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Noctuidae - Condicinae - Condicini
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Condica andrena (Smith) NEW COMBINATION
Diagnosis: Condica andrena is the sister species of charada. The male genitalia are almost identical. However andrena is superficially easy to separate from charada. The forewing is a dark black-gray. The veins are accented with slightly darker gray and the streaking is most pronounced in the postmedial and subterminal areas. In the male the hindwing is almost pure white with black streaking on the veins on the outer margin. However the outer margin of the hindwing never has a wide dark band as in charada. The white accenting on the orbicular spot and reniform spot is generally (but not always) stronger than in either charada or leucorena. Other characters for separating andrena from charada and leucorena are discussed under those two species. Distribution: This species appears to be primarily a species of the Mohave Desert region of southern California. However it has also been collected in south central Utah. There is a single fragmentary specimen from Jefferson County (Strontia Springs) in central Colorado (near Denver). Only pieces of this specimen remain, but I am fairly confident it represents andrena. However the locality is not marked on the distribution map until confirming material can be found. The range of this species, as far as known, is allopatric to the known range of charada. The species is moderately variable in the amount of white accenting in the forewing. One specimen from San Diego lacks any white accenting and the streaking along the veins of the forewing. This specimen almost appears to be a cross between charada and andrena. Adults have been collected in February, March, and April in southern California. The single Utah specimen and the possible Colorado one were both collected in July. Identification Quality: Excellent Larva: Unknown Foodplants: Unknown
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Condica andrena
Condica leucorena co-exists with andrena is southern California. Condica andrena is a larger species (of the same size as charada and the forewing is dark (not light). In males the hindwing is pure white with dark streaks along the veins at the outer margin. In leucorena the hindwing is dull white, usually suffused with some light gray and never with the contrasting brown streaks along the outer margin. The orbicular spot is a well defined light ring with a central dark dot in andrena. Both the male and the female genitalia are distinctive and will immediately distinguish this species from both charada and andrena. In the aedoeagus of the male genitalia there is a single spiney ventral diverticulum of the vesica (in the orientation of the figure). In andrena and charada the ventral diverticulum is double or triple and lacks spines. The vesica also has a small caudally projecting diverticulum and the usual dorsal projection with the tail of the vesica. There is a small denticulate bar at the base of the vesica. In the valve of the male genitalia. The clasper is elongate and oriented along the long axis of the valve. The apex of the clasper angles upward toward the costa of the valve. In contrast the clasper in andrena and charada is relatively short and stubby and runs perpendicular to the long axis of the valve. The ductus bursae of charada is about two to three times longer than wide in charada, but four to five times longer than wide in andrena. There do not seem to be any consistent differences between the male genitalia of the two species. However on the whole the apex of the valve of andrena is somewhat quadrate (i.e. with an angulation along the outer margin near the apex), but not quadrate in charada. This species is most likely to be confused with leucorena. The differences between the two species are discussed under leucorena. Although clearly the sister species of andrena, the black forewing coloration and distinct range of andrena will readily separate it from charada. |
Similar Species
Condica leucorena
Condica charada |
