Aseptis fanatica Mustelin, 2006

Mustelin, Tomas & Crabo, Lars G., 2015, Revision of the genus Aseptis McDunnough (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Xylenini) with a description of two new genera, Paraseptis and Viridiseptis, ZooKeys 527, pp. 57-102 : 67-68

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Aseptis fanatica Mustelin, 2006 Figs 13-18, 63, 80

Aseptis fanatica Mustelin, 2006: 27.

Type material.

Holotype male [SDNHM, examined]. Type locality: Pine Cove, San Jacinto Mountains, Riverside County, California.

Diagnosis.

This species is similar in size and shape to Aseptis ferruginea , wingspan 38.9 ± 1.6 mm (n = 25; range 35-42 mm). In southern California Aseptis fanatica has a dark chocolate-brown forewing (Figs 13 and 14), whereas in northern California, Oregon, and Washington it is darker brown to nearly black (Figs 15 and 16). Some individuals in central California are smooth bright red brown (Figs 17 and 18). The maculation is dark, either diffuse or weakly contrasting. The most prominent markings are the black-filled reniform spot, a black shade proximal to the incomplete pale subterminal line, and pale-yellowish spots on the costa at the antemedial and postmedial lines. Well-marked specimens have a serrate black postmedial line, some black on the veins, and scattered pale scales giving them a peppered look. The hindwing is slightly paler than the forewing, particularly in males.

Separating Aseptis fanatica from Aseptis ethnica can be challenging. As a rule, Aseptis fanatica is the darker species at any location. In southern California Aseptis fanatica is dark gray brown whereas Aseptis ethnica is pale tan gray. In northern California where Aseptis ethnica is darker and often has some reddish brown around the spots, Aseptis fanatica is nearly black. Aseptis fanatica tends to be narrower winged and smaller, but there is overlap in size. If necessary, the genital characters of the male valves and female bursae given in the key to species can be used to distinguish the two species.

Aseptis fanatica is the only species in the species group with two CO1 barcode haplotypes, these separated by 1.3%. Specimens with both haplotypes are found throughout its range and display no consistent differences in habitus or male or female genitalia. Similarly, the distinctive red morph from San Benito County flies with typical black specimens with which they are indistinguishable by barcodes or genitalia.

Distribution and biology.

Aseptis fanatica is known from Washington, Oregon, California, and Baja California Norte, Mexico. It flies in many different habitats like brush land and open forest in southern California mostly at 1000-2000 m but occurs at lower elevations farther north. The flight period is from early May to August in the south and in mid-summer in the Cascades. It can be abundant. In the Pacific Northwest, Aseptis fanatica feeds on species of Ericaceae such as madrone ( Arbutus menziesii Pursh.) and various species of manzanitas and bearberry ( Arctostaphylos spp.) (Miller & Hammond 2003, as Aseptis ethnica ). Bearberry ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.) is probably the only suitable foodplant for this species in the Washington Cascades.

Discussion.

Prior to its description in 2006, this species was thought to represent the southern California form of Aseptis ethnica . In fact, the holotype of Hadena ethnica is quite similar to Aseptis fanatica from San Diego County.

The mixed red and black population from San Benito County is a unique phenomenon. The red color might be due to a gene mutation, but could also be adaptive. Many noctuids that feed on Arctostaphylos as larvae are a similar red color, including Mesogona rubra Hammond & Crabo in the subtribe Xylenina.

The name fanatica means fanatic and was selected as the antithesis of ethnica (heathen). At the time, fanatic had a less sinister meaning than it does in today’s world.