Doryodes latistriga Sullivan & Lafontaine

Lafontaine, J. Donald & Sullivan, J. Bolling, 2015, A revision of the genus Doryodes Guenee, 1857, with descriptions of six new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Catocalinae, Euclidiini), ZooKeys 527, pp. 3-30 : 14-15

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Erebidae

Doryodes latistriga Sullivan & Lafontaine sp. n. Figs 12-16, 17, 39, 46

Type material.

Holotype ♂, Alabama. Baldwin Co., Camp Beckwith, UV trap, Spartina - Juncus marsh, N 30.39538°; W -87.84657°; 5 Aug. 2009. J. Bolling Sullivan. USNM. Paratypes: 44 ♂, 9 ♀. Alabama. Same data as holotype (2 ♂); same locality and collector as holotype, 7, 9 & 14 August 2009 (3 ♂); Baldwin Co., Weeks Bay Preserve, N 30.414°, W -87.833°; 4 Aug. 2009. J. Bolling Sullivan, barcodes 09-MISC-046, 047, 048, 049 (4 ♂). Louisiana. St. Tammany Parish, 4.2 mi NE Abita Springs, sec 24, T6S R12E, N 30°30.986', W 89°57.276', 25 Feb. 1997, V.A. Brou Jr. CNC slide ♂ 16049 (1 ♂); same locality and collector, 20 May & 27 Nov. 1983 (2 ♂), 23 May 1984 (1 ♂), 26 March 1985 (1 ♂), 27 March 1987 (1 ♂), 14 Aug. 1988 (1 ♂), 13 Jan. & 20 March 1989 (2 ♂), 13 Sept. 1998 (1 ♂), 28 May 2000 (1 ♂), 12 Oct. 2001 (1 ♂), 27 Jan. & 16 March 2002 (2 ♂), 3 April 2008, Barcode CNCLEP00113508 (1 ♂), 11 April 2008 (1 ♂), 12 April & 28 Oct. 2009 (2 ♂, 1 ♀), 21 March 2010 (1 ♂), 7 Feb. 2011, CNC slide 16058 (1 ♀), 22 April 2012, Barcode CNCLEP00113566) (1 ♂). Cameron Parish, Johnson’s Bayou, 16 March 2002, V.A Brou Jr. (1 ♀). Lafourche Parish, near Golden Meadow, 5 March 2006, V.A. Brou Jr., CNC slide ♂ 16054 (1 ♂); same locality and collector, 2 July 2005 (1 ♀), 5 March 2006 (6 ♂). Mississippi. Harrison County, Long Beach, 17 June 1992, V.A. Brou Jr. (1 ♀); same locality, 2 June 1996, CNC slide ♂ 16679, R. Kergosien (1 ♂), same locality and collector, 2 May 1997, CNC slide ♂ 16681 (1 ♂), 20 Nov. 1992, CNC slide ♂ 16706 (1 ♂), 17 May 1996, CNC slide ♀ 16440, (1 ♀). Jackson County, Gulf Coast Islands National Seashore, 19-20 April 1985, R.L. Brown (1 ♀). Jackson Co., Ocean Springs, 12, 15, 17 June 1992 & 1 Aug. 1992 (5 ♂, 2 ♀), V.A. Brou Jr. CNC, JBSC, MEM, USNM, VABC.

Etymology.

The name of this species refers to the width of the longitudinal dark stripe on the forewing in both sexes.

Other material examined and distribution.

We have examined material from southern Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Specimens in Bold database exhibit considerable heterogeneity but all sequences are within 0.8% of each other.

Diagnosis.

This species occurs with Doryodes broui , Doryodes reineckei , and Doryodes tenuistriga . It is the largest species and with the most distinctive forewing pattern. It should not be confused with Doryodes tenuistriga , which has a narrow forewing stripe, or with Doryodes broui , which is smaller (forewing length: 13.0-15.5 mm) and also has a narrower forewing stripe. It can be distinguished from Doryodes reineckei by the breadth and distinctness of the longitudinal stripe; in females of Doryodes reineckei the forewing stripe is absent or pale gray, hardly contrasting with the ground color. The most distinguishing character of the male genitalia is the elongated terminal diverticulum of the vesica that projects ventrally. Females are similar to males but have longer, more pointed forewings and whiter hindwings. The female genitalia are the most robust of any Doryodes species. The corpus bursae has a bulge on the right side that is more pointed than in the other species, and the appendix bursae is quadrate with the posterior margin almost straight and heavily sclerotized.

Description.

Forewing ground color in spring and summer specimens yellowish white to buff with gray streaking, hindwing white to whitish buff; forewing in fall and winter specimens darker with more brown shading, hindwing variably suffused with brown, especially along wing margin. Forewing length 14.5-18.0 mm (males), 17.5-20.0 mm (females), similar in length to those of Doryodes spadaria , but wings somewhat broader. Longitudinal stripe broader than in any other species in genus. Male genitalia with cornuti in variable patches on basal trunk of vesica, larger patch dorsal and most basal, two smaller patches of cornuti lateral and more distal (but one or both can be absent). Vesica with diverticulum 1 absent, its position represented by rounded curve of vesica posterior to swollen part of vesica after aedeagus; diverticulum 2 a rounded bulge on left side of vesica with large, slightly-serrated shark-fin-like cornutus; diverticula 3 a short quadrate pouch on right side almost opposite position of diverticulum 2; diverticulum 4 cone shaped, dorsolaterally on right, with bulbous spine-tipped cornutus at base near junction with elongated ventral lobed representing diverticulum 5. Female genitalia similar to those of the other species but more robust, and appendix bursae quadrate with posterior margin almost straight and heavily sclerotized.

Distribution and biology.

The adults are found in tidal creeks and salt marshes from Alabama to Louisiana. The biology is unknown, but presumed to be similar to other species of Doryodes that occur in similar habitats. Adults occur throughout the year, but concentration of collecting dates suggests a primary brood from March to May and a secondary brood in September and October (V.A. Brou Jr. pers. comm.).