Hypotrix optima (Dyar, [1920]) 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 : 247-248

Hypotrix optima (Dyar, [1920]) , comb. n.

Figs 14, 29, 44

Scriptania optima Dyar, [1920] : 163.

Type material. Holotype ♁ [ USNM, examined]. Type locality: Mexico, Mexico City.

Other material examined and distribution. Mexico: Federal District, State of Durango (Sierra Madre Occidental). USA: Arizona: Cochise Co. (Chiricahua Mts).

Diagnosis. Hypotrix optima is a small Hypotrix (forewing length 11–14 mm) with an unmistakable forewing pattern. Th e mainly orange and gray pattern is dominated by the pale yellow shading around the orbicular spot that forms a flat-bottomed wedge mark between the dark gray reniform and orbicular spots, and the yellow streak at the forewing

apex. Dark-gray shading in the basal area, on the reniform and orbicular spots, and in the subterminal area gives the forewing a distinctive blotchy look. Th e hindwing is translucent white in both sexes. The male genitalia are most similar to those of H. trifascia , but the valves are more slender and the apical half of the uncus is broad and spatulate. Th e vesica is about 2 × as long as the aedeagus with a tight cluster of cornuti at the base, several scattered spikelike cornuti subbasally, and a cluster of minute spines subapically after a postmedial coil. The female genitalia are similar to those of H. trifascia but the corpus bursae is curved rather than oval, and the ductus bursae is heavily sclerotized with long medial bulges on both sides.

Distribution and biology. Hypotrix optima occurs from southeastern Arizona and central New Mexico southward to Mexico City. Collecting dates range from mid-June to mid-July.