Sympistis anweileri Troubridge & J. D. Lafontaine, 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 : 57-58

Sympistis anweileri Troubridge & J. D. Lafontaine sp. n.

(Figs. F-11, O-11, U-4)

Diagnosis. Sympistis anweileri is closely related to Sympistis dentata (Grote) comb. n. (Figs F-9, F-10). In males there are several differences in the vesica, notably, a dorsal subbasal diverticulum in S. dentata versus a ventrolateral subbasal diverticulum in S. anweileri , and a large cornutus on the right side of the vesica adjacent to the ventral field of fine cornuti in S. anweileri that is absent in S. dentata . In Sympistis californiae (McDunnough) comb. n. (Fig. F-12), the orbicular spot is distinct, ellipsoidal, and with distinct black border and inner circle of white scales, the antemedial line is deeply serrate, and the vesica is without a distinct subbasal diverticulum, but in S. anweileri the orbicular spot is often indistinct, circular or slightly oval, with weak black border that does not contrast in color with remainder of the wing, the antemedial line is sinuate, and the vesica has a distinct sub-basal diverticulum.

Description. Antenna filiform and ciliate in both sexes. Eye bare, rounded, without lashes in front of eye at base of antenna. Foretibia without stout terminal spine-like seta. Head light gray with narrow black band between eyes; palpi light gray with scattered white scales. Prothoracic collar gray, edged with white scales. Tegulae hoary gray, edged with black scales. Thorax gray; abdomen grayish brown, without dorsal tufts. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 15-18 mm. Dorsal forewing powdery gray; orbicular spot concolorous with remainder of wing, circular, thinly edged with black; reniform spot thinly edged with black, filled with light gray scales in anterior ½ and dark gray in posterior a; claviform spot black; sagittate; antemedial line black, dusted with light gray scales on proximal margin; postmedial line sagittate, light gray, edged proximally with black scales; terminal line black with light gray scales on veins; fringe gray. Dorsal hindwing light grayish brown with faint, slightly darker median line and slightly darker terminal band; fringe whitish gray. Male genitalia (Fig. O-11). Cucullus with outer margin rounded and tapered to posterior apical point; corona present. Ampulla of clasper shaped like duck’s head and neck with duck’s “bill” in form of a tapered, upturned spine. Digitus flattened plate, broadly attached to costa, crossing valve behind clasper, narrowing to point and separated from valve at posterior margin near base of clasper. Uncus rounded in cross-section, arcing downward and tapering to terminal point. Vesica bulbous basally with small diverticulum ventrolaterally on left, bends 180° ventrally with fields of spine-like cornuti on posterior, ventral, left, and right surfaces, and with a single, large cornutus on right adjacent to ventral field of cornuti. Female genitalia (Fig. U-4). Ovipositor lobes bluntly pointed, setose. Ostium bursae heavily sclerotized, trapezoidal, about 2X long as wide. Ductus bursae short, unsclerotized, joins with enlarged, swollen, anterior end of ostium bursae. Appendix bursae rugose and leathery, to left of ductus bursae; bursae copulatrix amphora-shaped, projects to right of ductus bursae with weak, elongate, dorsal and ventral signa.

Type material. Holotype male, British Columbia, Mt. Kobau , 6040', 49° 06' N 119° 39' W, 2 viii 2000, Troubridge and Hensel in the CNC . Paratypes: 31♂ 16♀: Alberta: Hailstone Butte , 6500', 50° 12' N 114° 26' W, 25 vii 1998 , J. Troubridge 1♂; Hailstone Butte , 6639', 50° 12' N 114° 26' W, 16 viii 2001 , J. Troubridge and G Anweiler 3♂ 1♀; Nordegg, 24 vii 1921, J. McDunnough, 1♀. British Columbia: Skookumchuck , 49° 55' N 115° 42' W, 31 vii 2000 , Troubridge and Hensel , 15♂ 9♀; Watch Peak , 8000', 2 km N Panorama, 16-17 viii 1996 , J. Troubridge, 1♂; Kirby Flats [S of Lillooet] 2000-3500', 50° 32' N 121° 43' W, J. Troubridge, 13 vii 2001 , 2♂ 18 vii 2000, 1♂ 3♀ 20 viii 1999, 2♂ 1♀ 20 viii 1998, 1♀; 9 viii 1997, 1♂ 2 vii 1998, 1♂ 26 vii 1999, 1♂; Kamloops , 8 viii 1956 , 1♂; Cranbrook , 10 mi E, 2700', 28 vii 1960 , D. F. Hardwick, 1♂ 5 km SE OK Falls, 19-25 vii 1992, J. Troubridge, 1♂.

Etymology. We take pleasure in naming this species in honor of Gary Anweiler of Edmonton Alberta, in recognition of his dedication to the study of Lepidoptera in western Canada.

Distribution. Sympistis anweileri has been collected from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and Montana, westward to the Cascades of British Columbia. It occurs from treeline to valley bottoms, usually in dry forests. It has been collected with both S. dentata and S. californiae in British Columbia.