Nocloini New Genus 3 torniplaga (Barnes and McDunnough)

"Nocloa torniplaga"

Nocloa torniplaga Barnes and McDunnough, 1916, Contrib. Nat. Hist. Lep. N. Am., 3(1): 13, pl. 1, figure 7.

Diagnosis: Nocloini New Genus 3 torniplaga is a bright, brown species. The forewing maculation is much more distinct than in its sister species Nocloini New Genus 3 new species 1. The most distinctive forewing feature is a light shade along the outer side of the bottom third of the postmedial line. This shade can be almost dull white, but is more commonly filled with reddish-brown. A diffuse, broad, black shade stretches between the antemedial and postmedial lines at the level of the claviform mark. The reniform and orbicular marks are both distinct and slightly grayer than the surrounding brown. The claviform mark is present in the type female, but is absent in the few other specimens I have seen. The basal area is slightly lighter brown than the median area. No medial line is present. The upper half of the postmedial line is scalloped and the lower half is straight, edged inwardly by a black line, and accented outwardly with the light patch refered to above. The subterminal line is a vague dull white, broken line, edged inwardly with diffuse black triangles on the level of the reniform mark. The outer third of the hindwing of both males and females are strongly infused with dull gray-brown and a postmedial line is present, but obscure. The female hindwing is more thoroughly suffused with dull brown than is the case is males. The male genitalia of torniplaga and new species 1 are very similar. The spine-like cornuti of the base of the vesica are longer, thinner, and more numerous in new species 1 than in torniplaga. A small, but distinct, clasper exists in torniplaga, but is completely absent in Nocloini New Genus 0003 new species 1. Wing length: mean = 12.98 mm, standard deviation = 0.36 mm, n = 4.

Adults have been collected in late August and September.

Distribution: This species is very rare in collections and is known from only Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties in southeastern Arizona. Variation exists in the lightness of the shade following the lower third of the forewing postmedial line.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Similar Species

Nocloini New Genus 3 new species 1