Viridiseptis marina (Grote, 1874), comb n.

Mustelin, Tomas & Crabo, Lars G., 2015, Revision of the genus Aseptis McDunnough (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Xylenini) with a description of two new genera, Paraseptis and Viridiseptis, ZooKeys 527, pp. 57-102 : 84-86

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Viridiseptis marina (Grote, 1874), comb n. Figs 57, 58, 75, 91

Hadena marina Grote, 1874a: 67.

Type material.

Holotype female [BMNH, photograph examined]. Type locality: California.

Diagnosis.

A medium-sized or slightly smaller than average stout species, wingspan 31.9 ± 1.5 mm (n = 25; range 29.5-35 mm). The forewing is granular mossy green, occasionally yellowish green, with mottled dark-gray to black and light-green pattern that obscures all but the darkest parts of the lines and spots. The darkest areas are a small patch at the base of the trailing edge of the wing, the cell and fold in the medial area, a bar on the costa preceding the subterminal line, and terminal area opposite the reniform spot. The relatively small reniform spot and round orbicular spot are filled with peripheral whitish and central green scales. The basal, antemedial and postmedial lines are double, black filled with green, and the subterminal line is green; all are sinuous and appear incomplete. The fringe is checkered green and gray. The hindwing is light brown gray with a darker border.

This species can usually be identified by superficial appearance alone. If in doubt, the male genitalia described under the genus description are diagnostic.

Distribution and biology.

Viridiseptis marina occurs throughout coastal California and in southwestern Oregon as far north as Douglas County. It is widely distributed in southern California, where it is often common. It is found in many habitats such as coastal chaparral, mountain forest, mountain-desert transition zone, and occasionally in the deserts from sea level to at least 2000 m. It flies from April to early July. The larva feeds on forbs and has been recorded on Nemophila spp. and Pholistoma auritium (Lindl.) Lilja ( Hydrophyllaceae ) and Lithophragma spp. ( Saxifragaceae ) ( Robinson et al. 2010).