Schacontia nyx Solis & Goldstein

Goldstein, Paul Z., Metz, Mark A. & Solis, M. Alma, 2013, Phylogenetic systematics of Schacontia Dyar with descriptions of eight new species (Lepidoptera, Crambidae), ZooKeys 291, pp. 27-81 : 61-63

Schacontia nyx Solis & Goldstein sp. n. Figs 8283355-57

Material examined.

Type material. Holotype (♂, USNM): Venezuela: Guarico, Hato Masaguaral, 45 km S Calabozo 8.57N, 67.58W, Galry For #10, 75 m, 23-24 April 1988 uv lt. M. Epstein & R. Blahnik. Paratypes (4♂, 2♀), USNM: Venezuela: Same data as holotype (1♂, 1♀); Guarico, Hato Masaguaral, 45 km S Calabozo 8.57N, 67.58W, Galry Forest #20, 75 m, 13-16 May 1988 uv lt. M. Epstein & R. Blahnik (2♂, 1♀); Lara, 4 km NW of La Pastora 2-3 III 1978 riparian forest blacklight, J.B. Heppner, Genitalia slide by DA ♂ USNM 108,101 (1♂)

Diagnosis.

Habitus (Fig. 8). Although more readily diagnosed by the male genitalia, nyx can be differentiated on the basis of wing pattern. Nyx shares with other members of the genus (and in particular of the complex of sibling species to which it belongs) the configuration of the medial area, with its outward subcostal bulge, but its more mottled appearance and less uniformly contrasting ground coloration between the medial and both the antemedial and postmedial areas. Male Schacontia nyx does not bear the epipleural setae shared by most other members of the complex; nor do they exhibit a dark patch embedded within the elongate hind tibial scales (Table 1).Genitalia (Figs 55, 56). Male specimens of Schacontia nyx are most readily diagnosed by the obovate uncus, which is without pronounced medial ridges or lateral swellings. The subcostal processes are more conspicuous and elongate than in Schacontia themis or Schacontia rasa , but less narrow than in other species in the complex ( Schacontia clotho , Schacontia lachesis , Schacontia atropos , or Schacontia androgyne ).

Description.

Male (Fig. 8). Forewing length: 6.0-7.0 mm (n=3) (Female 7.3-7.7 mm; n=2). Head - Ocelli present; proboscis normal; frons of normal contour; labial and maxillary palpi drooping, extending beyond clypeus; vertex gray. Thorax - Tegulae uni formly gray brown; flattened hind tibial spur, specialized hind tibial scales, and shallow concave metatarsal modification all present; female with two pair of hind tibial spurs (medial pair present). Forewing. Antemedial and postmedial lines darkened at medial area, white towards basal and postmedial areas; white scales suffused both in basal area near anal margin and medial area, especially surrounding orbicular spot; patchy white scales in postmedial area; subterminal line unbroken; FW fringe dark brown, scales paler basad. Hindwing. White, shaded grayish brown towards margin; postmedial line absent; subterminal line unbroken; HW fringe gray, scales paler basad. Abdomen - Scales arranged in two terminal black dorsal spots in males. Short coremata on 4th abdominal segment (Fig. 33). Tympanal organs (Fig. 28). As for ysticalis-themis group, vide supra. Male genitalia (Figs 55, 56) - Teguminal sulcus short, anterior margin of tegumen appears deeply invaginate, two oblong teguminal lobes joined obliquely; uncus trefoil-shaped tip reduced to a small, more or less rhomboid nipple, edges simple, undifferentiated; juxta U-shaped, tapered ventrally; valva complex, intrasaccular flange at latero-ventral edge and sclerotized to form a trigger-shaped process; robust, spine-like setae at base of valva; saccular margin rounded at saccular mid-point; prominent setal comb at ventro-medial margin of valva; ventro-marginal setae concentrated at saccular ulna; valva with pronounced, elongate secondary outer lobe or process below costa; recurved/decumbent setal plume associated with terminus of costa. Phallus moderately sclerotized; vesica with two large cornuti. Female genitalia (Fig. 57) - Papillae anales separate, not especially swollen; antrum/ductus bursae present, diffusely sclerotized ventrally anterior to colliculum; colliculum present, short, sclerotized, immediately posterior to corpus bursae, with narrow differentially sclerotized band around center; ductus seminalis attached posterior of corpus bursae; corpus bursae round; small accessory bursa present; ductus seminalis originates at posterior end of corpus.

Immature stages.

Unknown

Etymology.

Nyx, the primordial goddess of the night who according to myth stood at the beginning of creation, refers to the first of five closely related species in this complex. The specific epithet is treated as a noun in apposition.

Biology.

Unknown. Adults March–May.

Distribution.

Northern Venezuela.