Noctuidae - Psaphidinae - Azeniini

 

 

 

Azenia edentata Grote 1883

Azenia edentata Grote, 1883, Canad. Ent., 15: 25.

Metoponia procida Druce, 1889, in Godman and Salvin, Biologia Centrali Americana, Lepidoptera Heterocera, 1: 304, pl. 28, figure 11.

Metoponia umbria Druce, 1898, in Godman and Salvin, Biologia Centrali Americana, Lepidoptera Heterocera, 2: 491, pl. 94, figure 28.

Stiriodes nepotica Dyar, 1912, Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus., 42: 71.

Diagnosis: Azenia edentata is a polymorphic species although the polymorphism is incomplete in the sense that a variable set or intergrades exist between the basic color forms. Three basic color forms exist. The forewing is a light dull yellow in the typical form (as represented by the type of edentata). The forewing maculation is usually weak, sometimes nearly absent, in this light yellow form, two small brown spots on the costa and inner margin on the medial line. The second form is dark, suffused with light brown. The maculation in this form is much more distinct with the two patches mentioned above and a third on the costa at the postmedial line. Small dots represent the antemedial and postmedial lines. This second form is responsible for the names procida and nepotica. The amount of tan suffusion in the forewing of this second form is variable ranging from almost none to specimens approaching the third and final form. The forewing of the third form is totally suffused with brown, the brown submerging any forewing pattern there may be. This form was christened with the name umbria. Individuals from any part of the range of edentata can generally be assigned to one of these three basic forms, although the polymorphism is not perfect and many integrades exist. The polymorphism does not appear to be sex linked in any way.
The male and female genitalia of edentata are similar to those of obtusa. The base of the male clasper is closer to the saccular margin than in obtusa. The midpoint of the sacculus in edentata bears a setose lobe that is mostly absent in obtusa. The female bursa in edentata is about one third shorter than in obtusa.

Adults have been collected in August in southern Arizona.

Distribution: In the United States Azenia edentata has been collected in southern Arizona and very recently in western Texas. The species has an extensive distribution in Mexico and parts of Central America ranging as far south as Costa Rica. The range may be even more extensive than that. Three specimens in the USNM from the state of Lara in northern Venezuela represent either a local population or sister species of edentata. More material from this region is needed to determine its relationship to edentata, however. From the limited Mexican and Central American material present, I have not been able to determine if the degree of polymorphism is geographically linked in Mexico and Central America from the limited material available. All individuals in a small series from Costa Rica, however, are light yellow with distinct maculation, a deviation from the situation found in Mexico and southern Arizona.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Azenia edentata

The male and female genitalia of edentata are similar to those of obtusa. The base of the male clasper is closer to the saccular margin than in obtusa. The midpoint of the sacculus in edentata bears a setose lobe that is mostly absent in obtusa. The female bursa in edentata is about one third shorter than in obtusa.

Similar Species

Azenia obtusa