Sympistis knudsoni 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 : 47-48

Sympistis knudsoni Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. A-26, T-7)

Diagnosis. Sympistis knudsoni appears most similar to S. khepri . It is distinguished from S. khepri by the forewing, on which the ordinary lines are faint but present (absent in S. knudsoni ), and the absence of the orbicular and reniform spots in S. khepri (present in S. knudsoni ). Females of S. khepri and males of S. knudsoni are unknown, thus it is not possible to see if these species are closely related to each other at this time.

Description. Antennae filiform, head and thorax grayish brown; prothoracic collar grayish brown with black basal line; abdomen light grayish brown. Forewing length 14 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color brown, dusted with off-white scales, most heavily above cubital vein. Basal, antemedial, subterminal, and postmedial lines absent; terminal line dark brown; reniform spot ellipsoidal; orbicular and reniform spots dark brown, encircled with scattered white scales; dark brown basal dash present; radial, median, and cubital veins highlighted with dark brown scales; vein CuA2 bordered with off-white scales. Fringe brown, checkered with dark brown between veins. Dorsal hindwing off-white, dusted with brown scales –dusting heavier towards margin; veins with brown scales; terminal line dark brown; fringe white, dusted with dark brown in basal 2. Male genitalia. Unknown. Female genitalia. (Fig. T-7) Ovipositor lobes rounded with corona of stout setae; a V-shaped sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae below ostium bursae; ductus bursae approximately the same length as appendix bursae, elongate appendix bursae tapers at anterior end to ductus seminalis; minute, vestigial corpus bursae attached to dorsal appendix bursae via thread-like duct.

Type material. Holotype female: USA, Texas, Briscoe Co., Caprock Canyon State Park , 10-11 v 1996, E. C. Knudson, in the CNC . Paratype: 1♀, same data as holotype .

Etymology. The name honors Edward C. Knudson, who collected the only known specimens of this species.

Distribution. This species is known only from the type locality in Briscoe Co., Texas.