Pselnophorus Wallengren, 1881

Matthews, Deborah L., Gielis, Cees & Watkins, Reed A., 2014, Three new species of Pselnophorus plume moths from southern United States (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae), Insecta Mundi 2014 (364), pp. 1-18 : 2-13

Pselnophorus Wallengren, 1881

Type Species. Alucita brachydactyla Kollar, 1832 , junior synonym of Pselnophorus heterodactyla (Müller, 1764) .

Arenberger (1990) revised the Palearctic Pselnophorus- complex, which included species currently placed in Gypsochares Meyrick and Puerphorus Arenberber. Gielis (1993) presented a diagnosis of the genus based on the type species and two other species from the Palearctic region. Including species from other faunal regions (Ethiopian and Oriental) and those described herein, the genus now comprises 18 species ( Gielis 2003, 2009; Hao and Li 2008; Ustjuzhanin and Kovtunovich, 2010). Gielis (1993) also noted that the placement of species outside the Palearctic region warrant re-examination. Pending additional comprehensive studies of the superfamily, including both morphological and molecular data, the Nearctic species are retained in the current genus. The scope of the present treatment is to differentiate and describe species of a complex previously treated as a single highly variable species ( Fernald 1898, Barnes and Lindsey 1921). Life histories and larval hosts are known for three species and include the families Asteraceae ( P. heterodactyla and P. vilis (Butler)) and Convolvulaceae ( P. belfragei ) ( Matthews and Lott 2005).

In the Nearctic region, Pselnophorus are most likely to be confused with certain species of Adaina Tutt and Hellinsia Tutt , in particular, some of the gray patterned species with externally feeding larvae. Adult characters that best differentiate Nearctic Pselnophorus from these genera include wing maculation patterns linked to venation ( Fig. 39), markings on the abdomen, and the male and female genitalia. In Adaina , there is typically a proportionally wider separation between forewing costal spots at the terminus of R 2 and R 3 whereas in Pselnophorus the cleft, R 2, R 3, and R 5 (if present) spots are more evenly spaced. Abdominal patterns vary in Adaina and Hellinsia but in Nearctic Pselnophorus the middorsal line is the same as the body ground color, devoid of spots, and is flanked by a shiny subdorsal longitudinal pale line. In Nearctic Pselnophorus males, the juxta is narrow and contiguous with a single elongate anellus arm with minute setae at the apex. The second (left) arm is reduced to a tiny lobe attached to the right arm or separated by membranous cuticle. In Adaina , Hellinsia , Oidaematophorus Wallengren and Palearctic Pselnophorus , the juxta is broad and terminates in nearly equal, though often asymmetric-shaped anellus arms. Female genitalia of some Palearctic, and all Nearctic Pselnophorus have the ostium centrally placed, whereas in Adaina , Hellinsia , and Oidaematophorus , the ostium is shifted to the left.

Pselnophorus chihuahuaensis Matthews, Gielis, and Watkins , new species

( Figures 1–3 , 11–18 , 35 )

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from other Nearctic Pselnophorus by the mixed white and buff ground color of the forewing and from P. belfragei by the absence of dark scales at the R 5 terminus and a single (subdorsal) as opposed to double (subdorsal and lateral) shiny white longitudinal band on the abdomen. The male genitalia differ from P. belfragei in the shape of the left saccular process and the absence of lateral socius-like lobes on the tegumen, and from the other two new species by the lack of a lobed or spatulate saccular process of the right valva.

Description (male, female). Based on the holotype (male) and 6 paratypes (4 males, 2 females). HEAD with labial palpi slender, erect, overall length just exceeding eye diameter, basal segment light buff, rough-scaled, second and third segments appressed or smooth-scaled, light buff with light drab lateral stripe, a few light drab scales on dorsum. Front and vertex with scales appressed, front light drab, vertex paler than front, with light drab or light drab-tipped scales grading into solid light buff area between antennae. Scales bordering eye white or light buff. Occipital fringe scales, bifid, mixed light buff and light drab. Antenna with scape and pedicel white, with a dorsal and ventral light drab patch. Flagellum sparsely scaled white or light buff dorsally, minutely ciliate ventrally. THORAX light buff or mixed with scattered light drab-tipped scales, posterior portion of mesoscutum buff. Tegula light buff, distal third grading to buff. Foreleg light buff and light drab striped, tibia and tarsomeres mostly light drab dorsally (mesally when folded), light buff ventrally (laterally when folded). Midleg similarly striped, tibial spurs unequal, drab ventrally. Hindleg tibia and tarsomeres light buff, faint light drab scaling at terminus of segments and spurs, spurs subequal. FOREWING length, males, x= 8.44 mm ± 0.44 (n=5), holotype 8.15 mm, females x= 7.61 mm ± 0.16 (n=2). Cleft origin at about 0.57–0.61× wing length from base, lobe apices acute, without distinct termen. Ground color mixed white and buff. Discal cell with small obscure central light drab spot and subtriangular spot basad of cleft. Costal margin with light drab scales basad of cleft and alternating elongate patches of light buff and light drab along first lobe, the two light drab patches at the terminus of veins R 2 and R 3. First lobe anal margin uniform light buff or buff, fringes uniform pale brownish gray or with a faint trace of pale scales at R 5 terminus. Second lobe light buff or buff, with minute light drab spots at terminus of M 3 and Cu 1. Fringes along lobe margins pale brownish gray, light buff at apex (M 3) and Cu 1 terminus. Ventral forewing uniform pale brownish gray except for pale and dark elongate patches along costa as on dorsum and minute brownish gray spots at terminus of both lobes. HINDWING uniform pale light drab, fringes concolorous. Venter with first and second lobes uniform light drab, third lobe admixed with light buff scales. Venous scales fuscous. ABDOMEN dorsum buff with subdorsal shiny white longitudinal stripe, flecked with light drab scales laterad of stripe at segment posterior. Venter buff laterally, light buff ventrally, with narrow pale light drab midventral line. Male with light buff lateral apical scale tuft on valvae.

Male genitalia. Uncus curved, tapered, length about equal to middorsal part of tegumen. Tegumen venter with small bilobed median flange near base of uncus. Valvae similar in size and shape except for saccular processes. Left saccular process spinose, weakly curved laterad, tapered distad of middle; length, excluding rounded base, about one-third that of valva and about 2.5× base. Process base with distinctive bump ( Fig. 15 ), obscured in slide mounts in which valvae are not completely spread. Right valva without distinct saccular process but with an elongate sclerotized ridge present ( Fig. 16–18 ). Stout semi-deciduous setae present basad on sacculus. Juxta elongate, weakly sclerotized, terminating in anellus arm of similar length, moderately sclerotized, and with minute setae distad. Phallus about one-half valva length, tapered at apex, basally without developed coecum, cornuti absent.

Female genitalia. Apophyses posteriores at least 3× length of papillae anales, moderately sclerotized, narrow, with apex tapered anterad. Apophyses anteriores absent, anterior margin of tergite VIII simple. Sternite VII with ventrally convex posterior margin but not overriding ostium bursae or forming lamina. Ostium bursae partly sclerotized, appearing as small c-shaped receptacle, placed slightly to the left of meson. Antrum not distinctly segregated from ductus bursae, wider anterad, a pair of subequal lateral sclerites present. Corpus bursae ovoid, extended posteriad into short, broad, undifferentiated ductus bursae. Signa absent; corpus bursae granular, not distinctly spiculate. Inception of ductus seminalis just above antrum, laterad on right, sharply tapered to a narrow filament.

Types. HOLOTYPE. ♂ - with the following labels: ΄ TEXAS: Sutton Co. │ Caverns of Sonora, Sonora │ 14 Aug 2004 2200ft │ J. B. Heppner΄ [white printed]; ΄ D. MATTHEWS │ GENITALIA │ PREP. # 1641΄ [white printed]; ΄ HOLOTYPE │ Pselnophorus │ chihuahuaensis │ D. Matthews, C. Gielis΄ │ & R. A. Watkins΄ [red printed]. PARATYPES. 4 ♂; 2 ♀ as follows: 1 ♀ - same data as holotype [FSCA/MGCL]; 1 ♂ - USA: TEXAS: Jeff Davis Co.: Davis Mts. St. Pk., Ft. Davis 15–16 Aug 2004, 5600ft, J. B. Heppner (slide DM 1633) [FSCA/MGCL]; 1 ♀ - same data as previous, slide DM 1634 [FSCA/MGCL]; 1 ♂ - Davis Mts. St. Pk., 27-VI/1-VII-87, 5200 ft, J. B. Heppner, slide DM 1637 [FSCA/MGCL]; 1 ♂ - ARIZONA: Slide No. 63-716 [yellow label], Genitalia Slide USNM 63,306 [USNM]; 1 ♂ - ARIZONA: “51” [yellow label], through C. V. Riley, “ Pterophorus inquinatus Zell. ” (slide DM 1667) [USNM].

Deposition of types. The holotype is the property of the Florida State Collection of Arthropods [FSCA] and housed within the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera [MGCL]. The paratypes from Texas are likewise part of the FSCA collections housed at MGCL. The paratype from Arizona is deposited at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC. [USNM].

Type locality. The holotype was collected at Caverns of Sonora State Park near Sonora, Texas. Terrain of this area is flat and surrounded by active oil fields. The rocky calcareous soils support a variety of desert plants principally scrub oaks and juniper.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the area in which the species has been collected thus far, which was historically part of the Mexican state of Chihuahua and presently lies within the region known as the Chihuahuan Desert. This region includes parts of the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. While the exact location where the Arizona paratypes were collected is unknown, the western Texas specimens, including the Davis Mountains, are from within this desert region.

Immature stages. Unknown.

Larval hostplant. Unknown.

Distribution and phenology. As noted, the species is known to occur in western Texas and Arizona and probably occurs in the intermediary desert regions of Mexico. Specimens have been collected from late June to mid-August.

Pselnophorus kutisi Matthews, Gielis, and Watkins , new species

( Figures 6, 7 , 26–33 )

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from P. belfragei and P. chihuahuaensis by the darker ground color and the presence of a distinct saccular process on the right valva. It is externally very similar to P. hodgesi but generally smaller and not overlapping in distribution. It is best separated from P. hodgesi by characters of the male genitalia, including the curvature of the left saccular process and the less developed, lobed as opposed to spatulate, terminus of the right saccular process.

Description (male). Based on the holotype and 14 paratypes. HEAD with labial palpi, slender, erect, length about equal to eye diameter, base roughly scaled light buff or mixed with buff, terminal segments light buff with narrow lateral brown band. Front and vertex medium light drab, uniform or mottled with bicolored dark-tipped scales, scales appressed. Area between antennae variable, light buff, buff or mottled with light drab-tipped scales. Occipital fringe scales light buff and brown, bifid. Scales bordering eye white or light buff. Antenna scape and pedicel light buff and brown, pale areas contiguous with area between antennae. Flagellum with dorsum buff, flanked by a single row of light buff scales; venter without scales, minutely ciliate. THORAX mesoscutum mottled pale light drab to medium light drab, posterior third darkest, tegula also mottled with dark-tipped scales posteriad. Metascutum light buff with shiny white subdorsal band, midline light buff, thinly separating subdorsal bands. Foreleg and midleg brown and light buff striped as in P. chihuahuaensis . Hind tibia and tarsus light buff, tibial spurs light buff or with bases marked with dark scales and faintly trailing along spur. FOREWING length x= 5.91 mm ± 0.50 (n=14), holotype 5.58 mm. Cleft origin about 0.59× length from base, lobe apices acute, without termen. Ground color light drab mixed with dark fuscous and sparse light buff scales. Discal cell area with diffuse fuscous central spot and larger subtriangular spot basad of cleft. Cleft base and area between cell spots with scattered light buff scales. Costa along first lobe with subequal alternating patches of light buff and fuscous or drab gray and fuscous. Two fuscous patches uniformly present, distal part of costa mostly light buff or with mixed fuscous and drab-gray scales. First lobe anal margin sometimes bordered by light buff scales and with 2–3 fuscous scales marking R 5 terminus. Fringes light drab, few light buff fringe scales sometimes at R 5. Second lobe variable, uniformly light drab or with some diffuse light buff scaling near base, marginal scaling along cleft sometimes with light buff scales near apex. Fringes along cleft light drab, anal fringes light drab with a light buff patch at Cu 1 terminus. Ventral forewing uniform light drab except for some light buff scales along costa and fuscous and light buff patches along first lobe as on dorsum. HINDWING uniform light drab, fringes concolorous. Ventral hindwing with first and second lobes uniform light drab, third lobe light buff near base, light drab toward apex. Venous scales fuscous. ABDOMEN dorsum light buff, contrasting with wings and mesothorax, with subdorsal shiny white longitudinal stripe extending from metascutum of thorax to lateral scale tuft of tegumen; middorsal stripe light buff grading to buff or drab gray posteriad; lateral margin of segments flecked with drab gray scales. Venter light buff to shiny white with light drab narrow subventral longitudinal stripe and drab gray median stripe. Valvae with terminal light buff and buff scale tuft.

Male genitalia. Uncus stout, curved, length equal or exceeding tegumen. Tegumen with lightly sclerotized paired thin middorsal sulci. Valvae about equal in length. Left saccular process spinose, distinctly curved laterad near middle, entire process about half valva length. Process base round, diameter just exceeding one-third entire process length. Base with central granular patch. Right valva with closely appressed, moderately sclerotized flat lobe-shaped process ( Fig. 31–33 ), apex rounded but not distinctly spatulate. Valvae with stout semi-deciduous setae in small patch basad on sacculus, sockets enlarged, appearing blister-like. Juxta elongate, weakly sclerotized, terminating in short anellus arm less than juxta length. Anellus arm with minute setae distad, closely attached to aedeagus and thus easily breaking away with part of the juxta in preparations. Phallus slightly less than half length of valvae, weakly sclerotized distad, appearing blunt apically; without coecum; inception of ductus ejaculatorius basal; cornuti absent.

Female genitalia. The female genitalia are not described and only tentatively identified as this species in Additional material below.

Types. HOLOTYPE. ♂ - with the following labels: ΄ Florida : Collier Co. │ Naples │ 13.xi.1993 │ R. A. Belmont, UVBLT ΄ [white printed] ; ΄ HOLOTYPE │ Pselnophorus kutisi │ D. Matthews, C. Gielis │ & R. A. Watkins ΄ [red printed] . PARATYPES. 14 ♂, data as follows: 1 - ♂ same locality as holotype, 10.xi.1993, R. A. Belmont, with genitalia slide DM 1065 [ MGCL] ; 1 ♂ - USA: FLORIDA: Collier Co., Golden Gate Estates , 9.vi.1996, R. A. Belmont, UVBL [ DMC] ; 1 ♂ - Marion Co., Ocala Nat. For., NFR 75, Lake Delancy , John S. Kutis 25.vi.1991, collected at MV light, with genitalia slide DM 544 [ MGCL] ; 4 ♂ - FLORIDA: Monroe Co.: Deer Reserve, Big Pine Key 19.vi.1973 J. Powell, at light, with genitalia slides CG 3726 / Essig Museum of Entomology slide no. 3879, CG 3727 / Essig Museum of Entomology slide no. 3878 [ UCB] ; 2 ♂, - same data, Gielis database numbers 13182, 13183 [ CGC] ; 1 ♂ - TEXAS: Bexar Co.: San Antonio 175 m, 29°20’55”N, 98°26’50”W, 31.v.1995 C. Gielis, with genitalia slide CG 2591 , Gielis database # 13181 [ CGC] ; 1 ♂ - San Patricio Co.: 8 mi NE Sinton, Welder Wildlife Refuge , 15.v.1974, R. L. Brown, with slide DM 795 [ MEM] ; 1 ♂ - same location as previous, 13–15.v.1985, R. Brown, D. Adamski, William H. Cross Expedition (slide DM 796 ) [ MEM] ; 1 ♂ - same location as previous but without “ 8 mi NE”, 21–22.v.1981, J. K. Liebherr, J. Doyen, blacklight (slide CG 3758 / Essig Museum of Entomology slide no. 3902) [ UCB] ; 1 ♂ - TEXAS: Beutenmuller Collector, Slide No. 66-563 [yellow label], Genitalia Slide USNM 63,308 [green label], “ Alucita belfragei Fish, Comp. with Type Coll. Fernald type much larger & paler but abdominal markings & neuration of primaries are the same A.W.L. Nov. 10, 20” [red bordered label] [ USNM]; 1 ♂ - TEXAS [Blanco Co.]: Shovel Mt. 7/1900, W. G. Dietz Coll., “B&McDCheck List No. 5892” (slide DM 1645 ) [ USNM] ; 1 ♂ - same location, 2/14 [?] [handwriting not legible], W.G. Dietz Coll. (not dissected) [ USNM] .

Additional material. 1 ♀ - TEXAS: Blanco Co., Blanco St. Pk. 1200’, 25-VI-87 J. Heppner, slide DM 1642. [FSCA/MGCL]. The wing maculation of this specimen is consistent with the males listed above including forewing R 5 spot present, however, the specimen is slightly larger and paler than the male paratypes. We tentatively identify the specimen as this species based on forewing maculation; however, we feel it is best to exclude it from the type series because it is not associated with any males from the same location. The female genitalia from a Blanco County, Texas specimen (forewing length 7.44 mm) are illustrated ( Fig. 37 ). This female is consistent with the type species, Pselnophorus heterodactyla and the other two new species presently described in having a filamentous ductus seminalis originating just anteriad of the antrum. It can be distinguished from other Pselnophorus species , except P. chihuahuaensis , based on characters of the corpus bursae and the absence of a developed lamina postvaginalis. DNA sequencing may be useful to confirm the status of this specimen relative to the paratype males.

Deposition of types. The holotype is from the D. Matthews collection and is herewith donated to and deposited in the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera collections of the Florida Museum of Natural History. Paratypes are deposited in their respective collections as indicated by acronyms above.

Type locality. The holotype was collected in the vicinity of Naples, Florida. The Golden Gate Estates area of Naples where two paratypes were collected borders Everglades National Park south of I-75 (formerly SR 80, Alligator Alley). This area includes pine flatwoods, cypress and oak hammocks as well as disturbed habitat.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of the late John Stephen Kutis, an avid lepidopterist of Bellview, Florida, who collected one of the paratypes and first brought this new species to our attention.

Immature stages. Unknown.

Larval hostplant. Unknown.

Distribution and phenology. Florida specimens have been collected in June and November, in Texas from mid-May to June. The handwritten dates on the Shovel Mts. specimens are not clearly legible but one specimen appears to indicate July.

Pselnophorus hodgesi Matthews, Gielis, and Watkins , new species

( Figures 4, 5 , 19–25 , 36 )

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from P. belfragei and P. chihuahuaensis by the darker ground color of the forewing, although this is somewhat paler in females. It can be differentiated from P. kutisi by the stout and straight as opposed to curved or bent middle portion of the left saccular process and the usually spatulate tip of the right saccular process.

Description (male, female). Based on the holotype (male) and 39 paratypes (19 male, 20 female). HEAD generally as in P. kutisi . Labial palpi equal to or just exceeding eye diameter. Base of labial palpi usually with a few buff or light drab scales laterally. Pale area between antennae often reduced. In dark individuals, light buff scales mostly laterad on scape and pedicel and posteriad along eye margin. Flagellum dorsally buff or drab gray, lateral margin of light buff scales sometimes absent. Males generally darker overall than females. THORAX mesoscutum and tegula mottled with bicolored scales, pale to drab, varying with extent of dark tips of scales. Metascutum light buff with a few yellowish buff scales. Silvery white bands usually not as clearly differentiated from light buff scales as in P. kutisi . Scattered drab gray scales sometimes present. Foreleg and midleg variously striped light drab and light buff as in P. chihuahuaensis and kutisi . Hind tibia, spurs, and tarsomeres variable: in males typically drab gray dorsally, somewhat paler ventrally; in females light buff to light drab, often light buff with a faint longitudinal lines of greyish brown on tibia, spurs, and basal tarsomere. FOREWING length, males, x= 6.91 mm ± 0.45 (n=20), holotype 7.15 mm, females, x = 7.67 mm ± 0.41 (n=17). Cleft origin about 0.55–0.60× from base, tending to be deeper in females. Ground color light drab to fuscous. Scattered light buff scales present in both sexes. Males tending to be darker than females. Discal cell area with diffuse fuscous central spot and larger subtriangular spot basad of cleft in females, obscure but present in males. Fuscous costal marks at R 2 and R 3 of first lobe as in P. kutisi . Marginal scaling between R 3 spot and apex light buff subtended by pale brownish gray scales. Light buff scales absent in worn specimens. First lobe anal margin with minute fuscous R 5 spot (2–4 scales) usually present in females but absent in males. Fringes uniform light drab in males and females, rarely 2 or 3 filiform white or light buff scales at R 5 spot in females. Second lobe uniform light drab or with scattered light buff scales. A minute fuscous dash marking Cu 1 terminus usually present in females, absent in males. Fringes of second lobe light drab except for light buff patch at Cu 1 terminus in females, present or absent in males. Ventral forewing light drab except for costal markings as in P. kutisi and dull fuscous spot at Cu 1 in some females. Lobes also with a few scattered light buff scales distally. HINDWING uniform light drab, fringes concolorous. Ventral hindwing uniform light drab or with mottled light buff scaling on third lobe. Venous scales fuscous. ABDOMEN variable, dorsum ground color light buff to mixed light buff and buff with scattered grayish brown scales. Females tending to be mostly light buff with some buff scales. Males darker mottled or with a thin line of light drab scales bordering subdorsal band. Subdorsal longitudinal band in both sexes shiny white, continuing from metathorax and extending laterad on tegumen in males, to posterior margin of eighth tergite in females. In females, this subdorsal band is subtended laterally by a broad light buff band such that the longitudinal band is more difficult to distinguish as it is less contrasted than in males. Venter light buff with buff midventral line, laterally drab gray, males admixed with fuscous scales. Male valva light buff with buff lateral line and protruding apical scale tuft.

Male genitalia. Uncus stout, curved, length slightly less than that of tegumen. Tegumen with distinct paired middorsal sulci extending for entire length. Valvae about equal in length, apices variably tapered. Left saccular process, stout, spinose, straight through middle, slightly curved laterad at tip, length just exceeding half valva length. Process base exceeding one-third of entire process length, central granular patch ( Fig. 20 ) present. Right valva with well-developed spatulate process. Terminus of process usually widened, appressed or raised from valva surface ( Fig. 19, 23–25 ). A patch of blister-like setal sockets basad on sacculus as in P. kutisi . Juxta basally narrow, weakly sclerotized, membranous at middle then expanded into broad bent anellus arm with minutely setose terminus. Anellus arm about half width of aedeagus. Aedeagus about half length of valvae; apex tapered or blunt, without coecum; cornuti indistinct or absent.

Female genitalia. Apophyses posteriores about 3.5× length of papillae anales, moderately sclerotized, with slight irregular curves anterad, apex blunt. Apophyses anteriores absent. Sternite VII overriding VIII, forming a distinct moderately sclerotized lamina postvaginalis with convex anterior margin. Ostium bursae centrally placed, partly obscured by lamina. Antrum flanked by parallel ventrolateral margins of sternite VIII, width about equal that of ductus bursae, sclerites present. Ductus bursae about two-thirds length of corpus bursae, with filamentous ductus seminalis branching at one-third length from antrum. Corpus bursae ovoid, somewhat granular, signa absent.

Types. HOLOTYPE. ♂ - with the following labels: ΄ Madera Canyon, 4880’ │ Santa Rita Mtns., Ariz │ September 7, 1959 │ R. W. Hodges ΄ [off-white printed, day handwritten] ; ΄ HOLOTYPE │ Pselnophorus hodgesi │ D. Matthews, C. Gielis │ & R. A. Watkins ΄ [red printed] . PARATYPES. 19 ♂; 20 ♀ as follows: 2 ♂, 3 ♀ - same data as holotype (♂ USNM slide 63,305) [ USNM] ; 1 ♂ - same data, except 19 Jul 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♀ - 25 Jul 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♀ - 23 Aug 1959; 1 ♀ - 25 Aug 1959 (slide DM 1469 ) [ USNM] ; 1 ♂ - 29 Aug 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀ - 1 Sep 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀ - 2 Sep 1959 (♀ slide DM 1618 ) [ USNM] ; 1 ♀ - 3 Sep 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♀ - 4 Sep 1959 (slide on same pin, E. Jäckh prep.) [ USNM] ; 2 ♂ - 5 Sep 1959 (1 with slide on same pin, E. Jäckh prep.) [ USNM] ; 2 ♀ - 5 Sep 1959 [ CGC, database nos. 13179, 13180] ; 2 ♂ - 8 Sep 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀ - 20 Sep 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♀ - 29 Sep 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♂ - 6 Oct 1959 [ USNM] ; 1 ♀ - ARIZONA: Cochise Co.: Huachuca Mts., Ash Canyon , 30 Aug 1990, N. McFarland, R. Leuschner coll. MGCL Accession # 2009-30 (slide DM 1643 ) [ MGCL] ; 1 ♀ - Huachuca Mts., Miller Canyon , 29 Aug 1976 R. Leuschner, R. Leuschner coll. MGCL Accession # 2009-30 (slide DM 1640 ) [ MGCL] ; 1 ♀ - Huachuca Mts., Ramsey Cn. , 5 Sep 1955, F.G. Wemer & G.D. Butler (slide DM 927 ) [ UAIC] ; 1 ♂ - Pima Co.: Baboquivari Mts. , 15-30 Jun 1924, O. C. Poling, Coll. (slide DM 1646 ) [ USNM] ; 1 ♂ - flood plain E. sl. Coyote Mts. 15–16 Aug 1968, M.L. Noller, UV and Coleman lts. (slide DM 921 ) [ UAIC] ; 1 ♂ - Santa Cruz Co.: Peña Blanca Canyon 11 Aug 1959 R. W. Hodges ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀ - same data but 1 Sep 1959 (♂ slide DM 1619 , ♀ slides, DM 1467 , DM 1617 ) [ USNM] ; 2 ♂, 1 ♀ - Sycamore Canyon , 3800’, 25 Sep 1959 R. W. Hodges (1 ♂ slide DM 1620 ) [ USNM] ; 1 ♂ - TEXAS: Zapata Co.: 3 mi. S Zapata , 15 Oct 2002, 400ft, J. B. Heppner (slide DM 1614 ) [ FSCA] .

Deposition of types. The holotype is deposited in the USNM. Paratypes are deposited as listed above by collection acronym.

Additional material. 1 ♂ - USA: Arizona: Cochise Co. 3 mi. W of US-666 [now 191] on road to Dragoon, 12 Aug 1989, BL, P. Skelley (1 m, slide DM 902) [DMC]. This specimen is excluded from the type series as it is preserved in alcohol and identified only by the genitalia slide. The Arizona types were selected, in part, as a representative sample from a total of 307 specimens (84 ♂, 223 ♀) collected at three localities by R. W. Hodges in 1959. Of this collection, 279 specimens are from Madera Canyon. The entire date range of this material is represented in the type series.

Type locality. The type locality, Madera Canyon, is located within the Santa Rita Mountains and part of the Coronado National Forest.

Etymology. We are pleased to name this species in honor of Ronald W. Hodges who collected long series of this species in southeastern Arizona while doing fieldwork for his doctoral degree at Cornell University with the late John G. Franclemont.

Immature stages. Unknown.

Larval hostplant. Unknown.

Distribution and phenology. This species is known from southern Arizona in Cochise, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties, and in southern Texas in Zapata County. It has been collected at elevations ranging from 400 to 4880 feet. The extended flight period, with specimens collected from the end of June to mid-October, suggests the possibility of multiple broods. Specimens from the type locality were collected from 19 July though 6 October in 1959 with most individuals collected from 1-8 September and again from 19-20 September. In both date ranges females outnumbered males, most notably on 7 September, with 62 females and only 4 males collected. The reason for this ratio between the sexes was not investigated and remains speculative. These Madera Canyon type locality collection results are illustrated in Figure 41 along with less numerous collections by Ronald Hodges during the same time interval in two nearby canyons with similar habitat, namely Sycamore and Penã Blanca.

Figures

Figure 41. Histogram illustrating number of male and female P. hodgesi collected from 19 July 1959 to 6 October 1959 in Madera, Sycamore, and Penã Blanca Canyons of southern Arizona.

Figures 1-10. Nearctic Pselnophorus. 1) P. chihuahuaensis holotype ♂, Sutton Co.,Texas [FSCA]. 2) P. chihuahuaensis paratype ♂, Arizona [USNM]. 3) forewing of P. chihuahuaensis paratype ♂, Jeff Davis Co.,Texas [FSCA]. 4) P. hodgesi holotype ♂, Madera Canyon, Arizona [USNM]. 5) P. hodgesi, paratype ♀, Madera Canyon, Arizona [USNM]. 6) P. kutisi paratype ♂, Marion Co., Florida [MGCL]. 7) P. kutisi holotype ♂, Collier Co., Florida [MGCL]. 8) P. belfragei ♀, Alachua Co., Florida [DMC] (images by D. Matthews). 9) P. belfragei holotype labels (image by Mark Metz. 10) P. belfragei holotype ♀, Bosque, Co., Texas[USNM] (image by Mark Metz).

Figures 11–33. Male genitalia of three new species of Pselnophorus (slide numbers and state locality as indicated in figures). 11–18) P. chihuahuaensis. 11) genitalia with phallus removed. 12) phallus from same specimen. 13–15) left saccular processes of additional specimens. 16–18) right saccular ridge of additional specimens, each corresponding to specimen image directly above. 19–25) P. hodgesi. 19) genitalia with phallus in situ. 20–22) left saccular processes of additional specimens. 23–25) corresponding right saccular processes. 26–33) P. kutisi, 26) male genitalia with phallus removed (basal part of juxta in situ). 27) phallus from same specimen with anellus arm and distal part of juxta attached. 28–30) left saccular processes of additional specimens. 31–33) corresponding right saccular processes.

Figures 35-38. Female genitalia of Nearctic Pselnophorus. 35) P. chihuahuaensis, slide DM 1634. 36) P. hodgesi, slide DM 1469. 37) P. sp., possibly kutisi, slide DM 1642. 38) P. belfragei, slide DM 1636.