| |
Noctuidae - Psaphidinae - Nocloini
|
|
New Genus 2 new species 1 Diagnosis: The general coloration of New Genus 2 new species 1 is yellow with a slight suffusion of brown. The basal line is absent and the antemedial line has three large scallopings of which the medial scallop is the largest and best developed. The upper third of the basal area is suffused with dull gray-brown or rust-brown, but the amount of suffusion is variable from individual to individual. This suffusion continues as a distinct bar across the median area and is bounded on its upper side by the cubital vein. This bar is present in almost all individuals, but may be very weakly developed. The claviform spot and medial line are absent. The orbicular and reniform marks are both large and distinctly outlined by a fine rust-brown line. The postmedial line is single, distinct, and finely dentate. The line curves slightly inward to the inner margin just below the lower margin of the reniform mark. The veins veins are finely accented with rust-brown in the subterminal and terminal areas and the outer third of the forewing in concolorous with the median and basal areas. The hindwing is completely yellow without any markings dorsally. The ventral surface of the forewing is dull yellow and only the upper third of the postmedial line and the veins in the outer third of the wing are distinct. There is a vague postmedial line on the ventral surface of the hindwing. Wing length: mean = 12.03 mm, standard deviation = 0.86 mm, n = 10. Adults have been collected in July, August, and September. Distribution: This species is primarily known from a relatively limited area of south-central Arizona, in particular Santa Cruz and Pima counties. Nocloini New Genus 2 new species 1 has been taken as far east as the Huachuca Mountains of southwestern Cochise County, but is unknown from any spot further east. Specimens have also been collected in the Mexican state of Durango. This is a moderately variable species. The variation is not sex-linked. The most signficant variation is in the distinctness of the patches of dark suffusion in the forewing, in particular the bar running across the median area below the reniform and orbicular spots. In most specimens the bar is well developed, but in some it is nearly absent. Identification Quality: Excellent Larva: Unknown Foodplants: Unknown
|
Nocloini New Genus 2 new species 1
Nocloini New Genus 2 new species 1 is superficially indistinguishable from its Mexican and Central American sister species alcandra, but the male genitalia will readily separate the two species (see below). Nocloini New Genus 2 pilacho is the only other member of the species group north of Mexico and is also superficially very similar to new species 1. The dark bar of the median area is absent in pilacho, but is usually (although not always) present in new species 1. The general appearance of pilacho is slightly lighter, slightly duller, and slightly more uniform in coloration. The most distinctive character of the male genitalia is the series
of enlarged setae along the costal margin at about the midpoint of the
valve. These specialized setae or scales are absent in pilacho
and the closely related Mexican species alcandra. The costal
margin of alcandra has a large hump at the base of valve, but
the valve of new species 1 is nearly linear. The clasper is about twice
as large in new species 1 as in pilacho. The uncus of new species
1 is short and the apical half is ovate; in contrast the uncus of pilacho
is linear, not ovate. The vesica spining pattern is diffuse, although
roughly divided into two groups on either side. There is a distinct
lateral diverticulum, but it is reduced to a small knob with five of
six small spines. The lateral diverticulum is absent in pilacho.
The female genitalia of new species 1 are generally as in the generic
description. The ductus bursae is relatively wide, about three to four
times as long as wide. The ductus bursae of pilacho is relatively
much narrower, about eight times longer than wide. |
Similar Species
Nocloini New Genus 2 pilacho |
