Hyperstrotia aetheria (Grote, 1879)

(Figs. 4, 5, 12, 16, 17)

Thalpochares aetheria Grote, 1879, North American Entomologist 1: 47 (Type-locality: USA, Florida, Tampa [Holotype: female, BMNH, London].

Material examined. Type of Thalpochares aetheria, female labelled as: Thalpochares aetheria Moore Type / Grote Coll. 82-54/ Tampa Fla 12.4/ Type / Agrotidae genitalia slide No. 1183 (BMNH, London); 1 male, 1 female, USA, Florida, genit. prep. 15433 male and 15433 female (CNC, Ottawa); 1 female, Florida: Marion Co, Oscala National Forest, Forest Road 97, 0.5 Miles S of SR 316, Sand Pine Schrub, Aug 17 2007, MV Terhune S. Duckel (CNC, Ottawa).

Diagnosis. Adult (Figs. 4, 5) Wingspan 18 – 20 mm. Externally H. aetheria looks somewhat similar to Old World Maliattha spp. ( Eustrotiinae). Ground colour of forewing whitish with greyish suffusion in medial part; wing pattern formed by whitish area in costal part and wide oblique greyish suffusion from subapical part of costa to the base of wing; submedial and antemedial lines thin, black; costal area in antemedial and postmedial fields with distinct black marks; lower part of medial, subbasal and basal fields greyish-brown suffusion; orbicular not expressed, reniform as black dot; Subterminal and terminal fields greyish in costal area with whitish dashes; subterminal line as row of black streaks; cilia grey. Hindwing uniformly yellowish-grey. In male genitalia (Fig. 12) tegument high, narrow, uncus thin, moderate; the valves are fused basally, sacculus broad, costa with medial extension; the valves are apically divided. Aedeagus relatively short, with the vesica scobinated and full of pouches. In female genitalia (Figs 16, 17) ovipositor rather broad, apophyses anteriores about 2 times shorter tan anterior ones; antrum with wide antevaginal plate; ductus bursae rather broad, sclerotised; bursa ovoid, filled internally with small spines; ductus seminalis is pigtail-like (characteristic of so many Erebid groups).