Sympistis ptah 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 : 27-28

Sympistis ptah Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. C-9, M-2, Q-8)

Diagnosis. Sympistis sakhmet and S. ptah are closely related but easy to separate. The forewing of S. sakhmet is a mottled rusty orange color, that of S. ptah is grayish brown. The basal portion of the hindwing of S. sakhmet is pale pink, pale rust, or cream colored with scattered gray scales on the veins, that of S. ptah is white with scattered gray scales on the veins. No other species could be confused with S. ptah .

Description. Holotype. Antennae filiform. Prothoracic collar, head, thorax, and abdomen a mix of grayish brown, black and white scales, giving a hoary grayish brown appearance. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 13-14 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color mottled grayish brown, gray beyond postmedial line; antemedial line obscure, postmedial line a weak series of black scales edged outwardly with scattered white and light brown scales; subterminal line a weak scattering of white and pale brown scales through blotches of black scales; terminal line a series of diffuse black chevrons between veins, edged basally with scattered white and pale brownish scales; orbicular, reniform and claviform spots somewhat obscure, light grayish brown with weak margin of white and then black scales; fringe mottled basally with dark gray and light brown scales, a median white line, and terminal line of light grayish brown checkered with dark gray between veins. Dorsal hindwing white basally with gray scales scattered on veins, black marginal band; discal lunule grayish brown; fringe off-white basally, white distally. Male genitalia. (Fig. M-2) Valve with pointed, upturned apex; distal margin of ampulla of clasper curves evenly to the tip of the terminal spine; proximal margin with distinct swelling at base of terminal spine makes ampulla look like a bird’s head and neck with upturned bill. Vesica bends about 100° to the right; a ribbon of sparse cornuti extends from base to apex along distal margin; a dense patch of cornuti on dorsal surface covers about ½ of vesica; a single, coarse apical cornutus and small bundle of cornuti project from apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. Q-8) 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 narrow, widening into sac-like appendix bursae; appendix bursae gradually narrows toward ductus bursae squared off at anterior end where ductus seminalis arises from right corner; corpus bursae about ½ as large as appendix bursae, arises from left side of appendix bursae toward ductus bursae; elongate signae occur along dorsal and ventral sides of corpus bursae.

Type material. Holotype male: USA, New Mexico, Socorro Co., mi. 91-93 Hwy 60, vic. VLA site, sandy soil, 25 ix 2003, George J. Balogh, in the CNC . Paratypes: 2♂ 1♀: same data as holotype .

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, the husband of Sakhmet, Ptah created the gods. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known only from Socorro Co., New Mexico.