Sympistis apep Troubridge, 2008

Troubridge, J. T., 2008, A generic realignment of the Oncocnemidini sensu Hodges (1983) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Oncocnemidinae), with description of a new genus and 50 new species, Zootaxa 1903 (1), pp. 1-95 : 10-11

Sympistis apep Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. A-20, K-6, P-6)

Diagnosis. Sympistis apep is very similar to S. tenuifascia (Fig. A-21) and is distinguished from it predominantly by the coloration of the dorsal forewing. In S. tenuifascia , the forewing is darker with a brownish hue, and the ordinary lines and spots somewhat obscure due to the darker background color, in addition, the fringe is concolorous with the terminal area. In S. apep , the forewing is a medium gray with ordinary spots and lines distinct, a broader postmedial white area, and a distinctly checkered fringe. Sympistis apep flies at low elevation in late September in xeric lithosol habitats; S. tenuifascia flies near treeline in mid-summer.

Description. Males and females similar. Antennae filiform, head, palpi, vertex, prothoracic collar, thorax, and abdomen gray. Forewing length 9-12 mm. Dorsal forewing mottled gray and white; black antemedial line undulating, edged basally with white scales; median shade dark gray, diffuse; postmedial line edged distally with white scales; subterminal line irregular, bordered basally with variable black shading, heaviest near costa and a series of small black dashes between veins; terminal line scalloped, enclosing a series of black spots at margin; orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots well demarcated with thin black outer and white inner lines; fringe black, checkered with white at tips of veins. Dorsal hindwing gray basally, with distinct black discal lunule transected by black median line; white postmedial band, and wide black marginal band; fringe gray basally, white distally. Male genitalia. (Fig. K-6) Valve widest just beyond clasper, then gently tapered and rounded at apex; ampulla of clasper talon-like, mid-section slightly widened. Vesica bends slightly downward and then hooks to the left, with small basal diverticulum; a ribbon of cornuti extends from left on dorsal surface at diverticulum along right side to apex, cornuti become longer and denser distally; a ventral patch of long, dense cornuti extends along distal half of vesica to apex; a single, coarse apical cornutus points ventrally and a small bundle of cornuti is projected dorsally. Female genitalia. (Fig. P-6) Ovipositor lobes rounded with scattered setae; a corona of short setae surrounds ovipositor lobes about 0.1 mm from tip, these setae produced at 90° to the abdomen, a second row of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, ductus bursae otherwise not heavily sclerotized; appendix bursae 2x as long as wide, bends ventrally and backward toward ductus seminalis at anterior end; minute corpus bursae hangs like a small polyp on right side of appendix bursae.

Type material. Holotype male: USA: Washington, Douglas Co., S. end Jameson Lk., 23 ix 1995, J. Troubridge, in the CNC . Paratypes: 37♂ 1♀: Washington: Douglas Co.: Corbaley Cyn. , 47° 39' N, 120° 07' W, 2600', 26 ix 2000, J. Troubridge , 3♂; Corbaley Cyn. , 47° 39' N, 120° 07' W, 2600', 16 ix 2000, J. Troubridge , 1♂; Jameson Lk. , 47° 39' N, 120° 07' W, 26 ix 2000, J. Troubridge , 1♂; Jameson Lk. , south end, 23 ix 1995, J. Troubridge , 1♂; Jameson Lk. , 47° 39' N, 119° 32' W, 17 ix 1999, J. Troubridge , 2♂; Jameson Lk. , 47° 39' N, 119° 32' W, 15 ix 2001, J. Troubridge , 8♂; Jameson Lk. , south end, 16 ix 1994, J. Troubridge , 6♂ 1♀; Pine Cyn. , 47° 38' N, 120° 08' W, 2600', 14 ix 2002, J. Troubridge , 9♂; Pine Cyn. , 47° 38' N, 120° 08' W, 2600', 15 ix 2001, J. Troubridge , 6♂.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Apep was a monster living in perpetual darkness. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known from xeric lithosol habitats in central Washington and northern Oregon.