Metalectra dixoni Troubridge

Troubridge, J. T., 2020, A new genus and 37 new noctuoid species from peninsular Florida and the Keys (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea), Insecta Mundi 2020 (789), pp. 1-56 : 15-16

Metalectra dixoni Troubridge , new species

( Fig. 10 , 67 , 121 )

BIN: BOLD:AAB7485

Diagnosis. Metalectra dixoni is similar to M. analis , described from Cuba, and M. nigrior . In M. analis and M. dixoni there are patches of scattered red scales distal to the reniform spot and hindwing discal spot, normally absent in M. nigrior , if present, the foretibia is brown, not red as in M. dixoni . In M. analis there is a patch of offwhite scales between the medial line and the submargin in the hindwing tornus, absent in M. dixoni . Internally, the juxta of M. nigrior is an oval elevated dome, while that of M. dixoni is similarly elevated, but narrower and extended dorsally to a point resembling the prow of a boat. The clasper of M. nigrior is an ovate structure with a minute terminal point, but that of M. dixoni is shorter and concave terminally.

Description. Male antennae bipectinate, female antennae filiform; head, vertex, prothoracic collar, tegulae, thorax, brown. Foretibia of male red, with dense scales. Dorsal forewing (both sexes). Forewing length 11–14 mm. Ground color brown with scattered metallic red and mauve scales; basal line dark blackish brown; thin antemedial line light pinkish beige bordered distally with dark brown or black scales; broad, diffuse medial line dark blackish brown; postmedial line a series of dark blackish brown spots; postmedial area with a series of light beige dots on veins; submarginal line a series of obscure, dark brown spots; terminal line black with black dots on veins adjacent to this line; fringe brown; orbicular spot black; reniform spot black, bordered distally with scattered red scales; a series of alternate blackish brown and red spots along costa. Dorsal hindwing. Brown, with scattered metallic mauve scales between veins M3 and 2A; discal dot black, bordered distally with scattered red scales; vein 3A with light beige spot in submargin; postmedial series of black dots on veins from veins M1 to 2A; postmedial area with a series of light beige dots on veins; terminal line black, fringe brown. Male genitalia ( Fig. 67 ). Valve weakly sclerotized in terminal ½ with a small, ventral pollex; setose clasper arises on short stalk to form globular apex with ventral margin deeply concave; sacculus with setose, flattened disc adjacent to clasper; juxta with boat shaped process arising from broad stalk; uncus long and narrow, arcs downward with pointed tip; aedeagus with antero-dorsal hump and ventral apical sclerite extending onto ventral surface of vesica, giving support to vesica as it extends dorsally; vesica globular with two small ventral basal diverticula beneath sclerite, and small diverticula arising from all sides. Female genitalia ( Fig. 121 ). Ovipositor lobes short, setose, more or less flattened at tip; ostium bursae distinctly sclerotized; anterior apophyses absent, replaced by deep pits adjacent to ostium bursae, these pits rounded anteriorly; ductus bursae with two sclerites, one at junction with appendix bursae and one along anterior half of ductus bursae; appendix bursae with elongate diverticulum arising ventrally, encircling appendix bursae and narrowing toward ductus seminalis; appendix bursae constricted anteriorly before widening to oval corpus bursae; corpus bursae with a dense field of long, narrow, interior setae on right near junction of appendix bursae.

Type material. Holotype male: USA: Florida, Monroe Co.: Upper Key Largo , 25.265°N, 80.310°W, 16.Jul.2018, J. Troubridge in the CNC . Paratypes. 14♂, 11♀: Collier Co.: Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park , 25.98°N, 81.39°W, 20.Jan.2017, 1♂, 1♀ ; 16.Nov.2014, 1♂ ; 1.Apr.2019, 1♂, all J. Troubridge ; Miami Dade Co.: Miami , Coral Gables , Cutler Bay, 25.643°N, 80.296°W, 24.Nov.2016 P. Perez, slide MGCL 3180 , 1♀ ( FSCA) ; Florida City , 25.40°N, 80.65°W, 13.Mar.2019, 5♂, 8♀ ; 3.Feb.2016, 2♂, 1♀ ; 2.Mar.2014, 1♂; 29.Jan. 2015, 1♂; 15.Jan.2013, 1♂, all J. Troubridge ; Monroe Co.: Upper Key Largo , 25.287°N, 80.292°W, 28.Nov.2016, J. Troubridge, 1♂ .

Etymology. I name this species to honor Jeremy Dixon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who kindly facilitated access Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the type locality of M. dixoni . His interest and support for the study of moths in the Florida Keys is greatly appreciated.

Distribution. Metalectra dixoni has been collected in Costa Rica and in Florida from Collier Co., southward to Key Largo, usually in hardwood hammocks.

Remarks. The DNA was analyzed, and the 658 COI base pairs compared between specimens of M. analis , M dixoni , and M nigrior . The results showed an 8.57% difference between M. dixoni and M. nigrior and a 7.43% difference between M. analis and M. dixoni .

Erebidae : Phytometrinae

Figures

Figures 1–12. Adults. 1a) Bleptina biformata ♂, paratype, Key Largo, FL. 1b) Bleptina biformata ♀, paratype, Key Largo, FL. 1c) Bleptina biformata ♀, paratype, Key Largo, FL. 2a) Bleptina flavivena ♀, paratype, North Port, FL. 2b) Bleptina flavivena ♀, paratype, North Port, FL. 3) Bleptina caradrinalis ♂, Ocala, FL. 4a) Bleptina verticalis ♂, paratype, Key Largo, FL. 4b) Bleptina verticalis ♀, paratype, Key Largo, FL. 5a) Bleptina extincta ♂, paratype, Monroe County, FL.5b) Bleptina extincta ♀, paratype, Monroe County, FL.6) Bleptina araealis ♂, Andros, Bahamas. 7a–c) Toxonprucha killamae ♀ variation, paratypes, Bahia Honda, FL. 8a) Lascoria coma ♂, paratype, North Port, FL. 8b) Lascoria coma ♀, paratype, North Port, FL. 9) Lascoria orneodalis ♂, Key Largo, FL. 10) Metalectra dixoni ♂, paratype, Florida City, FL. 11) Metalectra nigrior ♂, paratype, North Port, FL. 12a) Janzena pyraliformis ♂, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. 12b) Janzena pyraliformis, Mayagüez, PR, showing hood.

Figures 67–73. Male genitalia. 67) Metalectra dixoni, holotype, Key Largo, FL. 68) Metalectra nigrior, paratype, North Port, FL. 69) Athyrma fakahatchee, paratype, Collier County, FL. 70) Antiblemma perva, paratype, North Port, FL. 71) Toxonprucha killamae, paratype, Islamorada, FL. 72) Antiblemma carolae, Holotype, Florida City, FL. 73) Litoprosopus linea, holotype, Port Charlotte, FL.

Figures 114–122. Female genitalia. 114) Sigela sordes, paratype, Collier County, FL. 115) Sigela lynx, paratype, North Port, FL. 116) Sigela rosea, paratype, No Name Key, FL. 117) Sigela incisa, paratype, Collier County, FL. 118) Sigela minuta, paratype, Okeechobee County, FL. 119) Dyspyralis ocala, paratype, Gainesville, FL. 120) Metalectra nigrior, paratype, North Port, FL. 121) Metalectra dixoni, paratype, Florida City, FL. 122) Melipotis florida, paratype, Florida City, FL.