Sympistis infixa (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 : 9

The Sympistis infixa group

Sympistis kappa , [ Homohadena kappa ], S. retroversa [ Homohadena retroversa ], and S. dinalda [ Homohadena dinalda ], have been treated as synonyms of S. infixa [ Homohadena infixa ] ( Franclemont and Todd, 1983; Poole, 1989) but examination of the types shows that three species are involved. Sympistis dinalda is a boreal and sub-boreal species occurring across Canada. The cucullus of the valve is produced to form a long, finger-like projection with a stout terminal claw and corona reduced to a number of stout setae adjacent to the terminal claw, and the ampulla of the clasper is thumb-like (Fig. K-3). Sympistis kappa with its synonym Homohadena retroversa and Sympistis infixa occur in the southeastern United States. The cucullus of S. kappa is long and narrow (but wider than that of S. dinalda ) with a small terminal spine. The corona extends along the ventral margin of the cucullus and the ampulla of the clasper is broad and spatulate (Fig. K-4). The cucullus of S. infixa is narrow like that of S. kappa , but about ½ as long and lacks the terminal spine. The corona extends along the full length of the cucullus and the ampulla of the clasper is long and narrow with a terminal claw (Fig. K-5). Grote (1874) described Homohadena kappa on the basis of a female specimen (# 167) from Kansas, ex. Professor Snow and made no mention of additional specimens in the type series. The specimen in the BMNH is a male with the following label data: “ Kansas Snow Grote Coll. 82-54 [the accession #] / 261 / Homohadena kappa Type Grote”. Due to the superficial similarity between the species and the fact that there are three names available for two species, it is necessary the fix the name kappa . Therefore, I here designate the aforementioned male specimen in the BMNH as NEOTYPE for Homohadena kappa Grote.