Sympistis jenniferae Troubridge, 2008

Troubridge, J. T., 2008, A generic realignment of the Oncocnemidini sensu Hodges (1983) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Oncocnemidinae), with description of a new genus and 50 new species, Zootaxa 1903 (1), pp. 1-95 : 16-17

Sympistis jenniferae Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. B-22, L-2, P-12)

Diagnosis. Sympistis jenniferae and the next three species ( S. isis sp. n., S. osiris sp. n., and S. horus sp. n.) are distinctive in that they have a patch of white scales located basally on the radial veins of the forewing. Sympistis jenniferae is distinguished from these other three species by the dorsal hindwing, which has a row of distinct white (pink in New Mexico) marginal chevrons within the dark submarginal band. The hindwing has a shiny, almost metallic appearance –duller in the other species. Internally, the ampulla of the clasper is swollen with a terminal spine but in S. isis , S. osiris , and S. horus the ampulla is spine-like, tapering evenly to the apex. The basal hindwing of S. jenniferae is pink in New Mexico and white in dune systems in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Structurally, they are otherwise similar and I treat the two populations as the same species.

Description. Holotype. Antennae filiform. Prothoracic collar beige then a thin black line, beige, black, beige, white, beige, and white lines –the black lines composed of few scattered black scales. Head beige with brown scales on vertex and labial palpus; thorax a mix of brown, black and white scales. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets absent from base of male abdomen. Forewing length 15-17 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color pinkish brown; white scales located basally on the radial veins; thin black denticulate antemedial line bordered basally with beige scales; undulating postmedial line black, thin, edged distally with buff scales; median line grayish brown; thin basal line black; veins from antemedial through postmedial lines edged with white and gray scales, black on veins and bordered with gray scales between postmedial line and subterminal line; a weak series of dark brown dashes extend between veins through postmedial area almost to terminal line; subterminal line occurs as a series of beige dots within these black dashes; black terminal line edged basally with grayish brown scales; orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots well demarcated with dark brown outer and beige inner lines with an inner ring of rust scales; fringe a series of beige, brown, white, dark brown and finally light brown lines. Dorsal hindwing basal area pale shiny pink; submarginal band dark grayish brown, not sharply defined, with a row of pale pink marginal chevrons; discal lunule and veins M3, CuA, and CuA2 lightly highlighted with scattered brown scales; fringe light pink. Male genitalia. (Fig. L-2) Valve with rounded, upturned apex; ampulla of clasper talon-like, mid-section slightly widened. Vesica with basal diverticulum on right bends 90° to the left beyond diverticulum; a ribbon of fine, sparse cornuti extends from dorsal base of vesica across diverticulum, tapering off on posterior surface; a second ribbon of cornuti extends along dorsal surface of apical ½ of vesica; a third ribbon of longer, coarser, ventral cornuti on apical ½ of vesica; a single, coarse apical cornutus and small bundle of cornuti project from apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. P-12) Ovipositor lobes rounded with scattered setae; a corona of short setae surrounds ovipositor lobes near tip, these setae produced at 90° to the abdomen; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, ductus bursae twice as long as sclerite; appendix bursae swells at ductus bursae before widening and becoming sac-like and twisting around to the left, narrowing toward rounded anterior end where ductus seminalis arises on dorsal side; corpus bursae absent.

Type material. Holotype male: USA: New Mexico, Chaves Co., North Mescalero Dunes, BLM Recreation Area , 11 x 2001, G. Balogh, in the CNC . Paratypes: 8♂ 2♀: New Mexico: same data as holotype , 1♂; Chaves Co., North Mescalero Dunes, BLM Recreation Area , 18 x 2001 , G. Balogh, 1♂ 1♀; Clovis , 9 x 1952 , 1♂. Kansas: Garden City, H. H. Walkdon Coll. , 9 x 1934 , 1♂. Colorado: Oak Crk. Cyn., 6 vii, Jacob Doll Col ., 1♂. Nebraska: Valentine , 27 mi. S., 2900’, 25 ix 1964 , D. F. Hardwick, 1♀; Bridgeport , 2 mi. NW., 3700’, 20 ix 1964 , D. F. Hardwick, 1♂; Halsey , 2 mi. SW., 2800’, 24 ix 1964 , D. F. Hardwick, 2♂.

Etymology. I am honored to name this species for Jennifer Read in recognition of her dedication to the study of entomology in Canada.

Distribution. This species is known from unstable dune habitats from Kansas to New Mexico.