Sympistis khem Troubridge, 2008

Troubridge, J. T., 2008, A generic realignment of the Oncocnemidini sensu Hodges (1983) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Oncocnemidinae), with description of a new genus and 50 new species, Zootaxa 1903 (1), pp. 1-95 : 42

Sympistis khem Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. E-12, T-2)

Diagnosis. The only species with which S. khem might be confused is S. pallida (Fig. E-16), which has a darker subterminal area on the forewing and much narrower forewing than S. khem . Additionally, the hindwing fringe of S. khem is checkered but in S. pallida the dark gray medial line of the fringe is unbroken.

Description. Antennae filiform, head off-white; prothoracic collar cream colored; thorax and tegulae charcoal off-white with sparse scattering of black scales. Forewing length 16-17 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color white or light cream with sparse scattering of black scales, becoming much heavier in subterminal area, particularly near apex; postmedial, antemedial and basal lines black; medial line dark gray; jagged subterminal line off-white; median area between antemedial and postmedial lines very pale rusty brown in holotype, white to pale yellow in paratype; terminal line a series of black crescents between veins; orbicular and reniform spots white with a few dark grayish brown scales in center, faintly outlined with black scales; claviform spot black; fringe gray with off-white basal line, checkered with dark gray between veins. Dorsal hindwing basal area white with scattered light gray scales and veins with scattered gray scales; discal dot light gray; dark gray terminal shade well demarcated, does not blend into discal area; fringe white with median row of dark gray spots between veins. Male genitalia. Unknown. Female genitalia. (Fig. T-2) Ovipositor lobes rounded, apex with long, fine setae, corona of short setae mid way down -these setae arc anteriorly; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a Y-shaped sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, ductus bursae about as long as corpus bursae, doubles in width at a point ca. ½ of the way from ostium bursae to appendix bursae; appendix bursae sac-like, narrowing towards ductus seminalis at anterior end, meeting ductus bursae at posterior end; corpus bursae ellipsoidal, about ½ as large as appendix bursae, arises via narrow duct from left side of appendix bursae near ductus bursae.

Type material. Holotype female: USA, Utah, Garfield Co., Red Canyon , 12 mi. SE Panguitch, 1 viii 1965, 7200’, F. P. and M. Rindge, in the AMNH . Paratype: 1♀: Utah: Garfield Co., 18 mi. N Escalante, 27 vii 1965, 8000’, F. P. and M. Rindge , 1♀.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Khem is the god of reproduction, generation, fertility, harvest, agriculture, plant life, and human fertility. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species has been collected in south-central Utah.