Trichocerapoda harbisoni Mustelin

Mustelin, Tomas, 2006, Taxonomy of southern California Erebidae and Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) with descriptions of twenty one new species, Zootaxa 1278, pp. 1-47 : 39-40

Trichocerapoda harbisoni Mustelin , NEW SPECIES

Figs. 20 , 60 a, and 60b

Type material. Holotype: Male, Silver Strand, San Diego, California, 25 September 1952, C. F. Harbison. Paratypes: 5 males. San Diego County: Same data as holotype (4 males); Imperial Beach, 19 October 1933, C. F. Harbison (1 male). Holotype and genitalic slide #108/TM deposited in SDNHM, paratypes in SDNHM and the author's collection.

Etymology. I name this species for Charles F. Harbison, who collected all six specimens of the type series.

Diagnosis. A small, pale gray noctuid, quite similar to Trichocerapoda comstocki Benj., 1932 , but differs by having a shorter and rounder forewing ( Fig. 20 a), more dark in the subterminal area ( Fig. 20 b), a smaller reniform spot with more dark filling ( Fig. 20 c), less prominent orbicular and claviform spots, and a considerably darker hindwing ( Fig. 20 d). The male genitalia ( Fig. 60 a and 60b) are distinct, but structurally quite similar to those of T. comstocki ( Fig. 61 ).

Description. Eye hairy. Male antenna finely ciliate. Head and thorax covered in pale gray hairlike scales. Forewing length 12mm, ground color pale ash gray, basal half with more dark scales, am and pm lines missing, veins dark in outer half of forewing, subterminal area with dark filling between veins, terminal line black between veins, fringe checkered in pale and dark gray. Orbicular spot elongated, inwards pointed, outlined in thin black, filled with slightly paler than ground color. Claviform spot missing or very faint. Reniform spot sharply outlined in black outwards, basal side diffuse, outer half of spot filled with ground color, basal half filled with dark. Hindwing basally paler gray than forewing, with broad diffuse marginal shade in dark brown gray, inner half of fringe gray, outer half white. Male genitalia ( Figs. 60 a and 60b): Valve length 3.2 mm, width at middle 0.85 mm, S­curved, cucullus width 0.55 mm, rounded; digitus 1.0 mm long, Sshaped, parallel with valve; Aedeagus length 2.8 mm, width basally 0.8 mm, tapering to 0.5 mm distally; Everted vesica length approximately twice as long as aedeagus, curved and twirling, width 0.5 mm basally, 0.8 mm at middle and tapering to 0.2 mm distally. Female genitalia: unknown (no females have been collected).

Distribution and habitat. Trichocerapoda harbisoni has been collected in late September and October on the sandy beaches of southernmost San Diego and the El Segundo Dunes in Los Angeles County.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 21. Adults of the new described species: 1, Drasteria convergens. 2, Tarachidia nigra. 3, Oncocnemis duplex. 4, Oncocnemis helena. 5, Oncocnemis sala. 6, Oncocnemis kelsoensis. 7, Annaphila scurlockorum. 8, Cryphia flavipuncta. 9, Protoperigea umbricata. 10, Protoperigea subterminata. 11, Protoperigea parvulata. 12, Protoperigea calientensis. 13, Aseptis fanatica. 14, Aseptis torreyana. 15, Apamea robertsoni. 16, Apamea digitula. 17, Photedes sofiae. 18, Mammifrontia sarae. 19, Lasionycta sala. 20, Trichocerapoda harbisoni. 21, Trichocerapoda oceanis.

FIGURES 40 – 63. Male genitalia of the new described species and related species: 40, Protoperigea calientensis (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 41, Aseptis fanatica (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 42, Aseptis ethnica. 43, Aseptis ferruginea. 44, Aseptis torreyana (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 45, Aseptis serrula. 46, Apamea robertsoni (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 47, Apamea digitula (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 48, Apamea sordens. 49, Photedes sofiae. 50, Mammifrontia sarae (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 51, Mammifrontia rileyi (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 52, Benjaminola colorada (a, valve; b, everted vesica). 53, Perigonica tertia. 54, Perigonica fulminans. 55, Perigonica angulata. 56, Anarta fusculenta (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 57, Anarta crotchi (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 58, Anarta oaklandiae. 59, Lasionycta sala (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 60, Trichocerapoda harbisoni (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 61, Trichocerapoda comstocki. 62, Trichocerapoda oceanis (a, valves; b, everted vesica). 63. Hexorthodes nipana.