Sympistis mut 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 : 30-31

Sympistis mut Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. D-16, D-17, M-5, R-2)

Diagnosis. Sympistis mut is distinguished from the other members of the S. riparia group by the male hindwing, which is pure white with a single row of black scales on the margin and a few black scales on the veins, often in the median area. The forewing is usually dark gray to charcoal, heavily streaked with white lines. It most closely resembles S. deserticola (Fig. D-12), which has a distinct black marginal band on the hindwing, 2-3 mm in width. The white subterminal forewing line of S. deserticola is deeply denticulate but that of S. mut is usually present as a series of fine white streaks.

Description. Antennae filiform, prothoracic collar black with wide, light gray median band; head charcoal gray; thorax and abdomen dusty gray; tegulae light gray with black border. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 16-19 mm. Dorsal forewing light blue-gray and black scales produce hoary appearance; ordinary lines absent; orbicular spot ellipsoidal; orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots bordered with white inner and thin black outer rows of scales; thin black lines extend from upper and lower margins of claviform spot to outer margin of wing; black lines bordered with scattered white scales extend through each cell in postmedian portion of wing to wing margin; veins highlighted with black scales; fringe dark gray, lightly checkered with white at tips of veins. Dorsal hindwing white with black terminal line in male, diffuse grayish brown terminal shade in female; veins highlighted with scattered black scales in submarginal and median areas; fringe white with narrow gray median line. Male genitalia. (Fig.M-5) Valve shaped like the prow of a canoe with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper talon-like, narrow, with terminal spine arcing anteriorly from posterior margin. Vesica with two small basal diverticulae, projects directly backward before making slight bend to right at mid-section and second bend to left near apex; a ribbon of sparse cornuti extends from base of vesica on left to apex; a second ribbon of longer, stouter cornuti extends along dorsal side of apical ½ of vesica; a single spine and a tuft of longer cornuti extend from apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. R-2) 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 with small bulge on right before widening slightly and then narrowing at appendix bursae; appendix bursae elongate with diverticulum on right, squared-off at anterior end, ductus seminalis arising from right side of anterior end; corpus bursae about same size as appendix bursae, arises from left side of appendix bursae, elongate signae on dorsal and ventral sides.

Type material. Holotype female: USA, California, San Diego Co., Scissor’s Crossing , 11 iv 1997, T. Mustelin, in the CNC . Paratypes: 5♂: California: same data as holotype , 1♂; San Diego Co., Cuyamaca , 20 iv 1950, A. E. Pritchard , 1♂; San Diego Co., Laguna Mts, Kitchen Creek Rd. , 16 vi 2000, 5500’, T. Mustelin , 1♂; San Diego Co., Jacumba , 4 v 2000, 5300’, T. Mustelin , 1♂; Chino Canyon, Palm Springs , 19 iv 1950, E. C. Johnston , 1♂.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Mut is a goddess who was worshiped as a vulture. With her consort, Amun, and her adopted son, the moon-god Chons, she formed an ominous triad. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known from extreme southwestern California.