Aseptis fumeola (Hampson, 1908)

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 : 65

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Aseptis fumeola (Hampson, 1908) Figs 3, 4, 59, 76

Trachea fumeola Hampson, 1908: 186.

Trachea (Hadena) probata Barnes & McDunnough, 1910: 153.

Type material.

Trachea fumeola : Holotype male [BMNH, photograph examined]. Type Locality: Pinal Mountains, Arizona. Trachea (Hadena) probata : Holotype female [USNM, photograph examined]. Type Locality: Huachuca Mountains, Arizona.

Diagnosis.

A large and broad-winged Aseptis , wingspan 41.1 ± 1.6 mm (n=25; range 38.5-45.0 mm), with a dark slightly shiny gray-brown forewing with contrasting dark patches, particularly in the basal and postmedial areas. The medial area typically is paler with reddish tan near the conspicuous large black reniform spot, small round orbicular spot, and short claviform spot. The reddish postreniform patch is relatively prominent for the species group. The postmedial line usually is well marked and curves around the reniform spot. The serrated subterminal line is a prominent border between the postmedial and paler subterminal areas. The hindwing is smoky gray brown, darker in females.

Aseptis fumeola can be identified by its large size and patchy forewing maculation. Some northern California Aseptis ethnica have a similar brown forewing with reddish tan around the spots; Aseptis fumeola tends to be more contrasting, less reddish, and a bit larger. Occasional Aseptis perfumosa specimens are dark brown with reddish suffusion in the upper medial area. This form is always much smaller and darker than Aseptis fumeola , has a narrower forewing, and much different genitalia. The male and female genitalia are as in the description to the species group. The male valve has a foot-shaped cucullus.

Distribution and biology.

Aseptis fumeola is known from Arizona, southern and central California, southern Nevada, and south-eastern Utah. It flies in the foothills and mountains in dry chaparral, parkland, and conifer forest. Most records are from June and July. The larva and pupa were described and figured by Comstock (1940a). The pale-green larvae were found and reared on new leaves of manzanitas ( Arctostaphylos spp.). Crumb (1956) found it on Aseptis pungens Kunth in Arizona and described the larva as strange and sluggish.

Remarks.

The Latin name fumeola means smoked, likely to denote its black-peppered maculation.