Lithophane lanei, Troubridge, J. T., 2006

Troubridge, J. T., 2006, Three new species of Lithophane Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Xyleninae), Zootaxa 1284, pp. 61-68 : 62-63

Lithophane lanei new species

( Figs. 1 , 4 , 9 )

Diagnosis. Lithophane lanei flies with and could be confused with L. hemina Grote. The genitalia are similar, but the two species can be distinguished by the distinct, blackish brown subreniform spot (similar to that of L. patefacta Walker ) which is present in L. lanei but absent or paler and reduced in L. hemina , and the darker, charred appearance the forewing of L. lanei , paler and less hoary in L. hemina .

Description. ( Fig. 1 ). Holotype: Forewing length 17 mm. Antenna filiform, ciliate; eye orbicular, lashed; head brown with black line between eyes; labial palpus brown with black line along outer edge; thoracic collar brown basally with black medial line, buff terminally; thoracic tuft gray brown basally with black medial line, edged with buff; tegula, thorax, and abdomen mottled brown; abdomen tufted. Dorsal forewing brown; basal dash blackish brown; antemedial and postmedial lines deeply saggitate, angled towards diffuse, darker brown median shade, these lines barely visible between veins but most obvious as tan dots on veins, bordered anteriorly and posteriorly with black dots; saggitate subterminal line tan, edged basally with chestnut brown, distally with blackish brown; reniform and oblong orbicular spots slightly paler than ground of wing; prominent blackish brown subreniform spot extends from antemedial line to postmedial line. Fringe brown. Dorsal hindwing light gray brown basally, darker in distal 1/3 and darker discal lunule; fringe brown. Male genitalia ( Fig. 4 ). Valve with small cucullus and corona present. Digitus with small spine near base of clasper and longer spine extending from tip of valve, below cucullus. Clasper arcs upward, then downward and inward. Uncus bearded, thickens slightly medially, pointed at tip. Vesica bulbous, bending upward and to the right with a small subapical diverticulum; a small patch of cornuti present at base of ductus seminalis. Female genitalia ( Fig. 9 ). Ostium bursae with prominent knob­like process on ventral margin; ductus bursae with heavily sclerotized ventral plate, twisting around to dorsal surface at appendix bursae; ductus bursae bends to the right. Appendix bursae reduced to a bulge on posterior end of bursa. Bursa elongate with long signa on dorsal and ventral surfaces. Ovipositor lobes with fine setae.

Type material. Holotype male: Canada, Ontario, Stittsville [Ottawa], 45°12.03’N, 75°58.80’W, 6 April 2005, J. Troubridge ( CNC). Paratypes: Ontario: 17 males, 8 females, same data as holotype; 1 male, Stittsville [Ottawa], 45° 12.03’ N, 75° 58.80’ W, 22 March, 2004, J. Troubridge; 2 males, Stittsville [Ottawa], 45° 12.03’ N, 75° 58.80’ W, 21 April, 2003, J. Troubridge; 4 males, 1 female, Carp Ridge,. 45° 23.05’ N, 76° 04.80’ W, 18 April 2005, J. Troubridge; 2 males, Carp Ridge, 45° 23.05’ N, 76° 04.80’ W, 21 September 2004, J. Troubridge. Paratypes in the CNC and JTT.

Derivation of the name. I name this species for Harley Lane, who helped to collect the type series.

Distribution and habitat. Lithophane lanei was collected in mixed forest in rural granite and limestone areas within the city of Ottawa, Ontario. Nothing is known of its life history.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 3. Adults of Lithophane species. 1 a, b) L. lanei, Ottawa, ON; 2) L. scottae, Ottawa, ON; 3 a, b, c) L. boogeri, nr. Tumalo, OR.

FIGURES 4 – 8. Male genitalia of Lithophane species. 4) L. lanei; 5) L. scottae; 6) E. boogeri; 7) L. longior (tip of valve); 8) L. subtilis (tip of valve).

FIGURES 9 – 10. Female genitalia of Lithophane species. 9) L. lanei; 10) L. boogeri.