Sympistis doris T. Dimock & 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 : 54-55

Sympistis doris T. Dimock & Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. F-22, O-8, U-1)

Diagnosis. The combination of the powdery forewing with a mix of light yellow and dark gray scales, the dirty white color of the hindwing with broad terminal shade and black line across the vertex of the head distinguish S. doris from all other species.

Description. Antennae filiform, head light grayish yellow with distinct black band across vertex, prothoracic collar and thorax a mix of grayish yellow and dark gray scales; abdomen light grayish brown. Small, vestigial pockets present on male abdomen but levers and hair pencils absent. Forewing length 13-14 mm. Dorsal forewing a powdery mix of grayish yellow and dark gray scales; antemedial and postmedial lines dark gray; subterminal line bordered basally with dark gray band; terminal line a series of black chevrons between veins, bordered basally with light yellow. Orbicular and reniform spots absent or nearly so, if present, suffu- sion of dark gray scales which covers remainder of forewing will be absent from spots and appear light grayish yellow; fringe light grayish yellow, checkered with dark gray between veins. Dorsal hindwing dirty white with heavy suffusion of long, light gray scales and broad, dark grayish brown terminal shade; veins highlighted with gray scales; terminal line black; postmedial line often present as a series of dark gray dots on veins; fringe distal ½ white, basal ½ light grayish yellow checkered with dark gray between veins. Male genitalia. (Fig. O-8) Valve shaped like prow of canoe, with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper bends posteriorly and narrows to form terminal spine. Vesica bent 90° to the right at base with dorsal, subbasal patch of spinelike cornuti; a narrow ribbon of cornuti lies flat against ventral side of posterior ½ of vesica; a broad ribbon of cornuti lies flat against middle ½ of vesica; a bundle of three long cornuti above a single stout cornutus extend from apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. U-1) Ovipositor lobes rounded, with fine setae and collar of long setae at the base; ductus bursae with triangular sclerotized ventral plate on posterior ½ meets appendix bursae near junction of corpus bursae, which arises from left side of appendix bursae via narrow constriction; appendix bursae parallel sided, bends to the right and then backward, narrowing to ductus seminalis at apex, corpus bursae with two elongate signa, about same volume as appendix bursae, with central bulge and narrowing to rounded anterior apex.

Type material. Holotype male: California, Ventura Co., Pine Mountain, Pine Mountain Campground , 34.6388° N, 119.3271° W, 6620’, 21 viii 2000, Thomas E. Dimock, in the CNC . Paratypes: 5♂ 2♀: California: same data as holotype , 2♂; Ventura Co., Pine Mountain, Pine Mountain Campground , 6620’, 2 viii 1997, Peter M. Jump ; 1♀; Ventura Co., Pine Mountain Road at 6320’, 34.64172° N, 119.34106° W, 29 viii 1998, Thomas E. Dimock , 1♀; Pine Mountain Road at 6320’, 34.64172° N, 119.34106° W, 27 vii 2003, Thomas E. Dimock , 2♂; Ventura Co., Pine Mountain, ridge just north of Pine Mountain Campground , 6720’, 21 viii 2000, Thomas E. Dimock , 1♂.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of the late Doris Dimock . It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. Sympistis doris is known only from the mountains of Ventura Co., California.