Noctuidae - Condicinae - Condicini

 

 

Condica orta
(Barnes and McDunnough)

Perigea orta Barnes and McDunnough, 1912, Canad. Ent., 44:54.

Diagnosis: The forewing of orta is a uniform brown. There is a white dot in the lower half of the reniform spot and a series of small white dots on the outward projecting teeth of the postmedial line. The forewing has an ovate appearance, more so than in most of the species of the genus, although certainly not unique to it. Although the species is otherwise pretty non-descript, it should be not be confused with any other species of Condica in southern Arizona. It could be confused with vecors, punctifera, and Condica new species 2, but so far none of these species are known to occur in southern Arizona. Conceivably Condica new species 2 may be found to occur in southern Arizona. Condica new species 2, however, lacks a conspicuous white spot in the lower end of the reniform spot of the forewing. Both the male and female genitalia are distinctive. The male genitalia are distinctive primarily because of their simplicity. The valve and clasper are generally unmodified. However there is a strong arc in the outer margin of the valve near the base of the sacculus. The clasper is long and slightly curved. The juxta is trapezoidal with a raised central ridge. The vesica proved too small to enflate. However there are not sclerotized patches or spines in it. The female genitalia are characterized primarily by a very long, thin, and weakly sclerotized corpus bursae. The ostium is v-shaped. The ductus bursae is very narrow and weakly sclerotized. The ductus seminalis arises near the caudal end of the corpus bursae.

Distribution: This species is known only from southern Arizon in Pima and Gila Counties. Males are generally smaller than the females. The strength of the white dot in the reniform spot of the forewing is variable as is the degree of contrast between the subterminal and terminal areas of the forewing. On the whole, however, the species is not particularly variable. Adults have been collected in July and August.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

 

Condica orta

Condica orta could be confused with vecors, punctifera, and Condica new species 2, but so far none of these species are known to occur in southern Arizona. Conceivably Condica new species 2 may be found to occur in southern Arizona. Condica new species 2, however, lacks a conspicuous white spot in the lower end of the reniform spot of the forewing.

Similar Species

Condica vecors

Condica punctifera

Condica new species 2