Amphiphala carolana Sabourin 2024, new species

Amphiphala carolana Sabourin, new species Fig. 6, 9, 10, 16 Diagnosis. Amphiphala carolana is superficially nearly indistinguishable from A. liatriana. However, its male genitalia differ in having a shorter median process of the transtilla with more conspicuous apical teeth, and a more curved phallus with a dense cluster of numerous, slender, spine-like cornuti. In the female genitalia of A. carolana, the posterior margins of the lamella postvaginalis are evenly rounded, and the lateral sclerites of the ostial plate are broad, elongate, and pointed anteriorly; in comparison, the elongate lateral sclerites appear straighter in A. liatriana. Description. Head. Vertex and frons whitish yellow; labial palpus yellow ochre on outer surface, white on inner surface; antenna with scape pale yellow; flagellomeres with tan gray scales, pale rusty ochre in basal portion. Thorax. Notum concolorous with head; tegula darker, with mixture of white and yellow ochre scales. Venter yellowish white; fore- and mid-leg two-toned, predominantly fuscous with pale yellowish stripes at junction of segments. Forewing length 4.0– 5.5 mm (n = 6); forewing ground color white, overlaid with pale yellow scales; median fascia broad, subtriangular, blackish brown, its base occupying medial 0.33 of hind margin, its truncate apex occupying medial 0.12 of costa; preapical fascia small, fuscous, with scattered black and rust scales; fringe concolorous with ground color. Underside gray with contrasting pale yellow ochre costal striae in postmedian and subterminal areas. Hindwing smoky gray; male with costal roll of sex scales, extending ca. 0.6 wing length, enclosing hairpencil; fringe gray to pale yellowish gray. Underside pale whitish to yellowish gray. Abdomen. Yellowish gray dorsally, pale yellowish white ventrally. Male genitalia (Fig. 9. 10) as described for genus, except inner margin of dorsal process of valva slightly concave; median process with a long, lateral, curved spine, its dorsal margin not as deeply concave as in A. liatriana; median process of transtilla short, stout, bifid, armed with eight small apical teeth; vesica with approximately 24 moderate-sized cornuti, with nearly equal number of minute cornuti. Female genitalia (Fig. 16) as described for genus, except posterior margin of lamella postvaginalis evenly rounded, lateral margin broadly rounded, terminating in inward directed, curved tip. Types. Holotype ♂, USA, Missouri, Randolph Co., South of Moberly, 27 Jul 1968, J. R. Heitzman (USNM). Paratypes (6♂, 3♀). USA: Illinois, Putnam Co., 29 Jul 1961 (1♂), 8 Jul 1960 (1♂), 29 Jul 1963 (1♂), M. O. Glenn (USNM). Missouri: Randolph Co., South of Moberly, 27 July 1968 (2♂, 1♀); Benton Co., J. R. Heitzman, 4 mi W Warsaw, 7 Aug 1968 (1♀), 8 Aug 1968 (1♂, 1♀), J. R. Heitzman (USNM). Additional specimens examined. Mississippi: Forest Co.: Brooklyn, 7–18 Jun 1997 (1♀), #180527, R. Kergosien (MEM). Harrison Co.: Pass Christian, 1 Oct 1994 (1♂), #164308, R. Kergosien (MEM). Lee Co.: Tombigbee State Park, 10–24 Jun 1995 (1♂), #166539, R. Kergosien (MSC). Long Beach, 27 Sep 1995 (1♂), R. Kergosien (MSC). Biology and distribution. The host is unknown, but larvae are suspected to feed on Asteraceae. In Illinois and Missouri, adults have been collected from early July to early August, indicating a single generation. However, in Mississippi, specimens have been collected from mid-June to the first of October, suggesting a bivoltine life history. Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym for Dr. Carol E. Weyland, the wife of the second author. It is considered an adjective, and the suffix “-ana” is a traditional ending for tortricid species names.