Sympistis, sensu Franclemont and Todd, 1983

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 : 41-42

Sympistis ra Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. E-11, N-5, T-1)

Diagnosis. Sympistis ra is a member of the S. homogena group but flies with and most closely resembles S. melantho (Fig. D-3). It is the only member of the S. homogena group in which the forewing is mottled with black and pale blue-gray scales and with patches of yellow. The transition between the dark terminal band the discal area is abrupt on the dorsal hindwing of both S. melantho and S. ra; however, the basal ½ of the hindwing of S. ra is pale but that of S. melantho is dark gray. The corpus bursae is absent in S. melantho but well developed in S. ra.

Description. Antennae filiform, head white with black scales between antennae; prothoracic collar white basally, light ochre terminally; thorax and tegulae a mix of white and black scales; abdomen light gray. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 14-16 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color white with patches of pale yellow and heavy suffusion of black scales between antemedial and postmedial lines, ordinary spots and lines present but not sharply defined, leaving the entire wing with an “out-of-focus” appearance; postmedial, antemedial and basal lines black; antemedial line narrowly bordered basally with light yellow, subterminal line bordered basally with patches of black; terminal line black; orbicular and reniform spots outlined with black scales, filled with white and scattered light yellow scales – a line of light yellow scales from subterminal line, through reniform spot, orbicular spot and antemedial line to basal area; claviform spot black; fringe dark gray with light yellow basal line, checkered with darker gray between veins. Dorsal hindwing basal area dirty white with scattered gray scales; veins with scattered gray scales; discal lunule gray; dark gray terminal shade sharply defined; fringe white, light grayish brown basally. Male genitalia. (Fig. N-5) Valve shaped like the prow of canoe, with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper gradually narrows to terminal spine arcing from posterior margin; clavus well-developed, about as tall as wide. Vesica with small basal, ventral diverticulum bends slightly upward; a patch of short, sparse cornuti on left near base and second patch of much longer cornuti on right at base; a ribbon of long cornuti extends along ventral margin of apical ¾ of vesica; a second ribbon of longer, stouter cornuti extends on left side of apical ½ of vesica, nearly to apex, where vesica narrows and bends downward toward patch of long cornuti and single apical spine. Female genitalia. (Fig. T-1) Ovipositor lobes rounded, apex with long, fine setae, corona of short setae mid way down -these setae arc anteriorly; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a Y-shaped sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, ductus bursae about as long as corpus bursae, doubles in width with dorsal diverticulum at a point ca. ½ of the way from ostium bursae to appendix bursae; appendix bursae parallel sided, narrowing near anterior end towards ductus seminalis, meeting ductus bursae on right side near posterior end; corpus bursae ellipsoidal, almost as large as appendix bursae, arises via narrow duct from left side of appendix bursae near ductus bursae, elongate signae on dorsal and ventral sides.

Type material. Holotype male: USA, California, 14 mi. SW of Bishop , 9500’, 8 viii 1967, D. F. Hardwick, in the CNC . Paratypes: 2♂ 1♀: California: same data as holotype 1♂; Lee Vining , 7 mi WSW, 13 viii 1967, D. F. Hardwick , 1♀; Tioga Pass , Mono Co., 8500-10000’, 31 vii – 2 viii 1995, Troubridge and Crabo , 1♂.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Ra was the sun-god. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species has been collected in alpine habitats in the Sierra Nevada and White Mts. of California.