Zale vargoi Troubridge, new species

(Fig. 33a, 33b, 33c, 78, 125)

BIN: BOLD:ADJ5326

Diagnosis. There are no North American species that can be confused with males of Z. vargoi; the gray-brown wing color of the male is diagnostic. Females could easily be confused with females of Z. lafontainei . The female of Z. vargoi is smaller (FW length 18–21 mm versus 22–27 mm in Z. lafontainei) and the ostium bursae of Z. vargoi extends through the 7 th abdominal sternite, whereas that of Z. lafontainei is distal to the 7 th sternite.

Description. Antennae filiform, ciliate. Zale vargoi is sexually dimorphic. Male. Head, thorax, and abdomen gray brown. Dorsal forewing. Forewing length 18–21 mm. Ground color gray brown; basal area brown with obscure, off-white basal line; thin, jagged antemedial line off-white; jagged, brown medial line bordered anteriorly by a band of scattered white and light-green scales, within which the orbicular spot is present as a small black dot; reniform spot absent; thin, black, jagged, postmedial line becomes white where it crosses costa; very thin, off-white subterminal line edged outwardly with dark gray forms a crescent extending from posterior margin to terminus of vein M3; subterminal line obscure between vein M3 and costa; a white dash is present on subterminal line at vein CuA2, submarginal line a series of dots between veins; fringe concolorous with wing. Dorsal hindwing. Ground color gray brown, basal area slightly paler; minute discal lunule dark gray brown; three faint gray-brown bands extend through medial area adjacent to subterminal line; subterminal line consists of two thin lines, basal line dark gray brown, much thinner than black distal line; distal line bordered distally with brown-ochre, and gray lines between M3 and tornus, purplish-gray submarginal area lighter than medial area; obscure submarginal streaks between veins brown; fringe concolorous with wing. Female. Head and thorax dark brown; abdomen light brown with black scales on 1 st and 6 th tergites. Dorsal forewing. Ground color light brown, suffused with darker brown scales; basal area a mixture of dark-brown and black scales; thin, jagged, black antemedial line obscure; thin, jagged, postmedial line black, on which a black dot occurs in cell M3, line becomes heavier between vein CuA1 and costa; a triangular patch of dark-brown and black scales extending from CuA1 to apex, distal to postmedial line; medial line dark brown; orbicular spot a small black dot; reniform spot with scattered black scales on basal area, otherwise imperceptible; thin, brown subterminal line edged outwardly with wide black band that forms a crescent extending from posterior margin to terminus of vein M3, submarginal line an obscure series of black dots; fringe brown. Dorsal hindwing. Ground color light brown with scattered dark brown scales basal to medial line; faint discal lunule brown; three obscure bands of brown scales present between medial line and subterminal line; subterminal line consists of two thin black lines, bordered distally with light brown scales, followed by a wide dark gray band; submarginal line a series of obscure, dark brown dots between veins; fringe brown. Male genitalia (Fig. 78). Valves asymmetrical, heavily sclerotized; right valve bends slightly downward toward apex with dorsal finger-like process above two low humps; a broad, low, triangular process extends ventrally from ventral margin of sacculus, posterior to which a flattened process bends medially from tip of sacculus; left valve much broader and more complex with long dorsal and ventral finger-like processes extending from apex and long, finger-like process extending ventrally from ventral margin of sacculus, posterior to which a triangular process lies flat against valve at tip of sacculus; uncus long and thin with downward spine at tip; juxta with two lateral anterior processes, carved out on right to accommodate aedeagus; aedeagus heavily sclerotized, bends down and to the left before sweeping upward toward vesica, which projects dorsally from tip of aedeagus; a strong spine projects posteriorly from the point where the aedeagus turns vertically; vesica with several elongate diverticula, those on the left covered with minute spicules. Female genitalia (Fig. 125). Ovipositor lobes short, setose, rounded at tip; ostium bursae cuts through left side of 7 th abdominal sternite; ductus bursae relatively short, sclerotized toward ostium bursae; appendix bursae undefined; ductus seminalis exits dorsally; oblong corpus bursae sack-like; 7 th abdominal sternite asymmetrical, deeply concave on posterior margin, with circular orifice on left forming ostium bursae.

Type material. Holotype male: USA: Florida, Monroe Co.: Sugarloaf Key, 24.665°N, 81.516°W, 24.Jan.2017, BOLD sample ID: KSLEP1002-17, J. Vargo, in the CNC . Paratypes: 2♀: Monroe Co.: No Name Key, 24.695°N, 81.329°W, 21–22.Jan.2017, 1♀ ; 5.Feb.2018, 1♀, both J. Troubridge.

Etymology. I name this species to honor my good friend, James Vargo, who collected the holotype.

Distribution. Zale vargoi is known only from the Lower Keys, Monroe Co., Florida.