Noctuidae - Psaphidinae - Nocloini - New Genus 2

Nocloini New Genus 2 aliaga

Nocloini New Genus 2

Nocloini New Genus 2 is a superficially diverse assemblage of species currently placed in the genus Nocloa. The genus is characterized by a number of synapomorphies.

1) The first characteristic feature, and the most easily seen, is the structure of the frontal process of the head. The frontal process is a round ring, interrupted only narrowly along its ventral margin. A central protuberance is present in the middle of the ring. The shape of the outer ring is shared only with the genus Ruacodes and will immediately identify a member of Nocloini New Genus 2.

2) Short, stubby spines are located on the anellus of the male genitalia

3) Male genitalia valve linear without corona and covered with large, irregular spines; costal margin in some species (including type species) heavily sclerotized toward base and margined with heavy spines; clasper very poorly developed in almost all species.

4) Female ovipositor lobes are small, weak, and are neither elongate nor sclerotized as in Nocloa. The bursa of Nocloa is oriented obliquely to the ductus bursae and there is a sclerotized plate near the origin of the ductus seminalis. The bursa is not obliquely oriented to the ductus bursae in Nocloini New Genus 2 and consists instead of a larger, globular caudal portion and a narrow, elongate cephalad portion (the appendix bursae).

In addition to the US species treated here the following Mexican species also belong to Nocloini New Genus 2, but are currently placed in the genus Nocloa.

Nocloa lamiota Dyar (south-central Mexico)

Xanthia alcandra Druce (Guerrero and Morelos, Mexico)

Nocloa beata Dyar (Veracruz, Mexico)

Nocloa periodita Dyar (Puebla, Mexico)

Nocloa ezeha Dyar (Morelos and Guerrero, Mexico).

Included Species

Nocloini New Genus 2 aliaga

Nocloini New Genus 2 alcandroides

Nocloini New Genus 2 pilacho

Nocloini New Genus 2 cordova

Nocloini New Genus 2 nanata