1917:38.— McDunnough 1938:105. new synonym

Schinia masoni: Franclemont and Todd 1983:158 .—Poole 1989:895.—Poole and Gentili 1996:771.—Hardwick 1996:154.— Byers 1989:210 [life history].

Diagnosis. Schinia volupia is an extremely variable species across its wide geographic range. Specimens most resembling the holotype have a dark reddish-pink forewing and dark pink hind wing ( Figs. 22–23 View FIGURES 20 – 34 ). Forewing ground color can vary from ochreous ( Figs. 15–16 View FIGURES 5 – 19 ), gradually becoming more pink ( Figs. 17–18 View FIGURES 5 – 19 ), to darker pink ( Figs. 19–21 View FIGURES 5 – 19 View FIGURES 20 – 34 ), to dark reddish-pink, to maroon ( Figs. 24–25 View FIGURES 20 – 34 ). All of these forms have a pink to slightly darker pink hind wing. In other forms the forewing is mixed with dark reddish-pink and ochreous ( Figs. 26–29 View FIGURES 20 – 34 ) and these have a gray hind wing mixed with some pink. Specimens previously recognized as S. masoni (Smith) have a dark reddish-pink forewing and dark gray hind wing ( Figs. 30–31 View FIGURES 20 – 34 ). There is also variation in the form of the antemedial and postmedial lines varying from a solid, thin white line ( Figs. 15–18 View FIGURES 5 – 19 ) to becoming a series of short dashes along wing veins that may or may not be connected by pale pink scales ( Figs. 19–31 View FIGURES 5 – 19 View FIGURES 20 – 34 ).

Description. Head: Frons, vertex, and labial palp ochreous; eyes large, round. Thorax: Ground color darker ochreous than head. Foretibia with an elongate, curved inner spine with 1–2 smaller more slender spines proximally and 3–4 smaller, stout outer spines that are reduced in size proximally; middle and hind legs with obvious spines with the middle leg having a few more than the hind leg. Forewing ( Figs. 12–28 View FIGURES 5 – 19 View FIGURES 20 – 34 , 81–82 View FIGURES 77 – 82 ): Length 9.0–11.6 mm; ground color variable from pink to dark pink to maroon; antemedial line crenulate, curved; orbicular spot variable in size from a few white scales to a small spot contiguous with the antemedial line; reniform spot absent; postmedial line a white quadrate spot on the costa then forms a zigzag line to posterior margin; fringe testaceous flushed with pink. Hind wing: Ground color pink to dark pink flushed with testaceous; fringe testaceous with pink basally. Abdomen: Ochreous with a variable amount of pink caudally. Second sternite with well developed hair pencil and associated pocket. Male genitalia ( Figs. 38–40, 44 View FIGURES 35 – 46 ): Uncus of moderate length, length 0.31–0.33 X length of valve; valve length 5.26–6.67 X width, apex narrow, robust setae along slightly scalloped posterior margin; corona reduced, consisting of less than eight setae or absent; ampulla large (length= 0.10–0.12 X length of valve); saccus V-shaped. Female genitalia ( Figs. 60–63 View FIGURES 59 – 66 ): Papillae anales triangulate, apex narrowly rounded; eighth segment with fine, elongate spicules; seventh segment with fine spicules extending onto distal margin, an irregular row of fine, elongate setae proximal to fine spicules, and shorter fine setae sparsely scattered on rest of segment; accessory bursae with three coils; corpus bursae slightly ovate; signa consisting of four elongate scobinate ribbons.

Type material. Schinia volupia : Holotype ♀, No locality; three labels: 1) 1040 (hand written in red ink), 2) Alaria volupia Fitch (hand written in black ink), 3) Type, No. 283, U.S. N.M. (red label printed and hand written in black ink). Deposited in USNM.

Schinia masoni : Lectotype ♀, five labels: 1) Denver, Colo. Bruce (hand written in black ink), 2) 36511 (type set in black ink), 3) Rhododipsa masoni Type 1 Smith (red bordered, hand written in black ink), 4) Type, No. 4842, U.S. N.M. (red label printed and hand written in black ink), 5) Rhododipsa masoni Smith (black bordered white label with Lectotype and By printed in red). Lectotype designated by Todd (1982). Deposited in USNM.

Material examined. All specimens are from USNM collection except as noted. (198 ♂, 127 ♀). U.S.A.: COLORADO: BOULDER CO.: Boulder, 5500 ft., 12 June 1961, J.R. Stainer (CNC). DENVER CO.: Denver, (3 ♂, 3 ♀) ♀ genitalia slide USNM 49474, 8 –15 July (2 ♂, 1 ♀). DOUGLAS CO.: 3 mi E of Palmer Lake, County Line Rd. at Beacon Lite, 7300 ft., 27 June 2004 (3 ♂, 1 ♀), C. Harp & B. Byers (CEH); 3.5 mi E of Palmer Lake, County Line Rd. at Beacon Lite, 7300 ft., 1 July 2004 (3 ♂, 1 ♀) m genitalia slide USNM 49475, 5 July 2004 (1 ♂, 1 ♀) ♀ genitalia slide USNM 49476, 6 July 2004 (1 ♀), on Gaillardia aristata, C. Harp (USNM, CEH). FREMONT CO.: Canon City, 10 Aug. 1973 (1 ♀), G.F. Hevel. LARIMER CO.: Ft. Collins, (1 ♀). JEFFERSON CO.: Chimney Gulch, (4 ♂, 2 ♀), 24–30 June (1 ♂, 5 ♀) ♀ genitalia slide USNM 50614; Chimney Gulch, 17 June 1927, C.L. (CNC); Golden, (1 ♂, 3 ♀); Morrison, June (2 ♂, 1 ♀); Turkey Creek Canyon, June (4 ♂, 5 ♀) ♂ genitalia slide USNM 49473, ♀ genitalia slide USNM 50615. KANSAS: CLARK CO.: No specific locality, May 1962 (1 ♂), June 1962 (1 ♂, 2 ♀), F.H. Snow. MORTON CO.: Cimarron National Grasslands, 7.5 mi N Elkhart, 26 Aug. 2000 (1 ♂), D.J. Wright (DJW). SEWARD CO.: 13 mi NE Liberal, 2700 ft., 26 Aug. 1975, Lafontaine & Bowen (CNC). TREGO CO.: Cedar Bluff Dam, 28 July 1999 (1 ♂), E.H. Metzler (EHM); Cedar Bluff State Park, T14S, R22W, Sec. 23 & 26, short grass prairie, 14 June 1987 (6 ♂, 2 ♀), E.H. Metzler (EHM); Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area, yucca dominated prairie, CBSY, 28 July 1999 (2 ♂), E.H. Metzler (EHM). LOUISIANA: CAMERON PARISH: Johnson’s Bayou, T15S, R13W, Sec. 18, 8 Aug. 1985 (1 ♂), 12 Aug. 1985 (6 ♂, 4 ♀), 10 Sep. 1985 (3 ♂, 1 ♀), 14 Sep. 1985 (8 ♂, 1 ♀), 19 Sep. 1985 (4 ♂, 1 ♀), V.A. Brou (VAB). NATCHITOCHES PARISH: Kisatchie National Forest, W. of Gorum, 16 Aug. 1996 (1 ♂, 1 ♀), V.A. Brou (VAB); Red Dirt National Wildlife Refuge, Kisatchie National Forest, 22 Aug. 1997 (4 ♂), 24 Aug. 1995 (10 ♂), 29 Aug. 1989 (1 ♂, 2 ♀), 5 Sep. 1999 (2 ♂), 6 Sep. 1999 (2 ♂), V.A. Brou (VAB). NEW MEXICO: southern [no specific locality], 1–10 Sep. (1 ♀) genitalia slide USNM 50616, O. Polling. GRANT CO.: Mangas Springs, 4850 ft., 13 Aug. 1991 (1 ♀), C.D. Ferris (CSU). QUAY CO.: Tucumcari, 26 May 1924 (1 ♂), J.R. Horton. TORRANCE CO.: 6 mi N Gran Quivira National Monument along Hwy. 55, E shoulder, 8 Aug. 2002 (3 ♂, 1 ♀) ♂ genitalia slides USNM 50602, 50603, ♀ genitalia slide USNM 50604, C. Harp (CEH). OKLAHOMA: CADDO CO.: Red Rock Canyon State Park, 8 July 1987 (2 ♂, 1 ♀), E.H. Metzler (EHM), 30–31 May 1979 (2 ♀), R.J. McGinley. MARSHALL CO.: University of Oklahoma Biological Station, Willis, 14 July 1952 (1 ♀), D.R. Davis. MURRAY CO.: Arbuckle Mountains, 1 km W Turner Falls, 19–30 July 1984 (4 ♂), D. & M. Davis. TEXAS: ANGELINA CO.: Zavalla, 27 Apr. 1960 (1 ♂), F.C. Pratt. ARANSAS CO.: Goose Island State Park, north of Aransas Pass, 18 June 1966 (1 ♂), J.R. Heitzman. BASTROP CO.: Bastrop State Park, 27 June 1963 (1 ♀), 30 June 1964 (1 ♂, 1 ♀) ♀ genitalia slide USNM 49472, A. & M.E. Blanchard. BEXAR CO.: San Antonio, 15 May 1906 (1 ♀), F.C. Pratt. BLANCO CO.: Blanco State Park, 12 June 1963 (1 ♂, 1 ♀), A. & M.E. Blanchard; Round Mt., (1 ♂). BRAZOS CO.: College Station, 20 May (2 ♂), 1 June (1 ♂), 14 June (3 ♀), 20 June (3 ♂, 2 ♀), 23 June (1 ♂, 3 ♀), P.O. Glick; College Station, 18 June 1979, 13 Aug. 1979, R.S. Peigler (CNC). BURNET CO.: Shovel Mountain, (3 ♂, 2 ♀), 16–23 Apr. (1 ♂, 1 ♀), 24–30 Apr. (1 ♀), 8–16 May (1 ♂), 1– 7 July (1 ♂) genitalia slide USNM 49471. CAMERON CO.: Brownsville, 1 Apr. 1929 (1 ♀), 11 June (1m), 23 June 1895 (1 ♂, 1 ♀); San Benito, 8–15 May (1 ♀). COTTLE CO.: Paducah, 9 July 1967 (1 ♂), A. & M.E. Blanchard. DALLAS CO.: Dallas, 21 May 1938 (1 ♂). GALVESTON CO.: Galveston, May (1 ♀), F.E. Snow. HARRIS CO.: Houston, 3 June 1960 (1 ♂), 28 July 1960 (1 ♀), A. & M.E. Blanchard. HEMPHILL CO.: 6 mi E Canadian, 2000 ft., 8 Aug. 1975, Lafontaine & Bowen (CNC). JIM WELLS CO.: Sandia, 7 Apr. 1981, 19 June 1981, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC). KENEDY CO.: Padre Island National Seashore, 24 Sep. 1979 (1 ♂), A. & M.E. Blanchard. KERR CO.: Kerrville, (5 ♂, 1 ♀), Apr. (1 ♀), 31 May 1906 (1 ♂), F.C. Pratt. KLEBERG CO.: Kingsville, (2 ♂). LA SALLE CO.: Artesia Wells, 12 June 1972 (1 ♂), A. & M.E. Blanchard, 11 June 1972 (23 ♂, 4 ♀), 12 June 1972 (12 ♂, 1 ♀), 13 June 1972 (4 ♂, 6 ♀), 20 June 1972 (6 ♂, 17 ♀), 21 June 1972 (10 ♂, 15 ♀), D.C. Ferguson; Cotulla, 15 Apr. 1906 (1 ♂). LLANO CO.: Llano, 23 May 1925 (2 ♂), genitalia slide FHB 1180. MATAGORDA CO.: Matagorda, 11 May 1963 (1 ♀), G.F. Hevel. MONTAGUE CO.: No specific locality, 28 May 1940 (1 ♂), 27 Aug. 1941 (1 ♀), 28 Aug. 1940 (1 ♂), 30 Aug. 1940 (3 ♂), 1 Sep. 1940 (1 ♂), 21 Sep. 1941 (2 ♀), 30 Sep. 1941 (1 ♀) genitalia slide USNM 50617; 8 mi S of Forestburg, 28 Aug. 1949 (1 ♂), 25 Aug. 1949 (1 ♂), 31 Aug. 1949 (1 ♂), 11 Sep. 1949 (3 ♂, 1 ♀), 17 Sep. 1949 (3 ♂), 24 Sep. 1950 (1 ♀) genitalia slide USNM 50335. NUECES CO.: Corpus Christi, 12 Apr. 1906 (13 ♂, 4 ♀), F.C. Pratt, 6 Oct. 1951 (1 ♂), O.C. Cartwright; N. Padre Island, 9 Sep. 1974 (1 ♀), A. & M.E. Blanchard; Nueces River, (1m). PRESIDIO CO.: Marfa, Davis Mountains, 11 Sep. 1960 (1 ♂). SAN PATRICIO CO.: Sinton, Welder Wildlife Refuge, 5 Apr. 1972 (1 ♀), 22 Apr. 1964 (1 ♂, 1 ♀), 17 May 1977 (1 ♂), 7 Oct. 1963 (1 ♂, 3 ♀), A. & M.E. Blanchard; Sinton, Welder Wildlife Refuge, 25 Sep. 1984, 15 Oct. 1987, D.F. Hardwick (CNC). UVALDE CO.: Sabinal, 26 May 1910 (1 ♂), May 1910 (1 ♂), F.C. Pratt; Utopia, 9–15 May 1989 (1 ♂), D.E. Gaskin; Concan, Neils Lodges, 1300 ft., 17 Apr. 1990, 29 Apr. 1990, N. McFarland (CNC). ZAPATA CO.: Zapata, 12 Apr. 1964 (1 ♂), A. & M.E. Blanchard. UTAH: SALT LAKE CO.: Alta Ski Area, 4 July 1976 (1 ♀), D.A. Currutt (EHM). WYOMING: ALBANY CO.: no specific locality, 8310 ft. 1 July 2002, 8200 ft., 7 July 2002, C.D. Ferris (CNC). LARAMIE CO.: Curt Gowdy State Park, 6 July 1993, B. Landry (CNC).

Larval host plants. Larvae of S. volupia feed on four species of Gaillardia (Asteraceae) throughout its range. Gaillardia aestivalis (Walter) H. Rock , lanceleaf blanketflower; G. pinnatifida Torr. , red dome blanketflower; G. pulchella Foug., Indian blanket; G. aristata Pursh , blanketflower.

Biology. Hardwick (1996) gave a detailed description of the life history and larva of S. volupia . The first and second instars feed within the florets. Late second and third instars feed on the developing achenes and the corolla tubes. Third instars web together a feeding nest within the head. Fourth and fifth instars migrate to new heads and tie down the rays across the disc florets presumably to form a feeding shelter. Larva matured in five instars, with a single specimen requiring six instars.

Flight period. Specimens in Texas have been collected from April through September with peak abundance in June. In other parts of its range specimens in Kansas were collected in May and June, July in Oklahoma, and August in Colorado and New Mexico.

Distribution ( Fig. 109 View FIGURES 109 ). The front range of Colorado from Larimer, Douglas, and Fremont counties south to central and eastern New Mexico, east to western Kansas, south to southern Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana.

Discussion. As pointed out in the diagnosis both the forewing ground color and form of the antemedial and postmedial lines and ground color of the hind wing are extremely variable. This variation occurs at a single locality (8 mi S of Forestburg, Montague Co.:, Texas; Red Dirt National Wildlife Refuge, Natchitoches Parrish, Louisiana) where the forewing ground color ranges from pink to maroon.

Byers (1989) provides some insight into the possible hybridization of S. volupia and S. masoni . An area between Denver and Colorado Springs called the Palmer Divide, which separates the Platte River watershed to the north from the Arkansas watershed to the south, may be a hybrid zone between S. volupia and S. masoni . Byers collected specimens from this area and noted that the paler pink S. volupia forms had gray scales mixed with the pink scales on the hind wings. Recent collections from this area confirm this observation of both dark pink and maroon adults having a gray hind wing mixed with pink scales. In the more northern areas of the range of S. volupia ( masoni ) in Jefferson and Larimer Counties the hind wings are pure gray. Byers stated that if these intermediate forms are hybrids then they should be treated as subspecies instead of full species. With our knowledge of S. volupia being an extremely variable species we interpret that S. masoni is a dark form of S. volupia and the hybrid specimens seen in the vicinity of Palmer Divide and Palmer Lake are actually hybrids between S. miniana and S. volupia ( Figs. 19–21 View FIGURES 5 – 19 View FIGURES 20 – 34 ). In these specimens the basal area, reniform spot, and subterminal area are dark pink, and the median and terminal areas are ochreous as in S. miniana . The hind wing of these specimens is gray with a few pink scales along posterior margin and anal area. Schinia miniana can have either a pinkish-gray or gray hind wing.

Schinia sanrafaeli Opler

( Figs. 11 View FIGURES 5 – 19 , 41–43 View FIGURES 35 – 46 , 53–55 View FIGURES 47 – 58 , 64 View FIGURES 59 – 66 , 85–86 View FIGURES 83 – 86 , 110 View FIGURE 110 )

Schinia sanrafaeli Opler, 2004:45 .

Schinia sanrafaeli: Lafontaine and Schmidt 2010:69 .

Diagnosis/ Description. Schinia sanrafaeli is variable and some specimens can be confused with S. volupia or S. minana (Grote) . Forewing basal area pink; a wide, white antemedial line contiguous with pink basal area; ochreous median area; postmedial line wide, white, sinuous and somewhat jagged; subterminal area pink; terminal area and fringe ochreous. Hind wing is pink with gray scales along costa. The amount of gray scales on the hind wing is variable and can cover as much as half of the hind wing.

In the female genitalia the accessory bursae has 2 coils that are tightly coiled (short) and robust. Schinia volupia , S. fulleri , S. miniana , and S. biforma all have 3 coils that are loosely coiled (elongate) and narrow.

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂, Utah, Emery Co.:, Goblin Valley St. Pk., 1 Jun 1997, P.A. Opler and E. Buckner, u. v. light (J.D. Lafontaine genitalia slide #11881). Deposited in the CNC.

Material examined. All specimens are from the USNM except as noted. (5 ♂, 3 ♀). COLORADO: MESA CO.: Grand Junction (USTC). UTAH: EMERY CO.: I-70 roadside marker 150, 1 mi E of Hwy. 24 jct., 4446 ft., 20 May 2001 (1 ♂, 2 ♀), ♂ genitalia slide USNM 50607, C. Harp; San Rafael Desert, Goblin Valley Road at Hwy. 24, SE of parking area, 4980 ft., 24 May 2005 (1 ♂), genitalia slide USNM 50605, C. Harp; San Rafael Desert, Goblin Valley Road at Hwy. 24, S end of parking area, 4920 ft., 24 May 2005 (2 ♂), genitalia slide USNM 50606, C. Harp. GARFIELD CO.: Capitol Reef National Par, Pickaboo Ranger Station, 2 June 1994, P.A. Opler (CNC). GRAND CO.: 0.75 mi SE of Cisco, south of I-70, on Gaillardia , 4360 ft., 16-17 May 2007 (1 ♂), C. Harp. SAN JUAN CO.: Canyonlands National Park, Squaw Flats, 4 June 1994, P.A. Opler (CNC). WAYNE CO.: San Rafael Desert, 6 mi N Hanksville, off Hwy. 24 at rock tower, on Gaillardia sphathulata , 4623 ft., 14-15 May 2010 (1 ♀), genitalia slide USNM 136447, N. Gibson & C. Harp.

Larval host plant. Schinia sanrafaeli has been reared on western blanketflower; G. spathulata A. Gray (Asteraceae) . The larval host plant has a limited distribution in eastern Utah and western Colorado that corresponds to the distribution of the moth.

Flight period. Late May to early June.

Distribution ( Fig. 110 View FIGURE 110 ). Known only from desert areas of eastern Utah and near Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado.

Discussion. In the original description of S. sanrafaeli Opler (2004) mentions that S. volupia , S. sanrafaeli , and S. fulleri all have 4 coils in the vesica and S. masoni has 3 1/2 coils, although he did not illustrate the male genitalia. As interpreted here, there are only 3 coils in all species of the S. volupia species complex. As defined here, S. sanrafaeli only occurs in eastern Utah and western Colorado. The specimens cited in the original description from Grant Co., New Mexico are specimens of S. volupia .

There are two haplotypes of S. sanrafaeli , H2 and H11 (Table 2, Fig. 4 View FIGURE 4 ). Haploptype H11 from Grand Co., Utah is unique in this study and did not associate with the other two specimens of S. sanrafaeli from the type locality, Emery Co., Utah with haploptype H2 ( Figs. 1–4 View FIGURE 1 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 ). Haplotype H2 was shared with three specimens of S. miniana from Clark Co., Nevada and Cochise Co., Arizona and formed Clade IV in Figs. 1–4 View FIGURE 1 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 . This sharing of haplotype H2 with S. miniana suggests that there is gene flow between populations of S. sanrafaeli from Emery Co., Utah and of S. miniana from Nevada and Arizona.

Schinia fulleri (McElvare)

( Figs. 29–30 View FIGURES 20 – 34 , 45 View FIGURES 35 – 46 , 57 View FIGURES 47 – 58 , 65 View FIGURES 59 – 66 , 89–90 View FIGURES 87 – 90 , 109 View FIGURES 109 ) Diagnosis/ Description. Schinia fulleri has a pale ochreous head and thorax and similar antemedial and postmedial lines to S. volupia . The forewing ground color is quite variable with some specimens a dark reddish-brown in median and subterminal areas and ochreous in basal and terminal areas. In other specimens median and subterminal areas are barely darker than the surrounding ochreous and could be considered a solid color with very faint traces of a postmedial line. The hind wing is varies from dark reddish-brown to ochreous slightly darker than the forewing.

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂, Florida, Highlands Co.:, Archbold Biological Station, 22 Oct. 1960, Leg: Roger W. Pease, Jr. Deposited in USNM.

Material examined. All specimens are from USNM except as noted. (13 ♂, 9 ♀). FLORIDA: ALACHUA CO.: Gainesville, 26 Sep. 1987, 30 Sep. 1987, H.D. Baggett (CNC). CITRUS CO.: Withlacoochee State Forest, Rd. M-11, 28 Sep. 1986, H.D. Baggett (CNC). HERNANDO CO.: U.S. 41 N Brooksville, Withlacoochee State Forest, 18 Sep. 1982, H.D. Baggett (CNC). HIGHLANDS CO.: Archbold Biological Station, 9 Oct. 1960 (2 ♂) genitalia slides USNM 47051, 47054, 24 Oct. 1960 (1 ♂) genitalia slide USNM 47056, R.W. Pease, 13 Oct. 1961 (2 ♂, 1 ♀), 14 Oct. 1961 (1 ♂, 4 ♀), R.R. McElvare, 30 Oct. 1960 (1 ♀) genitalia slide USNM 47053, (1 ♂), L.C. Koen; Archbold Biological Station, 20 Sep. 1978, H.V. Weems, Jr. & S. Halkin (CNC); Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, 19 Oct. 1979, 20 Oct. 1979, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC); Highlands Hammock State Park, 11 Oct. 1986, H.D. Baggett (CNC); Lake Placid, 3 Nov. 1960 (1 ♂) genitalia slide USNM 47055, R.R. McElvare; Lake Placid, 18 Oct. 1979, 26 Oct. 1979 D. & V. Hardwick (CNC); 2 mi E of Lake Placid, 4 Nov. 1960 (1 ♀), R.R. McElvare. HILLSBOROUGH CO.: University of Florida Ecological Preserve, 21 Sep. 1984 (1 ♂), 16 Oct. 1983 (1 ♀), H.D. Baggett; Tampa, 20 Sep. 1984, H.D. Baggett (CNC). LEVY CO.: Williston, 3 Oct. 1983 (1 ♂) genitalia slide USNM 47050; 13 mi SW of Williston, 18 Sep. 1982 (2 ♂), H.D. Baggett. LIBERTY CO.: Torreya State Park, 1 Oct. 1983, S. Roman (CNC). PINELLAS CO.: St. Petersburg, 24 Sep. 1914 (1 ♂), R. Ludwig, Oct. (1 ♀). WALTON CO.: vic. Campbell Lake, 4 Oct. 1981, H.D. Baggett.

Larval host plant. Coastal plain honeycombhead, Balduina angustifolia (Pursh) B.L. Rob. (Asteraceae) .

Biology. Hardwick (1996) details the life history of S. fulleri . The first instar larva bores into a corolla tube and feeds on its contents. In the remaining instars the larva feed on the seeds. In the third and subsequent instars the larva forms a “feeding nest” presumably to hide in during feeding. Larvae complete development in six instars with one specimen only taking five.

Flight period. Late September to early November.

Distribution ( Fig. 109 View FIGURES 109 ). Known only from Florida, in the west from Levy and Hillsborough Counties and from Highlands County in central Florida.

Discussion. Schinia fulleri is a disjunct population of the S. volupia complex. It has a distinctive white broken pattern of the antemedial and postmedial lines that are similar in S. volupia .

This species has a restricted distribution in Florida and southern Georgia although its host plant is found almost throughout the entire state and into southeastern Georgia and extreme southeastern Alabama and Mississippi (USDA, NRCS 2008).

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Lepidoptera

Family

Noctuidae

Genus

Schinia

GBIF Dataset (for parent article) Darwin Core Archive (for parent article) View in SIBiLS Plain XML RDF