Sympistis cleopatra 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 : 36-37

Sympistis cleopatra Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. E-21, S-4)

Diagnosis. Sympistis cleopatra looks like a cross between Sympistis homogena (Grote) comb. n. and S. pernotata . The appendix bursae is unlike any other species I have examined. The female genitalia more-or-less follow the general pattern of species in the S. homogena group but the diverticulum in the ductus bursae is absent and the appendix bursae gradually narrows towards the anterior end but then bends backward and continues to narrow gradually to a point adjacent to the ductus bursae, where the ductus seminalis arises.

Description. Antennae filiform, frons dark grayish brown, remainder of head, prothoracic collar, thorax and abdomen light grayish brown. Forewing length 17 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color light grayish brown; basal, antemedial, medial, and postmedial lines black; postmedial line bordered distally with light grayish brown line, then gradually darkening to dark grayish brown though entire subterminal area; cells through subterminal area highlighted with black lines; orbicular and reniform spots white with scattered light brown scales in center, distinctly outlined with black; claviform spot black with a few grayish brown scales in center; terminal line present as a series of small black chevrons between veins; pinkish beige subterminal line present only as a light grayish brown spot in anal angle; fringe grayish brown with black median and light grayish brown basal lines, checkered with darker scales between veins. Dorsal hindwing off-white basal area blends to dark grayish brown terminal shade; veins and discal lunule lightly highlighted with scattered grayish brown scales; fringe white with narrow brown median line and off-white base. Male genitalia. Unknown. Female genitalia. (Fig. S-4) Ovipositor lobes rounded, with scattered short setae, corona of short setae mid way down -these setae produced at 90° to the abdomen; ductus bursae elongate, about as long as corpus bursae, ends at T-intersection with corpus bursae on left and appendix bursae on right; corpus bursae ellipsoidal with elongate dorsal and ventral signae, joined to ductus bursae and appendix bursae via wide tube; appendix bursae J-shaped, gradually narrows towards the anterior end but then bends backward and continues to narrow gradually to a point adjacent to ductus bursae, where ductus seminalis arises.

Type material. Holotype female: USA, Arizona, S rim Grand Canyon , 16 vii 1936, in the UNM.

Etymology. This species is named for Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known from the unique holotype, which was collected at the Grand Canyon, Arizona.