Hypotrix trifascia ( Smith, 1891 ) Lafontaine & Ferris & Walsh, 2010

Lafontaine, Donald, Ferris, Clifford & Walsh, J., 2010, A revision of the genus Hypotrix Guenee in North America with descriptions of four new species and a new genus (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Eriopygini), ZooKeys 39 (39), pp. 225-253 : 246-247

Hypotrix trifascia ( Smith, 1891) , comb. n.

Figs 12, 13, 28, 43, 52

Taeniocampa trifascia Smith, 1891: 118 .

Type material. Lectotype ♁ [ USNM, examined]. Designated by Todd (1982). Type locality: USA, Colorado, “foot hills.”

Other material examined and distribution. Mexico: States of Chihuahua and Durango (Sierra Madre Occidental). USA: Arizona: Cochise Co. (Chiricahua and Huachuca Mts), Graham Co. (Pinaleno Mts), and Pima Co. (Santa Catalina Mts). Colorado: La Plata Co. (San Juan Mts). New Mexico: Catron Co. (Mogollon Mts), Colfax Co. (Sangre de Cristo Mts), and Grant Co (Pinos Altos Mts). Texas: Culberson Co. (Guadalupe Mts). Utah: San Juan Co.

Diagnosis. Hypotrix trifascia is smaller than H. alamosa in size (forewing length 11–14 mm). It is variable in forewing ground color, varying from pale yellowish buff to dark reddish orange. As the name implies, the two transverse lines and the subterminal line are prominently marked by light and dark lines and are relatively straight and at least partially parallel, creating its distinctive “three-fascia” appearance. The hindwing is translucent white with a slight pinkish blush. The male genitalia are similar to those of H. alamosa , but in H. trifascia the dorsal process of the sacculus is pointed and the saccular flap is less extensive. Th e uncus is unique in H. trifascia ; it is broad mesially, narrows subapically, and broad and truncated at apex. The vesica is about 2 × as long as the aedeagus, gently coiled, with two basal and one subbasal cornuti. The female genitalia are similar to those of H. alamosa but in H. trifascia the ductus bursae has a posterior bulge to the left and right and a mesial bulge to the right, and the appendix bursae is short with a single coil.

Hypotrix trifascia is closely related to H. vigasia ( Schaus, 1894) , comb. n. from the State of Veracruz in southeastern Mexico, but the forewing of H. vigasia is buffy-brown with the maculation muted, and the subterminal line is not as straight as in H. trifascia . Poole (1989) lists H. vigasia as a synonym of Bombyx agavis Blasquez, 1870 , but the location of the types of Bombyx agavis , if any exist, is unknown and the original paintings ( Blasquez, 1870, Figs 6, 9) are not identifiable as a noctuid and may be a cossid (Martin Honey, pers. comm.).

Distribution and biology. Hypotrix trifascia occurs from southern Utah and Colorado southward through Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas to northern Mexico. Collecting dates range from early April to mid-July and early to late September.

Figures 49–52. Male abdominal pelts of Hypotrix . 49 H. purpurigera 50 H. ocularis 5Ι H. lunata 52 H. trifascia .