Neadysgonia similis (Guenée), Sullivan, 2010

Sullivan, J. Bolling, 2010, A new genus and species for Dysgonia (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Erebinae) from Southeastern United States, ZooKeys 39 (39), pp. 85-97 : 89

Neadysgonia similis (Guenée) , comb. n.

Figs 1, 2, 7a, b, 11

Ophiusa smithii Guenée in Boisduval and Guenée, 1852: 267 .

Type material. This species was described from an unknown number of specimens from an unknown locality. Th e short description is adequate to distinguish the species. Th e location of any types is unknown (not in BMNH, MNHN, or USNM).

Diagnosis. Neadysgonia similis can be recognized by the lack of well-defined triangles from the PM line and no dark shading basal of the AM line. Two forms occur, one devoid of any well-defined pattern between the AM and PM lines. In the male genitalia the projection from the tegumen creates a square shape and the costal projection of the valva ends in a hammerhead. In the female the lodix is rectangular.

Distribution and biology. Neadysgonia similis has been recorded from North Carolina to Florida. Th e food plant occurs in Alabama and Mississippi and the moth could be expected from these areas as well.

A larva of N. similis was collected from Loblolly Bay ( Gordonia lasianthus (L.) ( Theaceae )) by Richard Broadwell during the course of a study to determine the nontarget effects of Bacillus treatments to eradicate a Gypsy moth infestation near Wilmington, N.C. ( Hall et al. 1999). I identified the emergent moth as Neadysgonia similis and have subsequently found additional larvae and reared larvae from eggs from a captive female; all readily fed to maturity on Loblolly Bay. It is a common plant on the frequently burned coastal plain savannas, but both the adults and larvae are relatively uncommon. Th e moth is multiple brooded (April to September).