Sympistis sakhmet 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 : 26-27

Sympistis sakhmet Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. C-8, M-1, Q-7)

Diagnosis. Sympistis sakhmet and S. ptah sp. n. (described below) 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.

Description. Holotype. Antennae filiform. Prothoracic collar, head, thorax, and abdomen a mix of various shades of rust, pink, and white scales, giving a hoary pinkish rust appearance. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 12-14 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color mottled pink and light rust, grayish rust beyond postmedial line; postmedial and antemedial lines obscure, basal line a single row of dark brown scales; subterminal line a weak scattering of light pinkish brown scales; terminal line a series of rust chevrons between veins, edged basally with scattered pale brownish scales; veins highlighted with white and gray scales; orbicular, reniform and claviform somewhat obscure, light pinkish brown with weak margin of dark rust brown scales; fringe mottled basally with light brown and light pinkish brown scales, a median gray line, and terminal line of light pinkish brown, checkered with brown between veins. Dorsal hindwing light pink basally with rust brown scales scattered on veins, dark grayish brown marginal band with terminal row of pinkish brown scales; discal lunule brown; fringe a mix of light brown and pinkish brown scales basally, white distally. Male genitalia. (Fig. M-1) 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 to the right at about 100°; 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-7) 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 end; 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, Chaves Co., Mescalero dunes east of Roswell , 22 ix 2003, George J. Balogh, in the CNC . Paratypes: 9♂ 8♀: New Mexico: same data as holotype , 1♂; Lincoln Co., 6.5 mi west of Carrizozo Malpais , 23 ix 2003, George J. Balogh , 2♂ 1♀; Otero Co., White Sands National Monument , 32° 46' N, 106° 10' W, 3999 ‘, 1♀. Utah: San Juan Co., Bluff airstrip east of Butler Wash , sandy soil, 19 ix 2000, George J. Balogh , 1♂; San Juan Co., Comb Ridge W of Bluff, sandstone and sand soil, 21 ix 2000, George J. Balogh , 1♂. Texas: El Paso Co., Hueco Tanks SP, 7 x 1993, E. Knudson , 2♂ 3♀; El Paso Co., East Montana Hwy. , 7-9 x 1993, E. Knudson , 2♂ 3♀.

Etymology. The eye of Ra, Sakhmet is a destructive Egyptian goddess associated with divine vengeance. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is associated with dunes and has been collected from southeastern Utah through New Mexico to extreme western Texas.