A new species of Elasmia Moeschler from New Mexico and Texas, and a new subspecies of Elasmia mandela (Druce) from Texas and Oklahoma (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae, Nystaleinae)
Author
Metzler, Eric H.
Author
Knudson, Edward C.
text
ZooKeys
2011
149
51
67
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.149.1519
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.149.1519
1313-2970-149-51
Elasmia packardii (Morrison, 1875)
comb. n.
Figs 1
-411-
1320, 2326
Description.
Overall color light gray blue to gray with obscure transverse forewing markings, sometimes showing slight brownish shadings over reniform spot and in postmedial and subterminal areas. Males and females similar in appearance; male antenna narrowly bipectinate in basal
3/4
, with dense setae on ventral surface. Female antenna filiform for entire length, with sparse setae. Apex of forewing marked with a diagonal white and dark shade. Forewing length in males 12-15 mm (mean = 14 mm, n = 72), and in females 13-16 mm (mean = 14 mm, n = 25). Male genitalia (Figs 11-13) distinguished by a helmet-shaped uncus with gradually widening sides. Female genitalia (Fig. 20) with membranous papilla anales partially hidden from view. Ductus bursae broad and short, dorso-ventrally compressed; corpus bursae, round in profile, with a single shark tooth-shaped signum, also with a heavily sclerotized, perpendicular, thumb-like projection ventrally and a sclerotized finger-like
pocket
appressed to corpus bursae dorsally. Deciduous cornuti from male vesica may be found in corpus bursae.
Remarks.
Morrison (1875)
described
Elasmia packardii
from Waco, Bosque County, Texas (Fig. 2) based on a single female specimen (Fig. 1). Adults are on the wing from April through early October.
Distribution and Biology.
Elasmia packardii
occurs in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas (Fig. 26); it is common at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Its distribution in Mexico is unknown. The larvae feed on
Ungnadia speciosa
Endl. (Mexican buckeye) (R.O. Kendall specimens in TAM) and
Sapindus saponaria
var. drummondii (Hook. & Arn.) L. Benson (soapberry tree) (both
Sapindaceae
) (R.O. Kendall specimens in AMNH and TAM).
Figures 1-6.
Elasmia
adults. 1
E
. packardii female holotype 2
E
. packardii holotype labels 3
Elasmia packardii
male 4
Elasmia packardii
female 5
Elasmia cave
male holotype 6
Elasmia cave
female paratype.
Figures 7-10.
Elasmia
adults. 7
Elasmia mandela
male 8
Elasmia mandela
female 9
Elasmia mandela santaana
male holotype 10
Elasmia mandela santaana
female paratype.
Figures 11-19.
Elasmia
male genitalia. 11
Elasmia packardii
male genitalia genital capsule slide E.H.M. 343 12
Elasmia packardii
male genitalia detail of terminus of costulae slide E.H.M. 343 13
Elasmia packardii
male genitalia aedeagus slide E.H.M. 343 14
Elasmia cave
male genitalia paratype genital capsule slide E.H.M. 355 15
Elasmia cave
male genitalia detail of terminus of costulae slide E.H.M. 355 16
Elasmia cave
male genitalia paratype aedeagus slide E.H.M. 355 17
Elasmia mandela santaana
male genitalia paratype genital capsule slide E.H.M. 359 18
Elasmia mandela santaana
male genitalia detail of terminus of costulae slide E.H.M. 359 19
Elasmia mandela santaana
male genitalia paratype aedeagus slide E.H.M. 359.