Givira delindae Metzler

Metzler, Eric H., 2017, The Lepidoptera of White Sands National Monument, Otero County, New Mexico, USA 9. A new species of Givira Walker (Cossidae, Hypoptinae) dedicated to Delinda Mix, including a list of species of Cossidae recorded from the Monument, ZooKeys 655, pp. 141-156 : 144-149

Givira delindae Metzler sp. n. Figs 1-4, 9, 12, 13-15

Type material.

Holotype ♂, pinned with labels as follows: "USA: N[ew]M[exico]: Otero Co., White Sands Nat[ional] Mon[ument], interdune vegetation, 32°46.69'N 106°11.38'W, 4,000', 10 August 2010, WSNM 8, Eric H. Metzler uv trp, Accss # WHSA 00131, USNMENT 00913976, HOLOTYPE Givira delindae Metzler 2017 [USNM]. Allotype ♀, pinned with labels as follows: "USA: N[ew]M[exico]: Otero Co., White Sands Nat[ional] Mon[ument], interdune vegetation, 32°46.42'N 106°10.51'W, 4,012', 4 June 2016, WSNM Z, Eric H. Metzler uv trp, Accss # WHSA 00131, Allotype Givira delindae Metzler 2017 [USNM]. Paratypes: 104 ♂, 3♀ All paratypes are "USA: N[ew]M[exico]: Otero County: White Sands Nat[ional] Mon[ument], Accsn#: WSNM-00131." The specimens with discrete sample sites are "Eric H. Metzler uv trp" Sample sites within the dunes are: WSNM 1, open dunes, no vegetation, 32°45.78'N, 106°11.39' W 4,014,' 13 May 2007, (1♂), WSNM 2, interdunal vegetation, 32°45.57'N, 106°11.59'W, 4,006,' 13 May 2007 (3 ♂, 1 ♂ gen. on slide USNM 127,559), WSNM 3, edge of dunes/basin, 32°45.70'N, 106°11.24'W, 4,001' 13 May 2007 (4 ♂, 1 ♂ gen. on slide USNM 127,555), WSNM 8, interdune vegetation, 32°45.685'N, 106°11.379' W, 4,000' 3 June 2008 (3 ♂), 22 July 2008 (2 ♂), 20 June 2009 (1 ♂), 8 September 2015 (1♂), WSNM 9, interdune vegetation, 32°45.724'N, 106°11.315'W, 4,000' 3 June 2008 (2 ♂), 22 July 2008 (2 ♂), 10 June 2009 (1♂), 20 June 2009 (2 ♂), 10 June 2013 (2 ♂) WSNM B, interdunal vegetation, 32°45.596'N, 106°11.494'W, 4,000' 3 June 2008 (6 ♂), WSNM C, crest of dunes near vegetation, 32°45.668'N, 106°11.418'W, 4,014' 3 June 2008 (2 ♂), 10 August 2010 (4 ♂), WSNM D, interdunal veg., 32°46.620'N, 106°10.824'W, 4,008' 19 May 2009 (2 ♂), 10 August 2010 (4 ♂), WSNM F, interdune vegetation, 106°10.838'W, 32°46.643'N, 4,008' 19 May 2009 (1 ♂, 1♀ genitalia on slide USNM 127,563), 10 August 2010 (1♂), 10 June 2013 (1♂), 19 May 2015 (3 ♂), 20 May 2015 (2 ♂), 5 Sept 2013 (3 ♂), 4 June 2016 (3♂), WSNM Z, interdune vegetation, 32°46'42.4"N, 106°10'51.55"W, 4,012' 4 May 2016 (1♂), 4 June 2016 (1♂), 5 June 2016 (3 ♂, 1 ♂ genitalia on slide USNM 127,556), 6 June 2016 (3 ♂, 1♀genitalia on slide USNM 127,557), 7 June 2016 (4 ♂, 1 ♂ genitalia on slide USNM 127,560). 10 June 2016 (5 ♂), 13 June 2016 (6 ♂, 1♀, ♀ genitalia on slide USNM 127,558), The next 20 specimens were collected by Greg Forbes: vicinity of Admin. Building, 32°46'46.60"N 106°10'26.70"W, 4006', 14 May 2009 (1♀, genitalia on slide E.H.M.721), Interdunes at W end Big Pedestal Rd. 2.5 mi SW Admin. Bldg. (= terminus Big Pedestal Rd.), 32°45'31.76"N 106°11'34.20"W, 4006', 21 June 2007 (1♂). 22 June 2007 (1 ♂), 15 August 2007 (1♂), 11-12 May 2008 (1♂), 30 May 2008 (1♂), 11 June 2008 (2♂), 6 July 2008 (3♂), 17 July 2008 (1♂), 6 August 2008 (1♂, wings on slide E.H.M.726, hind leg on slide E.H.M.727). Ca. 100 m NE terminus Big Pedestal Rd. 22 June 2007 (1♂), 30 May 2008 (2♂), Storage area (= boneyard) 32°46'43.12"N 106°10'48.86"W, 4006', 30 May 2008 (3♂), 6 July 2008 (1♂), 14 May 2009 (1♂ genitalia on slide E.H.M.713), Thirty specimens, all from within the dunes of White Sands National Monument were excluded from the type series because of poor conditions of the wings.

Etymology.

The specific name of this species, delindae , a noun in the genitive case, honors Delinda Mix for the support and encouragement she gave to her son, Steve Mix, who was interested in studying butterflies and moths as a young man. He maintains his interest in Lepidoptera .

Diagnosis.

The diagnostic features are the satiny-white wings with vague pale-gray markings, a small contrasting dark patch of scales near the middle, closer to the dorsal margin, of the forewing (Figs 1, 3, 15), The thorax and abdomen are velvety white. Abdominal tufts have gray-tipped scales. The posterior dorsal margin of the thorax has prominent semi-erect tufts of scales, the abdomen has two basal erect dorsal tufts of gray-tipped scales, and the posterior end of the abdomen has a prominent often semi-erect, furcate tuft of scales. In addition to the contrasting dark patches on the forewings, there are two tufts of semi-erect scales along the path of the postmedial line. The other fore wing markings are more or less contrasting three faint-gray lines, parallel to the outer margin in the postmedial area. The costa of the forewing of Givira delindae may or may not have one, two, or three rows of costal and sub-costal tiny black spots. The markings of the hindwing are a series of parallel gray widened lines that are more conspicuous at the costal margin. Worn specimens are dull white shaded with gray, and most pinned specimens are greased and oily-gray in appearance. The abdomen is full of fatty tissue (obvious when dissected) hence the reason most pinned specimens are greasy. The forewings and hindwings of Givira carla are white, without dark smudges and with three or four faint obscure pale-gray shades parallel to the outer margin (Fig. 5). The forewing of Givira carla is not satiny white and has numerous small black spots. The post medial dark markings are brown on Givira cornelia , and when compared to Givira delindae , the postmedial line markings of Givira cornelia are longer, when measured from near the tornal angle towards the costa. The wings of Givira cornelia are overcast with a decidedly pale-brown tint thus Givira cornelia is not used in further comparisons. The forewings of Givira durangona are overcast with a gray tint from the post medial line to the outer margin (Fig. 7). The hindwings of Givira durangona are overcast with gray. The male genitalia of Givira delindae , Givira carla , and Givira durangona are closely similar in appearance. They are distinguished by subtle differences in shape and ratios of width to length of the valvae. The valvae of Givira delindae are 1.22 × as long as wide, and they are not noticeably curved dorsad (Fig. 9). The valvae of Givira durangona are 1.25 × as long as wide (Fig. 11), and they are slightly curved dorsad. The valvae of Givira carla are 1.78 × as long as wide (Fig. 10), and in comparison, they are noticeably curved dorsad.

Description.

Adult male (Figs 1, 2): Head. Front and vertex smooth, scales directed forward and ventrad, white, narrowly spatulate, semi-erect; palpi short, extending to just dorsad of clypeus, straight, basal and middle segments equal length, apical segment 0.25 × length of second segment, all three segments with semi-erect scales, gypsum-colored, long erect cactus-spine scales scattered on all surfaces. Haustellum obscured in dense scaling. Eyes naked, a few black hair-like long scales directed towards base of forewing from lateral posterior margin of eye. Antennae bipectinate, each ramus = 1.7 × width of antennal shaft. Rami gradually shorter towards terminus; dorsal surface white scales, ventral surface naked, densely setose. Thorax. Thoracic scales hair-like, erect, fuzzy in appearance, white, tegulae similar; underside, scales hair-like, erect, fuzzy in appearance, concolorous. Fore legs denwsely scaled, white, lateral surfaces with long shaggy scales, scattered dark-gray scales, hair-like, erect, fuzzy appearance, hind leg femur one terminal pair of spurs. Forewing: length 9.6- 16.2 mm, mean = 12.5 mm, n = 82, satiny white, triangular shaped, rounded apex, contrasting black patch on medial line near dorsal margin, a second dark patch may be present on post-medial line. Post-medial line with two patches erect scales, one subcoastal and one above dorsal margin, medial and post-medial lines pale-gray, not contrasting; underside white, postmedial and sub-terminal lines gray, dorsal margin white with 8-10 short contrasting perpendicular gray bars, terminal line gray, broken, fringe alternating gray and white patches; Hindwing faintly pale-gray, triangular, apex rounded, alternating white and gray lines parallel to outer margin, not contrasting, terminal line broken-gray patches, fringe white; underside white shaded with gray, terminal line dark gray, broken. Abdomen. Dorsum white, scales erect, fuzzy in appearance, two basal tufts with gray-tipped scales, furcate tuft on last segment with gray-tipped scales. Ventral scales white, erect, fuzzy in appearance. Male Genitalia (Figs 9, 9a), Uncus, apex slightly widened, blunt, curved ventrally; tegumen A shaped, width equals length; valvae straight, narrowed apically, apex rounded, curved mesially near apex, short, length = 1.22 × width at base, setose, dense near apex, saccular region set off by a shallow depression at base of valve, costa turned 90° mesially and extended at base; juxta posterior part flat, jagged posterior margin, anterior part trough shaped, narrowed to blunt point; vinculum broad, robust, apex produced to truncated process with rounded corners. Aedeagus cylindrical, a rounded longitudinal keel-like structure at 2/5 length from anterior end, slightly bent at position of keel; anterior end gradually wider from bend to anterior opening; posterior end abruptly flared immediately before terminus (like the mouthpiece of a brass musical instrument). Adult female (Figs 3, 4): Habitus like male. Forewing: length 15.1-16.5 mm, mean = 15.7 mm, n = 3. Antennae bipectinate, each rhamus = 1 × width of antennal shaft. Rhami shorter towards terminal end of antennae. Abdomen. S-8 heavily sclerotized, lateral margins parallel, posterior margin deeply concave. Genitalia (Fig. 12). Papilla analis short, rubbery, retracted into abdomen, as wide as long, rounded, membranous, setose; posterior apophysis short, due to withdrawn papilla analis appears to be anterior of anterior apophysis, sinuous, extends to caudal end of concavity in S-8, terminal end spoon shaped; anterior apophysis slender, sinuous, with lateral processes, posterior end Y shaped, extends caudad of end of concavity in S-8, terminal end sinuous, spoon shaped; T-8 short, weakly sclerotized, translucent, posterior margin with numerous processes appearing like a comb with widely-spaced spine-like teeth. Ostium bursae, anterior margin a sclerotized ring, posterior margin lightly sclerotized, opens into a funnel-shaped sinus vaginalis. Ostium-bursae heavily sclerotized, protruding, ductus bursae lightly sclerotized, short, narrowed at midpoint, a sharp dogleg to juncture with appendix bursae and corpus bursae, appendix bursae round sclerotized, at right angle to juncture with ductus bursae and corpus bursae; corpus bursae round, short, flattened, appressed against S-8, dorsal surface rugose, sclerotized ridges a complex reticulated network, appearing cage-like.

Remarks.

This new species is placed in the genus Givira based on three character states as defined by Barnes and McDunnough (1911). 1) presence of a cross vein be tween A1 and A2 of the forewing (near the tornus in Givira delindae ), 2) veins R and M1 of the hindwing stalked, and 3) one pair of apical spurs.

Biology and distribution.

Givira delindae occurs in White Sands National Monument, Otero County, New Mexico (Figs 13, 14). Several of the sample sites used for this study were not in the dunes. Only one specimen of Givira delindae was seen at any sample site outside the dunes. The single specimen captured outside the dunes was at an incandescent light 300 meters east of the dunes at the Administration Building. The immature stages and the larval host are unknown.