Sympistis cherti 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 : 40-41

Sympistis cherti Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. E-18, N-4, S-8)

Diagnosis. The transition between the dark terminal band the discal area is gradual on the dorsal hindwing of S. cherti , thus it might be confused with S. homogena . It differs from S. homogena by the dorsal forewing, which is charcoal gray in S. cherti , without a ochre hue and without a lighter shade of gray between the outer margin and subterminal line. Sympistis homogena has a distinct ochre hue along the anterior margin of the antemedial line, a distinct pale area between the terminal and subterminal lines, and generally a lighter, more patterned forewing.

Description. Antennae filiform, head charcoal gray; prothoracic collar a dark grayish brown; thorax and tegulae charcoal gray; abdomen light grayish brown. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 15-19 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color charcoal gray; postmedial, antemedial and basal lines black; postmedial line edged distally by scattered lighter gray scales which blend to charcoal gray towards subterminal line; antemedial line narrowly bordered basally with light gray to grayish brown scales, subterminal line usually absent; terminal line black; orbicular and reniform spots outlined with black scales, filled with charcoal gray and dusted with white scales; fringe with light grayish brown basal line, a black medial line and dark gray terminal area. Dorsal hindwing basal area with white scales under long gray hairs and scattered gray scales giving a dirty, light gray appearance; veins with scattered gray scales; discal lunule gray; dark gray terminal shade blends gradually into discal area; fringe light grayish brown basally with white terminal line and black median line. Male genitalia. (Fig. N-4) Valve shaped like the prow of canoe, with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper gradually narrows to terminal spine arcing from posterior margin; clavus well-developed, about 1.5x as tall as wide. Vesica with small basal, ventral diverticulum bends slightly upward; a patch of short, sparse cornuti on left near base and second patch of much longer cornuti on right at base; a ribbon of long cornuti extends along ventral margin of apical ¾ of vesica; a second ribbon of longer, stouter cornuti extends on left side of apical ½ of vesica, nearly to apex, where vesica narrows and bends downward toward patch of long cornuti and single apical spine. Female genitalia. (Fig. S-8) Ovipositor lobes rounded, apex with long, fine setae, corona of short setae mid way down -these setae arc anteriorly; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a Y-shaped sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, ductus bursae about as long as corpus bursae, doubles in width at a point ca. ½ of the way from ostium bursae to appendix bursae; appendix bursae parallel sided, narrowing near anterior end towards ductus seminalis, meeting ductus bursae on right side near posterior end; corpus bursae ellipsoidal, about ¾ as large as appendix bursae, arises via narrow duct from left side of appendix bursae near ductus bursae, elongate signae on dorsal and ventral sides.

Type material. Holotype male: USA, Washington, Bethel Ridge , 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 5800’, 21 viii 1999, J. Troubridge, in the CNC . Paratypes: 35♂ 25♀: Washington: same data as holotype , 7♂ 1♀; Bear Cyn. , Yakima Co., 46° 42' N, 120° 53' W, 2400’, 15 viii 1998, J. Troubridge , 1♂; Bethel Ridge , Yakima Co., 25 vii 1996, J. Troubridge , 3♂ 3♀; Bethel Ridge , 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 5800’, 27 viii 2002, 5800’, J. Troubridge , 5♂ 8♀ Bethel Ridge , 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 5800’, 27 viii 1998, J. Troubridge , 8♂ 10♀; Bethel Ridge , 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 5800’, 22 viii 1997, J. Troubridge , 4♂; Bethel Ridge , Yakima Co., 6300’, 25 vii 1996, J. Troubridge , 2♂; Bethel Ridge , Yakima Co., 6300’, 14 vii 1996, J. Troubridge , 1♂; Junior Point Campground , Chelan Co., 5800’, 6 viii 1997, J. Troubridge , 1♂ 1♀. Oregon: Bolan Mtn. , Josephine Co., 42° 01' N, 123° 27' W, 5200’, 27 vii 2001, J. Troubridge , 1♂; Eight Dollar Mtn. Rd. , 42° 14' N, 123° 41' W, 5800’, 29 viii 2002, J. Troubridge , 1♂. Nevada: Mt. Rose , Washoe Co., 39° 19' N, 119° 54' W, 8600’, 29 viii 2000, J. Troubridge , 1♀. British Columbia: Kirby Flats Rd. , 50° 32' N, 121° 43' W, 20 viii 1999, J. Troubridge , 1♂ 1♀.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Cherti was ram-god of the underworld and ferryman of the dead. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. I have collected this species from south central British Columbia to the northeastern Sierra Nevada, California.