Stiria satana Poole

Stiria satana Poole, 1995, Moths of America North of Mexico. Noctuoidea, Noctuidae (Part), fascicle 26.1:143, pl. 4, fig. 38 adult, pl. N, figs. 3,4 male genitalia,

Diagnosis: Stiria satana looks like a small version of intermixta. However the basal brown patch in the forewing is large and confluent with the median patch. The basal patch is not as large and never confluent with the median patch in intermixta. The hindwing is heavily suffused with brown, a feature distinguishing it from both intermixta and dyari. The basal process of the male sacculus is larger and more elongate than in any other species in the genus (plate N, figure 3). The clasper is thicker than in other species and it has a strong apical hook. Wing length from base to apex: mean = 15.82 mm., standard deviation = 2.31 mm., n = 2.
The sister species of satana appears to be Stiria ischune Dyar from south-central Mexico. Stiria ischune is larger than satana by about 2 mm in forewing length. The male clasper of satana is smaller than that of ischune and is located near the inner margin of the valve. The clasper of ischune is strong and stubby and not located near the inner margin of the valve. The photographs of the adults and male genitalia of satana will characterize this species.

Distribution: This species is so far known from only two males from southern Arizona, one labeled simply "Arizona". The single dated specimen was collected in September.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

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