Sympistis sobek 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 : 39-40

Sympistis sobek Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. E-10, N-3, S-7)

Diagnosis. The dorsal hindwing of species of the S. homogena group falls into two categories, the dark terminal band is either sharply defined or the transition between it and the discal area is more gradual. Like S. hathor and S. septu , the terminal band of S. sobek is sharply defined, but the forewing is dark, dusky gray rather than brown as in S. hathor and S. septu . Sympistis sobek most closely resembles and may fly with S. homogena and S. cherti sp. n., but the transition between the dark terminal band the discal area is more gradual in these species.

Description. Antennae filiform, head and prothoracic collar a mix of brown and black scales; thorax and tegulae a mix of black and white scales; abdomen light grayish brown. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 15-16 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color a mix of black, white, and light grayish brown scales giving a powdery dark gray overall appearance; postmedial, antemedial and basal lines black; postmedial line edged distally by a band of lighter gray which blends to dark gray towards subterminal line; antemedial line narrowly bordered basally with light gray to grayish brown scales, jagged, light gray subterminal line extends through middle of dark gray subterminal area; terminal line black; orbicular and reniform spots outlined with black scales, filled with light gray and dusted with black scales; fringe with light grayish brown basal line, a black medial line and dark gray terminal area that is checkered with darker scales between veins. Dorsal hindwing basal area with white scales under long gray hairs giving a dirty off-white appearance; veins with scattered gray scales; discal lunule faint; sharply defined terminal band dark gray; fringe light grayish brown basally, white terminal line and dark gray median line. Male genitalia. (Fig. N-3) Valve shaped like the prow of canoe, with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper more-or-less parallel sided, 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 along 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. S-7) 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 same length as corpus bursae, doubles in width at a point ca. ½ of the way from ostium bursae to appendix bursae; appendix bursae sac-like, narrowing to ductus seminalis at anterior end, meeting ductus bursae on right side of posterior end; corpus bursae ellipsoidal, about ¾ 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 female: USA, Oregon, Deschutes Co., Horse Ridge Summit , 3 ix 1995, J. Troubridge, in the CNC . Paratypes: 4♂ 8♀: Oregon: same data as holotype , 2♀. California: Mt Shasta , 41° 21' N, 122° 12' W, 7680’, 27 viii 2000, J. Troubridge , 1♂ 2♀; Mt Shasta , Siskiyou Co., 41° 21' N, 122° 13' W, 7300’, 15 viii 1998, J. Troubridge , 3♂ 3♀.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Sobek was represented as a crocodile or as a man with the head of a crocodile; he was a god who brought fertility from the Nile waters. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species has been collected at mid to high elevation in eastern Oregon and northern California.