Paramiana new species 2

Diagnosis: Paramiana new species 2 is one of two species of the genus with areas of green scaling on the forewing, the other being its close relative Paramiana smaragdina. Indeed, the two can be very difficult to separate, particularly if the specimens are not in the best of condition. On the whole the green scaling on the forewing of Paramiana new species 2 is more general and more diffuse than it is in smaragdina. The median area of smaragdina is a uniform dark violet-brown and green scales are absent except in the reniform spot and orbicular spot. In contrast scattered green scales are found in the median area of Paramiana new species 2 and in general the median area does not appear as smooth or as dark brown as in smaragdina. Because of the rougher appearance of the forewing in Paramiana new species 2 the reniform spot and orbicular spot do not tend to as distinct in new species 2 as in smaragdina. The postmedial line is distinctly arced inward in Paramiana new species 2 below the reniform spot, but not incurved in smaragdina. The dark blotch on the postmedial line below the reniform spot is present in both species, but in general is much more distinct in smaragdina than in Paramiana new species 2. In the hindwing the postmedial line is usually more distinct in Paramiana new species 2 than in smargdina and on the average the hindwing is more evenly suffused with brown in smaragdina than in new species 2. There is a good character for separating males in the male genitalia. In the vesica of Paramiana new species 2 there is a row of four strong spines on a heavily rugose area along the ventral margin of the vesica (in the orientation of the figure). In smaragdina, in contrast, there is a single, and smaller spine in this region. The fine hairs on the base of the vesica running up to the band of long spines are thicker and larger in Paramiana new species 2 than in smaragdina. The spines in the large dorsal band are on the average larger and longer in Paramiana new species 2 than in smaragdina. On the average the clasper of the valve is longer and thinner in Paramiana new species 2 than in smaragdina. However, the shape of the clasper is variable and the difference is not invariably true. In both species the corpus bursae of the female genitalia consists of a large ovate portion and a cephalad tail. The tail tends to be longer in Paramiana new species 2 than in smaragdina, although I am not sure the difference will hold in extensive series of dissections. Otherwise there do not appear to be any significant differences between the two species in the female genitalia. Wing length: mean = 13.09 mm, standard deviation = 0.51 mm, n = 10.

Adults have been collected in August and September.

Distribution: This species has been collected in western Texas and southeastern Arizona. Curiously in Texas all of the specimens except one are from Jeff Davis and Culberson counties while smaragdina in western Texas is known only from the Chisos Mountains in the Big Bend region. There is individual variation in the degree of green scaling. The variation is difficult to define, however because it is obscured in older specimens. The distinctness of the dark blotch on the postmedial line of the forewing is variable in development.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Similar Species

Paramiana smaragdina

Paramiana new species 1