Aseptis ferruginea Mustelin, 2000

Mustelin, Tomas & Crabo, Lars G., 2015, Revision of the genus Aseptis McDunnough (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Xylenini) with a description of two new genera, Paraseptis and Viridiseptis, ZooKeys 527, pp. 57-102 : 67

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Aseptis ferruginea Mustelin, 2000 Figs 11, 12, 62, 79

Aseptis ferruginea Mustelin, 2000. In: Mustelin et al. 2000: 8.

Type material.

Holotype male [SDNHM, examined]. Type locality: Wynola, San Diego County, California.

Diagnosis.

Aseptis ferruginea is one of the smallest and most narrow-winged species in the group, wingspan 36.4 ± 0.5 mm (n=6; range 35.5-37.0 mm). Its brown forewing is distinctly reddish, deep claret when fresh and rustier when worn, and the veins are usually black. Most specimens have a clearly-marked dark-filled reniform spot and a jagged pale subterminal line. The hindwing is distinctly paler than the forewing. The male valve differs from others in the species group in being even and straight with a perpendicular lateral cucullus that is straight or slightly concave.

Aseptis ferruginea can usually be identified by superficial appearance, especially its red color, and males can be confirmed by dissection. Some central California Aseptis fanatica are bright red brown and could be confused with it, although this morph is not known from within its geographical range; these Aseptis fanatica are smoother than Aseptis ferruginea and lack the other forewing markings described above.

The CO1 barcode sequence of Aseptis ferruginea is the most unique of any member of the species group. It is closest to that of Aseptis ethnica from which it differs by at least 2.2%.

Distribution and biology.

This species is endemic to southern California. All records are from San Diego County from an area between Boulevard-Manzanita near the Mexican border north to Lake Henshaw at altitudes of 800-1600 m. It flies in open oak forest, foothill chaparral, and in the mountain-desert transition zone. Aseptis ferruginea can be encountered together with the much more abundant Aseptis ethnica and Aseptis fanatica at higher altitudes and with Aseptis murina at lower elevations. Records are from late June to August. The early stages are unknown.

Discussion.

The name ferruginea is Latin and means rusty.