Sympistis cocytus 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 : 24-25

Sympistis cocytus Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. D-5, D-6, L-9, Q-5)

Diagnosis. Externally, S. cocytus and S. acheron are very similar and difficult to separate; however, in general, the basal portion of the hindwing of S. acheron tends to be darker than that of S. cocytus . In S. cocytus , the distal margin of the ampulla of the clasper curves evenly to the tip of the terminal spine (Fig. L-9 inset), whereas the distal margin curves toward the base of the terminal spine in that of S. acheron (Fig. L-8 inset). The vesica of S. cocytus bends gently downward (Fig. L-9) but that of S. acheron bends abruptly at almost 90° to the right (Fig. L-8). The appendix bursae of S. cocytus gradually narrows toward the ductus bursae with a small bulge on the right side (Fig. Q-5), but that of S. acheron is sausage shaped with the ductus bursae arising a little to the left of the right end of the sausage (Fig. Q-4). The forewing of specimens from British Columbia and northern Washington is a hoary gray, but in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon the forewing is dark brown, resembling S. glennyi ; however, the ordinary lines and spots are more muted than those of S. glennyi .

Description. Holotype. Antennae filiform. Prothoracic collar gray with a diffuse subbasal black line. Head a mix of gray and light gray scales, thorax shades of gray, black, and light gray scales. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 16-19 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color gray with scattered light gray and white scales giving a hoary appearance; antemedial, postmedial, and basal lines black, thin, and diffuse; obscure median line charcoal gray; thin terminal line black; subterminal line a row of obscure, charcoal gray chevrons, bordered basally and distally with scattered white scales; orbicular, reniform and claviform spots hoary, light gray with dark gray fill and obscure black border; fringe a series of dark cream, charcoal, light gray, charcoal, light gray and finally charcoal lines checkered with darker shades between veins. Dorsal hindwing basal half thinly scaled with light gray, blending to grayish brown marginal band; discal lunule grayish brown; fringe cream basally, a dark gray median line, white distally. Male genitalia. (Fig. L-9) Valve with pointed, upturned apex; distal margin of ampulla of clasper curves evenly to the tip of the terminal spine. Vesica bends gently downward; a ribbon of sparse cornuti runs dorsally to meet a dense ribbon of cornuti on left apical ½ of vesica and a patch of dense cornuti on right apical ½ of vesica; a single, coarse apical cornutus and small bundle of cornuti projected from apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. Q-5) 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; saclike appendix bursae gradually narrows toward ductus bursae and toward ductus seminalis at anterior end; appendix bursae with small bump on right near ductus bursae; corpus bursae absent.

Type material. Holotype male: Canada: British Columbia, Hwy. 99 at BC Hydro dam, Seton Lk., 22 ix 1995, J. Troubridge, in the CNC . Paratypes: 18♂ 4♀: British Columbia: same data as holotype , 2♂; Kirby Flats Rd. , 50° 32' N, 121° 43' W, 20 ix 1999, J. Troubridge , 2♀; Kirby Flats Rd. , 60° 32' N, 121° 43' W, 2000- 3500’, 13 ix 2002, J. Troubridge , 2♂; Kirby Flats Rd. , 50° 32' N, 121° 43' W, 2000-3500’, 20 viii 1998, J. Troubridge , 2♂ 1♀. Washington: Bethel Ridge , 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 6300', 22 viii 1997, J. Troubridge , 1♂; Kittitas Co., nr Garrison Spring , 5 ix 1994, J. Troubridge , 1♂; Table Rock , Columbia Co., 46° 01' N, 117° 54' W, 6200', 14 viii 1998, J. Troubridge , 2♂ 1♀. Oregon: Baker Co., Cornet Cr. , 44° 29' N, 117° 51' W, 3600’, 19 ix 2001, J. Troubridge , 2♂; Jefferson Co., 2 mi. N. of Vanora , 25 viii 1997, J. Troubridge , 2♂.

Etymology. Another of the five rivers that separate Hades from the world of the living, Cocytus is the river of lamentation. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species occurs from the Ponderosa Pine zone to near treeline from south central British Columbia to eastern Oregon.