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AMERICAN MUSEUM
Novttates
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
CENTRAL PARK WEST AT 79TH STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10024
Number 2710, pp. 1-28, figs. 1-43, maps 1~—4 April 10, 1981
A Revision of the Moth Genera Meris and Nemeris
(Lepidoptera, Geometridae)
FREDERICK H. RINDGE"?
ABSTRACT
The genus Meris is revised for the first time. A
study showed that the group was heterogeneous,
as two very different types of genitalia, venation,
and antennae were represented in the included
species. When a second genus is recognized, the
resulting split of the species will form two mor-
phologically homogeneous groups; as no name
was available, Nemeris, new genus, with type
species Diastictis speciosa Hulst, is proposed.
Relationships between the two genera are dis-
cussed; Meris has more apomorphic characters
than does Nemeris. Keys are given to the species
of both groups, based on male and female geni-
talia. All species are described, and both the
adults and their genitalia are illustrated; distribu-
tional data are given for all species.
The following species are described as new:
Nemeris percne (Arizona), N. sternitzkyi (Ari-
zona), Meris paradoxa (Arizona), M. patula
(Montana), and M. cultrata (Arizona). Nemeris
mexicola (Dyar) is a new combination, and Meris
albocrenulata Cassino is placed as a synonym of
Nemeris speciosa (Hulst), new combination.
The members of Nemeris occur from Colorado
and Utah to the Distrito Federal, Mexico, and
those of Meris from southern British Columbia
and southern Alberta to Arizona and New Mexi-
co.
INTRODUCTION
The genus Meris has never been revised.
A preliminary survey I made a number of
years ago showed that two different types of
genitalia, venation, and antennae were pres-
ent in the species included in this genus. In
addition, it was very difficult to apply the
existing specific names with any degree of
certainty. These problems led to the present
revisionary study.
Meris is considered to be a member of the
Cingiliini. I have already discussed the pres-
ent status of this tribe, and some of the dif-
ficulties in working with it in my revision of
Somatolophia (Rindge, 1980). The problems
that were present in that paper are also pres-
ent in this revisionary study.
Five species have been named and placed
in Meris. The genus and two species were
1 Curator, Department of Entomology, American Museum of Natural History.
Copyright © American Museum of Natural History 1981
ISSN 0003-0082 / Price $2.05
2 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
named by Hulst in 1896; of the two species,
one was placed in Diastictis and the other
was named in Meris. The remaining three
species were all placed in Meris when they
were proposed (Dyar, ‘1911’’ [1910], Cas-
sino, 1927, and McDunnough, 1940). These
specific descriptions represent the bulk of
the literature on the group, although Gross-
beck (1908) and McDunnough (1940) ampli-
fied Hulst’s original description of the genus,
and Poole (1970) presented the only notes on
the early stages of the group.
One of the basic problems in this assem-
blage of species has been a lack of material,
as specimens were seldom collected by early
field workers. Hulst, in describing both al-
ticola and speciosa, had only females; both
Dyar and McDunnough named their taxa
from males (the females of these two species
are still unknown). It has been only compar-
atively recently that specimens have been
collected in any numbers; ultraviolet light is
apparently much more attractive to the
moths than the lights used by early collec-
tors. Now that we are beginning to get ma-
terial in somewhat adequate numbers for
some of the species, a study of this group
becomes practical.
Considering the great importance that ear-
ly workers placed on venation, I find it sur-
prising that Hulst placed both alticola and
speciosa in the same genus. The former
species has two accessory cells in the fore-
wing venation, whereas the latter has a single
narrow accessory cell. A difference like this
was nearly always more than enough reason
to have two genera. In addition to this basic
difference between these two species, the
present study shows a marked difference in
the antennae of both sexes, including the
points of origins of the male pectinations, the
point of origin of the epiphysis on the male
fore tibia, and most markedly, by the geni-
talia of both sexes. Because of these char-
acters, among others, it became obvious that
the species heretofore placed in Meris con-
sisted of a heterogeneous group. When a sec-
ond genus is recognized, the resulting split
of the species forms two morphologically ho-
mogeneous groups; as no name was available
NO. 2710
I have proposed a new generic name, Nem-
eris, in the present work.
The members of both genera have highly
modified genitalia, especially in the males.
The male structures are unlike those of any
other North American Cingiliini; they are
easily recognized by the group of thick
spines on the inner face of the valve distally.
Because of an almost complete lack of infor-
mation on the genitalia of the Neotropical
members of this tribe (see Rindge, 1980), I
do not know if this character is represented
in the tropical fauna.
Of the two genera treated in the present
paper, Meris has more apomorphic charac-
ters than does Nemeris. Some of these in-
clude shorter pectinations of the male anten-
nae (0.45 to 0.90 mm. in Meris, 1.00 to 1.50
mm. in Nemeris), median origin of the pec-
tinations (basal origin), shortly pectinate fe-
male genitalia (pectinations barely extending
beyond the shaft), male forelegs with process
arising at or beyond the middle of the seg-
ment (arising in basal half), shorter apophy-
ses on forelegs of both sexes (1.00 to 1.45
mm. in male, 0.70 to 0.85 mm. in female for
Meris; 1.55 to 2.15 mm. and 0.90 to 1.30
mm., respectively, for Nemeris), and short-
er, thinner spurs on the hind legs, with the
length of the longer upper spur being 0.70 to
0.95 mm. in the males and 0.65 to 0.90 mm.
in the females (1.2 to 1.5 mm. and 1.1 to 1.3
mm., respectively, for Nemeris). The very
large size of the male genitalia and the highly
modified anellus of Nemeris are apomor-
phic characters, whereas the broad uncus
having lamellate dorsolateral margins in
Meris is apomorphic.
Within each genus, the species usually
closely resemble one another; for this reason
no keys are given to the adults based on mac-
ulation or color. To properly identify the
species it is usually necessary to study the
genitalia; keys are given to the genitalia of
both sexes in both genera.
During the course of this study 932 speci-
mens have been examined, including 612
Nemeris and 320 Meris. The males outnum-
bered the females by 1.6 to 1.0 in the former
genus, and by 3.4 to 1.0 in the latter. One
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 3
hundred five genitalic dissections have been
studied (34 males and 35 females of Nemeris,
20 males and 16 females of Meris). In addi-
tion, slide mounts have been made of the an-
tennae and legs of both sexes of all species
whenever possible. I have examined all the
primary types and studied their genitalia. All
holotypes and lectotypes are illustrated in
this paper. All the specimens I studied have
had either identification or type labels placed
on their pins. Slightly more than half the
specimens studied, three-fourths of the gen-
italic slides, and practically all the slides of
the antennae and legs are in the collection of
the American Museum of Natural History
(AMNH).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND
ABBREVIATIONS
I acknowledge with thanks the coopera-
tion and aid of the following colleagues who
have allowed me to study the types and spec-
imens in their charge: Mr. Klaus B. Bolte for
the Canadian National Collection (CNC);
Mr. Julian P. Donahue for the Natural His-
tory Museum of Los Angeles County
(LAM); Dr. Douglas C. Ferguson for the
National Museum of Natural History, Smith-
sonian Institution (USNM); Mr. Ronald H.
Leuschner (RL) of Manhattan Beach, Cali-
fornia; Dr. Robert Silberglied for the Mu-
seum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard Uni-
versity (MCZ); and Dr. Jerry A. Powell for
the California Insect Survey Collection, Uni-
versity of California, Berkeley (UC).
NEMERIS, NEW GENUS
Meris of authors, in part: Barnes and Mc-
Dunnough, 1917, p. 116. McDunnough, 1938,
p. 171.
DIAGNOSIS: Nemeris can be separated
from Meris by the longer pectinations of the
male antennae (1.00 to 1.50 mm. long com-
pared with 0.45 to 0.90 mm. in Meris), the
pectinations arising basally on the antennal
segments, the female antennae with minute
pectinations barely extending beyond the an-
tenna, the foreleg with the male apophyses
arising at about one-third length of the seg-
ment and being 1.55 to 2.15 mm. long (1.00
to 1.45 mm. in Meris), by the presence of
one elongate narrow accessory cell in the
forewing, and by the genitalia. The genitalia
distinguish Nemeris from the other Cingiliini
found in North America. No other group has
the male structures with both the uncus and
gnathos very long, slender, and heavily
sclerotized, the valves with a curved costa
plus the raised transverse band of elongate
spines distally, and the anellus with the pos-
terior end having two pairs of long slender
processes. The female structures have a very
large, heavily sclerotized ductus bursae with
the posterolateral margins attenuate and
curved.
ADULT: Head with eyes of both sexes
large, those of males slightly larger than fe-
males, round, wider than front; front very
slightly convex; tongue short; palpi moder-
ate, extending slightly beyond front, not ris-
ing to middle of eye; antennae of male bi-
pectinate, with from about 50 to 62 segments,
pectinations arising basally from basal seg-
ments, extending to apex, longest pectina-
tions about seven times longer than basal
segments, 1.0 to 1.5 mm. in length, each pec-
tination with double row of elongate, dense,
slender setae below, becoming shorter at
apex, antennae of female very shortly pec-
tinate, pectinations barely extending beyond
shaft. Thorax moderately stout, without dor-
sal tufts but with elongate scaling dorsopos-
teriorly, in some specimens almost bifurcate;
fore tibia unarmed, with process of male 1.55
to 2.15 mm. long, arising one-third distance
from base of segment and extending 0.4 to
0.7 mm. beyond apex of segment, of female
shorter, 1.2 mm., arising one-half to three-
fifths distance from base of segment; hind
tibia with two pairs of thick spurs in both
sexes, longest upper spur of male 1.2 to 1.5
mm. long, of female 0.9 to 1.3 mm., males
without groove and hair pencil. Abdomen
without dorsal tufts; males with ventral sur-
face of third segment without row of setae
and last segment without modification.
Forewings broad, apex angulate, outer
margin rounded; 12 veins present, with one
elongate narrow accessory cell; R, free; R.
paralleling R,, shortly united with R3,,, Rais
stalked; udc one-third length of mdc; mdc
and Idc of about equal length, curved; Cu,
from below lower angle; fovea absent. Hind
wings broad, outer margin rounded; frenu-
lum well developed in both sexes; Sc with
broadly swollen base; R curved at base of
wing, paralleling Sc for less than one-half
length of cell; R and M, separating before
upper angle of cell; m and Idc angled; M,
from lower angle; cell slightly longer than
half length of wing; Cu, arising near M3.
Wings with elongate hairlike scales on
both surfaces, more numerous and tending
to be at least partially erect basally on upper
surface of forewing, elongate on basal por-
tion of upper surface of hind wing; males
with upper surface of forewings mottled
brown or yellowish brown, with t. a. line, t.
p. line, and median spot usually present,
hind wings paler, with reduced maculation;
females with forewings tending to be paler
than in males and having ochraceous tinge.
Under surface of all wings grayish white,
hind wings paler than forewings, all wings
with obsolescent maculation.
MALE GENITALIA: Elongate, 3.0 to 4.0
mm. long; uncus long, slender, tapering to
pointed apex; socius membranous, setose,
extending anteriorly on each side of anal
tube; gnathos heavily sclerotized, lateral
areas uniting medially to form very long,
slender, tapering process, curved posterior
surface near apex with row of several short
spines; valves large, mostly membranous,
costa sclerotized, curved posteriorly near
middle of valve and widened, with elongate
spines from curved, raised transverse band
distally at end of costal swelling and along
inner margin; transtilla flat, sclerotized, lat-
eral margins extending posteriorly, medially
concave, anteriorly with median incision;
furca and cristae absent; anellus heavily
sclerotized, anteriorly extending into dorsal
point, posteriorly projecting as median pair
of long, slender, pointed processes, and with
shorter, lateral pair of pointed processes;
tegumen broad, short, with median suture;
saccus elongate, tapering, anterior margin
AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
NO. 2710
bluntly rounded; aedeagus elongate, slender,
posterior end with slender sclerotized ridge
and lateral projecting point; vesica extending
to left at approximately right angle to aedea-
gus as simple tube when exserted, with
group of thick spines near aedeagus.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Papillae anales elon-
gate, membranous, with numerous setae;
sterigma with lamella postvaginalis a lightly
. sclerotized series of closely set transverse
- irregular ridges; lamella antevaginalis lightly
and smoothly sclerotized area on each side
of ductus bursae, with anterolateral semicir-
cular ridge on each side; ductus bursae
heavily sclerotized, posteriorly with median
lobe, posterolateral margins attenuate, ta-
pering, curved, projecting widely, anterior
margin asymmetrical, with left side longer
than right, median boundary poorly defined;
ductus seminalis arising laterally from small
lobe near posterior end of corpus bursae on
right side; corpus bursae with posterior end
asymmetrical, bilobed, right side extending
farther posteriad than left lobe, right poste-
rior margin weakly concave to deeply con-
cave, sclerotized, extending inward as far as
right margin of ductus bursae, left posterior
margin of corpus bursae tapered inwardly,
both sides forming slight constriction, then
large, anterior membranous portion of cor-
pus bursae becoming more or less elliptical,
smooth, without striations; signum weakly
sclerotized, round, about 0.2 mm. in diame-
ter, flat, with or without partially raised outer
rim sometimes reduced or absent. Apophy-
ses posteriores attached at anterior end of pa-
pillae anales, slender, 1.6 to 2.7 mm. in
length; apophyses anteriores 0.5 to 1.0 mm.
long.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown.
Foop PLANT: Unknown.
TYPE SPECIES: Diastictis speciosa Hulst.
DISTRIBUTION: From the mountains of
Colorado south to the area of the Distrito
Federal, Mexico.
REMARKS: Hulst (1896) described spe-
ciosa from the female only; apparently it
was not until many years later that males be-
came available and properly associated with
this species. The first males to be described
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 5
were those of mexicola Dyar (‘‘1911”’
[1910]); no association was made with the
closely related speciosa. The next males to
be described were those of albocrenulata
Cassino (1927), and once again no connec-
tion with speciosa (or any species, for that
matter) was made, even though he included
members of both sexes in his type series.
Both Dyar and Cassino placed their species
in Meris. This is rather surprising because of
the marked differences between that genus
and the present one. On the other hand it
should be pointed out that specimens of both
Meris and Nemeris were very seldom col-
lected by early collectors, and so very little
material was available for study.
Identifications within Nemeris are usually
difficult, as the adults of all four species look
very similar to one another. In some cases
there appear to be slight but fairly consistent
differences in pattern and color; often we
need longer series of specimens to be certain
that these are of specific value. The genitalia
should be studied when making identifica-
tions. In general, the female structures may
be more helpful than those of the male, as
the configuration of the ductus bursae ap-
pears to be diagnostic for the three species
that are known from that sex.
ETYMOLoGy: The generic name is formed
from the Greek prefix ne, not, and the Greek
word meris, an already existing generic
name meaning part, portion or share; the
gender is feminine.
KEY TO SPECIES
Based on Male Genitalia
1. Aedeagus 2.35 to 2.50 mm. in length; gnathos
with posterolateral bands 0.10 mm. wide;
anellus with median cleft 0.92 to 1.00 mm.
POTGE oP Le ante tte oa Pho heen sternitzkyi
Aedeagus 1.65 to 2.30 mm. in length; gnathos
with posterolateral bands 0.05 to 0.75 mm.
wide; anellus with median cleft to 0.70 to
HOOT mM ATOM BAR a Ete ee ee as ANo
2. Aedeagus 1.75 to 1.85 mm. in length; transtilla
with outer margin 0.45 to 0.50 mm. long,
broadly convex medially; anellus with outer
processes 0.05 mm. in length, or 6.5 percent
of total length of anellus ........ mexicola
Aedeagus 1.65 to 2.30 mm. in length; transtilla
with outer margin 0.45 to 0.65 mm. long,
biconcave to almost straight; anellus with
outer processes 0.08 to 0.25 mm. in length,
or 9 to 23 percent of total length of
me DS At ere ae a eee rele cede ek ee wh 3
3. Transtilla with outer margin 0.45 to 0.60 mm.
long, averaging 0.58 mm., biconcave, api-
cally tending to be slender ...... speciosa
Transtilla with outer margin 0.60 to 0.65 mm.
long, averaging 0.63 mm., weakly biconcave
to almost straight, apically tending to be
broadly rounded ................. percne
Based on Female Genitalia?
1. Posterior end of corpus bursae with scle-
rotized outer margin on right side straight or
slightly curved ................02. percne
Posterior end of corpus bursae with sclerotized
outer margin on right side strongly
CONCAVE Suet nicer tea ath ue 2
2. Ductus bursae with diagonal ridge at antero-
ventral margin; ductus seminalis arising
from slender, dorsally curved lobe at pos-
terior end of corpus bursae, with lobe being
dorsad of corpus bursae ...... sternitzkyi
Ductus bursae without anteroventral ridge;
ductus seminalis arising from lateral lobe,
the latter being anteriad of posterior end of
corpus bursae ..............06- speciosa
Nemeris speciosa (Hulst),
new combination
Figures 1-4, 11, 15, 19
Diastictis speciosa Hulst, 1896, p. 332. Dyar,
1904, p. 225. Rindge, 1955, p. 154.
Cymataphora speciosa: Dyar, **1902’’ [1903], p.
315. Smith, 1903, p. 75.
Meris speciosa: Barnes and McDunnough, 1917,
p. 116. McDunnough, 1938, p. 171.
Meris albocrenulata Cassino, 1927, p. 87. Mc-
Dunnough, 1938, p. 171. NEW SYNONYMY.
DIAGNOSIS: This widespread species, oc-
curring in Colorado, Utah, northern and
eastern Arizona, New Mexico, and western
Texas, is best recognized by a study of the
genitalia. The characters that can be used for
these structures are given in the accompa-
nying key.
2 The female of mexicola is unknown.
6 | AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
MALE: Head with vertex grayish white to
pale gray; front gray to grayish brown; palpi
grayish brown. Thorax above grayish white
to pale gray; below grayish anteriorly, dull
white posteriorly; legs grayish white, with
outer surfaces dark gray to grayish black.
Abdomen above and below grayish white.
Upper Surface of Wings: Forewings buff,
with variable number of brown, dark gray
and grayish black scales, with overall wing
color varying from pale brown to dark gray;
veins variable in color, being concolorous
with or darker than wing, or various shades
and intensities of brown or yellow brown;
maculation weakly represented, cross lines
tending to be broad, more or less incomplete;
t. a. line arising on costa three-tenths dis-
tance from base, variable in course, with out-
ward angles in cell and on vein Cu, inwardly
curved to meet inner margin just basad of
middle; median line absent; discal spot tend-
ing to be circular, large; t. p. line arising on
costa about seven-tenths distance from base,
weakly concave in upper part of wing, then
angled posteriorly, meeting inner margin
about two-thirds distance from base, line
tending to be convex in cells, with small spot
of dull white scales on some or most veins;
subterminal area slightly paler than basal
portion of wing, with weak s. t. line formed
by change in color; terminal line represented
by dark gray or grayish black cellular dots;
fringe concolorous with wing, tending to be
somewhat darkened opposite terminal dots.
Hind wings grayish white, with variable
number of grayish brown and dark gray
scales, these becoming more numerous dis-
tally; small discal dot present in most spec-
imens; extradiscal line weakly represented,
usually incomplete, angled in center of wing;
terminal line with small cellular dots in most
specimens; fringe concolorous with wing.
Under Surface of Wings: Forewings pale
gray, tending to become brownish along cos-
ta and slightly grayer distally and posterior-
ly; without maculation except for faint trace
of t. p. line and small dark discal dot; ter-
minal line with cellular spots small or absent;
fringe concolorous with wing. Hind wings
white, with a few scattered dark scales; with-
out maculation except for small dark gray
NO. 2710
discal dot; terminal line and fringe similar to
those of forewings.
Length of Forewing: 14 to 19 mm.
FEMALE: Similar to male but with upper
surface of forewings more buff colored due
to fewer dark scales, and with cross lines
tending to be more clearly marked.
Length of Forewing: 15 to 20 mm.
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus 0.85 to 1.25 mm.
long, base 0.45 to 0.70 mm. wide, with an-
terolateral points rounded or weakly curved
anteriorly; gnathos with posterolateral bands
0.05 mm. wide; transtilla with outer sclero-
tized margin 0.45 to 0.57 mm. long, bicon-
cave, apically tending to be slender; anellus
0.90 to 1.25 mm. long, median cleft 0.70 to
1.00 mm. long, median pair of processes 0.40
to 0.60 mm. long, outer pair of processes
0.07 to 0.20 mm. long; tegumen 0.70 to 1.10
mm. in length; saccus 1.30 to 1.75 mm. long;
aedeagus 1.85 to 2.30 mm. long, posterior
end scarcely enlarged, with terminal sclero-
tized projection large, being broadly at-
tached to and extending over end of parallel-
sided aedeagus.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Sterigma with pos-
terolateral areas weakly sclerotized, bluntly
pointed posteriorly, and with raised semicir-
cular ridge on each side, extending from near
posterolateral points of ductus bursae ante-
riorly to near edges of ductus bursae; ductus
bursae variable in shape, anterior margin not
clearly delimited; ductus seminalis arising
from small lobe on side of larger posteriorly
extending part of corpus bursae; corpus bur-
sae with posterior end broadly swollen on
left side, extending dorsally partial length of
tube of ductus bursae, on right side narrower
but extending farther posteriad, right margin
anteriad of ductus bursae sclerotized, gently
and evenly curved. Apophyses posteriores
1.65 to 2.70 mm. long; apophyses anteriores
0.50 to 1.05 mm.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown.
Foop PLANT: Unknown.
Types: Hulst had at least two females
when he described speciosa, as he gave
‘*expands 37-38 mm.’’ I have examined the
following specimens bearing his type labels:
1, one in AMNH (Dyar, 1904, p. 225;
Rindge, 1955, p. 154); 2, 3, both in USNM,
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 7
with all of the first three bearing the identical
locality label ‘‘Hot Springs, N. M. 7000 ft.”’;
4, another female (USNM) from ‘Col. B.
Neumoegen,”’ ‘‘Glena speciosa Hulst Type’’;
5, still another female (USNM), without Jo-
cality data but labeled ‘‘speciosa Hlst.
Comp. with type ¢ Coll. Ill. N. H. Surv.
Size OK. Markings OK but type with green-
ish suffusion as in X. T. Rutgers specimen.
F. H. B[enjamin].’’ Specimen 5 is an exam-
ple of the southern Arizona species, de-
scribed below, but the I]linois Natural History
Survey specimen might be correctly placed as
speciosa; aS I have not seen it, I cannot be
certain. Specimen 4 has to be a pseudotype
as the type label places the species in Glena,
whereas it was described in Diastictis. Spec-
imens |, 2, and 3 are conspecific. Number 2
lacks the left hind wing and abdomen, and
number 3 is from the collection of the Brook-
lyn Museum, having been donated by Hulst;
there is nothing in the original description to
indicate that Hulst placed his type in that
collection. Consequently, I hereby designate
specimen number | as the lectotype (see fig.
2), and have so labeled it; it is in the AMNH
and has its genitalia mounted on slide JGF
A-91.
Cassino described albocrenulata from a
holotype, male (see fig. 1), and allotype, fe-
male; they are MCZ 16942. The genitalia of
the holotype are on Cassino’s (7?) slide 3937.
TyPE LOCALITIES: For speciosa, Hot
Springs, elevation 7000 ft., San Miguel
County, New Mexico; for albocrenulata,
Alpine, Brewster County, Texas.
DISTRIBUTION: Colorado, Utah, northern
Coconino County and the White Mountains
of Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas
(see map 1).
FLIGHT PeERIop: Apparently with a single
generation in Colorado, Utah, northern Co-
conino County and the White Mountains of
Arizona, as the adults have been taken from
late June into early August. The moths have
been caught from May into September in
New Mexico, and from March into October
in western Texas; this indicates two or more
broods per year in these states.
REMARKS: Three hundred seventy speci-
mens (250 males, 120 females) and 46 geni-
Map l.
(Hulst).
Distribution of Nemeris speciosa
talic dissections (22 males, 24 females) have
been studied.
This appears to be the most variable
species within the genus. It is the one rep-
resented in large numbers and is the only one
with a wide distribution. Its widespread oc-
currence may reflect a greater number of
habitats and a much wider range of eleva-
tions; these, in turn, could account for at
least some of the variability within speciosa.
In general, specimens from Colorado, Utah,
northern and eastern Arizona, and northern
New Mexico tend to be larger than those
from the remainder of New Mexico. Based
on capture dates, it seems probable that the
northern examples have a single generation
per year, and this seems to be correlated
with their larger size. Specimens that fly in
the spring months in western Texas are larg-
er than those taken later in the year in that
area. I have been unable to find any consis-
tent differences, either in the wings or geni-
talia, within all the material being placed as
speciosa; as a result I am treating this wide-
spread and variable group of specimens as a
single species.
Cassino’s holotype of albocrenulata is a
small male labeled as being caught between
August 20 and 30. Specimens caught in late
summer in western Texas are normally
8 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES NO. 2710
Fics. 1-4. Adults of Nemeris speciosa (Hulst). 1. Holotype, male, of Meris albocrenulata Cassino,
Alpine, Texas, August 20-30 (MCZ). 2. Lectotype, female, Hot Springs, New Mexico (AMNH). 3.
Male, Red Canyon Camp, Utah, August 3, 1965 (F., P., and M. Rindge; AMNH). 4. Female, 7 miles
east Jacob Lake, Arizona, July 23, 1965 (F., P., and M. Rindge; AMNH). All x1.56.
smaller than those flying in the spring. This
particular moth has a very clearly defined
pattern; in fact, it has the most well-defined
markings I have seen for this species. The
genitalia do not show any differences from
either of the other Texas males or specimens
from.elsewhere within the range of speciosa.
I conclude, therefore, that albocrenulata is
nothing but a somewhat abnormal member
of the Texas population, and so have placed
it as a synonym of specicsa.
Nemeris percne, new species
Figures 5, 6, 12, 16, 20
DIAGNOsIs: This species, known only
from south of the Grand Canyon in central
Arizona, can be recognized by the wings
being darker than in any other species and
by the genitalia. The characters that can be
used for these structures are given in the ac-
companying key.
MALE: Head, thorax, and abdomen similar
to those of speciosa but darker gray.
Upper Surface of Wings: Similar to that of
speciosa, differing mainly as follows: fore-
wings more or less heavily and evenly suf-
fused with gray, dark gray, and grayish black
scales, making wing more evenly colored
and darker; veins concolorous with wing,
faintly brown in a few specimens; cross lines
slender, usually fairly clearly defined, vari-
able in course; small white venular dots on
outer portion of t. p. line obsolescent; mar-
ginal dots of terminal line on all wings small
or absent; hind wings dark gray.
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS
Fics. 5-10. Adults of Nemeris. 5, 6. N. percne, new species. 5. Holotype, male, Walnut Creek,
Arizona, August 6, 1964 (R. W. Poole; USNM). 6. Allotype, female, Walnut Creek, Arizona, August
6, 1964 (R. W. Poole; USNM). 7, 8. N. sternitzkyi, new species. 7. Holotype, male, Miller Canyon,
Arizona, July 10, 1968 (R. F. Sternitzky; AMNH). 8. Allotype, female, Miller Canyon, Arizona, Sep-
tember 6, 1974 (R. F. Sternitzky; AMNH). 9, 10. N. mexicola (Dyar). 9. Lectotype, male, Mexico City,
Mexico (R. Muller; USNM). 10. Male, Guerrero Mill, Hidalgo (Mann and Skewes; AMNH). All x1.56.
Under Surface of Wings: Similar to that of
speciosa but darker gray and with all discal
dots prominent.
Length of Forewing: 18 to 21 mm.; holo-
type, 18 mm.
FEMALE: Similar to male, with upper sur-
face of wings being only slightly paler; under
surface with t. p. and extradiscal lines faintly
indicated.
Length of Forewing: 18 to 21 mm.; allo-
type, 19 mm.
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus 1.00 to 1.10 mm.
10 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES NO. 2710
» 15 17 18
Fics. 11-18. Male genitalia of Nemeris. 11-14. Male genitalia. 11. N. speciosa (Hulst), Basin, Big
Bend National Park, Texas, April 9, 1967 (A. and M. E. Blanchard; AMNH). 12. N. percne, new
species, holotype, Walnut Creek, Arizona, August 6, 1964 (R. W. Poole; USNM). 13. N. sternitzkyi,
new species, paratype, Ramsey Canyon, Arizona, July 15, 1968 (R. F. Sternitzky; AMNH). 14. N.
mexicola (Dyar), San Angel, D. F., Mexico, January 15, 1913 (C. C. Hoffmann; AMNH). 15-18. Aedeagi
of same specimens. 15. N. speciosa (Hulst). 16. N. percne, new species. 17. N. sternitzkyi, new species,
with vesica exserted. 18. N. mexicola (Dyar), with vesica partly exserted.
in length, base 0.60 to 0.65 mm. wide, with thos with posterolateral bands 0.05 mm.
sclerotized anterolateral points minute or — wide; transtilla with outer sclerotized margin
slender, pointed and curved anteriorly; gna- 0.55 to 0.65 mm. long, weakly biconcave to
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 11
almost straight, apically tending to be broad-
ly rounded; anellus 1.00 to 1.25 mm. in
length, median cleft 0.80 to 1.00 mm. long,
median pair of processes 0.47 to 0.55 mm.
long, outer pair of processes 0.15 to 0.25
mm. long; tegumen 0.85 to 1.10 mm. long;
saccus 1.45 to 1.85 mm. long; aedeagus 2.10
to 2.30 mm. in length, increasing in width
posteriorly on left side, with terminal sclero-
tized projection moderate to large in size,
attached posterolaterally.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Sterigma with wide
posterolateral areas weakly sclerotized,
rounded posteriorly, and with elongate,
raised, semicircular ridge on each side, ex-
tending posteriad of posterolateral points of
ductus bursae anteriorly to beyond anterior
edge of ductus bursae; ductus bursae vari-
able in shape, anterior margin partially de-
limited by small, incomplete diagonal ridge;
ductus seminalis arising from dorsal one of
two small lobes at posterior end of corpus
bursae; corpus bursae with posterior end
weakly swollen on left side, scarcely extend-
ing beyond anterior margin of left side of
ductus bursae, on right side tending to be
bilobed, ventral one small, dorsal one larger
and curved, right margin anteriad of ductus
bursae sclerotized, straight or only very
weakly concave. Apophyses posteriores 1.9
to 2.4 mm. long; apophyses anteriores 0.65
to 0.85 mm.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown.
FooD PLANT: Unknown.
Types: Holotype, male, and allotype, fe-
male, Walnut Creek, elevation 6500 ft., 6%
mi. EESE Flagstaff, Coconino County, Ari-
zona, August 6, 1964 (R. W. Poole). The gen-
italia of the holotype are mounted on slide
FHR 18823, and of the allotype on FHR
18830. Paratypes, all from Coconino County,
Arizona: same data as holotype, August 1,
6, 7, 12, 1964, July 8, 30, 1965, August 2, 4,
5, 8, 1965, 10 males, 27 females (USNM,
AMNH); Fort Valley, elevation 7350 ft., 714
mi. NW Flagstaff, July 27, 28, 31, 1964, Au-
gust 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 22, 1964, July 24, 1965,
August 1, 1965 (R. W. Poole), five males, 20
females (USNM, AMNH); West Fork, ele-
vation 6500 ft., 16 mi. SW Flagstaff, July 29,
1964, August 17, 1964, August 3, 1965 (R.
W. Poole), two males, four females (USNM);
Slate Mountain Loop Road, elevation 6900
ft., 20 mi. NW Flagstaff, July 19, 1965 (R.
W. Poole), one female (USNM); 3 mi. NW
Flagstaff, elevation 7000 ft., August 11, 1950
(T. Cohn, P. Boone, M. Cazier), one male
(AMNH); Flagstaff, elevation 6900 ft., July
25, 1950 (T. Cohn, P. Boone, M. Cazier),
one female (AMNH); 7 mi. W Williams, July
23-28, 1957 (N. McFarland), three females
(LAM); same data and date as last, collected
by C. A. Hill at black light, seven females
(LAM).
The holotype and allotype (see figs. 5, 6)
are in the collection of the National Museum
of Natural History; paratypes are in the col-
lections of that institution, of the American
Museum of Natural History, and of the Nat-
ural History Museum of Los Angeles Coun-
ty, as indicated above.
DISTRIBUTION: Coconino and Yavapai
counties, Arizona (see map 2). A single spec-
imen has been studied that is labeled Pres-
cott, Yavapai County (AMNH); it apparent-
ly belongs to this species but was purposely
not included in the type series.
FLIGHT PERIOD: July and August.
REMARKS: Ninety-five specimens (29
males, 66 females) and nine genitalic dissec-
tions (four males, five females) have been
studied.
There is relatively litthe individual varia-
tion within this species. The females are only
slightly paler than the males; in some cases
there is practically no difference between the
two sexes.
ETYMOLOGy: The specific name is from
the Greek percnos, meaning dark colored, in
reference to the color of the upper surface of
the wings.
Nemeris sternitzkyi, new species
Figures 7, 8, 13, 17, 21
DIAGNOSIS: This species, from southern
Arizona, tends to have the upper surface of
the forewings of the females a paler, pinkish
buff than in the other species. The species
can be best recognized by a study of the gen-
italia, especially of the females; the diagnos-
12 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
tic characters for both sexes are given in the
accompanying key.
MALE: Head, thorax, and abdomen similar
to those of speciosa.
Upper Surface of Wings: Similar to that of
speciosa, differing mainly as follows: veins
yellowish brown; t. a. line tending to be
slightly more angulate; t. p. line more atten-
uate in cell M.; small white venular dots on
outer portion of t. p. line more consistently
represented; marginal dots of terminal line
on all wings small or absent; hind wings
slightly darker, with extradiscal line tending
to be more angulate.
Under Surface of Wings: Similar to that of
speciosa but tending to have more scattered
dark scales, and to have costal margin of
forewing brown and broader.
Length of Forewing: 15 to 20 mm.; holo-
type, 19.5 mm.
FEMALE: Similar to male but with upper
surface of forewings pale buff to buff, due to
fewer dark scales, and with cross lines slight-
ly more clearly marked.
Length of Forewing: 17 to 22 mm.; allo-
type, 21 mm.
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus 1.05 to 1.15 mm.
long, base 0.65 to 0.70 mm. wide, with sclero-
tized anterolateral points prominently pointed
and curved anteriorly; gnathos with postero-
lateral bands 0.10 mm. wide; transtilla with
outer sclerotized margin 0.60 to 0.70 mm.
long, convex medially, ending posteriorly in
projecting point, apically truncate; anellus
1.20 mm. long, median cleft 0.92 to 1.00 mm.
long, median pair of processes 0.50 to 0.55
mm. long, outer pair of processes 0.10 to
0.25 mm. long; tegumen 1.00 to 1.05 mm. in
length; saccus 1.65 to 1.80 mm. long; aedea-
gus 2.35 to 2.50 mm. long, posterior one-half
gradually increasing in diameter, with ter-
minal sclerotized projection moderate in
size, attached laterally at posterior end.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Sterigma with wide
posterolateral areas weakly sclerotized,
square or with obtuse angle posteriorly, and
with very small semicircular ridge on each
side; ductus bursae shorter than in speciosa,
anterior margin with prominent diagonal
ridge; ductus seminalis arising from apex of
slender, dorsally curved lobe at posterior
NO. 2710
end of corpus bursae; corpus bursae with
posterior end angulate on left side, weakly
sclerotized with diagonal ridge of ductus bur-
sae extending beyond left margin of ductus
bursae, on right side extending as diagonal
lobe, curved posteriad and tapering to ductus
seminalis, right margin anteriad of ductus
bursae sclerotized, sharply curved. Apoph-
yses posteriores 1.65 to 2.35 mm. long; apo-
physes anteriores 0.60 to 0.85 mm.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown.
FooD PLANT: Unknown.
TYPES: Holotype, male, Miller Canyon,
Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County, Ar-
izona, July 10, 1968 (R. F. Sternitzky); al-
lotype, female, same data, elevation 5000 ft.,
September 6, 1974; both specimens are from
the author’s collection. The genitalia of the
holotype are mounted on slide FHR 18803,
and of the allotype on FHR 18806. Para-
types, all from Cochise County, Arizona:
same data as holotype, various dates be-
tween March 19 and July 25, 1968, April 17
to October 13, 1969, nine males, two females
(AMNH); Carr Canyon, Huachuca Moun-
tains, June 7, 1964, October 17 and Novem-
ber 10, 1967, various dates between June 19
and September 27, 1968, October 10, 1972
(R. F. Sternitzky), 13 males, September 10,
1976 (R. Wielgus), one female (AMNH);
Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, July
22, 1964, various dates between May 5 and
October 2, 1965, between April 4 and Octo-
ber 27, 1967, between March 27 and Novem-
ber 11, 1968, and between August 7 and Oc-
tober 11, 1969 (R. F. Sternitzky), 42 males,
nine females (AMNH); Ash Canyon, Hua-
chuca Mountains, various dates between
April 3 and October 1, 1968 (R. F. Sternitz-
ky), 12 males, two females (AMNH); Parker
Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, September
1, 1967 (R. F. Sternitzky), one male
(AMNH); Garden Canyon, Huachuca Moun-
tains, September 13, 1967, March 30, 1968
(R. F. Sternitzky), two males (AMNH);
Huachuca Mountains, May 30, 1935 (G. H.
and J. L. Sperry), no date, August, two
males, one female (AMNH, USNM, CNC);
Sierra Vista, September 8, 1963, October 30,
1963, August 8, 1968 (R. F. Sternitzky), two
males, one female (AMNH); Montezuma
198] RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 13
Fics. 19-21,
23 (AMNH). 20. N. percne, new species, allotype, Walnut Canyon, Arizona, August 6, 1964 (R. W.
Poole; USNM). 21. N. sternitzkyi, new species, paratype, Ramsey Canyon, Arizona, May 11, 1965 (R.
F. Sternitzky; AMNH).
Pass, September 14, 1968 (R. F. Sternitzky),
one male (AMNH); Bisbee, August 23, 1967
(R. F. Sternitzky), one male (AMNH); Sun-
nyside, west side Huachuca Mountains, July
14, 1958 (L. M. Martin), one female (LAM);
Southwestern Research Station of the Amer-
ican Museum of Natural History, elevation
5400 ft., 5 mi. west of Portal, August 18, 1957
(C. W. Kirkwood), June 17, 19, 1958 (C. W.
Kirkwood), June 23, 1958 (M. A. Cazier),
July 3, 1959 (M. Statham), September 5, 1959
(C. W. Kirkwood), April 19, 1961 (C. W.
Kirkwood), three males, five females
(AMNH, LAM); Douglas, October I-7, one
female (AMNH); south fork, Cave Creek,
Chiricahua Mountains, May 19-20, 1966 (L.
M. Martin), one female (LAM); Cave Creek,
east side Chiricahua Mountains, elevation
$000 ft., April 30, 1963, October 11, 1970,
August 25, 1976, April 12, 1979 (R. H. Leu-
schner), four females (LAM, RL); Sunny Flat
C. G., Cave Creek, Chiricahua Mountains,
September 6, 1969, two females (LAM);
Chiricahua National Monument, September
16, 1962 (J. Wilcox), two females (LAM);
Paradise, April 16-23, August, September,
one male, four females (USNM); ‘*Palmer-
20
Female genitalia of Nemeris. 19. N. speciosa (Hulst), High Rolls, New Mexico, August
ly’’ (Palmerlee), June, one female (USNM).
I am intentionally restricting the type series
to specimens from Cochise County, Arizona.
The holotype and allotype (see figs. 7, 8)
are in the collection of the American Mu-
seum of Natural History; paratypes are in
the collections of that institution, of the Na-
tional Museum of Natural History, of the
Canadian National Collection, of the Natural
History Museum of Los Angeles County,
and of R. H. Leuschner, as indicated above.
DISTRIBUTION: Southern Arizona (see
map 2).
FLIGHT PERIOD: From March into No-
vember. The majority of specimens have
been caught in the spring and fall months;
this represents, at least in part, activity on
the part of collectors. This species has to
have two or more generations per year due
to its long flight period.
REMARKS: One hundred thirty-nine speci-
mens (92 males, 47 females) and 11 genitalic
dissections (five males, six females) have
been studied.
The upper surface of the wings of the
males of sternitzkyi resemble those of spe-
ciosa but the hind wings tend to be darker
14 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
Map 2.
species (open circles), N. sternitzkyi, new species
(triangles), and N. mexicola (Dyar; solid circles).
Distribution of Nemeris percne, new
and to have a more prominent, more sharply
angled extradiscal line. The females tend to
be most dimorphic in wing coloration in the
three species in which this sex is known; the
median area of the forewings is noticeably
paler than that of the male.
ETyMo_ocy: I take pleasure in naming
this species after the late Robert F. Sternitz-
ky, the indefatigable collector who caught
most of the type series.
Nemeris mexicola (Dyar),
new combination
Figures 9, 10, 14, 18
Meris mexicola Dyar, **1911°’ [1910], p. 265.
DIAGNOSIS: This species, known only
from the mountains of central Mexico, is
best determined by a study of the male gen-
italia. The characters that can be used for
these structures are given in the accompa-
nying key.
NO. 2710
MALE: Head, thorax, and abdomen similar
to those of speciosa but tending to have
more gray scaling on upper surface of tho-
rax.
Upper Surface of Wings: Similar to that of
speciosa, differing mainly as follows: veins
narrowly and faintly yellowish brown; fore-
wings with less buff scaling, with wings ap-
pearing slightly darker and more coarsely
speckled with dark scaling; cross lines more
clearly defined in some specimens, with t. p.
line strongly convex in cells; small white
venular dots on outer portion of t. p. line
weakly represented, often in lower part of
wing only; marginal line on forewings with
large, prominent dots; hind wings tending to
have fewer dark scales, and with extradiscal
line obsolescent.
Under Surface of Wings: Similar to that of
speciosa but tending to have more scattered
dark scales, with costa of forewings pale
brown with dark brown scales, and with all
wings having larger discal dots and more
prominent cellular dots along margins of
wings.
Length of Forewing: 17 to 18 mm.
FEMALE: Unknown.
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus 1.00 to 1.10 mm.
in length, base 0.60 to 0.65 mm. wide, with
lateral margins rounded, not curving or
pointed anteriorly; gnathos with postero-
lateral bands 0.75 mm. wide; transtilla with
outer sclerotized margin strongly convex
medially, 0.45 to 0.50 mm. long; anellus 1.00
to 1.05 mm. in length, median cleft 0.75 to
0.80 mm. long, median pair of processes 0.47
to 0.50 mm. long, outer pair of processes
0.05 mm. long; tegumen 0.80 to 0.90 mm.
long; saccus 1.35 to 1.40 mm. long; aedeagus
1.75 to 1.85 mm. in length, terminal one-third
increasing in width posteriorly, with terminal
sclerotized projection small, slender, at-
tached posterolaterally.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Unknown.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown.
FooD PLANT: Unknown.
Types: Dyar described mexicola from two
male specimens; both are in the USNM.
Only one was labeled by him as the type; I
hereby select this specimen as the lectotype
and have so labeled it. It bears Dyar’s ho-
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 15
lographic type label, is USNM 13027, and
has its genitalia mounted on slide HWC 422.
The specimen (see fig. 9) is in good condition
although the tips of both antennae have been
broken off.
Type LocaLity: Mexico City, Distrito
Federal, Mexico.
DISTRIBUTION: The highlands of central
Mexico, in the Distrito Federal and Hidalgo
(see map 2). The species apparently occurs
at elevations of from about 7350 to 9000 ft.
(2240 to 2750 m.).
FLIGHT PERIoD: Moths have been caught
in January, March, June, and December.
REMARKS: Eight specimens (all males) and
three genitalic dissections have been studied.
Dyar, in his original description, said that
his species was similar to alticola but the
wings were ‘‘greener and marked with dis-
tinct lines; the pectinations of the antennae
are much shorter.’ Freshly emerged moths
of the present species may be greenish; the
two syntypes were taken late in 1909 and
were described the following year. Unfortu-
nately, we do not have any freshly caught
specimens to study (the one with the most
recent date is 1913) so nothing can be said
about this. The color of the forewings of
mexicola is indeed different from that of al-
ticola, as the latter is gray. As for the pec-
tinations of the male antennae being ‘‘much
shorter,’’ this is simply not so; in mexicola
they are about 1.2 mm. long, whereas in al-
ticola they range in length from 0.65 to 0.90
mm. After having studied the type, I think
I know how Dyar came to make his state-
ment. The pectinations are strongly curled
downward and inward, and this gives the ap-
pearance, from above, of being short.
GENUS MERIS HULST
Meris Hulst, 1896, p. 348. Dyar, *‘1902’’ [1903],
p. 322. Smith, 1903, p. 76. Grossbeck, 1908, p.
88. Barnes and McDunnough, 1917, p. 116 (in
part). McDunnough, 1938, p. 171 (in part);
1940, p. 96.
DIAGNOSIS: Meris can be separated from
Nemeris by the shorter pectinations in the
male antennae (0.45 to 0.90 mm. long, com-
pared with 1.00 to 1.50 mm. in Nemeris), the
pectinations arising medially on the antennal
segments, the female antennae being shortly
pectinate with the pectinations being 0.2 to
0.3 mm. long, the foreleg with the male apo-
physes arising at or beyond middle of the
segment and being 1.00 to 1.45 mm. long
(1.55 to 2.15 mm. in Nemeris), by the pres-
ence of two accessory cells in the forewings
and by the genitalia. The genitalia distinguish
Meris from the other Cingiliini found in
North Ameria. No other group has the male
structures with the broad uncus having the
dorsolateral margins lamellate, and the
valves with the angulate costa plus the distal
area of setae or thick elongate spines; the
female structures with the lamella antevagi-
nalis being semicircular, heavily sclerotized,
and extending the width of the abdomen.
ADULT: Head with eyes of both sexes
large, those of males slightly larger than fe-
males, round, wider than front; front flat;
tongue either apparently normal or vestigial,
short; palpi moderate, extending slightly be-
yond front, not rising to middle of eye; an-
tennae bipectinate, with from about 52 to 59
segments, pectinations arising medially from
basal segments, extending to apex in male,
this sex with pectinations about three times
as long as basal segments, 0.6 to 0.8 mm.
long, each pectination with double row of
elongate, slender setae below, becoming
shorter at apex, females with shortly bipec-
tinate antennae, longest pectination 0.2 to
0.3 mm. long, becoming shorter apically.
Thorax moderately stout, without dorsal
tufts but with elongate scaling dorsoposte-
riorly; fore tibia unarmed, with process of
male 1.2 to 1.5 mm. long, arising one-half to
three-fifths distance from base of segment
and extending 0.2 to 0.3 mm. beyond apex
of segment, of female shorter, 0.7 to 0.8 mm.
in length, arising two-thirds distance from
base of segment; hind tibia with two pairs of
slender spurs in both sexes, longer upper
spur of male 0.70 to 0.95 mm. in length, of
female 0.65 to 0.80 mm., males without
groove and hair pencil. Abdomen without
dorsal tufts; males with ventral surface of
third segment without row of setae and last
segment without modification.
16 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
Forewings broad, apex angulate, outer
margin rounded; 12 veins present, and with
two accessory cells; R, uniting with Sc, R,
separate, bisecting cell, R; going to costa just
before apex, R;,, stalked; udc short or ab-
sent; mdc and lIdc of about equal length,
slightly angled; Cu, from before lower angle;
fovea absent. Hind wings broad, outer mar-
gin rounded; frenulum strong in males, ves-
tigial in females; Sc sharply angulate at base
of wings; R angled at base of wing, parallel-
ing Sc for less than one-third length of cell;
R and M, separating at, or just beyond, up-
per angle of cell; m and Idc angled; M; from
lower angle; cell slightly longer than half
length of wing; Cu, arising nearer angle than
to Cu.
Wings with elongate hairlike scales on
both surfaces, more numerous on upper sur-
face, and quite long on basal portion of upper
surface of hind wings; upper surface of fore-
wings pale to dark gray, with t. a., median,
and t. p. lines usually present; hind wings
grayish white, with reduced maculation. Un-
der surface with all wings grayish white, hind
wings slightly paler than forewings, all wings
with obsolescent maculation. Females simi-
lar to males.
MALE GENITALIA: Shorter than those of
Nemeris, being 2.5 to 3.2 mm. in length; un-
cus with wide base, length subequal to
width, apex broad, rounded, curved ventral-
ly, dorsolateral margins lamellate, with irreg-
ular margins; socius on each ventrolateral
margin of uncus, in form of small swelling
with several moderately long setae; gnathos
with lateral margins sloping inwardly, ante-
rior portion either membranous or heavily
sclerotized, straight, broad, slightly swollen
and covered with numerous spinules; valves
large, symmetrical, lightly sclerotized except
for outer margin, each with broad base, dis-
tal portion curved posteriorly, costa sclero-
tized, turned at about right angle distally,
widened to include most of inner surface of
valve, with or without broad band of thick,
elongate spines, remainder of inner surface
of valve simple; without transtilla, or with
base of each costa digitate, extending in-
wardly to form transtilla-like process not
meeting at midline; furca and cristae absent;
NO. 2710
anellus sclerotized, with rounded or broad,
flat, anterior portion extending anterodorsal-
ly and appearing slightly bulbous, with pos-
terior portion elongate, slightly widened pos-
teriorly, distal margin bluntly pointed or
rounded; tegumen large, broad, either with
prominent median suture or with very shal-
low, rounded posterior indentation and with-
out median suture; saccus with sides more
or less parallel, anterior margin flat or weak-
ly bilobed; aedeagus simple, posterior end
enlarged, either truncate and with five or six
spines or with sclerotized bifurcate struc-
ture; vesica either unarmed or with single
spinulate cornutus attached to U-shaped in-
dentation on dorsal surface.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Papillae anales elon-
gate, with numerous setae, posteroventrally
concave medially, membranous except for
sclerotized anteroventral strip; sterigma with
lamella postvaginalis a raised, sclerotized,
more or less triangular area having rugose
surface and finely irregular posterior margin;
lamella antevaginalis heavily sclerotized, ex-
tending width of abdomen, semicircular, lat-
eral areas concave, anterior margin irregular
and with lightly sclerotized outer area; duc-
tus bursae short, membranous, inconspic-
uous, more or less vertical, ventral margin
partially delimited by sclerotized lamella an-
tevaginalis; ductus seminalis arising medially
or slightly to right side from beneath lamella
antevaginalis; corpus bursae membranous,
with relatively slender posterior portion,
more or less vertical, with a few longitudinal
striations, slightly constricted, curving an-
teriorly and becoming more or less elliptical,
smooth or with weakly rugose surface; sig-
num heavily sclerotized, longer than wide,
lateral and anterior margins raised, shortly
stellate, median area variably denticulate.
Apophyses posteriores attached anterodor-
sally to papillae anales, slender, 1.25 to 1.80
mm. long; apophyses anteriores reduced, 0.1
to 0.4 mm. in length.
EARLY STAGES: These have been de-
scribed only partially for alticola (Poole,
1970). The mature larvae are marked with
alternating black and white bands for their
entire length, and overwinter in this stage.
Additional details are given under alticola.
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 17
Foop PLANT: Penstemon (Scrophularia-
ceae).
TYPE SPECIES: Meris alticola Hulst, by
original designation and monotypy.
DISTRIBUTION: The Rocky Mountain area,
from southern British Columbia and Alberta
south to Arizona and New Mexico, and into
Nevada.
REMARKS: Hulst described the genus
based on a female only. Grossbeck (1908)
properly associated the males, and made the
necessary additions to the generic descrip-
tion. Additional notes on the generic char-
acters were published by McDunnough
(1940).
Identifications in this genus are not easy,
with the exception of paradoxa which can
be recognized by wing coloration and pat-
tern. The remaining four species have basi-
cally the same coloration and pattern, and
dissections of the genitalia should be made
for identifications. An additional complicat-
ing factor is that alticola quite commonly
collected (I have studied more than 300 spec-
imens of it), whereas the remaining three are
known only from 16 examples, and two of
these from only one sex. Much more mate-
rial is needed for these three species before
we can obtain any sort of a picture of the
variation within each.
KEY TO SPECIES
Based on Male Genitalia
1. Anellus with length equal to width; uncus with
lamellae very small, trilobed, not extending
within 0.6 to 0.7 mm. of apex of uncus; ae-
deagus with posterior end truncate, having
five or Six spines .............. paradoxa
Anellus twice as long as wide; uncus with la-
mellae almost as long as uncus; aedeagus
with bilobed posterior end ............. 2
2. Anellus with each lateral margin having shoul-
er-like projection; gnathos with median spi-
nose area small, slightly wider than high,
0.15 mm. high and 0.25 mm. wide ........
Bate Niet Sie othe gts Heth cea mee hse suffusaria
Anellus with lateral margins gently rounded or
straight; gnathos with median spinose area
low and very wide, 0.10 to 0.20 mm. high,
and 0.30 to 0.65 mm. wide ............. 3
3. Uncus with terminal portion of dorsal surface
with lamellae not coming within 0.20 to 0.30
MM OR APEX as tees pseeitecd rh otto nse 4
Uncus with terminal portion of dorsal surface
with lamellae either tapering to apex or end-
ing not more than 0.15 mm. from it .......
Bo te oN thal tetera gn wa heat Moca See alticola
4. Uncus with lamellae extending 0.10 to 0.15
mm. anteriad of base of uncus; aedeagus
1.80 to 2.00 mm. long ........... cultrata
Uncus with lamellae extending 0.20 to 0.25
mm. anteriad of base of uncus; aedeagus
1.65 to 1.75 mm. long ............ patula
Based on Female Genitalia?
1. Sterigma laterally with lightly sclerotized band
on each side less than one-half as wide as
heavily sclerotized, posterolateral exten-
sions of lamella antevaginalis ........... 2
Sterigma laterally with lightly sclerotized band
on each side at least as wide as heavily
sclerotized posterolateral extensions of la-
mella antevaginalis ............... patula
2. Lamella antevaginalis with posteromedian lip
terminating about middle of lateral exten-
sions of lamella ................. alticola
Lamella antevaginalis with posteromedian lip
extending as elongate, pointed ridge to with-
in 0.05 mm. of posterior margin of
eee ASS ee sc teas lees, a gl tls cat cultrata
Meris paradoxa, new species
Figures 22, 32, 37
DiaGnosis: This is the only known species
of the genus with an apparently normal
tongue, and with the upper surface of the
forewings pale buff with weakly represented
maculation. The male genitalia differ from
those of all the other species by the digitate
uncus, the very small trilobed lamellae, the
membranous median area of the gnathos, the
lack of spines on the face of the valves, the
rounded anellus, and by the posterior end of
the aedeagus having five or six projecting
spines.
MALE: Head with vertex white; front with
dorsal portion buff, becoming brown ven-
trally and laterally; palpi with basal segment
grayish white, terminal segments grayish
brown; tongue apparently normal; antennae
3 The females of paradoxa and suffusaria are un-
known.
18 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
NO. 2710
Fics. 22-25.
Adults of Meris. 22. M. paradoxa, new species, holotype, male, Madera Canyon,
Arizona, August 16, 1952 (Kirkwood and Reid; LAM). 23. M. suffusaria McDunnough, holotype, male,
Keremos, British Columbia (A. N. Gartrell; CNC). 24, 25. M. patula, new species. 24. Holotype, male,
Richel Lodge, Montana, July 30, 1942 (G. H. and J. L. Sperry; AMNH). 25. Allotype, female, Richel
Lodge, Montana, August 1, 1942 (G. H. and J. L. Sperry; AMNH). All x1.56.
of about 51 segments, with longest pectina-
tions 0.45 mm. long. Thorax above with mix-
ture of white, grayish white, and buff scales,
tending to become darker posteriorly; below
pale grayish white; legs grayish white, tend-
ing to be brown on outer surfaces. (Abdomen
removed for dissection.)
Upper Surface of Wings: Forewings thinly
scaled, slightly transparent, pale buff with
scattered brown and grayish scaling; macula-
tion weakly represented, cross lines grayish
brown, tending to be broad, incomplete; t.
a. line arising as brown or grayish brown
spot on costa, extending to radial vein, line
then obsolescent, with strong outward
curves in cells, apparently meeting inner
margin just basad of middle as small dark
spot; median line arising on costa as brown
or grayish brown spot three-fifths distance
from base, extending to radial vein, then ob-
solescent; discal spot dark brown or blackish
brown, small, distinct; t. p. line arising on
costa as dark brown or grayish brown spot
four-fifths distance from base, extending to
vein R,, line then obsolescent, represented
as outward bends in cells R;, M,, and Cu,
extending outwardly from anal vein to meet
inner margin three-fourths distance from
base; subterminal area slightly darkened
with gray scales, without s. t. line; fringe
concolorous with wing, with dark brown
scales opposite vein endings. Hind wings
slightly paler than forewings, with scattered
brown scaling distally and along anal margin;
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 19
Fics. 26-31. Adults of Meris. 26-29. M. alticola Hulst. 26. Male, Estes Park, Colorado, July 22,
1967 (A. Blanchard; AMNH). 27. Holotype, female, Colorado (Bruce; AMNH). 28. Male, Cedar Crest,
New Mexico, August 14, 1975 (R. Holland; AMNH). 29. Female, Alpine Divide Camp, Arizona, July
16, 1965 (F., P., and M. Rindge; AMNH). 30, 31. M. cultrata, new species. 30. Holotype, male, North
Rim, Arizona, July 18, 1957 (R. H. Leuschner; AMNH). 31. Allotype, female, North Kaibab, Arizona,
June 29, 1974 (R. Wielgus; AMNH). All x1.56.
without maculation except for portion of ex- Under Surface of Wings: All wings uni-
tradiscal line near anal margin; fringe con- _—_colorous pale buff to grayish white, hind
colorous with wing, with pale brown scales wings slightly paler than forewings; latter
opposite vein endings. with diffuse, complete, gray t. p. line, more
20 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
Map 3.
Distribution of Meris alticola Hulst
(solid circles) and M. paradoxa, new species
(open circle).
or less paralleling outer margin, and with
very small dark discal dot; hind wings with
curved extradiscal line and minute pale dis-
cal dot; fringe concolorous with wings, nar-
rowly darkened opposite veins on forewing,
slightly darkened on hind wing.
Length of Forewing: Holotype, 18 mm.;
paratype, 19 mm.
FEMALE: Unknown
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus with base 0.6 to
0.7 mm. wide, sharply narrowed above base
and extending as digitate process 0.8 mm.
long, with rounded apex, lateral lamellae
small, trilobed, centered on ends of bases of
uncus, with posterior origins 0.7 mm. from
apex; gnathos with very slender lateral mar-
gins, anteromedially membranous; valves
with posterior margin of costa distad of
tegumen sharply curved beyond middle, ter-
minating in pointed apex, dorsally slightly
swollen and projecting anteriad of point,
without spines; transtilla absent; anellus
rounded, flat or with very small indentation
anteromedially; tegumen with prominent me-
dian suture; saccus with anterior margin
shallowly bilobed; aedeagus with swollen an-
terior end, narrowed medially, enlarged pos-
teriorly, terminally truncate and with five or
NO. 2710
six spines arising around outer edge, entire
structure (excluding spines) 2.1 to 2.2 mm.
long; vesica unarmed.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Unknown.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown
Foop PLANT: Unknown.
Types: Holotype, male, Madera Canyon,
Santa Rita Mountains, southern Arizona,
August 16, 1952 (C. W. Kirkwood and R. H.
Reid). The genitalia of the holotype are
mounted on slide CWK 955. Paratype: same
locality as holotype, April 29, 1962 (C. W.
Kirkwood), one male.
The holotype and paratype are in the col-
lection of the Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County.
DISTRIBUTION: This species is known only
from the Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; this
area includes southern Pima County and
Santa Cruz County (see map 3).
FLIGHT PERIOD: April and August.
REMARKS: Two specimens (both males)
and two genitalic dissections have been ex-
amined.
This is the most distinctive species in the
genus, as outlined in the Diagnosis. The ve-
nation is typical for the genus except that the
accessory cells of the forewings are slightly
longer than those of the other species.
From the dates of capture of the two spec-
imens it appears that at least two generations
per year are present. The April specimen is
the larger of the two and it appears to have
slightly more dark scaling on the upper sur-
face of the forewings. It should be noted,
however, that both males are slightly worn;
more and better material is needed before
meaningful comparisons of the generations
can be made.
ETYMOLOGy: The specific name is from
the Latin paradoxus, strange or contrary to
expectation.
Meris suffusaria McDunnough
Figures 23, 33
Meris suffusaria McDunnough, 1940, p. 96, pl. 7,
fig. 7 (male genitalia).
DIAGNosIs: This is the first of several
species with a vestigial tongue, and with the
forewings being gray above with both cross
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 21
lines present. The wings of suffusaria are
more densely scaled and narrower than are
those of paradoxa. The male genitalia of the
present species are characterized by large flar-
ing lamellae on each side of the uncus that
do not come within 0.1 mm. of the apex, by
an elongate anellus with each lateral margin
having a shoulder-like projection, and a
small, narrow and elongate median portion
of the gnathos, 0.15 mm. high and 0.25 mm.
wide.
MALE: Head with vertex pale buff; front
grayish brown dorsally, pale buff ventrally,
having semicircular line of demarcation be-
tween the two colors; palpi grayish brown;
tongue vestigial; antennae with longest pec-
tinations 0.4 mm. long (both antennae bro-
ken, so no number of segments given). Tho-
rax above grayish brown; below grayish
white; legs grayish white with outer surfaces
brown. (Abdomen removed for dissection.)
Upper Surface of Wings: Forewings with
outer margin angled at vein M;, apex point-
ed; grayish white, thickly and evenly cov-
ered with grayish brown scales; cross lines
dark gray, rather weakly defined; t. a. line
diffuse, apparently arising on costa about
one-third distance from base, convex, ap-
parently meeting inner margin two-fifths dis-
tance from base; median line absent or
vaguely indicated by nebulous dark area ex-
tending to small discal dot; t. p. line arising
as dark spot on costa about seven-tenths dis-
tance from base, weakly convex, with small
basal indentations on veins, meeting inner
margin four-fifths distance from base; sub-
terminal area not differentiated except for
faint trace of s. t. line below costa; fringe
concolorous with wing, slightly darkened op-
posite vein endings. Hind wings slightly pal-
er than forewings, becoming slightly darker
— distally and along anal margin; discal dot ab-
sent; incomplete extradiscal line straight,
present in lower half of wing; fringe similar
to that of forewing.
Under Surface of Wings: Similar to upper
surface, with maculation more weakly rep-
resented; small discal dots present on hind
wings.
Length of Forewing: 19 mm. (holotype).
FEMALE: Unknown.
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus with base 0.75
mm. wide, terminal portion of ventral sur-
face 0.25 mm. wide and 0.12 mm. long, ter-
minal portion of dorsal surface having lateral
lamellae not coming within 0.10 mm. of
apex, and with anterior end of each lamella
extending only to base of uncus; each lamella
with anterior portion constricted, flaring out
medially, outer margin slightly irregular, ex-
tending slightly posteriad of apex of uncus,
posteromedially curving anteriorly before
uniting with uncus; gnathos with wide lateral
margins, median spinose area only slightly
wider than high, 0.15 mm. high and 0.20 mm.
wide; valves with posterior margin of costa
distad of tegumen shallowly biconvex, and
with terminal area having numerous thick
spines; transtilla-like processes with rounded
apices; anellus with lateral margins having
shoulder-like projection on each side; tegu-
men without median suture; saccus with
truncate anterior margin; aedeagus with
small median projection on anterior end, en-
tire structure 1.75 mm. long, posterior end
with left lobe slightly larger and longer than
right lobe; vesica spined.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Unknown.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown.
Foop PLANT: Unknown.
TYPE: Holotype, male, CNC 4964 (see
fig. 23). The genitalia are mounted on slide
Me4.
TYPE LocaLity: Shingle Creek Road,
Keremos, British Columbia.
DISTRIBUTION: This species is known only
from the type locality in south central British
Columbia (see map 4).
FLIGHT PERIOD: July.
REMARKS: One specimen (the holotype)
and one genitalic dissection have been stud-
ied.
This species is similar to paradoxa in hav-
ing short (0.40 to 0.45 mm.) pectinations on
the male antennae; in all the other known
species the pectinations range from 0.65 to
0.90 mm. in length. The lamellae of the uncus
of suffusaria are somewhat intermediate in
size between those of paradoxa and the fol-
lowing species, and are of a very character-
istic shape. In the reduction of the tongue,
the coloring of the wings, and the pattern,
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 23
suffusaria resembles all the included species
except for paradoxa.
Meris patula, new species
Figures 24, 25, 34, 38, 41
DIAGNOSIS: The adults are similar to those
of suffusaria but the wings are paler in color.
The male genitalia have an elongate anellus
with straight sides, the uncus has lamellae
that extend 0.20 to 0.25 mm. anteriad of the
base of the uncus, and the aedeagus is 1.65
to 1.75 mm. long. The female genitalia are
recognized by the broad lightly sclerotized
band on each side of the heavily sclerotized
posterolateral extensions of the lamella an-
tevaginalis, and by the apophyses poste-
riores being 1.3 to 1.5 mm. long.
MALE: Head with vertex pale buff; front
shiny pale brown to grayish brown; palpi
grayish brown; tongue vestigial; antennae of
about 57 segments, with longest pectinations
0.7 to 0.8 mm. long. Thorax above with mix-
ture of shiny buff and grayish white scales;
below pale grayish white; legs grayish white
with some pale brown scaling, and with outer |
surfaces tending to be darker brown. Abdo-
men above with mixture of pale buff and
grayish white scales; below with more pale
scaling.
Upper Surface of Wings: Forewings pale
grayish white, with evenly scattered light
grayish brown scales; maculation similar to
that of suffusaria but t. a. line strongly bi-
concave, median line varying from being ab-
sent to complete, nebulous, and including
small discal dot; t. p. line more curved and
more strongly indented basally on veins;
fringe concolorous with wing, slightly dark-
<_<
ened opposite vein endings. Hind wings
slightly paler than forewings, tending to be
slightly darkened distally; discal dot small,
nebulous; extradiscal line either absent or
obsolescent; fringe similar to that of fore-
wing.
Under Surface of Wings: Forewings uni-
colorous pale grayish white, with maculation
of upper surface weakly represented. Hind
wings slightly paler than forewings, with
dark discal dot. Fringes of all wings similar
to those of upper surface.
Length of Forewing: 19 to 21 mm.; holo-
type, 19 mm.
FEMALE: Similar to male; antennae of
about 58 segments, with longest pectinations
0.2 to 0.3 mm. long.
Length of Forewing: 17 to 21 mm.; allo-
type, 21 mm.
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus with base 0.60
to 0.85 mm. wide, terminal portion of ventral
surface 0.30 to 0.35 mm. wide and 0.20 to
0.25 mm. long, terminal portion of dorsal
surface having lateral lamellae not coming
within 0.10 to 0.25 mm. of apex, and with
anterior end of each lamella extending ante-
riorly 0.15 to 0.30 mm. beyond base of uncus
on dorsal surface; each lamella broadly semi-
circular, with irregular outer margin; gnathos
with wide lateral margins, median spinose
area much wider than high, 0.10 to 0.15 mm.
high and 0.50 to 0.55 mm. wide; valves with
posterior margin of costa distad of tegumen
broadly convex, and with terminal area hav-
ing numerous thick spines; transtilla-like
processes with bluntly pointed apices; anel-
lus elongate with lateral margins straight;
tegumen without median suture; saccus with
anterior margin concave or convex; aedea-
Fics. 32-40. Male genitalia of Meris. 32-36. Male genitalia. 32. M. paradoxa, new species, holo-
type, Madera Canyon, Arizona, August 16, 1952 (Kirkwood and Reid; LAM). 33. M. suffusaria
McDunnough, holotype, Keremos, British Columbia, July 15, 1936 (A. N. Gartrell; CNC). 34. M.
patula, new species, paratype, Richel Lodge, Montana, August 3, 1942 (G. H. and J. L. Sperry;
AMNBH). 35. M. alticola Hulst, Estes Park, Colorado, August 2, 1967 (A. Blanchard; AMNH). 36. M.
cultrata, new species, holotype, North Rim, Arizona, July 18, 1957 (R. H. Leuschner; AMNH). 37-40.
Aedeagi of same specimens. 37. M. paradoxa, new species. 38. M. patula, new species. 39. M. alticola
Hulst. 40. M. cultrata, new species.
24 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
vt
Fics. 41-43.
NO. 2710
Ae 43
Female genitalia of Meris. 41. M. patula, new species, allotype, Richel Lodge, Mon-
tana, August 11, 1942 (G. H. and J. L. Sperry; AMNH). 42. M. alticola Hulst, Cedar Creek Camp,
New Mexico, July 1, 1961 (F., P., and J. Rindge; AMNH). 43. M. cultrata, new species, allotype,
North Kaibab, Arizona, June 29, 1974 (R. Wielgus; AMNH).
gus with small median projection on anterior
end, entire structure 1.70 to 1.75 mm. long,
posterior lobes of equal size and length; ves-
ica spined.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Sterigma with lamel-
la antevaginalis broadly U-shaped, with lat-
eral areas slightly divergent posteriorly,
slender, 0.20 to 0.25 mm. wide, thick, an-
teromedian margin broadly rounded, irreg-
ular, and with curved, slender ridge parallel-
ing posteromedian lip, rounded anteriorly
and terminating laterally in membranous
area; lamella antevaginalis with lightly scle-
rotized area moderately wide anteriorly, in-
creasing in width posteriorly, becoming wid-
er than posterolateral areas of lamella;
signum 0.3 to 0.4 mm. long, anterior margin
varying from broadly rounded to pointed.
Apophyses posteriores 1.25 to 1.50 mm.
long; apophyses anteriores 0.3 to 0.4 mm. in
length.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown.
FooD PLANT: Unknown.
Types: Richel Lodge, Montana, July 30,
1942 (G. H. and J. L. Sperry); allotype, fe-
male, same data but August 1, **1941”’
(should be 1942; see below). The genitalia of
the holotype are mounted on slide JLS 1858,
and of the allotype on FHR 18786A, with the
right antenna and right legs being on FHR
18786B. Paratypes: same data as holotype,
August 9, 1941, August 2, 3, 1942, two
males, one female (AMNH); 9 mi. north of
Coaldale, Alberta, elevation 2700 ft., August
4, 1961 (D. F. Hardwick), one female (CNC).
The holotype and allotype are in the col-
lection of the American Museum of Natural
History; paratypes are in the collections of
that institution and of the Canadian National
Collection.
I have searched through John Sperry’s
field notes (in AMNH) to attempt to locate
Richel Lodge. Apparently this is (or was)
between the Beartooth Plateau, Park Coun-
ty, Wyoming and Carbon County, Montana,
and Red Lodge, Carbon County, Montana;
no definite locality or elevation is indicated
for the Sperry’s visits there in 1939, 1941,
and 1942 (on one page, Sperry mistakenly
wrote ‘‘Richel Lodge, Wyo.’’). On the 1941
trip, August 8 through 12 were spent at Ri-
chel Lodge, hence the date on the allotype
must be incorrect; on August | the Sperrys
were in Mt. Rainier National Park, Washing-
1981 RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 25
ton. The remaining dates for the type series
in both 1941 and 1942 agree with the data in
the field notebook. Collecting was apparent-
ly done at lights at the lodge.
DISTRIBUTION: Southern Montana (Car-
bon County) and southwestern Alberta (see
map 4). This species is known only from the
eastern side of the Rocky Mountains.
FLIGHT PERIOD: Late July and early Au-
gust.
REMARKS: Six adults (three males, three
females) and four genitalic dissections (two
males, two females) have been studied.
There is some variation within the speci-
mens as to the extent and strength of the
maculation on the upper surface of the fore-
wings; this is most noticeable with the me-
dian line, which varies from being absent to
complete and prominent.
ETYMOLOGy: The specific name is from
the Latin patulus, broad or spread out, in
reference to the outer band of the lamella
antevaginalis.
Meris alticola Hulst
Figures 26-29, 35, 39, 42
Meris alticola Hulst, 1896, p. 348. Dyar, °° 1902”
[1903], p. 322. Smith, 1903, p. 76. Grossbeck,
1908, p. 88. Barnes and McDunnough, 1917, p.
116. McDunnough, 1938, p. 171. Rindge, 1955,
p. 136.
DIAGNOosIs: The upper surface of the
wings is darker gray than that of the preced-
ing species. The male genitalia are charac-
terized by an elongate anellus having straight
or slightly rounded lateral margins, and by
the lamella of the uncus either extending to
the apex or coming within 0.15 mm. of it.
The female genitalia have a narrow lightly
sclerotized band laterally on each side of the
heavily sclerotized posterolateral extension
of the lamella postvaginalis, and by the la-
mella antevaginalis having the posteromedi-
an lip terminating about the middle of the
lateral extension of the lamella.
MALE: Head with vertex having mixture
of dark gray and grayish white scales; front
dark gray with a few grayish white scales;
palpi gray to dark gray, basal segment slight-
ly paler in some specimens; tongue vestigial;
antennae with from 53 to 59 segments, with
longest pectinations 0.65 to 0.90 mm. long.
Thorax above dark gray, many or most
scales having white tips; below grayish
white; legs dark gray or brownish gray. Ab-
domen above and below with even mixture
of gray and grayish white scales; maculation
similar to that of patula; discal mark a mi-
nute spot, solid dot, or small circle; t. p. line
slightly straighter than in patula.
Upper Surface of Wings: Forewings
densely scaled, pale gray or gray, with thick
and even dark gray or brownish gray scaling;
maculation varying from weakly defined to
clearly represented, cross lines dark gray.
Hind wings paler than forewings, grayish
white, becoming slightly darker distally;
small dark discal spot present; incomplete
extradiscal line represented near anal mar-
gin; terminal line weakly represented; fringe
similar to that of forewing.
Under Surface of Wings: Forewings uni-
colorous gray, with small dark discal dot and
weakly represented t. p. line; fringe as on
upper surface. Hind wings grayish white to
pale gray, with small dark discal dot; extra-
discal line absent in most specimens; termi-
nal line absent; fringe as above.
Length of Forewing: 17 to 22 mm.
FEMALE: Similar to male; antennae with
from 51 to 56 segments, with longest pecti-
nations 0.25 mm. long.
Length of Forewing: 16 to 20 mm.
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus with base 0.60
mm. wide, terminal portion of ventral sur-
face 0.15 to 0.20 mm. wide and 0.20 to 0.30
mm. long, terminal portion of dorsal surface
with lateral lamellae extending to apex, and
with anterior end of each lamella sharply
curving mediad 0.10 to 0.12 mm. anteriad of
base of uncus on dorsal surface; each lamella
broadest anteriorly, narrowing posteriorly,
and having undulating outer margin; gnathos
with wide lateral margins, spinose median
area low and wide, 0.10 mm. high and from
0.25 to 0.60 mm. wide; valves with posterior
margin of costa distad of tegumen straight or
weakly convex, and with terminal area hav-
ing numerous thick spines; transtilla-like
processes with rounded apices; anellus elon-
gate, with lateral margins straight or slightly
26 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
rounded; tegumen without median suture;
saccus with truncate anterior margin; aedea-
gus with rounded anterior end, entire struc-
ture 1.45 to 1.75 mm. long (average, 1.57
mm.), posterior lobes of equal size and
length; vesica spined.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Sterigma with lamel-
la antevaginalis tending to be broadly U-
shaped, lateral areas more or less flat and
wide, 0.3 mm. wide, anteromedian margin
variably irregular, posterolaterally flat and
bluntly pointed or rounded, and with pos-
teromedian lip terminating about middle of
lateral extensions of lamella; lamella ante-
vaginalis with narrow, lightly sclerotized
area anteriad and laterally, being less than
half as wide as heavily sclerotized, postero-
lateral extensions of lamella; signum 0.2 to
0.4 mm. long, variable in shape. Apophyses
posteriores 1.4 to 1.8 mm. long; apophyses
anteriores 0.2 to 0.4 mm. in length.
EARLY STAGES: These have been de-
scribed in part by Poole (1970) from rearings
near Flagstaff, Arizona. The eggs (not de-
scribed) are laid in midsummer, after the
summer rains cause considerable growth of
the food plant. The young larvae feed on the
flowers and to a lesser degree, the leaves.
The last instar larvae (described and illus-
trated by Poole, op. cit., figs. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
10) overwinter and resume feeding in the
spring. At this time of year the food plants
are only small rosettes of leaves, and the cat-
erpillars wander around grazing on the ro-
settes; Poole (op. cit.) believes this behavior
pattern to be unknown in any other species
of geometrid larva. About two weeks are
spent in the pupal stage. The larvae of alti-
cola are very similar in appearance to those
of Neoterpes graefiaria (Hulst); both species
feed on different kinds of Penstemon. Neo-
terpes is placed in the Cingiliini.
FooD PLANT: Penstemon virgatus A.
Gray (Scrophulariaceae).
Type: Hulst apparently described this
species from a single female. The holotype
(see fig. 27) is in the collection of the Amer-
ican Musuem of Natural History (Rindge,
1955, p. 136); its genitalia are mounted on
slide HWC 7.
Type Loca.ity: Colorado, having been
collected by Bruce.
NO. 2710
DISTRIBUTION: From central Wyoming,
through Colorado, south to northern and
eastern Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and
western Nevada (see map 3). Elevations on
pin labels indicate a range from 6500 to
10,000 ft.
FLIGHT PERIOD: From late June into Au-
gust.
REMARKS: Three hundred two specimens
(238 males, 64 females) and 24 genitalic dis-
sections (12 males, 12 females) have been
studied.
There appears to be more variation within
alticola than in any other species in the ge-
nus. This may be an artifact, however, as
this is the only one represented in large num-
bers and is the only species with a wide dis-
tribution. Its widespread occurrence may re-
flect a greater number of habitats and a much
wider range of elevations; these, in turn,
could account for at least some of the vari-
ability of alticola. In general, specimens from
Colorado, Wyoming, eastern Arizona (the
White Mountains) and western Nevada tend
to be larger and to have relatively pale fore-
wings with obvious maculation. Material
from most of New Mexico and from southern
Coconino County, Arizona are smaller and
often have the upper surface darker, whereas
the moths from Utah tend to be intermediate
between the two extremes. I have been un-
able to find any consistent genitalic differ-
ences in all the material being placed as al-
ticola. As a result I am treating this
widespread and variable group of specimens
as a Single species.
Meris cultrata, new species
Figures 30, 31, 36, 40, 43
DIAGNOsIs: As the adults of this species
are superficially indistinguishable from those
of alticola, the genitalia should be used for
identification. The structures of the present
species can be separated from those of alti-
cola by the uncus of the male having the ter-
minal portion of the dorsal surface with the
lamellae not coming within 0.2 to 0.3 mm. of
the apex, and by the female having the la-
mella antevaginalis with the posteromedian
lip extending as an elongate, pointed ridge
1981
extending to within 0.05 mm. of the posterior
margin of the lamella.
MALE: Head with vertex, front and palpi
slightly paler than those of alticola; antennae
of about 55 segments, with longest pectina-
tions about 0.7 mm. long; tongue vestigial.
Thorax above paler than those of alticola,
below similar. Abdomen similar to those of
alticola.
Upper Surface of Wings: Forewings pale
gray, more or less evenly covered with
brownish gray scales; cross lines and discal
spot clearly represented, similar to those of
alticola. Hind wings slightly paler than those
of alticola, with similar maculation but with-
out terminal line.
Under Surface of Wings: Similar to that of
alticola but paler.
Length of Forewing: 20 to 22 mm.; holo-
type, 22 mm.
FEMALE: Similar to male; antennae with
about 57 segments, with longest pectinations
0.2 mm. long.
Length of Forewing: 18 to 21 mm.; allo-
type, 20 mm.
MALE GENITALIA: Uncus with base 0.70
mm. wide, terminal portion of ventral sur-
face 0.30 mm. wide and 0.30 mm. long, ter-
minal portion of dorsal surface with lateral
lamellae extending to apex, and with anterior
end of each lamella sharply angled mediad
just anterior of base of uncus on dorsal sur-
face; each lamella broadest anteriorly, nar-
rowing posteriorly, and having broadly ser-
rate outer margin; gnathos with wide lateral
margins, swollen median spinose area 0.15
mm. high and 0.30 mm. wide; valves with
posterior margin of costa distad of tegumen
broadly convex, and with terminal area hav-
ing numerous thick spines; transtilla-like
process with bluntly pointed apices; anellus
elongate, with lateral margins straight;
tegumen without median suture; saccus with
anterior margin weakly convex; aedeagus
with small median projection on anterior end,
entire structure 2.00 mm. long, posterior
lobes of equal size and length; vesica spined.
FEMALE GENITALIA: Sterigma with lamel-
la antevaginalis having anterolateral margins
increasing in width posteriorly, lateral areas
slender, 0.25 mm. wide, thick, anteromedian
margin varying from having small median in-
RINDGE: MERIS AND NEMERIS 27
dention to variably irregular, posterolaterally
thick, having sharply pointed ventral or pos-
teroventral ridge, and with posteromedian lip
extending as elongate sharply pointed ridge
to within 0.05 mm. of posterior margin of
lamella; lamella antevaginalis with narrow,
lightly sclerotized area anteriad and laterally,
being about half as wide as heavily sclero-
tized, posterolateral extensions of lamella;
signum 0.3 to 0.4 mm. long, anterior margin
broadly curved. Apophyses posteriores 1.55
to 1.70 mm. long; apophyses anteriores 0:1
mm. in length.
EARLY STAGES: Unknown.
Foop PLANT: Unknown.
Types: Holotype, male, North Rim, Grand
Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona, eleva-
tion 8200 ft., July 18, 1957 (R. H. Leuschner);
allotype, female, North Kaibab, North Rim,
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, ele-
vation 8153 ft., June 29, 1974 (R. Wielgus).
The genitalia of the holotype are mounted on
slide FHR 18787, and those of the allotype
on FHR 18804. Paratypes, all from Coconino
County, Arizona; same data as holotype, one
male (RL); North Rim, July 1949 (N. Crick-
mer), one male (AMNH); North Rim, ele-
vation 8000-9100 ft., June 28, 1934 (E. L.
Bell), one female (AMNH); North Rim, July
24, 1938 (L. Schellbach), one male (USNM);
7 mi. east of Jacob Lake, elevation 6800 ft.,
July 23, 1965 (F., P., and M. Rindge), three
females (AMNH).
The holotype and allotype are in the col-
lection of the American Museum of Natural
History; paratypes are in the collection of
that institution, the National Museum of
Natural History and of R. H. Leuschner, as
indicated above.
DISTRIBUTION: Northern Arizona, north
of the Grand Canyon in Coconino County
(see map 4).
FLIGHT PERIOD: Late June and July.
REMARKS: Nine adults (four males, five fe-
males) and five genitalic dissections (three
males, two females) have been studied.
Most of the specimens of cultrata are not
in the best of condition, as they are worn and
rubbed; as a result it is difficult to make ad-
equate comparisons of the wing color and
maculation with the much commoner alti-
cola. More material of the present species is
28 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
Map 4. Distribution of Meris suffusaria
McDunnough (triangle), M. patula, new species
(open circles), and M. cultrata, new species (solid
circles).
needed to ascertain the amount of individual
variability within cultrata.
The known distribution of this species and
of alticola is basically the same as is found
in Somatolophia vatia and pallescens
(Rindge, 1980), with cultrata and vatia being
only known from a relatively small area
north of the Grand Canyon, Arizona.
ETYMOLOGy: The specific name is from
the Latin cultratus, knife-shaped, in refer-
ence to the posterior rim and lip of the la-
mella antevaginalis.
LITERATURE CITED
Barnes, William, and J. H. McDunnough
1917. Check list of the Lepidoptera of boreal
America. Decatur, Illinois, the Herald
Press, vii + 392 pp.
NO. 2710
Cassino, Samuel E.
1927. Some new Geometrids. The Lepidop-
terist, vol. 4, pp. 84-88.
Dyar, Harrison G.
**1902”’ [1903]. A list of North American Lep-
idoptera and key to the literature of this
order of insects. Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus.,
no. 52, xix + 723 pp.
1904. A few notes on the Hulst collection.
Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington, vol. 6, pp.
222-229,
““1911°’ [1910]. Descriptions of some new
species and genera of Lepidoptera from
Mexico. Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus., vol. 38,
pp. 229-273.
Grossbeck, John A.
1908. Additions to the list of North American
Geometridae, with notes on some de-
scribed species. Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash-
ington, vol. 10, pp. 85-91.
Hulst, G. D.
1896. A classification of Geometrina of North
America with descriptions of new gen-
era and species. Trans. Amer. Ent.
Soc., vol. 23, p. 245-386, pls. 10, 11.
McDunnough, J. H.
1938. Check list of the Lepidoptera of Canada
and the United States of America.
Mem. Southern California Acad. Sci.,
vol. 1, pp. 1-275.
1940. New North American Geometridae with
notes, III. Canadian Ent., vol. 72, pp.
90-103, pl. 7.
Poole, Robert W.
1970. Convergent evolution in the larvae of
two Penstemon-feeding geometrids
(Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Jour.
Kansas Ent. Soc., vol. 43, pp. 292-297,
figs. 1-11.
Rindge, Frederick H.
1955. The type material in the J. B. Smith and
G. D. Hulst collections of Lepidoptera
in the American Museum of Natural
History. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.,
vol. 106, pp. 91-172.
A revision of the moth genus Somato-
lophia (Lepidoptera, Geometridae).
Ibid., vol. 165, pp. 291-334, figs. 1-59,
maps 1-3, table |.
Smith, John B.
1903. Check list of the Lepidoptera of boreal
America. Philadelphia, American Ent.
Soc., v + 136 pp.
1980.
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