Maliattha synochitis (Grote & Robinson)

Pogue, Michael G., 2010, of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Zootaxa 2499, pp. 1-20 : 10-11

5. Maliattha synochitis (Grote & Robinson) , Black-dotted Maliattha

( Figs. 19–20 , Map 11)

Identification: Forewing length 8.5–10.0 mm. This species can be distinguished by its large, olive-green, quadrate patch from the posterior margin of the forewing to the M vein and the black orbicular spot. Forewing with a white basal patch below M vein, distinct black orbicular spot, an olive bar distal to orbicular spot from M vein to costa, reniform spot gray encircled with white and indistinct, a large olive patch in terminal area irrorated with gray scales, apex with a variably distinct spot of black and gray scales, and faint elongate, olive spots along outer margin. Hind wing is pale gray.

MAP 11. Collecting localities of Maliattha synochitis .

Flight period: May to June.

Collected localities: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: Purchase Knob; Purchase Knob at house; Purchase Knob on road in meadow; Purchase Knob NW of house; Purchase Knob by Ferguson cabin; Purchase Knob, 1.1 rd. mi from house; Cataloochee, pull off at Sal Patch Gap. Swain Co.: Big Cove Rd., site b, site p. Tennessee: Blount Co.: Tremont; West Foothills Parkway at E end; Cocke Co.: Cosby Ranger Station. (22 specimens)

Elevation range: 1360–4924 ft.

General distribution: This is mainly an eastern species ranging from Nova Scotia and southeastern Canada, south to North Carolina and Tennessee, west to Michigan, Illinois, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and eastern Texas. A single specimen was recorded from southwestern New Mexico.

Larval hosts: Sedges ( Carex spp., Cyperaceae ) and smartweed ( Polygonum spp., Polygonaceae ).

Figures

FIGURES 17 – 29. Adults. 17, “ Lithacodia ” musta, f, Tennessee, Sevier Co., Jake’s Creek trail above campsite # 27, GSMNP, 3600 ft., 23 July 2004, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00221900; 18, Maliattha concinnimacula, m, North Carolina, Haywood Co., Cataloochee, pull off at Sal Patch Gap, GSMNP, 3440 ft., 18 May 2005, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00254469; 19, Maliattha synochitis, m, Nebraska, Cherry Co., Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Hackberry Lake, 8 June 1983, D. C. Ferguson; 20, Maliattha synochitis, f, Maryland, Allegany Co., Warrior Mountain Wildlife Management Area, 25 June 2001, J. Glaser; 21, Marimatha nigrofimbria, f, Tennessee, Sevier Co., GSMNP, Jake’s Creek Tr., above Campsite # 27, 3600 ft., 23 July 2004, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00221897; 22, Marimatha nigrofimbria, f, Tennessee, Cocke Co., Cosby Picnic area off Gabes Mountain trail, GSMNP, 2200 ft., 29 July 2007, M. Pogue, D. Adamski, M. Metz, GSMNP 1063; 23, Ozarba aeria, m, Maryland, Prince Georges Co., Ft. Washington Park, 6 June 2003, J. Glaser; 24, Ozarba aeria, f, Texas, Uvalde Co., Garner State Park, 21 Sep. 1965, A. & M. E. Blanchard; 25, Ozarba aeria, m, Texas, Kimble Co., Junction, 26 Oct. 1973, A. & M. E. Blanchard; 26, Ozarba aeria, f, Texas, Culberson Co., Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area, 6000 ft., 15 July 1971, A. & M. E. Blanchard; 27, Protodeltote muscosula, f, Tennessee, Sevier Co., Jake’s Creek trail above campsite # 27, GSMNP, 3600 ft., 23 July 2004, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00221898; 28, Protodeltote muscosula, f, Canada, Nova Scotia, Halifax Co., Arndale, 12 July 1972, D. C. Ferguson; 29, Tripudia rectangula, f, Arkansas, Washington Co., Devil’s Den State Park, 5 July 1966, R. W. Hodges.