Noctuidae - Psaphidinae - Nocloini




Nocloini New Genus 4 pura
(Barnes and McDunnough)

"Oslaria pura"

Oslaria pura Barnes and McDunnough, 1911, Canad. Ent., 43: 319.

Diagnosis: The nocloine prothoracic tarsal segments, the triangular frontal process, the comb of enlarged spines on the prothoracic tarsal segments, and the off-white and obscure maculation of the forewing will identify this species. The forewing of Nocloini New Genus 4 pura is an off white color. Maculation is nearly absent and consists mostly of a series of small, black dots representing the antemedial postmedial lines. A very vague median line is present, but near invisible. The reniform mark is visible in most specimens, but again is nearly invisible. The hindwing is pure white and slightly lightly than the forewing. The frontal process is distinctive and consists of a heavy, filled triangular process with the apex of the triangle pointing upward. A row of large spines projects from the outer margins of the first four tarsal segments of the prothoracic leg. The first tarsal segment has four spines, and the following three one spine each. Wing length: mean = 12.78 mm, standard deviation = 0.62 mm, n = 10.

Adults have been collected in August.

Distribution: This species is known primarily from southern Arizona, particularly Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Pinal counties. It has also been collected in Mohave county in western Arizona. There is some variation in the distinctness of the black dots representing the forewing antemedial and postmedial lines. Otherwise the species is not variable.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Nocloini New Genus 4 pura

Nocloini New Genus 4 pura is most likely to be confused with two species, Nocloini New Genus 1 tripuncta and Schinia luxa (in the Heliothinae). This species is immediately separable from tripuncta because of its solid, triangular frontal process in contrast to the round frontal process with a vertical septum found in tripuncta. Nocloini New Genus 4 pura also lacks the double dot representing the reniform mark as is the case in tripuncta and the antemedial and postmedial lines consists of a series of small, black dots. The antemedial and postmedial lines of Nocloini New Genus 1 tripuncta are not composed of black dots. This species is superficially slightly similar to Schinia luxa (Grote) from the same approximate geographical area. However the strong lateral tibial claws, mesothoracic and metathoracic tibial spining, and the absence of a frontal prominence will immediately separate luxa from this species.

Similar Species

Schinia luxa

Nocloini New Genus 1 tripuncta