Lineostriastiria olivalis (Barnes and McDunnough)

Stiria olivalis Barnes and McDunnough, 1916, Contrib. Nat. Hist. Lep. N. Am., 3(1):12, pl. 3, fig. 9.

Diagnosis: Lineostriastiria olivalis is distinctive and unlike any other stiriine. It is not at all similar superficially to the other species in the genus. However olivalis shares the striate intersegmental membrane between the ovipositor lobes and the eighth sternite synapomorphy used to define this genus. Both the male and female genitalia are basically the same as those found in the hachita group. The forewing ground color is dull white with diffuse olive green antemedial, postmedial, and subterminal lines. The hindwing is suffused with brown. The frontal process is round with a thin, elongate tubercle near the ventral margin of the process. The male clasper of the valve is short and stubby and located near the apex of the valve as in hachita and its relatives. The basal group of spines of the vesica is strong and located on a weakly sclerotized bulb. The female ovipositor lobes are longer and not as triangular as in the hachita group. Both pairs of apophyses are normal in length, not short and stubby as in the hachita group, and the eighth sternite is not as narrow. The appendix bursae is sclerotized, not membranous. The ductus bursae is not sclerotized as is also true of the hachita group. Wing length from base to apex: mean = 14.05 mm., standard deviation = 0.69 mm., n = 10.

Distribution: This species occurs primarily in southern California and northern Baja California. There is a single specimen in the the LACM from the Santa Catalina Mountains in Pima County, Arizona. Some variation exists in the shade of the olive markings of the forewing. Some specimens have a distinctive yellow tint, but others are slightly brownish.

Adults have been collected between March and early May. This flight period contrasts with the autumn flight period of the species in the hachita group and indeed the subfamily as a whole.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Excellent

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