Noctuidae - Condicinae - Condicini

 

 

Condica luxuriosa (Dyar)

Perigea luxuriosa Dyar, 1926, Insecutor Inscitiae Menstruus, 14:145.

Diagnosis: Condica albolabes and luxuriosa consitute a pair of sister species that are superficially and morphologically very similar. Both species have a pure black forewing with white scaling, in particular a white spot in the lower half of the reniform spot. Almost all of the other maculation is obscure or absent. Condica albolabes has a much more extensive distribution in the States than luxuriosa, a Mexican species making it into the United States only in southern Arizona. The superficial differences between albolabes and luxuriosa are subtle, but usually sufficient to separate the two. First, the forewing of luxuriosa has a pure, almost shiney, black appearance. In contrast the forewing of albolabes although also black has a distinctly rougher appearance. This difference in forewing appearance can best be appreciated by comparing the figures of the adults. This difference is reflected in the coloration of the black scales of the forewing. In the black forewing scale of albolabes the black color is confined to the distal half of the scales and the basal half is distinctly lighter. In contrast the black color of the scale is even in both the basal and distal halves of the scales in luxuriosa. The white scaling of the forewing is more extensive in luxuriosa than in albolabes. In particular the white patch in the lower half of the reniform spot occupies almost all of the bottom half of the reniform spot in luxuriosa, but is usually at most a white spot in albolabes. The white lines outlining the rest of the reniform spot are almost always more distinct and more extensive in luxuriosa than in albolabes. Finally the subterminal line of luxuriosa is extensive marked with white in luxuriosa, but if marked with white in albolabes never conspicuously so. The best characters to use in separating the two species are found in the male genitalia. In particular the valve of luxuriosa is more robust. The clasper is thinner and more sharply pointed in albolabes than in luxuriosa. There are three large diverticula at the base of the vesica in albolabes, but only two in luxuriosa. In the female genitalia the ductus bursae is about one and one-half times as long as wide in albolabes but at least three times as long as wide in luxuriosa. The ostium is trapezoidal in luxuriosa, narrowed toward the caudal end. In contrast the ostial region is more rectangular in albolabes.

Distribution: In the United States this species is known from a single female from the Santa Rita Mountains of southeastern Arizona. It appears to be primarily a species of Mexico and is not common in collections. There are too few specimens to make any meaningful comments on variability.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: There is a single specimen in the USNM reared from Ageratina adenophora (Asteraceae).

Condica luxuriosa

Condica albolabes and luxuriosa consitute a pair of sister species that are superficially and morphologically very similar. Both species have a pure black forewing with white scaling, in particular a white spot in the lower half of the reniform spot. Almost all of the other maculation is obscure or absent. Condica albolabes has a much more extensive distribution in the States than luxuriosa, a Mexican species making it into the United States only in southern Arizona. The superficial differences between albolabes and luxuriosa are subtle, but usually sufficient to separate the two. First, the forewing of luxuriosa has a pure, almost shiney black appearance. In contrast the forewing of albolabes, although also black, has a distinctly rougher appearance. This difference in forewing appearance can best be appreciated by comparing the figures of the adults above color plates. This difference is reflected in the coloration of the black scales of the forewing. In the black forewing scale of albolabes the black color is confined to the distal half of the scales and the basal half is distinctly lighter. In contrast the black color of the scale is even in both the basal and distal halves of the scales in luxuriosa. The white scaling of the forewing is more extensive in luxuriosa than in albolabes. In particular the white patch in the lower half of the reniform spot occupies almost all of the bottom half of the reniform spot in luxuriosa, but is usually at most a white spot in albolabes. The white lines outlining the rest of the reniform spot are almost always more distinct and more extensive in luxuriosa than in albolabes. Finally the subterminal line of luxuriosa is extensive marked with white in luxuriosa, but if marked with white in albolabes never conspicuously so. The best characters to use in separating the two species are found in the male genitalia. In particular the valve of luxuriosa is more robust. The clasper is thinner and more sharply pointed in albolabes than in luxuriosa. There are three large diverticula at the base of the vesica in albolabes, but only two in luxuriosa. In the female genitalia the ductus bursae is about one and one-half times as long as wide in albolabes but at least three times as long as wide in luxuriosa. The ostium is trapezoidal in luxuriosa, narrowed toward the caudal end. In contrast the ostial region is more rectangular in albolabes.

Similar Species

Condica albolabes