Sympistis collaris 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 : 55-56

Sympistis collaris Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. H-8, O-9, U-2)

Diagnosis. Sympistis collaris closely resembles and is most closely related to S. semicollaris (Fig. H-7) but can be separated from it by the antemedial and postmedial lines, which diverge from one-another from the fold toward and meet the trailing margin of the forewing in S. semicollaris , but loop around from the fold towards the trailing margin, meeting at or before the trailing margin in S. collaris . Internally, the appendix bursae narrows to the ductus seminalis in a more anterior position in S. semicollaris than in S. collaris and the ampulla of the clasper of S. collaris is more streamlined, rising from the clasper at a lower angle than in S. semicollari s.

Description. Antennae filiform, prothoracic collar black basally, edged with white and then gray scales; thorax and abdomen gray. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 14-16 mm. Dorsal forewing gray, becoming darker with a brown tinge beyond postmedial line, towards outer margin; orbicular and reniform spots absent; faint black antemedial line meets faint black postmedial line at or before reaching trailing edge of forewing; thin black lines centred between veins extend from terminal margin toward postmedial line, except between veins M1 and M2, where line is more distinct and transects postmedial line; fringe grayish brown. Dorsal hindwing white with narrow grayish brown terminal shade (wider in females); fringe white. Male genitalia. (Fig. O-9) Valve bends slightly upward, with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper with dorsal hump rises from clasper at low angle (<45°), narrows to form terminal spine. Vesica about ¾ as long as aedeagus, bends abruptly downward, swollen slightly toward apex; a dorsal of patch of spine-like cornuti extends from base of vesica to ventral side, forming a patch; a second patch of cornuti covers right side of vesica from mid-vesica to apex; two small tufts of longer cornuti at apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. U-2) Ovipositor lobes rounded with scattered setae; ductus with sclerotized ventral plate on posterior 2; corpus bursae hangs like a small polyp from ventral appendix bursae; diverticulum on dorsal surface of appendix bursae narrows toward ductus seminalis.

Type material. Holotype male: Texas , Big Bend National Park, Green Gulch, 25 iii 1971, A. and M. E. Blanchard, in the USNM . Paratypes: 8♂ 4♀: TEXAS: Culberson Co., Guadalupe Mts. National Park , Pine Spring Campground, 2-4 ix 1989, E. C. Knudson , 1♂; Culberson Co., Guadalupe Mts. National Park , Ship on the Desert, 22-23 vi 1989, E.C. Knudson , 1♂; Culberson Co., Guadalupe Mts. National Park , SOD 5600’, 8-9 v 2000, B/K , 1♂; Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park , Green Gulch, 5400’, 5-7 v 1997, E.C. Knudson , 1♂; Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park , Green Gulch, 5400’, 2-4 vi 1986, E.C. Knudson , 2♂; Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park , Green Gulch, 5000’, 5-7 v 1997, E.C. Knudson , 1♀; Big Bend National Park , Green Gulch, 12 v 1972, A. and M. E. Blanchard , 1♂, 1♀; Big Bend National Park , Green Gulch, 6 v 1972, A. and M. E. Blanchard , 1♂ 1♀; Big Bend National Park , Basin, 14 v 1966, A. and M. E. Blanchard , 1♀.

Etymology. The word collaris , from Latin, refers to the striking black thoracic collar, one of the more noticeable features of this otherwise drab species.

Distribution. Sympistis collaris is known only from the Guadalupe Mts and Big Bend N. P. in western Texas.