Sympistis nenun 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 : 29-30

Sympistis nenun Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. E-1, M-4, R-1)

Diagnosis. Sympistis nenun is most closely related to S. riparia but looks nothing like it or any of the S. riparia group species. The forewing of S. nenun is powdery light gray with orbicular and claviform spots outlined in black, smudged, broken subterminal line, and no other obvious markings. The forewing of S. riparia has a smooth, satiny appearance, not powdery gray.

Description. Antennae filiform, prothoracic light gray with subbasal and subterminal black lines; head light gray with black line across frons, thorax dusty gray; abdomen light grayish brown. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 14-16 mm. Dorsal forewing powdery gray, becoming darker beyond postmedial line; reniform spot obscure; orbicular and claviform spots white, encircled by thin row of black scales; thin, dark gray antemedial and postmedial lines obscure or absent; scattered white scales in postmedial area beyond postmedial line; smudged, broken subterminal line white, obscure black lines extent through each cell in postmedian portion of wing to subterminal line; terminal line reduced to row of black dots; fringe dark gray, lighter gray at tips of veins. Dorsal hindwing very light gray basal area blending to grayish brown terminal shade; veins and discal lunule highlighted with scattered gray scales; fringe white with scattered gray scales in basal area. Male genitalia. (Fig.M-4) Valve shaped like the prow of a canoe, with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper bends posteriorly with terminal spine arcing upward from posterior margin. Vesica with small basal diverticulum bending gently downward and to the right; a ribbon of sparse cornuti extends along dorsal margin from base of vesica to apex; a second ribbon of longer, stouter cornuti adjoins this ribbon along right side of apical ½ of vesica; a narrow ribbon of fine cornuti extends along left side of apical ½ of vesica; a single spine and a tuft of longer cornuti extend from apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. R-1) Ovipositor lobes rounded, apex with ring of long setae, corona of short setae mid way down -these setae produced at 90° to the abdomen; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a small sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, ductus bursae elongate, widening slightly in middle half and then narrowing toward appendix bursae; appendix bursae elongate with diverticulum on left, rounded at anterior end, ductus seminalis arising from left side of anterior end; corpus bursae about ¾ as large as appendix bursae, arises from right side of appendix bursae, elongate signae on dorsal and ventral sides.

Type material. Holotype female: USA, Utah, Garfield Co., The Post, Capitol Reef NP., 3 vi 1994, P. Opler, Kondratieff and Nelson, in the CNC . Paratypes: 4♂ 1♀: Utah: same data as holotype , 1♂; San Juan Co., Canyonlands NP, Ranger’s residence, 4 vi 1994, P. Opler et al ., 1♂ 1♀; San Juan Co., Canyonlands NP, Ranger’s residence, 5 vi 1995, P. Opler et al ., 1♂; San Juan Co., Canyonlands NP, Squaw Flats , 5 vi 1995, P. Opler et al ., 1♂.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Nenun is an Egyptian falcon-god. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known only from southeastern Utah.