Pionenta ochreata Hulst, 1898

Ferris, Clifford D., 2010, A revision of the genus Antepione Packard with description of the new genus Pionenta Ferris (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae), ZooKeys 71, pp. 49-70 : 60-63

Pionenta ochreata Hulst, 1898 Figs 34-5860

Antepione hewesata Sperry 1948, syn. n.

Sabulodes arizonata Taylor 1905, syn. rev.

Sabulodes dyari Grossbeck 1908, syn. rev.

Sabulodes ligata Grossbeck 1908, syn. rev.

Type material.

Male HT (Fig. 34), Arizona, Senator [probably Senator Mine, Yavapai Co.] [AMNH].

Antepione hewesata female HT (Fig. 35), Arizona [Coconino Co.], Oak Creek Canyon, Todd’s Lodge, [AMNH]. Sabulodes arizonata male HT (Fig. 38), Arizona [Cochise Co.], Huachuca Mts. [USNM]. Sabulodes dyari male HT (Fig. 39), Arizona [Cochise Co.], Huachuca Mts. [USNM]. Sabulodes ligata male HT (Figs 36-37), Arizona [Cochise Co.], Huachuca Mts. [USNM].

Other material examined.

135 specimens in [CDF] from Arizona and New Mexico; 61 additional specimens (some by photographs) from Arizona.

Diagnosis.

As for genus.

Description.

General description as for genus.

Remarks.

Antepione ochreata has two distinct phenotypes. The male form with pale ochreous wing color and varying numbers of multiple dark patches (Figs 34, 40-43) was described as ochreata. The female described as hewesata (Figs 35, 44) is intermediate between typical ochreata and the brownish-tan phenotype without dark patches described as ligata (Figs 36, 46, 50-53) which is the usual female form based on my field experience and examination of museum material. Regarding the taxa arizonata and dyari, apparently some years ago an accident occurred with a drawer containing type specimens and they were badly damaged. Figs 38 and 39 illustrate what remains of these two specimens. Their associated genitalia slides were not damaged and the preparations agree with Figs 37, 54-57.

Biology and distribution

(Fig. 60). Early stages unknown. Adults from mid-May to August in riparian canyons and dry coniferous forest to 8400' (2560m); probably more than one generation. Collection records include Arizona (Cochise, Coconino, Pima, Santa. Cruz, Yavapai), New Mexico (Grant).

Discussion.

Based on the male and female genitalia, Pionenta is closely related to Tetracis . The male genitalia of both genera possess a well defined central furca. The female genitalia of both genera possess a well defined colliculum and prominent single signum. The gnathos in Pionenta does not have a quadrate dorso-caudal margin with two to four (occasionally five) widely separated, dorsally projecting teeth as found in Tetracis (Ferris & Schmidt, 2010). Once barcoding of the North America geometrid genera has been completed, the relationship of Pionenta can be established.