Sympistis baloghi 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 : 20

Sympistis baloghi Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. B-21, Q-1)

Diagnosis. Sympistis baloghi is known from the unique holotype female. Because the male is unknown, DNA analysis was done in order to determine its nearest relatives. Of the 658 COI base pairs examined, S. baloghi was closest to Sympistis tartarea (Troubridge and Crabo) comb. n. with a 1.03% difference. Among many other characters, S. baloghi is distinguished from S. tartarea (Fig. B-20) by the white head and thorax of S. tartarea , brown in S. baloghi . Although white scales occur on the radial vein of S. baloghi , there is not a distinct patch of white around the base of the radial vein as in S. horus , S. isis and S. osiris .

Description. Antennae filiform. Prothoracic collar beige then a thin black line, beige, black, beige, black, brown, and beige lines. Head, thorax, and abdomen a mix various shades of brown scales. Forewing length 16 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color brown; black, denticulate antemedial line bordered basally with beige scales; undulating postmedial line black, edged distally with beige scales; medial line dark brown; basal line black; veins from antemedial through postmedial lines edged with beige scales, black between postmedial line and subterminal line; black dashes extend between veins through postmedial area to subterminal line which occurs as a series of beige dots; a patch of white scales borders vein CuA2 beyond postmedial line; black terminal line edged basally with beige chevrons; orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots well demarcated with thin black outer and beige inner lines with an inner ring of brown scales; fringe a series of beige basal, brown median, and gray-brown terminal lines; terminal line checkered with white at vein tips. Dorsal hindwing basal area off-white; marginal band dark grayish brown; area around veins M3, CuA, and CuA2 with scattered brown scales; fringe cream basally, white distally. Male genitalia. Unknown. Female genitalia. (Fig. Q-1) 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; appendix bursae widens gradually from ductus bursae, bends to the right, and tapers to ductus seminalis on dorsal side; corpus bursae absent.

Type material. Holotype female: USA: New Mexico, Lincoln Co., 6.5 mi. W. of Carrizozo Malpais , 24 ix 2003, George J. Balogh, in the CNC.

Etymology. I am honored to name this species for George J. Balogh, who collected and provided specimens of this and several other new species described in this paper.

Distribution. This species is known from south central New Mexico.