Revision of the genus Aseptis McDunnough (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Xylenini) with a description of two new genera, Paraseptis and Viridiseptis
Author
Mustelin, Tomas
Author
Crabo, Lars G.
text
ZooKeys
2015
527
57
102
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.527.9575
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.527.9575
1313-2970-527-57
05826BC127464BAE97EF5BC06BD63D5C
Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Noctuidae
Aseptis murina Mustelin, 2000
Figs 9, 10, 61, 78
Aseptis
murina
Mustelin, 2000. In:
Mustelin et al. 2000
: 8.
Type material.
Holotype male [SDNHM, examined]. Type locality: Inaja Picnic Ground, San Diego County, California.
Diagnosis.
This is a large species with perhaps the broadest forewing in the group, wingspan 40.0
+/-
1.0 mm (n=12; range 39-42 mm). The forewing is smooth gray with a slightly bluish sheen when fresh, a diffuse and faint dark reniform spot, postmedial line of black dots, and a pale-cream costa in fresh specimens. The hindwing is barely a shade paler than the forewing.
This species can be identified by the combination of large size, smooth gray forewing with pale costa, and southern California distribution. It is most likely to be confused with
Aseptis ethnica
, especially when worn.
Distribution and biology.
Aseptis murina
is known only from southern California where it occurs in coastal chaparral, foothills, mountain brush land and oak forest, and in the mountain-desert transition zone from sea level to 2000 m. It can be found with all other species of the species group. Localities for it include the Cuyamaca, Laguna, and San Gabriel Mountains, Pinyon Crest, and San Marcus Pass in Santa Barbara County. The flight period is from early May to July. The early stages are unknown.
Discussion.
The name
murina
is Latin and means mouse-like to denote the smooth murine appearance of the moth.