TWO NEW GENERA AND THIRTEEN NEW'SPECIES

OF OWLET MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE),

MAINLY FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

by

Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

No. 36

15 August 2000

Proceedings of the

San Diego Society of Natural History

v ISSN 1059-8707

e

PROCEEDINGS

of the

San Diego Society of Natural History

Founded 1874

Number 36

15 August 2000

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths

(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California

Tomas Mustelin

San Diego Natural History Museum, P. O. Box 121390, San Diego, California, 92112-1390

Ronald Leuschner

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90007

Kauri Mikkola

Zoological Museum, University of Helsinki, P. O. Box 14, FIN-00014, Finland

J. Donald Lafontaine

ECORC, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario KIA 0C6, Canada

ABSTRACT.—This study describes fifteen new taxa of Noctuidae, mainly from southern California. Acontia lagunae Mustelin and Leuschner, sp.

nov., has previously been treated as an isolated southern population of A. flavipennis (Grote). Acronicta browni Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov., and

Merolonche australis Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov., are distinctive members of the subfamily Acronictinae. This study describes three new species

of Apamea: A. bernardino Mikkola and Mustelin, sp. nov., and A. gabrieli Mikkola and Mustelin, sp. nov., are endemic to California; A. scoparia

Mikkola, Mustelin, and Lafontaine, sp. nov., a sister species of the Palearctic A. lateritia (Hufnagel), is widespread in North America. Aseptis murina

Mustelin, sp. nov., and A. ferruginea Mustelin, sp. nov., are close allies of A. ethnica (Smith), with which they are sympatric in the mountains of

southern California. Aseptis pseudolichena Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov., has long been confused with Andropolia lichena Barnes and McDunnough,

which we now also place in the genus Aseptis. Orthomoia bloomfieldi Mustelin, gen. nov. and sp. nov., is allied to Xylomoia but has straight male

valves. Lacinipolia subalba Mustelin, sp. nov., is endemic to coastal San Diego County and is most closely related to Lacinipolia pensilis (Grote).

Fergusonix januaris Mustelin and Leuschner, gen. nov. and sp. nov., a midwinter flier, represents a new genus in the subfamily Hadeninae. Finally,

Euxoa faulkneri Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov., is a distinctive new member of the infausta group of Euxoa.

INTRODUCTION

The Noctuidae of southern California are poorly known in com-

parison to those in other parts of North America. During our studies

of the noctuid fauna of southern California, we have encountered a

number of specimens that did not seem to belong to any described

taxon. Some we strongly suspected to represent undescribed species,

and others had been treated as forms of geographically disjunct popu-

lations of known species. Detailed comparative analysis, including

male and female genitalia, however, indicates that many of these

moths warrant full species status. In this study, we name, describe,

and illustrate the adults and the genitalic structures of thirteen new

species belonging to the subfamilies Acontiinae, Acronictinae,

Amphipyrinae, Hadeninae, and Noctuinae. We place two of these in

their own new genera because of insufficient similarities to known

genera. We extract three new species of Apamea from a planned revi-

sion of this genus by K. Mikkola and J. D. Lafontaine. We describe

these here to facilitate their inclusion in a forthcoming comprehen-

sive study of the entire noctuid fauna of southern California.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is based on morphological examination of specimens

from the following collections: the San Diego Natural History Mu-

seum, the Los Angeles County Museum, the University of California

at Riverside, the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natural History

in Washington, D.C., the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa,

Ontario, Canada, the Zoological Museum in Helsinki, Finland, and

the private collections of R. Leuschner and T. Mustelin. Male and

female genitalia were dissected and prepared according to standard

techniques. All holotypes and the majority of paratypes have been, or

will be, permanently deposited in the aforementioned public collec-

tions, and representative genitalic slides are available at the San

Diego Natural History Museum.

tw

SYSTEMATICS

Family Noctuidae

Subfamily Acontiinae Guenée, 1838

Genus Acontia Ochsenheimer, 1816

Acontia lagunae Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov.

Figures la—d

Holotype.—\10. CALIFORNIA: San Diego County, Laguna

Mtns., Crouch Meadow Springs, 8 May 1980, J. W. Brown and D. K.

Faulkner.

Paratypes.—71\ specimens: CALIFORNIA: San Diego County,

same locality, date, and collectors as holotype (23 specimens); La-

guna Mtns., near Crouch Meadows, 14 June 1998, T. Mustelin (3);

Laguna Mtns., elevation 2,000 m, 29 May 1964, F. T. Thorne (1); 5

mi N of Mt. Laguna, Witches Broom Trail, 2 May 1987, active

dayflier, R. H. Leuschner (20°, 19); Laguna Lakes, Laguna Mtns.,

elevation 1,830 m, 23 May 1964 (2), 6 June 1964 (1), from C. Henne

collection; “purchased from C. Hill” [no locality data] (3); “pur-

chased from C. Hill,” Nellie, 1 May (1); Warner’s Dam, 20 April

1916 (11); Will Valley, Palomar, 17 May, D. K. Faulkner (4); Mission

Valley, 9 April 1938, D. S. Thornhill (1°); Cuyamaca Lake, 27 April

1935, leg. C. Dammers (1); Palomar Sate Park, 20 May 1980, D. C.

Hawks (2); San Diego, 12 April 1913, W. S. Wright (1); San Diego,

10 April 1915, W. S. Wright (3); San Diego, 5 April 1927, W. S.

Wright (1); San Diego, 16 March 1908, G. H. Field (1); San Diego,

28 March 1908, G. H. Field (3); San Diego, 31 March 1908, G. H.

Field (3); San Diego, 2 April 1908, G. H. Field (3).

The holotype and twenty-five paratypes are in the San Diego

Natural History Museum; eight paratypes are in the Los Angeles

County Museum; one paratype is at the University of California at

Riverside; four paratypes are in the Canadian National Collection;

four paratypes are at the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natural

History; two paratypes are at the Zoological Museum in Helsinki,

and fifteen are in the Leuschner and Mustelin collections. Represen-

tative genitalic slides (52 TM & and 75 TM Q) are deposited at the

San Diego Natural History Museum.

Distribution.—The majority of records for this taxon is from a

small area on the summit plateau of the Laguna Mountains of San

Diego County, California. A few specimens are from nearby moun-

tains at similar elevation (1,500—2,000 m), such as Mount Palomar,

Warner (i.e., Hot Springs) Mountain, and the Cuyamaca Mountains.

Older records include Mission Valley (1938) and Pasadena (no date),

and it may be that the species had a wider distribution earlier this

century. The moth is diurnal and flies in meadows, forest glades, and

along trails in open woodland. The flight period is from late March to

mid-June. The species is presumably univoltine. The larval food

plants and immature stages are unknown.

Description.—A noctuid of less than average size. Antenna fili-

form in both sexes. Head small, covered with flat brown scales, la-

bial palps white and brown, antennal scape brown with white under-

side, eyes reduced, oval. Thorax robust, covered with flat brown

scales, tegulae with some white scales, venter covered with pale

ochreous hairs. Legs brown with white scales, tarsi striped in brown

and white. Abdomen narrow and short, brown with pale yellow

scales, venter whitish. Wingspan: 20.4 mm +1.2 mm (n = 37; range

18.5—23 mm). Forewing length: 9-11 mm. Ground color of forewing

brown intermixed with some black and pale gray scales. Antemedian

line pale gray, a large bulge around vein 2A. Postmedian line black,

deeply incurved ventral to faint reniform spot. Subterminal line whit-

ish, serrated, and more prominent towards anal corner of forewing.

Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

Terminal line black, with a black spot on veins. Fringe brown and

white. Orbicular spot absent, but area between orbicular and reni-

form spots forming bright white rectangle with narrower extension

to costa. Another smaller white rectangular spot on costa lateral of

postmedian line. Hindwing dark yellow to light orange with some

brown scales near wing base, discal spot small, marginal band dark

brown. Fringe lighter yellow. Sexes similar. Male genitalia (Figures

1b and c): valve evenly broad with rounded apex, thin finger-like

saccular extension, aedoeagus smooth, everted vesica curving around

aedoeagus, with row of six large spines and apical diverticulum. Fe-

male genitalia: (Figure 1d): ovipositor lobes broad and short, eighth

sternite unsclerotized, anterior and posterior apophyses similar in

length, ductus bursae wide, diameter equal to ovipositor lobes, length

3x width, corpus bursae large, round, slightly kidney-shaped, length

2.5x width, surface smooth with longitudinal stripes laterally, dis-

tally with furrow-like constriction, no signa.

Diagnosis.—A relatively small noctuid that Smith (1900) consid-

ered to be an isolated southern population of Acontia flavipennis

(Grote). Acontia lagunae, sp. nov., differs from true A. flavipennis in

having a smaller white spot on the forewing anterior edge and much

more yellow on the hindwing, the brown marginal shade being a thin

and well-defined band instead of the broad and diffuse area of A.

flavipennis. A. lagunae is also similar to A. abdominalis (Grote),

which has a similar forewing pattern, but even less yellow on the

hindwing. Figure | shows all three species. The male genitalia

of A. lagunae are similar to those of both A. flavipennis and

A. abdominalis; they differ from A. flavipennis in having longer sac-

cular extensions and in the arrangement of the six stout spines on the

everted vesica, which are closely packed and parallel in A. lagunae.

There are only five spines in A. abdominalis, instead of six.

Etymology.—The specific name is derived from the type locality.

Remarks.—It seems likely that Acontia flavipennis and A.

lagunae have recently evolved from a common ancestor. The male

genitalia, however, are sufficiently distinct to justify species status

for A. lagunae. Although all examined specimens of A. lagunae have

a mostly yellow hindwing with a relatively narrow brown marginal

band, the extent of yellow is more variable in A. flavipennis. Occa-

sional specimens with a more extensive yellow area have been named

as ab. discolutea. The other extreme, the lack of yellow on the

hindwing, was called ab. delutea. This variation does not occur in A.

lagunae, and we cannot consider the name discolutea applicable to

A. lagunae. In the systematic order, we suggest placing A. lagunae

after A. flavipennis, giving it number 9140.1 in the catalog by Hodges

et al. (1983).

Subfamily Acronictinae Smith and Dyar, 1898

Genus Acronicta Ochsenheimer, 1816

Acronicta browni Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov.

Figures 2a—d

Holotype.—1&. CALIFORNIA: Riverside County, Pinyon Crest,

elevation 1,400 m, 28 May 1978, R. H. Leuschner.

Paratypes.—15 specimens (90°, 69): CALIFORNIA: Riverside

County, same locality and collector as holotype, 14 April 1962 (30),

12 August 1967 (10°), 14 August 1966 (10°), 25 August 1991 (1c), 3

September 1988 (10°), 4 September 1988 (10°, 19), 18 September

1981 (1c, 19); Palm Springs, Chino Canyon, elevation 600 m, 22

April 1922, Karl R. Coolidge (19); Palm Village, 5 October 1953

(19); San Diego County, Jacumba, 13 May 1978, John W. Brown

(19); Imperial County, Mountain Springs, In-Ko-Pah Gorge, 28 April

1998, T. Mustelin and N. Bloomfield (19).

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California 3

Figure 1. Acontia lagunae Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov. Holotype male (a), valves (b), aedoeagus with everted vesica (c), bursa copulatrix (d). For

comparison, adult of Acontia flavipennis from Plumas County, California (e), its valves (f), aedoeagus with everted vesica (g); and adult of Acontia abdominalis

from Texas (h), its valves (i), aedoeagus with everted vesica (j).

The holotype and one paratype are in the Los Angeles County

Museum; two paratypes are in the San Diego Natural History Mu-

seum; one paratype is at the University of California at Riverside;

one paratype is in the Canadian National Collection; one paratype is

at the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natural History, and ten

paratypes are in the Leuschner collection. Representative genitalic

slides (88 TM & and 73 TM @) are deposited at the San Diego Natu-

ral History Museum.

Etymology.—We take great pleasure in naming this species in

honor of John W. Brown, an outstanding entomologist, who collected

the only specimen known to date from San Diego County.

Distribution.—Specimens have been collected at low to moder-

ate altitudes (600—1,400 m) on the desert-facing slopes of the In-Ko-

Pah Mountains in southeastern San Diego County and southwestern

Imperial County, and of the Santa Rosa Mountains in Riverside

County, California. The moth probably occurs in similar localities

between these two ranges. Collection dates are from mid-April to

May and August to October, suggesting a bivoltine life cycle. The

larval food plants and immature stages are unknown.

Description.—A medium-sized noctuid. Antenna filiform in both

sexes. Head covered by pale gray hair-like scales, black around eyes

and on dorsal side of labial palp; thorax covered with pale gray hairs,

tegulae with black lateral margin. Wingspan: 33.0 £1.3 mm (n = 12;

range: 31.5—35.5 mm). Forewing length: 15.5-17.5 mm, wing shape

as in other Acronicta species, e.g., A. strigulata. Ground color of fore-

wing pale bluish-gray intermixed with dark gray and brownish scales

giving forewing grainy appearance. Antemedian line missing; postme-

dian line black, thin, incurved between veins and almost disappearing

at middle of wing. Subterminal line missing; terminal line white,

fringes black and white. Orbicular spot missing, reniform spot reduced

to pale black-rimmed triangle. Basal dash black, strong, but outwardly

diffuse; another diffuse and broken black streak from lateral margin at

veins R5 and M1 inward to reniform spot, and third dash near anal

comer crossing postmedian line. Hindwing whitish with some brown-

ish scales towards outer margin, veins dusted with brown, fringe light

brownish-gray and white. Male genitalia (Figures 2b and c): valvae

evenly broad with evenly rounded apex, length 4.1x width, sacculus

prominent, 0.8x length of valva ventrally, curved harpe 1.4% width of

valva, juxta narrow, clavus broader, uncus length equal to width of

valva, tapering. Aedoeagus slightly curved, length 5x width, everted

vesica triangular with 20 to 30 small cornuti distally. Female genitalia

(Figure 2d): ovipositor lobes short and rectangular, weakly sclerotized;

posterior apophyses short, anterior apophyses 1.5x as long and basally

twice as wide; eighth sternite broad and sclerotized, opening of bursa

large, lamella antevaginalis protruding anteriorly from eighth abdomi-

nal segment, ductus bursae half as wide as ovipositor lobes, corpus

bursae proximally 3.5x width of ductus, apex tapering distally to 1.5x

width of ductus; surface smooth, signa absent.

Diagnosis.—A typical member of the genus Acronicta, but nev-

ertheless readily distinguishable by the grainy appearance of the

forewing, the absence of an antemedian line, the relatively weak post-

median line, and the diffuse shape and location of the black dashes,

particularly the long broken dash from below the apex to the reni-

form spot. Acronicta strigulata Smith, which also occurs in southern

California, has a smoother wing color and well-marked, outward

brown-shaded postmedian line and well-defined black dashes, the

one near the apex reaching only to the postmedian line.

Remarks.—Although it is typical of the genus, we have found no

particularly close North American allies for this species. The male geni-

talia are similar to those of Acronicta tridens (Denis and Schiffermiiller),

a Palearctic species, but the harpe is larger and does not have two smaller

branches. We therefore suggest placing A. browni in the systematic list of

Hodges (1983) after Acronicta strigulata, which resembles both

A. browni and A. tridens, giving it number 9231.1.

4 Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

Figure 2. Acronicta browni Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov., and Merolonche australis Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov. Paratype male of Acronicta

browni (a), valves (b), aedoeagus with everted vesica (c), bursa copulatrix (d). Holotype male of Merolonche australis (e), its valves (f), aedoeagus with

everted vesica (g).

Subfamily Acronictinae Smith and Dyar, 1898

Genus Merolonche Grote, 1882

Merolonche australis Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov.

Figures 2e—g

Holotype-—1¢0. CALIFORNIA: San Bernardino County, San

Bernardino Mtns., Sugarloaf Mtn., elevation ca. 2,400 m, 10 June

1994, T. Mustelin.

Paratypes.—19. CALIFORNIA: San Bernardino County, San

Bernardino Mtns., 6 km southeast of Big Bear City, 34.2°N, 116.7°W,

28 June 1998, elevation ca. 2,200 m, 28 and 29 June 1998, R. H.

Leuschner.

The holotype is in the San Diego Natural History Museum; the

paratype is in the Leuschner collection. Genitalic slide number 103

TM of the holotype is deposited at the San Diego Natural History

Museum.

Etymology.—The specific name means “southern” and refers to

the much more southern distribution of this taxon compared to other

members of the genus.

Distribution.—Only two specimens are known. Both are from

high-altitude locations in the coniferous zone of the San Bernardino

Mountains. Both specimens were captured in June. The larval food

plants and immature stages are unknown.

Description.—A medium-sized noctuid. Antenna pectinate in

male, filiform in female. Head covered by flat, white and black hair-

like scales, black streak laterally of eye, labial palp short; thorax cov-

ered with white and black hairs, abdomen by long blackish hairs.

Wingspan: 39 mm (10°), 45 mm (19). Forewing length: 18-21 mm,

wing shape elongated, apex pointed as in other Merolonche species.

Ground color of forewing very pale gray intermixed with black scales

particularly in median field. Antemedian line double, black, serrate;

postmedian line black, incurved between veins. Subterminal line

absent, terminal line black between veins, fringe black and white

checkered. Orbicular spot very small, round, black with white cen-

ter; reniform spot small, black, filled with dark gray. Hindwing whit-

ish with some gray scales towards outer margin, fringe white. Male

genitalia (Figures 2f and g): valve tapering outward, length 2x basal

width, apex bluntly pointed; harpe near apex, straight, length 0.5x

basal width of valva; clavus broad. Aedoeagus short, slightly curved,

length 2.5x width; everted vesica large, sack-like, bilobed with 20 to

30 spines distally.

Diagnosis.—Thoracic vestiture, antennae, wing shape and macu-

lation typical of the genus but this species is easily recognized by its

more extensive blackish maculation, particularly in the median field.

The ground color is pale gray, not white as in Merolonche lupini

from the Sierra Nevada of central California. Also, its postmedian

line is located more distally than in the new species.

Remarks.—This is a typical, but distinct, member of the genus.

We suggest placing it in the systematic list of Hodges (1983) after

Merolonche lupini, giving it number 9275.1.

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California 5

Subfamily Amphipyrinae Guenée, 1841

Genus Apamea Ochsenheimer, 1816

Apamea bernardino Mikkola and Mustelin, sp. nov.

Figures 3a—d

Holotype—\¢. CALIFORNIA, San Bernardino County, Barton

Flats, San Bernardino Mtns., elevation 2,200 m, 10 August 1967,

C. Henne.

Paratypes.—14 specimens (30°, 119): CALIFORNIA, San Ber-

nardino County, same locality as holotype, elevation 2,200—2,330 m,

5-17 August 1941-59, 10 August 1967, C. Henne (20°, 59); same

locality as holotype, 28 July 1953, L. Stunge (10°); Green Canyon,

SW of Baldwin Lake, San Bernardino Mtns., 30 August—5 Septem-

ber 1967, C. Henne (39); Upper Santa Ana River, 18 August 1946, J.

L. Sperry (19); Forest Home, 3 and 18 August 1966, Sperry (29).

The holotype and two paratypes are in the Canadian National Col-

lection; six paratypes are in the Los Angeles County Museum; two

paratypes are at the University of California at Berkeley, and two are in

the Leuschner collection. Representative genitalic slides (95 TM & and

96 TM Q) are deposited at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Distribution.—This species has been found only in the conifer-

ous forest zone of the San Bernardino Mountains in southern Califor-

nia at elevations above 2,000 m, where it is on the wing from late

July to early September. The larval food plants and immature stages

are unknown.

Etymology.—The species name is derived from the type locality.

Description.—A medium-sized noctuid. Male’s antenna as in

most males of Apamea, weakly serrate and ciliated. Palpi covered by

pale buff scales and hairs, laterally also by pale rusty scales. Head

and thorax pale rusty brown, collar medially with pale area, sur-

rounded by blackish line, patagia similarly with dark longitudinal

line. Abdomen pale buff, basally with 34 pale brown tufts, anal tuft

and lateral parts of abdomen pale rosy brown. Wingspan: 40.7 +1.2

mm (n= 12; range 39-42 mm). Forewing length 19-20 mm, mainly

pale rusty brown, antemedial and submarginal fields pale gray with

purplish hue. Wing pattern as in A. /ongula, though median field pos-

teriorly narrower and median dash shorter. Marginal field dark rusty

brown. Submarginal line with weakly defined but deep W-mark,

which has black wedge-shaped marks inward. Basal, subbasal, and

median dashes well-defined, black. Ordinary spots marked with weak

outline, but conspicuous as pale areas against darker background.

Hindwing pale buff with dark veins, dark cloud near outer margin

and slight reddish hue in fringe. Male genitalia (Figures 3b and c):

uncus long and thin, juxta shield-like with relatively broad lateral

appendages. Valva long and slender, except sacculus, which is stout;

ratio of maximum width of sacculus to valva from crista cuculli

Figure 3. Apamea bernardino Mikkola and Mustelin, sp. nov. Paratype male of Apamea bernardino (a), valves (b), aedoeagus with everted vesica (c),

bursa copulatrix (d).

6 Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

around 2.7; dorsal extension of sacculus thumb-like. Cucullus dor-

sally biased; harpe with dorsal bulge, curved upward. Tip of

aedoeagus with spined bulge. Left diverticulum of everted vesica

turning ventrally, with one dorsal and one ventral cornutus, latter

pointing to right; distally on vesica longitudinal pouch, which points

to left. Female genitalia (Figure 3d): papillae anales and both pairs

of apophyses of the general Apamea shape. Ductus bursae with large,

distinct, sclerotized but flexible pouch ventrally, extending to the lev-

els of right diverticulum, which is also flexible; ductus with two lon-

gitudinal pockets, ventrally on left and dorsally on right. Appendix

bursae large and thick with ductus seminalis posteriolaterally. Duc-

tus bursae well-constricted, corpus bursae roundish, tapering anteri-

orly, only slightly larger than posterior part of bursa; signa absent.

Diagnosis.—A medium-sized species confined to the high moun-

tains of southern California. The coloration is reminiscent of Apamea

atrosuffusa (Barnes and McDunnough, 1913), but the maculation

and genitalia indicate a close relationship to A. Jongula (Grote, 1879).

The forewing is narrower than in /ongula, and quite differently col-

ored: at first sight it appears pale rusty brown, but the submarginal

and antemedial fields are light gray with a purplish hue. Unlike A.

atrosuffusa, the strongly crenulate postmedial line is visible all the

way through the wing, and the anal dash is lacking. The median field

usually tapers more toward the posterior margin than in longula and

the median dash thus appears shorter. When faded, the moth is pale

with a conspicuous median dash. The genitalia are as in A. longula

except that the male sacculus is stouter and the pouches of the vesica

are more medially oriented; corresponding differences can be seen in

the female bursa, and the corpus bursae is much smaller.

Remarks.—This taxon was labeled as a new species by

J. Franclemont in the 1950s, but its relationships were only recently

determined. The new species appears reminiscent of A. atrosuffusa,

but the genitalia show that it is closely related to A. /ongula, a south-

western disjunction of the latter. In the checklist of Hodges (1983),

this taxon should be placed after A. Jongula as number 9383.1.

Genus Apamea Ochsenheimer, 1816

Apamea gabrieli Mikkola and Mustelin, sp. nov.

Figures 4a—e

Holotype.—1¢&. CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles County, San

Gabriel Mtns., Big Pines Area, elevation 2,260 m, 21 July 1966, C.

Henne.

Paratypes.—S specimens (40°, 19): CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles

County, same locality and collector as holotype, 17 July 1966 (1c);

same data, elevation 2,230 m, July 1963 (19); San Bernardino

County, Lake Arrowhead, 16 July 1956, N. McFarland (10°); San

Bernardino Mtns., SW of Baldwin Lake, Gren Canyon, elevation

2,530 m, 30 August 1967, C. Henne (10°); Big Bear Lake, elevation

2,230 m, 6 August 1978, R. H. Leuschner (1¢).

The holotype and one paratype are in the Canadian National Col-

lection; three paratypes are in the Los Angeles County Museum; one

paratype is in the Zoological Museum, Helsinki, and four paratypes

are in the Leuschner collection. Representative genitalic slides (98

TM Cand 100 TM 9) are deposited at the San Diego Natural History

Museum.

Distribution.—This species has been observed only in the San

Gabriel and San Bernardino Mtns. of southern California, where it

flies at elevations of more than 2,000 m. The earliest date known is

16 July and the latest 30 August. The larval food plants and immature

stages are unknown.

Etymology.—From the saint name for the type locality.

Description.—A larger than average noctuid. Male antenna den-

tate and bifasciculate. Wingspan: male 40.5-48.5 mm (n = 4), female

48.5 mm (n = 1). Forewing length: 20—22.5 mm, evenly pale brown-

ish-red, paler as well as softer and more weakly marked than in

A. scoparia, reniform stigma weaker, being outward pale buff, not

white, and merging inward with the ground color. Of the orbicular spot

and the transverse lines, at most weak traces are visible. Hindwing

uniformly pale buff, with very little marginal suffusion, the veins dark,

fringe usually clearly reddish. Male genitalia (Figures 4a and b): valva

as in A. Jateritia, (Figure 4g). Uncus wide, subapically slightly wid-

ened, tends to be stouter than in A. lateritia. Dorsal corner of penicillum

produced, possibly more so than in A. Jateritia, shield-like juxta with

anterior bulge and indentation posteriorly. Dorsal extension of valva

obliquely flat, valva long and slender. Ampulla long and thin, editum

long and low. Digitus stout, tapering, arising in right angles from cen-

tral sclerite. Cucullus large, slightly dorsally biased, with full corona

and pollex. Aedoeagus with apical bulge equipped with stout spines.

Everted vesica with basal bulge pointing posteriorly (in /ateritia

apically to left) and with one dorsal and one ventral cornutus, which

point posteriorly (in /ateritia these tend to point sideward or even ante-

riorly). On right there is a smaller ventral bulge. Female genitalia (Fig-

ure 4e): Corpus bursae similar to A. scoparia, but there is a distinct

ventral bulge centrally where ductus bursae ends, and corpus bursae is

more tapering on the left side; signa absent.

Diagnosis.—A larger than average noctuid with evenly pale

brownish red forewing with little maculation. The taxon is closely

related to Apamea scoparia, sp. nov., described below. The forewing

color of A. gabrieli is considerably paler; the maculation is even more

obscure, and the hindwing much lighter than in A. scoparia, termi-

nally only weakly fuscous. Both A. gabrieli and A. scoparia are

closely related to the Palearctic A. lateritia (Hufnagel, 1766), which

is essentially indistinguishable from A. scoparia in external appear-

ance (see Remarks under A. scoparia). Figure 4 illustrates all three.

Remarks.—This and the following species are very closely re-

lated. This is an exceptional case where there are no striking genitalic

differences between two allopatric taxa, but they are interpreted as

distinct species because of very clear-cut color differences in both

wings. Males of both North American species can, however, be dis-

tinguished from A. lateritia based on the presence of coremata (Fig-

ure 4c), which are absent in males of A. Jateritia (Figure 41).

Genus Apamea Ochsenheimer, 1816

Apamea scoparia Mikkola, Mustelin, and Lafontaine, sp. nov.

Figures 4j and k

Holotype-—1¢0. CANADA, Ontario, Ottawa, 19 June 1899.

Paratypes.—34 specimens (230°, 119): CANADA, Ontario,

Marmora; Thunder Bay Area; Ottawa; Larder Lake; Lake Abitibi;

E. Ontario; Ogoki; Black Sturgeon Lake; Trenton; Belleville; Emo

(140, 89); Quebec, Aylmer; Bradore Bay; Norway Bay; Forestville;

Natashquan; Knowlton (60°, 29); COLORADO, Summit County,

Copper Mtn., elevation ca. 3,000 m, July 17, 1995, T. Mustelin (19);

Aurora, 27 July 1972, R. H. Leuschner (16°); Routt County, Yampa

Camp, below Rabbit Ears Pass, 13 July 1955, R. H. Leuschner (1¢).

The holotype and twenty-nine paratypes are in the Canadian Na-

tional Collection; two paratypes are in the Zoological Museum,

Helsinki; one paratype is at the San Diego Natural History Museum,

and two paratypes are in the Mustelin collection. Representative geni-

talic slides (99 TM Q) are deposited at the San Diego Natural History

Museum.

Distribution.—This is one of the most common, even if not abun-

dant, and widely distributed species of Apamea of North America; it

occurs from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia,

Northwest Territories and Alaska, in South Dakota and New Jersey,

south to central California, Arizona, and Colorado. In the south the

species flies at elevations of 2,000—3,000 m. It is on the wing from

late June to late August.

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California

snsvaopar ‘(5) Saale

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8 Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

Etymology.—The specific name means “with brushes” and is

derived from scopa, Latin for “brush.”

Description.—Larger than average noctuid. Male antenna dentate

and bifasciculate. Forewing uniformly brick-colored with weak pat-

tern; reniform distinct, with whitish lining outward, inward more

smoothly gliding to background color; orbicular obscure, antemedian

and postmedian lines hardly visible, except by blackish vein points,

subterminal line indistinct pale spots. Terminal line double, blackish

and luteous, fringe suffuse, weakly spotted. Hindwing suffuse, with

darker veins and obscure central lunule, basally only weakly paler,

fringe weakly reddish. Under surface of wings pale with dark central

spot on hindwing and clear postmedian lines on both wings. Male geni-

talia: As in A. gabrieli. Female genitalia (Figure 4k): Papillae anales

of general Apamea structure. Ostium bursae wide, ductus bursae nar-

rower medially (in A. /ateritia ostium is narrower and ductus parallel-

sided). Flexible diverticulum in corpus bursae on right, appendix bur-

sae flexible with ductus seminalis in extreme posterior corner. Corpus

bursae medially well constricted (less so in A. lateritia); bursa sack

roundish (more tapering in A. lateritia); signa absent.

Diagnosis.—A relatively large member of the genus with dull

brick-red forewing. In outer appearance, this taxon is hardly distin-

guishable from the Eurasian Apamea lateritia (Hufnagel), the name

that has been applied to the North American species also from the mid-

nineteenth century. There are, however, small differences in appear-

ance and in the male genitalia, which originally arouse suspicions about

the status of the taxon. Single female specimens cannot be conclu-

sively determined, but males can be distinguished from A. lateritia by

the presence of coremata, the hair brushes at the base of the abdomen

(compare Figures 4c and 41). These are discussed below.

Remarks—This taxon is very closely related to A. lateritia but dif-

fers sufficiently in a number of structural characters. The presence of

coremata in the males warrants status as a separate species. These

coremata are also present in A. gabrieli (Figure 4c). The coremata in

A. scoparia are present at the base of the abdomen in complete paired

form, i.e., with Dufour’s glands medially, the levers and hair brushes in

the posterior margin of the second segment, and pockets for the hair

brushes in the third and fourth segments. Their presence or absence 1s

considered a specific character since these organs are connected with

sex-pheromone production and are important for copulatory ability of

the male. The freshly everted coremata produce a strong scent easily

perceived even by the human nose giving associations somewhere

between vinegar and carrots (Mikkola, unpublished).

Genus Aseptis McDunnough, 1937

Aseptis murina Mustelin, sp. nov.

Figures 5a—d

Holotype —1&. CALIFORNIA: San Diego County, Inaja Picnic

ground, elevation 1,000 m, 9 July 1997, leg. T. Mustelin (10).

Paratypes.—14 specimens (90, 59): CALIFORNIA: San Diego

County, same locality and collector, 9 July 1997 (60°, 19); Laguna

Mtns., elevation ca. 1,700 m, 28 July 1995, T. Mustelin (19); 2 mi S of

Lake Henshaw, elevation ca. 1,000 m, 15 August 1998, T. Mustelin

(19); Mount Palomar, elevation ca. 1,600 m, 8-13 August 1999, T.

Mustelin and N. Bloomfield (19); Miramar Airstation, elevation ca.

100 m, 18 July 1996, leg. N. Bloomfield (20); Riverside County, Pin-

yon Crest, 5 June 1987, leg. K. M. Leuschner (19); Santa Barbara

County, San Marcus Pass, 22 July 1965, leg. S. Buckett (1 &).

The holotype and three paratypes are in the San Diego Natural

History Museum; one paratype is in the Canadian National Collec-

tion; one paratype is at the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natural

History, and the balance are in the Leuschner and Mustelin collec-

tions. Representative genitalic slides (53 TM & and 70 TM Q) are

deposited at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Distribution.—Records for this taxon are from southern Califor-

nia, including localities in southern San Diego County, and as far

north as Santa Barbara County. It flies at elevations of 100 to 2,000 m

in coastal chaparral, foothills, and in the higher mountains.

Etymology.—The specific name refers to the mouselike fuzzy

gray coloration of the species.

Description.—Antenna filiform in both sexes. Head dark brown-

ish-gray, antennal scape and labial palp concolorous with lighter tips.

Thorax covered by dark brownish-gray hairs, patagia raised, venter

concolorous. Abdomen dorsally and ventrally concolorous, whitish

hair pencil on basoventral side of abdomen. Wingspan 40.0 £1.0 mm

(n = 12; range 39-42 mm). Forewing length 18.5—20 mm, broad,

triangular as in Aseptis ethnica (Smith 1899), ground color evenly

mouse gray with fine black dusting, costal edge cream-colored.

Antemedian line indicated by some dark scales or missing altogether;

postmedian line present as a row of dark dots on veins; subterminal

line serrated, pale, weak, or missing; orbicular spot indicated by few

dark scales or missing; reniform spot diffuse, large, filled with dark

gray scales, usually most prominent feature on wing. Hindwing deep

brownish-gray, lighter than forewing at base, darkening to forewing

color or darker at half the distance to outer margin, outer edge with

indentation at vein M2. Sexes similar. Male genitalia (Figures 5b

and c): Valve straight, width equal from base to cucullus, aedoeagus

short and wide, length 2.5x width, everted vesica an oval sack, length

similar to aedoeagus, width 0.5x length. Slender, sharp spine from

distal end of vesica pointing towards aedoeagus, length equal to width

of vesica. Female genitalia (Figure 5d): Ovipositor lobes pointed,

length 1.5x width and with prominent spines, posterior apophyses

very long and narrow, anterior apophyses 0.5x as long, ductus bursae

with distal constriction, corpus bursae with constriction at one-fifth

of length from ductus, length of corpus bursae 2.5x maximal width,

oval, surface smooth; signa absent.

Diagnosis.—A broad-winged noctuid reminiscent of Aseptis

ethnica (Smith), with which it is sympatric in southern California. It

differs from that species by being grayer with more diffuse macula-

tion, by having a cream-colored anterior forewing edge, by having

darker hindwings, and in the structure of the male genitalia. A. murina

is sympatric with A. ethnica at higher altitudes in southern California

but also flies in coastal lowlands, where A. ethnica does not occur.

Figure 5 shows both species.

Remarks.—There is very little variation in this species, although

the cream-colored forewing edge is much more clearly defined in

fresh specimens and tends to disappear in worn specimens. A. murina

flies with A. ethnica at higher altitudes, and with A. ferruginea (de-

scribed below) at moderate altitudes in San Diego County, but also at

lower elevations than either of the two other species. Since all three

species show little intraspecific variation, they are easily distin-

guished from each other on the basis of general appearance. Geni-

talic structure, however, suggests that A. murina and A. ethnica are

closely related. The main difference is in the shape of the cucullus,

which is less pointed and turned more laterally in A. murina. Since

A. murina is closely related to A. ethnica, we suggest placing it after

this species in the systematic order. In the list by Hodges (1983), it

will become 9531.1.

Genus Aseptis McDunnough, 1937

Aseptis ferruginea Mustelin, sp. nov.

Figures 5e—h

Holotype.—10. CALIFORNIA: San Diego County, Wynola,

elevation 1,000 m, 9 July 1997, leg. T. Mustelin.

Paratypes.—15 specimens (90, 69): CALIFORNIA: San Diego

County, same locality, date, and collector; Kitchen Creek Road,

Laguna Mtns., elevation ca. 1,700 m, 16 July 1998, L. Kaila (20);

9

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California

ad

AJOPOY ap

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duos 10.5 (Yy) xLAv[Ndood sing ‘(3) VOISIA PrJOAd YIM snBvaopar *

SaaqRA ‘(B) DULINU SUdasy Jo a]RU adAJO[OH “(YNWUS) VIIUYIA SIIdasy pure

(J) SOATRA

“aou ‘ds ‘uljaysnyyy Dauisnisaf sudasy “aou “ds ‘

“(f) sn3vaopor pur soayPa sit pure ‘(1) poiuyja sydasy Jo ayeul

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10 Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

Boulevard/Manzanita, elevation ca. 1,200 m, 10 June 1979 (29), 30

June 1979 (1o&%), 12 July 1979 (10), R. Meissner; McCain Valley,

Sacatone Spring, elevation ca. 1,300 m, 25 July 1998, T. Mustelin

(1c); 2 mi S of Lake Henshaw, elevation ca. 1,000 m, 15 August

1998, T. Mustelin (10°); 2 mi NE of Julian, elevation ca. 1,300 m, 15-

17 August 1998 (307, 39); Pine Valley, 1 August 1927, Kelsey (19).

The holotype and five paratypes are in the San Diego Natural

History Museum; two paratypes are in the Los Angeles County Mu-

seum; two paratypes are in the Canadian National Collection; two

paratypes are in the Zoological Museum, Helsinki, and the balance

are in the Mustelin collection. Representative genitalic slides (56 TM

Co and 92 TM Q) are deposited at the San Diego Natural History

Museum.

Distribution.—This taxon is presently known only from a small

area surrounding the higher mountains of San Diego County, Cali-

fornia, mostly below the coniferous forest zone at altitudes of 1,000

to 1,800 m. The localities vary from oak forest to mountain—desert

transition zone habitats. Records are from early June to mid-August.

Etymology.—The specific name refers to the rusty color of the

species.

Description.—Antenna filiform in both sexes. Head dark brown-

ish-gray, antennal scapes and labial palps concolorous with inter-

mixed lighter scales. Thorax covered by dark brownish-gray hairs,

patagia raised, laterally paler, venter dark-gray. Abdomen dorsally

and ventrally dark brownish-gray, whitish hair pencil on basoventral

side of abdomen. Wingspan 36.4 +0.5 mm (n = 6; range 35.5—37

mm). Forewing length 17-19 mm, broad, triangular as in Aseptis

ethnica (Smith 1899), ground color red-brown, veins black, three

cream-colored and black spots on costal margin, four smaller cream-

colored spots distally. Antemedian and postmedian lines missing,

subterminal line serrate, thin, cream-colored, area beyond paler

ground color, fringe brown. Orbicular and reniform spots brown and

diffuse, reniform spot with blackish outline. Hindwing evenly glis-

tening pale brownish-gray. Sexes similar. Male genitalia (Figures 5f

and g): Valve straight, width equal from base to cucullus, shorter than

in A. murina and A. ethnica, outer margin of cucullus straight.

Aedoeagus short and wide, length 2.5x width, everted vesica as in

A. murina. Female genitalia (Figure 5h): Ovipositor lobes pointed,

length 1.8x width and with prominent spines, posterior apophyses

very long and narrow, anterior apophyses 1.8x as long, ductus bursae

with distal constriction, corpus bursae with constriction at one-third

of length from ductus bursae, length of corpus bursae 2.2x maximal

width, oval, surface smooth; signa absent.

Diagnosis.—A broad-winged noctuid similar to A. ethnica, from

which it differs by being less robust, slightly less broad-winged, by

having a reddish tone, and in the structure of the male genitalia. In

the new species the valve is shorter, straight, and rectangular with a

straight perpendicular apex. In A. ethnica, the valve is more curved

dorsally and the apex is oblique and pointed dorsally. Also, the harpe

is differently shaped; it is evenly curved in A. ethnica and points

dorsally, while in A. ferruginea it is S-shaped and points more later-

ally. A. ferruginea is sympatric with both A. ethnica and A. murina in

southern California. Figure 5 shows all three species.

Remarks.—The discovery of A. ferruginea was not anticipated, but

in hindsight the species is very distinct and displays minimal variation.

The specimens of A. ferruginea used for dissections as comparative

material for A. murina were initially thought to represent a reddish

form of A. ethnica. However, we obtained the genitalic slide of the

holotype male of A. ethnica (courtesy of Dr. J. W. Brown), and it be-

came clear that A. ethnica had different male genitalia compared to the

reddish taxon. With this new information, it became relatively easy to

segregate A. ferruginea from the series of darker specimens more

closely resembling the holotype of A. ethnica. Dissection of these

darker (not reddish) specimens showed that they had a genitalic struc-

ture essentially identical to the holotype of A. ethnica. Thus, the two

species are sympatric in the mountains of southern California, although

A. ethnica is more common at higher elevations in the coniferous for-

est zone while A. ferruginea prefers the oak forests at somewhat lower

altitudes. Fresh specimens of the two species are easily segregated

based on the reddish tone and black veins of A. ferruginea. The forew-

ing of A. ethnica is darker, more yellowish-brown and the veins are

marked only by a row of dark spots at the postmedian line. The valves

of the two species have different shapes; brushing off the scales on the

tip of the abdomen reveals this difference. Considering genitalic mor-

phology, we conclude that A. ferruginea is not as closely related to

A. ethnica as to A. murina. We suggest placing A. ferruginea after

A. murina in the systematic order. In the list by Hodges (1983), it will

become 9531.2.

Genus Aseptis McDunnough, 1937

Aseptis pseudolichena Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov.

Figures 6a—d

Holotype.—1¢0. CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles County, East Fork

of Woodwardia Camp, San Gabriel Mtns., elevation 762 m, ex. larva

collected 8 December 1946 on Ribes malvaceum, emerged 28 Janu-

ary 1947, leg. C. Henne.

Paratypes.—149 specimens: CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles

County, type locality and collector, emerged from 1 February 1947 to

5 April 1947 (So, 49); Burbank, 12 May 1961, R. H. Leuschner

(19); Placerita Canyon, 610 m, 24 May 1974, R. H. Leuschner (10,

19); Bouquet Canyon, 25 May 1957, R. H. Leuschner (10); Bouquet

Canyon, 31 May to 14 June 1937, L.M. Martin and Nils Westerland

(15); Mt. Lowe, 6—12 June 1928, ex. C. Hill coll. (1); San Bernardino

County, Camp O-ongo, Running Springs, elevation 920 m, 7 August

1965, 31 August 1967, leg. C. L. Hogue (10°, 29); Crestline, San

Bernardino Mtns., 23 July 1955, M. Douglas (10°); Angelus Oaks,

elevation 1,798 m, 26 July 1980, 16 August 1991 R. H. Leuschner

(30); Rimforest, elevation 1,707 m, 11 July 1959, R. H. Leuschner

(1&); Blue Jay, near Lake Arrowhead, 11 July 1956, N. McFarland

(30, 19); Fallsvale, San Bernardino Mtns., 18 June 1960, D. S. Ver-

ity (10, 29); Riverside County, Pinyon Crest, elevation 1,280 m, 3

June 1966, R. H. Leuschner (10); Soboda Hot Springs, 16 June 1947,

C. W. Kirkwood and leg. R. H. Reid (2); Orange County, Santa Ana

Mtns., Silverado Canyon, elevation ca. 1,500 m, 11 June 1979, G.A.

Marsh (19); San Diego County, 1 mi N of Mt. Laguna, 21 June 1968,

G. Gorelick (1); San Diego, 8 June 1921, E. Piazza, ex. C. Hill coll.

(has second label: “Bryomima sp., probably new, HGD” Dyar?) (1);

Pine Valley, 4 June 1928, F. W. Kelsey (genitalic slide number 31 TM

1o°); Laguna Mtns., elevation 1,676—1,829 m, 9 May 1997, 20 June

1997, 27 June 1998, T. Mustelin and N. Bloomfield (18); Pine Valley,

elevation 1,555 m, 9 May 1997, T. Mustelin and N. Bloomfield (1);

Kitchen Creek, elevation 1,372 m, 20 June 1997, T. Mustelin and N.

Bloomfield (6); Kern County, 2.5 mi N of Greenhorn Summit, eleva-

tion 1,555 m, Kern County, 3 July to 7 September 1982-84, R. J.

Ford (65); Tehachapi Mtn. Park, 20 July 1963, J. Lane (1); Shirley

Meadows, Greenhorn Mtns., elevation 2,134 m, 1 July 1940, C.

Henne (1); Tulare County, North Fork Tule River, 6 mi N of

Springville, elevation 549 m, 29 July 1982 (2); Sequoia National

Park, 19 August 1940, C. Henne (10°); Toulumne County, Yosemite,

elevation 1,158—1,219 m, 14 June 1931 (19); Kennedy Meadows, 9

August 1958, T. W. Davies (19); Yosemite National Park, Camp 19,

15 July 1937, F. L. Cramer (second label: “McD needs’), (third label:

“Andropolia lichena B and McD., Det. Dr. J. Mcdunnough”), (fourth

label: “Probably misplaced in ““Andropolia” - McD”) (19).

The holotype and 114 paratypes are in the Los Angeles County

Museum; 20 paratypes are in the San Diego Natural History Mu-

seum; 2 paratypes are at the University of California at Riverside; 4

paratypes are in the Canadian National Collection; 4 paratypes are at

the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natural History; 2 paratypes

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California

“(y)

“(q)

*(1) BOISOA POLIAAD YIM SnSvaopse

apiand “y JO SQATPA ay} pur “(3) LOISAA PALIOAS YIM sNBeaoper pur (J) SAATBA S}I ‘(9) DUAYII] “VY JO aTeUL ‘uosuedutos J0.J “(p) xEVe[Ndoo es.inq ‘(9) BIISAA Pa}JoAd YIIM sndvaopoe

soaye

A

(e

)

puayayopnasd sudasy Jo a[eut adAjO[OH ‘(19YOaNS) aviavd y pue ‘(CoN pur “q) DUayi] “y “AOU ‘ds ‘rauyosneq pure urlasnyy| Puayayopnasd sudasy “9 ains1{

are in the Zoological Museum, Helsinki, and the balance are in the

Leuschner and Mustelin collections. Representative genitalic slides

(30 TM & and 91 TM Q) are deposited at the San Diego Natural

History Museum.

Distribution.—This species has been widely collected in south-

ern and central California, including many different localities from

San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and north

to Tuolumne County. The moth seems to fly in many different habi-

tats at moderate to high altitude in southern California, including

open pine and oak forest, open areas with grass and scrub, and foot-

hill chaparral. The species can be locally abundant with tens of speci-

mens attracted to a black light at night. The flight period seems to be

from early May into August, with a tendency for later flight periods

at higher elevations and in central California. Larva has been raised

on gooseberry (Ribes).

Etymology.—The specific name refers to the confusion with

Andropolia lichena.

Description.—Medium-sized noctuid. Antenna filiform in both

sexes. Head pale greenish-tan with dark-brown stripe in front of eye,

labial palps and antennal scape pale ochreous with few dark-brown

scales. Thorax covered by pale greenish-tan hairs, venter paler ochre-

ous. Abdomen pale greenish-tan, venter paler. Wingspan 33.2 +1.2

mm (n= 14; range 30.5—35 mm). Forewing length 15—17 mm, ground

color varying from pale greenish-tan to darker gray, with darker gray

and black markings and dusting especially near wing base and in

outer part of median field. Antemedian and postmedian lines double,

brown, and serrate. Subterminal line distinct, lighter than ground

color. Orbicular round and filled with ground color; reniform black-

ringed and with dark gray center. Area beyond reniform devoid of

darker scales and forming pale patch, in some specimens having more

ochreous scales. Terminal lunules black, fringe tan with some black

scales. Hindwing brown, with indentation at vein M2 typical of ge-

nus. Fringe tan. Male genitalia (Figures 6b and c): Valve short and

broad, ventral margin weakly concave, dorsal margin with clear ven-

tral angle, cucullus triangular with apical nipple, harpe finger-like

hook. Aedoeagus short and broad, everted vesica short and sack-like,

curved at right angle from aedoeagus, width 1.5x that of aedoeagus,

length equal to that of vesica, prominent distal spine pointing to-

wards aedoeagus, length of spine equal to width of aedoeagus. Fe-

male genitalia (Figure 6d): Ovipositor lobes pointed, oval, with

spines except at apex, anterior and posterior apophyses equal in width

and length; ductus bursae with distal sclerotized area around which

appendix curves, corpus bursae oval, width 2x length, surface

smooth; signa absent.

Diagnosis.—This new taxon is recognized by its tan to olive-

gray ground color overlaid by dark maculation, pale area distal of the

reniform spot, and the indentation and fold on the hindwing at vein

M2. This maculation and hindwing morphology, as well as the geni-

talic structure, is typical of the genus Aseptis. Superficially,

A. pseudolichena is closest to A. catalina (Smith), but on the basis of

genitalic structure, A. pseudolichena is closer to A. paviae (Strecker)

(Figure 6h). In collections, Aseptis pseudolichena has often been con-

fused with Andropolia lichena Barnes and McDunnough (Figures

6e-g), which we also transfer to Aseptis (see below).

Remarks.—This species has been confused with A. lichena, which

was described and illustrated in black and white (Figure 11 on Plate

II) by Barnes and McDunnough (1912). Although quite similar in

overall maculation, Aseptis pseudolichena 1s distinct from that spe-

cies and usually considerably paler in coloration. On the basis of

overall maculation, hindwing structure, and, particularly, genitalic

similarities, A. pseudolichena belongs in the genus Aseptis, not in

Andropolia. In fact, Andropolia lichena is misplaced in Andropolia,

as it shows a much stronger affinity for Aseptis (see below). Superfi-

2 Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

cially, A. pseudolichena seems closely related to Aseptis catalina

(Smith), but based on genitalic structure, particularly of the everted

vesica, A. pseudolichena is more similar to A. paviae, which has a

slightly more elongated vesica, but a very similar long spine from its

distal end (Figure 6i). Other species of Aseptis also share this single

long spine (Figure 6), but some species; e.g., Aseptis fumosa (Grote)

and Aseptis pausis (Smith), have a second shorter spine more proxi-

mally. From the latter species, A. pseudolichena is best recognized

by the somewhat broader wing shape, the more diffuse maculation,

the larger and more prominent pale area terminal to the reniform

spot, and several details of the dark markings. In the systematic or-

der, as published by Hodges (1983), we propose placing Aseptis

pseudolichena after A. pavioae as number 9534.1.

Aseptis lichena Barnes and McDunnough, new combination

Figures 6e—g

As discussed above, Aseptis lichena is a close relative of the new

A. pseudolichena; it has the characteristic notch at vein M2 of the

genus Aseptis, as defined by McDunnough (1937). This feature was

overlooked by Barnes and McDunnough in their original description

of the species only because the type is a female and therefore has a

much less pronounced notch. A. lichena also has valves of the gen-

eral Aseptis type and the long solitary spine on the vesica found in

most species of Aseptis.

Genus Orthomoia Mustelin, gen. nov.

Etymology.—The name is derived from “ortho-,” meaning

“straight” (from the shape of the valva), and “-moia” by analogy to

Xylomoia. The name is feminine.

Description. Antenna filiform in both sexes. Eyes naked. Head

small, covered with narrow scales; frons smooth. Thorax wide and

rounded, dorsally covered in flat and narrow scales, ventrally in hair-

like scales. Abdomen dorsally covered in flat scales, ventrally in short

hair-like scales. Legs with tibial spines as in tribe Apameini; hair

tufts absent. Forewing short and rounded. Hindwing with trifid

veination. Male genitalia (Figures 7b and c): Valve narrow and

straight, cucullus dorsally pointed, harpe curved, aedoeagus slender,

everted vesica of similar diameter, length equal to aedoeagus, slightly

curved and with small cornuti at mid-length. Female genitalia (Fig-

ures 6b and c): Ovipositor lobe triangular, length 2x width, eighth

sternite wide, length 0.3x width, ductus bursae tapering, length 3x

length of ovipositor lobe, corpus bursae with constriction at one-

third of length from ductus bursae, length 2.3x maximal width, oval,

surface smooth; signa absent.

Diagnosis.—This new genus is superficially similar to Xylomoia

Staudinger but differs quite significantly from that genus in overall

structure of the male genitalia. Most notably, the valves are straight

instead of being ventrally curved as in all species of Xylomoia, as dis-

cussed in a recent generic revision (Mikkola, 1998). The genus is pres-

ently monotypic, the species being Orthomoia bloomfieldi Mustelin,

sp. nov., described below. This species is superficially close to

Xylomoia didonea (Smith) and Xylomoia chagnoni Barnes and

McDunnough, with which it shares the prominent and outcurved post-

median line and size, although it is more robust and has broader and

rounder forewings. Moreover, the clearly different morphology of the

male genitalia suggests that the resemblance of the new species to

Xylomoia may be only superficial. Thus, it would likely be incorrect to

place the new species in Xylomoia. We have therefore erected the new

genus Orthomoia to avoid erroneous assumptions of close relatedness.

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California 13

Orthomoia bloomfieldi Mustelin, sp. nov.

Figure 7

Holotype.—\¢0. CALIFORNIA, San Diego County, Miramar

Airstation, 4 May 1997, leg. N. Bloomfield.

Paratypes.—3 specimens (290", 29): CALIFORNIA, San Diego

County, Miramar Airstation, 1 May 1998 (10°), 4 May 1997 (1o°), 10

May 1998 (10°), 17 May 1998 (40°), 24 May 1998 (60°), 8 June 1998

(70°, 29), 20 June 1998 (80°), N. Bloomfield; Torrey Pines State Park,

31 May 1969, leg. R. H. Leuschner (10°).

The holotype and ten paratypes are in the San Diego Natural His-

tory Museum; two paratypes are in the Canadian National Collec-

tion; two paratypes are at the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natu-

ral History; two paratypes are in the Zoological Museum, Helsinki,

and the balance are in the Leuschner and Mustelin collections. Rep-

resentative genitalic slides (94 TM & and 97 TM 9) are deposited at

the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Distribution.—This taxon is currently known from only two lo-

calities in San Diego, California, both on the coastal plateau within a

few miles of the Pacific Ocean. The majority (thirty-one of thirty-

two) is from one of these localities, a riparian corridor through chap-

arral in San Clemente Canyon, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

The moth flies during May and June. Food plants and immature

stages are unknown.

Etymology.—We take great pleasure in naming this species for

Norris Bloomfield, who collected the type specimen and thirty of the

thirty-one paratypes.

Description.—Smaller than average noctuid. Antenna filiform in

both sexes. Head small, covered with narrow gray-brown and pale

tan scales. Thorax covered in gray-brown and pale tan scales, venter

and legs concolorous with thorax. Abdomen dorsally and ventrally

concolorous with thorax. Wingspan: 23-24 mm (n = 2). Forewing

Figure 7. Orthomoia bloomfieldi Mustelin, gen. nov. and sp. nov. Paratype

male (a), valves (b), aedoeagus with everted vesica (c), bursa copulatrix (d).

length 12.5-13 mm, ground color gray-brown with slight greenish

hue. Basal dash dark and antemedian line weak, pale gray, laterally

black-rimmed; median field with variable dark bar from antemedian

to postmedian line; orbicular and reniform spots faintly outlined in

dark and filled with barely paler scales than ground color; postme-

dian line white or pale gray, medially black-rimmed, outcurved close

to outer forewing margin; subterminal space darker with three pale

gray patches near apex and at veins Cul and Cu2. Ventral side of both

wings paler with prominent dark discal spots and median lines. Male

genitalia (Figures 7b and c): As for genus. Female genitalia (Figures

6b and c): As for genus.

Diagnosis.—A relatively small noctuid reminiscent of Xylomoia

didonea (Smith) and X. chagnoni Barnes and McDunnough, neither

of which occurs in southern California. Orthomoia bloomfieldi has a

rounder forewing apex, a more robust body, and also differs in macu-

lation. It lacks the brownish tint of the Xy/omoia species and has a

pronounced curved pale postmedian line, which is the most promi-

nent feature of the forewing maculation.

Remarks.—This species is placed after X. chagnoni in the sys-

tematic list in Hodges (1983) and given the number 9433.1.

Subfamily Hadeninae

Genus Lacinipolia McDunnough, 1937

Lacinipolia subalba Mustelin, sp. nov.

Figure 8

Holotype.—|10. CALIFORNIA: San Diego County, south rim of

Los Pefiasquitos Canyon, elevation 76 m, 4 October 1997, leg.

T. Mustelin.

Paratypes.—45 specimens (310°, 149): CALIFORNIA, San Di-

ego County, same locality and collector as holotype, 23 September

1996 (10°), 26 September 1997 (10°), 22 September 1997 (10°), 5

October 1997 (10°), 12 October 1998 (10°), 13 October 1998 (19), 17

October 1998 (10°, 19), 8 October 1999 (10°), 11 October 1999 (10°),

19 October 1999 (10°); Miramar Airstation, 22 September (1), 1

October 1996 (20°, 39), 5 October 1996 (10°, 19), 7 October 1996

(1h), 9 October 1996 (50°, 19), 13 October 1996 (30%, 39), 15 Octo-

ber 1996 (20°), 18 October 1996 (10°), N. Bloomfield; La Mesa, 1

October 1956, A. A. Lee (19); San Diego, [no date], W. S. Wright

(40°, 39); Orange County, Rancho Mission Viejo, 28 September—3

October 1999, N. Bloomfield (20).

The holotype and twenty paratypes are in the San Diego Natural

History Museum; four paratypes are in the Los Angeles County

Museum; four paratypes are in the Canadian National Collection;

four paratypes are at the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natural

History, and the balance are in the Leuschner and Mustelin collec-

tions. Representative genitalic slides (19 TM & and 87 TM 9) are

deposited at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Etymology.—The specific name refers to the pure white hind-

wings of the male. It also means “less than white,” referring to the

soiled white hindwings of the female.

Description.—Smaller than average noctuid. Antenna bifascicu-

late in males, filiform in females. Eye hairy. Head, including labial

palp and antennal scape, covered with pale gray scales with white tips,

labial palp darker laterally, black scales in front of eye, collar pale

steel-gray with black transverse line. Thorax covered with pale steel-

gray scales, patagia with black scales laterally, venter paler gray. Ab-

domen pale gray with whitish tufts dorsally at base, venter paler.

Forewing length: 11.5-14 mm, narrow, ground color pale steel-gray

with some very pale brown scales in median field; basal dash black;

antemedian line weak, dark-gray and does not reach posterior edge of

wing; postmedian line black, thin, outwards lined with white, touches

reniform spot, upper half very weak or missing, turns inward under

14 Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

Figure 8. Lacinipolia subalba Mustelin, sp. nov. Holotype male (a), valves (b), aedoeagus with everted vesica (c), paratype female (d), bursa copulatrix

(e). For comparison, valves of Lacinipolia pensilis (f), Lacinipolia vicina (g), and Lacinipolia illaudabilis.

vein Cu2; subterminal line a row of dark gray dots between veins with

white dot under vein Cu2; area between postmedian line and subtermi-

nal line paler than rest of wing under vein Cu2; terminal line black,

broken at veins, rimmed with white; fringe gray. Orbicular spot round,

large, outlined in black, filled with ground color or paler gray; reni-

form spot outlined in black, filled with ground color or paler gray,

lower portion diffusely darker gray; claviform spot outlined in black.

Male hindwing white with thin brown terminal line, veins with brown

dusting in some specimens. Female hindwing pale gray darkening to-

wards outer margin. Male genitalia (Figures 8b and c): Valve basally

broad, ventrally convex, distal third narrowing to 0.25x basal width

forming narrow neck, apex broadening to rounded triangle 0.7x as

broad as base of valve; harpe square-shaped at center of valve, saccular

extension with two finger-like projections. Aedoeagus smooth with

distal crown of spines; vesica 3x length of aedoeagus, spiral-shaped,

proximal width equal to aedoeagus, distal third tapered. Female geni-

talia (Figure 8e): Ovipositor lobes pointed, triangular; anterior apo-

physes thin and long; ductus bursae with proximal sclerotized area,

length 5x width, width 2x width of ovipositor lobe; corpus bursae

round, sack-like, width 2.5x width of ductus bursae, surface smooth,

signa absent, appendix bursae large and curved.

Diagnosis.—A noctuid belonging to the Lacinipolia vicina

(Grote) group, the new taxon is particularly closely related to

L. pensilis (Grote) but differs from it in lacking all brown tones and

instead having a pale steel-gray ground color and pure white

hindwings in males. The species is generally smaller and has nar-

rower forewings than other related species of Lacinipolia. It also

differs in genitalic structure. For comparison, the male genitalia of

L. pensilis, L. vicina, and L. illaudabilis (Grote) are also shown in

Figure 8.

Remarks.—This species has been known for several years as ei-

ther a new species (R. Robertson, personal communication) or a pale

coastal race of L. pensilis. Genitalic structure, however, indicates

that it is a distinct species. Notably, the lateral margin of the valve is

evenly rounded, while in L. pensilis it is shaped like a rectangle. We

suggest placing it in the systematic order after L. pensilis, giving it

number 10395.1 in the list edited by Hodges (1983).

Subfamily Hadeninae

Genus Fergusonix Mustelin and Leuschner, gen. nov.

This new genus is superficially quite similar to Miodera Smith.

Both genera contain smaller than average, densely haired noctuids

adapted to flying during the coldest part of the year. The new genus is

presently monotypic, the sole member being Fergusonix januaris

Mustelin and Leuschner, new genus and species, described below.

This species resembles Miodera stigmata Smith, 1908, in having its

head, thorax, and abdomen covered in long hair-like scales, in over-

all coloration and maculation. However, the new taxon differs in hav-

ing filiform antennae in both sexes, while males of M. stigmata and

M. eureka Barnes and Benjamin, have broadly pectinate antennae.

The morphology of the male genitalia also differ too much for place-

ment of the new species in the same genus. In the new genus the

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California 15

valves are long and evenly slender with a rounded apex and the harpe

is a large curved spine, while M. stigmata has broad and curved valves

with a laterally turned cucullus and a small flap-like harpe.

Etymology.—We take great pleasure in naming the new genus in

honor of Douglas Ferguson, a pioneer lepidopterist in North America.

Description.—Antenna filiform in both sexes. Eyes hairy. Head,

including labial palps and antennal scape, and thorax densely covered

by long hair-like scales. Legs with tibial spurs as in subfamily, tarsi

striped in dark and white. Abdomen covered in long hair-like scales.

Forewing triangular, veination as in subfamily. Hindwing with trifid

veination as in subfamily. Male genitalia (Figures 9b and c): Valve

narrow and relatively straight with small angle medially, apically

rounded. Harpe prominent curved hook. Aedoeagus smooth, everted

vesica with subbasal diverticulum, 1.5x width of aedoeagus, with three

short cornuti, distally another cornutus. Length of vesica twice that of

aedoeagus. Female genitalia (Figure 9e): Ovipositor lobe narrow and

pointed, eighth abdominal segment sclerotized, 3x as wide as oviposi-

tor lobes, ductus bursae thick, diameter equal to ovipositor lobes, length

3x width, bursa copulatrix round and with sac-like appendix longer

than bursa and twisted around bursa with ductus seminalis pointing

away from ductus bursae. Three long signa on corpus bursae.

Fergusonix januaris Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov.

Figure 9

Holotype.—|1&. CALIFORNIA, Riverside County, Glen Ivy Hot

Springs, 25 January 1946, leg. Fred H. Rindge.

Paratypes.—9| specimens (780°, 139): CALIFORNIA, Riverside

County, Pinyon Crest, elevation 1,400 m, 6 March 1965 (10°), 12 Feb-

ruary 1967 (107, 19), 26 February 1972 (19), leg. R. H. Leuschner;

Aguanga, 9 February 1968, leg. R. H. Leuschner (19); Bundy Canyon,

9 mi S. of Perris, elevation 550 m 17 December 1974 (10°); 27 January

1982 (1c), 3 February 1980 (10°); 17 February 1982 (10°); 21 Febru-

ary 1982 (10, 19); Rancho La Sierra, 22 January 1946, Fred Rindge

(1@); Perris, 12 February [C. Hill’s writing] (10°); San Bernardino

County, Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Monument, 11 April 1964,

leg. R. H. Leuschner (10°); San Diego County, San Diego [no precise

locality data] 11 December 1913, G. H. Field (19); south rim of

Penasquitos Canyon, 4 January 1997 (10°), 18 October 1997 (1c), 1

January 1998 (19), 23 February 1998 (10), leg T. Mustelin; Inaja Pic-

nic Ground, 2 mi east of Santa Ysabel, 11 April 1997, leg. T. Mustelin

(19); Miramar Airstation, 21 January 1996 (40°, 19), 23 January 1996

(1), 14 February 1996 (10°), 16 February 1996 (20°), 29 February

1996 (19), 19 March 1996 (5o"), 13 December 1996 (20°), 28 Decem-

ber 1996 (19), 1 January 1997 (10°, 19), 24 February 1997 (10%), 22

March 1997 (16%), 29 January 1998 (10), 11 March 1998 (20), leg.

Norris Bloomfield; Del Mar, 23 February 1947, leg. John A. Comstock

(10); McCain Valley, 28 April 1998, N. Bloomfield and T. Mustelin

(2); Oriflamme Canyon, Oriflamme Mtns., elevation 1,300 m, 19

March 1988, leg. J. P. and K. E. S. Donahue (10); Pine Valley, 5 March

1931 (probably from C. Hill collection) (10°); Rainbow, 1 February

1964, leg. R. H. Leuschner (30°); 5 mi E of El Cajon, 7 February 1987,

leg. R. H. Leuschner (19); Alpine, 13 February 1971, leg. R. H.

Leuschner (30°, 19); Pala, 5 November 1983 (20°), 15 January 1983

(17¢%), 19 January 1986 (110), 24 February 1985 (40°) leg. R. H.

Figure 9. Fergusonix januaris Mustelin and Leuschner, gen. nov. and sp. nov. Holotype male (a), valves (b), aedoeagus with everted vesica (c), paratype

female (d), bursa copulatrix (e).

16 Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

Leuschner.

The holotype and ten paratypes are in the Los Angeles County

Museum; twenty-five paratypes are in the San Diego Natural History

Museum; four paratypes are in the Canadian National Collection;

four paratypes are at the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natural

History, and the balance are in the Leuschner and Mustelin collec-

tions. Representative genitalic slides (21 TM & and 71 TM Q) are

deposited at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Distribution.—This species seems to be relatively widely distrib-

uted in southern California. Records of it exist from many parts of

San Diego County and western Riverside County. A single specimen

was taken in southwestern San Bernardino County. Habitats include

coastal chaparral and canyons from sea level to open oak forest at

1,400 m elevation in the foothills. Several specimens have also been

collected in drier inland habitats and in the mountain—desert transi-

tion zone. Near the coast, the flight period is from early January or

late December into late February. Inland, the flight probably starts

later, and fresh specimens can be captured into April. Food plants

and immature stages are unknown.

Etymology.—The specific name is derived from the peak flight

period of the moth, which occurs in January near the coast.

Description.—Somewhat smaller than average noctuid. Head, in-

cluding labial palps and antennal scape covered by mixture of dark

gray-brown and whitish hair-like scales, thorax similarly covered

with tegulae having more paler hairs centrally and more dark ones

laterally, anterior rim of patagia also paler, venter lighter. Legs brown,

tarsi striped in brown and white. Abdomen lighter gray-brown, ven-

ter same color. Wingspan: 28.8 1.1 mm (n = 66; range 27-31 mm).

Forewing length 12-14 mm, ground color dark gray-brown with

black, particularly in median field and proximal to subterminal line,

and some greenish scales in fresh specimens. Antemedian line black,

forming three outward bulges, postmedian line black, double, ser-

rate. Orbicular spot round, filled with ground color or lighter, reni-

form large, kidney-shaped and filled with lighter brown to cream

color. Subterminal line present as border between proximal dark and

the lighter subterminal space, terminal line of black lunules; fringe

basally pale yellow; otherwise of ground color with some yellowish

scales. Hindwing light yellowish gray in males, darker gray in fe-

males; veins, discal spot, and terminal line dark gray; fringe basally

light yellow; otherwise light yellowish gray. Male genitalia (Figures

9b and c): As in genus. Female genitalia (Figure 9e): As in genus.

Diagnosis.—This species is superficially quite similar to Miodera

stigmata Smith, 1908, which also flies in midwinter in southern Cali-

fornia and often flies with Fergusonix januaris. Males of the two spe-

cies are readily distinguished based on antennae: Males of M. stigmata

have broadly pectinate antennae while those of F: januaris are filiform.

Females of F. januaris are generally larger than females of M. stig-

mata, and also differ by wing shape, absence of W-mark on subtermi-

nal line, and absence of dark scales in lower end of reniform spot.

Remarks.—This species has been known for several years as a

probable new species of undetermined genus (J. W. Brown, personal

communication). Its placement in a new genus results from its insuf-

ficient similarity to any described genus. We suggest placing it in the

systematic order after the genus Miodera, giving it number 10624.1

in the list edited by Hodges (1983).

Subfamily Noctuinae Latreille, 1809

Genus Euxoa Hiibner, 1821

Euxoa faulkneri Mustelin, sp. nov.

Figure 10

Holotype.—|1&. CALIFORNIA, San Diego County, Laguna

Mtns., Kitchen Creek Rd., elevation 1,676 m, 11 July 1996, T.

Mustelin (10).

Paratypes.—58 specimens (310°, 279): CALIFORNIA, San Di-

ego County, type locality and collector (20°, 29); Laguna Mtns., el-

evation 1,800 m, 9 May 1997 (1&%), 20 June 1997 (19), 25 July 1998

(20, 19), 28 July 1995 (29), 15 July 1999 (10%, 19), leg. T. Mustelin;

Mount Palomar, elevation ca. 1,600 m, 13-17 June 1999 (2¢%), 18-

19 June 1999 (307, 39), 21-26 June 1999 (30%, 29), 27-30 June 1999

(60°, 19), 27 June—2 July 1999 (29), 4-7 July 1999 (30%, 29), 8-14

July 1999 (20%, 19), 12-15 July 1999 (10%), 28-31 July 1999 (19), T.

Mustelin and N. Bloomfield leg.; San Bernardino County, Rimforest,

3 mi SW of Lake Arrowhead, elevation 1,700 m, 11 July 1959, R. H.

Leuschner (20°, 39); Big Bear Lake, elevation 2,100 m, 6 August

1978, R. H. Leuschner (29); Boulder Bay, Big Bear Lake, elevation

2,100 m, 1-3 July 1989, L. Fall (19); Angelus Oaks, elevation 1,750

m, 26 July 1980, R. H. Leuschner (19); Wrightwood, elevation 1,850

m, 9 July 1964, C. A. Hill (10%). Mono County, Mammoth Tavern,

below Mammoth Lake, elevation 2,500 m, (no date), M. Douglas

(1).

The holotype and four paratypes are in the San Diego Natural

History Museum; two paratypes are in the Los Angeles County Mu-

seum; four paratypes are in the Canadian National Collection; two

paratypes are at the Smithsonian/National Museum of Natural His-

tory, and the balance are in the Leuschner and Mustelin collections.

Representative genitalic slides (90 TM & and 65 TM Q) are depos-

ited at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Distribution.—This taxon is known from the Laguna Mountains,

Mount Palomar, the San Bernardino Mountains, and southern Sierra

Nevada and flies in the coniferous forest zone at elevations above

1,700 m. We have also seen a worn specimen from the San Jacinto

range in Riverside County, which is not included in the type series.

This species is on the wing from May into August.

Etymology.—We take great pleasure in naming this species in

honor of David K. Faulkner, a pioneer entomologist in San Diego

County, California.

Description.—Medium-sized Euxoa. Antenna weakly fascicu-

late in male, filiform in female. Head covered in brown and ash-

gray scales, prothoracic collar with thin dark-brown stripe. Thorax

brown with some ash-gray scales, venter pale buff. Abdomen

brown, venter paler. Wingspan: 32.4 +1.6 mm (n = 20; range 29-35

mm). Forewing length: 13—15.5 mm, ground color pale brown with

light ash-gray dusting in basal field and variably beyond postme-

dian line, median field and subterminal area reddish brown.

Antemedian line black, postmedian line black and serrate, subter-

minal line yellow preceded by reddish brown. Claviform spot out-

lined in black, filled with ground color; orbicular spot round, thinly

outlined in black and filled with pale ash gray, reniform spot more

incompletely outlined in black, filled with light yellow with ash-

gray to brown middle, dark cubital vein cuts into lower third of

reniform spot. Terminally thin black lunules, fringe basally dark,

distally pale brown. Hindwing brown, darkening towards outer

margin, fringe basally pale yellowish, then dark, distally white.

Male genitalia: (Figures 10b and c): Very similar to Euxoa satis

(Harvey, 1876) (see illustration in Lafontaine 1987), uncus slender,

tapering towards apex, sacculus length 0.3x valve, two long and

slender extensions: lateral pointed, as long as valva, medial blunt-

ended, 0.5x as long as valva. Valva with straight lateral edge, me-

dial edge incurving, length 3x width. Aedoeagus shorter than in E.

satis, slightly curved, vesica shorter, but with similar subbasal and

subapical diverticula as in E. satis. Female genitalia (Figure 10e):

Ovipositor lobes rounded, blade-like, anterior apophysis 0.3x as

long as posterior apophysis, apically broad as in E. selenis (see il-

lustration in Lafontaine 1987). Ductus bursae narrow, corpus bur-

sae shaped as in E. brunneigera.

Diagnosis.—A member of the infausta group of Euxoa (Lafontaine,

1987), which consists of E. infausta (Walker), E. satis (Harvey), E.

Two New Genera and Thirteen New Species of Owlet Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Mainly from Southern California 17

Figure 10. Euxoa faulkneri Mustelin and Leuschner, sp. nov. Holotype male (a), valves (b), aedoeagus with everted vesica (c), paratype female (d), bursa

copulatrix (e).

brunneigera (Grote), E. selenis (Smith), E. piniae Buckett and Bauer,

E. bicollaris (Grote), and E. inyoca Benjamin. The new taxon differs

from other members of this group in being more contrastingly marked

with ash gray in basal and postmedian areas, rusty brown in median

field, and more or less pronounced light yellow in reniform spot. It also

has a thinner black line across the prothoracic collar than other group

members. The genitalia of both sexes also suggest that E. faulkneriis a

distinct member of this group, although it resembles the others very

closely.

Remarks.—This species is quite distinct in outer appearance but

very closely related to other members of the infausta group in geni-

talic morphology. It is sympatric with several members of this group

in the mountains of southern California. We suggest placing it in the

systematic order after E. infausta, giving it number 10785.1 in the

list edited by Hodges (1983).

DISCUSSION

We have described twelve new species of Noctuidae from south-

ern California and one new species more widely distributed in North

America. Most of the new species are restricted to southern Califor-

nia, some to San Diego County, in the southernmost part of the state.

These include Acontia lagunae, whichis largely restricted to the sum-

mit plateau of the Laguna Mountains, and Aseptis ferruginea, which

occurs mainly on somewhat lower elevations surrounding the same

mountains. These two species, with Merolonche australis, Apamea

bernardino, Apamea gabrieli, and Aseptis murina, and Euxoa

faulkneri are likely to represent geographically isolated southern

populations, presumably Pleistocene relicts, of more northern taxa

that have evolved into new species. Accordingly, these noctuids are

restricted to the highest mountains of southern California: Mero-

lonche australis, Apamea bernardino, and Apamea gabrieli to the

Transverse Ranges, Aseptis pseudolichena, to both Coast Ranges and

Transverse Ranges and the Sierra Nevada as far north as Yosemite,

where it may overlap with Aseptis lichena. Euxoa faulkneri also oc-

curs from the Laguna Mountains north to Mono County.

Two new species are endemic to coastal San Diego County,

namely, Orthomoia bloomfieldi and Lacinipolia subalba; two others,

Aseptis murina and Fergusonix januaris, fly over a larger area of

southern California from the coastal plateau through the foothills and

mountains, but only south of the Transverse Ranges. Finally, one

species, Acronicta browni, occurs only on the desert side of the Coast

Ranges in the mountain—desert transition zone. Presently, we are not

aware of any specimens of the new taxa from Mexico, but given the

proximity of some habitats to the U.S.-Mexican border, we find it

very likely that Acronicta browni occurs immediately south of the

border near Jacumba and that populations of Acontia lagunae, Aseptis

ferruginea, Aseptis pseudolichena, and Euxoa faulkneri will be found

18 Tomas Mustelin, Ronald Leuschner, Kauri Mikkola, and J. Donald Lafontaine

in the higher mountains of Baja California. Aseptis murina, Ortho-

moia bloomfieldi, Lacinipolia subalba, and Fergusonix januaris are

likely to occur in coastal habitats in Baja California.

The description of the new taxa represents a step toward a more

thorough understanding of the noctuid fauna of southern California.

It is likely that several unrecognized taxa remain to be studied and

described in this area, which is remarkably rich in endemic species.

A number of such undescribed species are currently under study.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Los Ange-

les County Museum of Natural History, and Marine Corps Air Sta-

tion Miramar (contract No. N68711-95-LT-C0048) for allowing us

to collect specimens on the base.

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