Sigela minuta 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 : 11

Sigela minuta Troubridge , new species

( Fig. 19 , 90 , 118 )

BIN: BOLD:ADC5571

Diagnosis. I know of no other North American species that remotely resembles Sigela minuta , it could be confused with a mustotimine crambid. Sigela minuta is characterized by scattered beige scales that loosely delineate the ordinary lines of the forewing and hindwing; forewing with slightly darker, solid beige submarginal patch extending from the tornus to vein M3, and a second patch on the lower quarter of the medial line. The reniform spot has a distinct black dot and a similar dot is present on the hindwing.

Description. Antennae filiform, ciliate; head, vertex, and thorax white; abdomen light beige. Dorsal forewing (both sexes). Forewing length 3.5–5.1 mm. Ground color white; basal, antemedial, medial, postmedial, and submarginal lines composed of a loose scattering of beige scales; lower quarter of medial line forms a more solid patch of beige scales; submarginal area between tornus and vein M3 with a solid patch of beige scales; reniform spot with a minute black dot; a marginal series of black dots present at tips of veins; fringe beige. Dorsal hindwing. Ground color white; basal, antemedial, medial, and submarginal lines composed of a loose scattering of beige scales; postmedial line with scattered black and beige scales; discal dot black; a marginal series of black dots present at tips of veins; fringe beige. Male genitalia ( Fig. 90 ). Valves unarmed, narrow at base, becoming broad and paddle-like toward apex with broad apical indentation. Uncus long and narrow, arcs downward to pointed apex. Saccus with deep medial cleft. Juxta forms a narrow band between valves. Vesica with cornuti absent. Female genitalia ( Fig. 118 ). Ovipositor lobes setose, flattened apically. Ductus bursae membranous, long, and very narrow. Corpus bursae pear-shaped, signa absent.

Type material. Holotype female: USA: Florida, Alachua Co., Paynes Prairie, Gainesville , 29.5263°N, 82.2957°W, 6.Apr.2015, BOLD sample ID: CNCLEP 00119846, Carle Belanger, the CNC . Paratypes: 1♂, 1♀: Miami- Dade Co.: Florida City , 25.396°N, 80.506° W, 8.Jan.2013, J. Vargo, 1♂ ; Okeechobee Co.: 27.583°N, 81.049° W, 15.Feb.2016, J. Vargo, 1♀ .

Etymology. From Latin, the word minuta meaning small, which refers to the small size of the moth.

Distribution. This species has been collected in peninsular Florida.

Figures

Figures 13–25. Adults. 13a) Sigela sordes ♀, Highlands County, FL. 13b) Sigela sordes ♂, paratype, Collier County, FL. 14) Sigela rosea ♀, paratype, No Name Key, FL. 15) Sigela basipunctaria ♀, North Port, FL. 16) Sigela lynx ♀, paratype, North Port, FL. 17) Sigela subincisa ♂, paratype, Miami-Dade County, FL. 18) Sigela incisa ♂, paratype, Collier County, FL. 19) Sigela minuta ♀, paratype, Okeechobee County, FL.20) Tripudia calusa♂, paratype, Bahia Honda, FL.21) Meganola georgei ♂, paratype, North Port, FL.22) Meganola phylla ♀, Lambton Shores, ON. 23) Dyspyralis ocala ♂, holotype, Marion County, FL. 24) Paectes hercules ♀, paratype, Key Largo, FL. 25) Paectes lunodes ♂, San Cristobal, MX.

Figures 85–92. Male genitalia. 85) Sigela sordes, paratype, Highlands County, FL. 86) Sigela lynx, paratype, North Port, FL. 87) Sigela rosea, paratype, No Name Key, FL. 88) Sigela incisa, paratype, Collier County, FL. 89) Sigela subincisa, holotype, No Name Key, FL. 90) Sigela minuta, paratype, Miami-Dade County, FL. 91) Dyspyralis ocala, paratype, Gainesville, FL. 92) Meganola georgei, paratype, North Port, 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.