Noctuidae - Psaphidinae - Nocloini




Paramiana endopolia Dyar

Amiana endopolia Dyar, 1912, Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus., 42: 64.

Paramiana exculta Blanchard and Knudson, 1986, Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington, 88: 138, figs. 14,15 adults, figs. 16,17 male genitalia, figure 19 female genitalia. NEW SYNONYMY. Note: I examined a specimen of the type series prior to its description by Blanchard and Knudson and failed to recognize it as equal to the Mexican species Amiana endopolia Dyar. Therefore the responsibility for this synonymy is mine.

Diagnosis: The forewing of endopolia is a rich brown color with a large white patch in the lower half of the median area. The reniform mark is filled with white. The orbicular mark is a small white, round dot. The antemedial and postmedial lines are double and their lower thirds are filled with white. The basal area and all of the forewing past the postmedial line is rich brown in color. The basal line is present in most (but not all) specimens and when present is double with the upper half filled with white. Wing length: mean = 14.80 mm, standard deviation = 1.14 mm, n = 7.

Distribution: The United States distribution of Paramiana endopolia is apparently restricted to the Big Bend region of southwestern Texas. The species is also known from the states of Guerrero, Pueblo, and Hidalgo in south-central Mexico. There is no discernable geographical variation in the small number of specimens I have seen. The amount and white scaling in the forewing median area is slightly variable. The medial line is stronger in some specimens than others. Females are slightly larger than males.

Adults have been collected in August and September.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Paramiana endopolia

This species is superficially very close to Paramiana contrasta. The superficial forewing characters separating the two species are discussed under contrasta and are not repeated here.

Similar Species

Paramiana contrasta