Sympistis osiris 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 : 17-18

Sympistis osiris Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. B-23, L-3, P-13)

Diagnosis. Sympistis osiris most closely resembles S. isis sp. n. in that the forewing is a rusty brown color; however, the basal hindwing is cream colored in S. isis and off-white in S. osiris . In S. osiris , the entire length of vein 1A+2A and veins CuA2, CuA1, and M3 beyond the postmedian line are widely bordered with gray scales, rusty brown in S. isis . Internally, the ampulla of the clasper of S. isis is situated closer to the apex of the valve than in S. osiris , also, in S. osiris , the ampulla is bent ½ of the way from base to apex but in S. isis , the ampulla arcs evenly without a noticeable bend in the middle.

Description. Antennae filiform. Prothoracic collar light brown then a thin black line, light brown, black, brown 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 14-16 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color rusty brown; ordinary lines not sharply defined; white scales located basally on the radial veins; obscure black antemedial line bordered basally with light rust scales; obscure, black postmedial line edged distally with light rust scales; obscure median line dark brown; basal line black; veins from base through postmedial line edged with white and gray scales, black on veins and widely 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 light rust dots within these black dashes; black terminal line edged basally with light rust chevrons; orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots well demarcated with thin black outer and light rust inner lines with an inner ring of darker rust scales; fringe a series of light rust, dark rust, dark grayish brown and finally dark grayish brown mixed with white lines. Dorsal hindwing basal area off-white; submarginal band dark grayish brown; discal lunule and veins CuA and CuA2 lightly highlighted with darker scales; fringe white. Male genitalia. (Fig. L-3) Valve with rounded, upturned apex; ampulla of clasper tapers evenly to apex with distinct bend about ½ 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. (Fig. P-13) Ovipositor lobes rounded with scattered setae; a corona of short setae surrounds ovipositor lobes near tip, these setae produced at 90° to the abdomen; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae; appendix bursae bulges ventrally near ductus bursae then bends to left as it widens and twists dorsally, rounded at anterior end where ductus seminalis arises on dorsal side; corpus bursae absent.

Type material. Holotype male: USA: New Mexico, Sierra Co., Hwy. 51 SE of Elephant Butte, 17 x 2001, George J. Balogh, in the CNC . Paratypes: 6♂ 5♀: New Mexico: same data as holotype , 2♂ 2♀. Texas: El Paso Co., East Montana Hwy. , 7-9 x 1993, E. Knudson , 2♂ 3♀; El Paso Co., Hueco Tanks SP, 7 x 1993, E. Knudson , 1♂; El Paso Co., East Montana Hwy. , 7-9 x 1993, E. Knudson , 1♂.

Etymology. Sympistis osiris is named for Osiris, Egyptian god of the underworld. He was married to Isis and father to Horus. Like the mythology, S. osiris , S. isis and S. horus form a closely related group. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. This species is known from southwestern New Mexico and extreme western Texas.