Sympistis horus 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 : 19-20

Sympistis horus Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. B-25, L-5)

Diagnosis. Sympistis horus is distinguished from S. isis and S. osiris by the very white basal area and very black submarginal band of the hindwing and dark brown forewing color. In S. isis and S. osiris the forewing is a rusty brown and the basal hindwing cream colored in S. isis and off-white in S. osiris . Internally, the genitalia of all three species are very similar; however, the ampulla of the clasper of S. isis is situated closer to the apex of the valve than in S. horus or S. osiris , and in S. horus , the ampulla is bent about half way from base to apex, ½ of the way from base to apex in S. osiris , and in S. isis the ampulla arcs evenly without a noticeable bend in the middle.

Description. Antennae filiform. Prothoracic collar beige then a thin black line, beige, black, white, brown with scattered black scales and white lines. Head brown with scattered black scales; vertex with a row of dark brown below a row of white scales; thorax a mix of brown, black and white scales. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets absent from base of male abdomen. Forewing length 14 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color blackish brown; all lines and spots sharply defined; white scales located basally on radial veins; thin black denticulate antemedial line bordered basally with beige scales; undulating, black postmedial line forms crescents between veins, edged distally with buff and then brown lines; median line grayish brown; basal line black; veins from base through postmedial line edged with white and gray scales, black on veins and bordered with gray scales between postmedial line and subterminal line; black dashes extend between veins through postmedial area almost to terminal line; subterminal line occurs as a series of brown dots within these black dashes; black terminal line edged basally with sparse beige or gray scales; orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots well demarcated with black outer and beige inner lines with an inner ring of brown and black scales; fringe a series of beige, brown, dark brown and finally dark grayish brown mixed with white lines. Dorsal hindwing basal area white; submarginal band black; discal lunule and vein 2A lightly highlighted with black scales; fringe white. Male genitalia. (Fig. L-5) Valve with rounded, upturned apex; ampulla of clasper tapers evenly to apex with distinct bend about half way from base to apex. Vesica with basal diverticulum on right arcs to the left beyond diverticulum; a ribbon of fine, sparse cornuti extends from dorsal base of vesica across diverticulum, tapering off on dorsal surface; a second ribbon of cornuti extends along dorsal surface of apical ½ of vesica; a third ribbon of longer, coarser, ventral cornuti on apical ½ of vesica; a single, coarse apical cornutus and small bundle of cornuti projected from apex. Female genitalia. Unknown.

Type material. Holotype male: USA: New Mexico, Socorro Co., mi. 91-93 Hwy. 60, vic VLA site, sandy soil, 25 ix 2003, George J. Balogh, in the CNC . Paratypes: 2♂, same data as holotype .

Etymology. Sympistis horus is named for the Egyptian god Horus, who was conceived after the death of his father, Osiris. The pharaoh was considered to be the Living Horus, the temporal stand-in for Horus in the earthly domain. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known only from Socorro Co., New Mexico.