Amblyscirtes gelidus Grishin, Patterson, Pavulaan -, 2023

Amblyscirtes gelidus Grishin, Patterson, Pavulaan - new species

ZooBank registration: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:

DESCRIPTION AND PHENOTYPIC COMPARISON OF ADULTS

New species A. gelidus differs from hegon , nemoris and matheri primarily by the distinct brownish-gray (“Schooner”) ventral hindwing. Freshly-emerged individuals display a “frosted” appearance. Wing marks differ little between the four species.

Size. Adults of A. gelidus are generally of similar size to nominotypical hegon and nemoris , though very slightly larger, and are approximately the same size as matheri ( Fig. 16). The length of the adult forewings of the physically examined series (n=6) ranges 11-13 mm, averaging 12.3 mm. Unfortunately, since only a single female specimen was available for examination, measurements are for all adults combined. The wingspan of gelidus is measured at 22-25 mm, averaging 24.1 mm.

Dorsal ground color. The dorsal ground color of A. gelidus is a uniform (“Very Dark Brown”) with a slight overlay of light scales in many individuals. Applying the Color GrabTM and ColblindorTM applications, males and females of A. gelidus averaged a red/green/blue (RGB) color code of 84, 58, 48, with a hue/saturation/brightness (HSB) color code of 16, 42, 32 ( Fig. 14). The dorsal ground color is similar to hegon , nemoris and matheri .

Dorsal pattern and color of markings. The dorsal wing marking pattern of A. gelidus is similar to hegon , nemoris and matheri . The markings are a light tan (“Tahuna Sands”) and do not differ appreciably from hegon and nemoris , but are lighter than matheri . The three apical spots near the FW apex of gelidus are at a slightly sharper angle from the leading edge of the forewing than in hegon and nemoris but greater than matheri , though there is considerable variation and overlap between the four species in this complex ( Fig. 16).

Ventral ground colors. New species A. gelidus differs from A. hegon , nemoris and matheri primarily by the distinct brownish-gray (“Schooner”) ventral hindwing which also displays a peppering of light scales; as opposed to the ventral brown (“Buccaneer”) of hegon , the dark brown (“Pine Cone”) of nemoris , and the tan-brown (“Sorrell Brown”) ground color of matheri . Color analysis revealed an averaged red/green/blue (RGB) color code of 144, 136, 123, with a hue/saturation/brightness (HSB) color code of 37, 14, 56 ( Fig. 14). A. gelidus has the ventral “peppering” of light scales as seen in nemoris and variably in hegon . This peppering causes the perception of the “greenish” color of the ventral hindwings. Many individuals of this species display a distinct overlay of light wing scales on the inner half of the dorsal forewing surface, and elongated scales on the inner two-thirds of the dorsal hindwing that take on a more distinct appearance of hair.

The apical area of the ventral forewings of gelidus approximated the brownish-gray color of the ventral hindwings, but is slightly darker, averaging red/green/blue (RGB) color code of 105, 93, 79, with a hue/saturation/brightness (HSB) color code of 32, 24, 41 ( Fig. 14). Additional color measurements were made for the ventral postbasal area of the forewings, primarily within cell CuA 2 which is the darkest portion of the ventral side of the wings. In gelidus , this area averaged a red/green/blue RGB color code of 79, 59, 52 and a hue/saturation/brightness (HSB) color code of 15, 34, 30 ( Fig. 14) and did not differ appreciably from hegon , nemoris and matheri .

Ventral pattern and color of markings. Ventrally, the spot pattern of gelidus is variably developed and is similar to hegon , nemoris and matheri , though the ventral pattern of hegon is variable and frequently absent altogether. The markings are a light tan (“Soft Amber”) and do not differ appreciably from hegon , nemoris and matheri ( Fig. 14).

Male genitalia. The tooth on the inner surface of harpe is shallower and does not protrude as strongly between the valvae ( Figs. 17e, 16f), in contrast to larger and more robust tooth in both A. hegon ( Figs. 17f, 16h) and A. nemoris ( Figs. 17c, d, 16d), but is somewhat more prominent than in A. matheri ( Figs. 17a, b, 16b). Valva tends to broaden from the base to harpe, with its dorsal and ventral margins at an angle (in lateral view). This broadening is not only due to expansion of the ampulla region on costa, but also because harpe ventral margin is more convex near the base and somewhat expanded ventrad ( Fig. 16e). This valva shape is quite similar in A. hegon , from which it can be distinguished by less robust tooth on the inner surface of valva.

TYPES

Holotype:

USA: Michigan: Van Buren Co., Antwerp Township Section 14, (leg. W. A. Miller), 5 June 1983 ( ♂). deposited in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History , Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Allotype:

West Virginia: Pendleton Co., Spruce Knob, Monongahela National Forest (leg. Ricky Patterson), 7 June 2006, (coll. of Ricky Patterson) ( ♀).

Paratypes:

Michigan: Barry Co., Yankee Springs Township , Section 31, (leg. W. A. Miller), 10 June 1983 ( 1♀) .

Michigan: Kalamazoo Co., Portage, Gourdneck State Game Area, (leg. W. A. Miller), 17 May 2012 ( 2♂, 1♀).

Michigan: Presque Isle Co., Thompson Harbor State Park, (leg. W. A. Miller), 15 June 2014 ( 1♀).

Michigan: Van Buren Co., Antwerp Township Section 13, (leg. W. A. Miller), 17 May 1982 ( 1♂), 5 June 1983 ( 11♂, 4♀).

Michigan: Van Buren Co., Antwerp Township Section 14, (leg. W. A. Miller), 5 June 1983 ( 1♂).

Michigan: Van Buren Co., Antwerp Township Section 25, (leg. W. A. Miller) , 29 May 1983 ( 1♂), 13 May 1985 ( 1♂, 1♀, 1 undet.), 14 May 1985 ( 5♂, 1♀), 22 May 1985 ( 1♂, 2♀).

West Virginia: Pendleton Co., Spruce Knob, Monongahela National Forest, (leg. Ricky Patterson), 7 June 2006 ( 2♂).

West Virginia: Pocahontas Co., Lake Buffalo Recreation Area, Monongahela National Forest , (leg. Susan Olcott), 8 June 2016 ( 1♂, dep. W. V. Butterfly Atlas Project) .

West Virginia: Pocahontas Co., Little River WMA, Monongahela National Forest , (leg. Jane Whitaker), 3 June 2013 ( 1♂, dep. W. V. Butterfly Atlas Project) .

West Virginia: Pocahontas Co., Little River WMA, Monongahela National Forest , (leg. Randall Casto), 19 June 2016 ( 1♀, dep. W. V. Butterfly Atlas Project) .

West Virginia: Pocahontas Co., Thornwood, Monongahela National Forest , (leg. Susan Olcott), 4 June 2013 ( 1♂, dep. W. V. Butterfly Atlas Project) .

West Virginia: Randolph Co., Durbin, Cheat Bridge, (leg. Susan Olcott), 4 June 2013 ( 1♂, dep. W. V. Butterfly Atlas Project) .

West Virginia: Randolph Co., Spruce Knob Lake, Monongahela National Forest , (leg. Harry Pavulaan), 30 May 2013 ( 1♂, dep. W. V. Butterfly Atlas Project), 2 June 2017 ( 1♂, H. Pavulaan collection) .

West Virginia: Wood Co., Parkersburg, Johnson T. Janes Park (leg. Susan Olcott), 5 June 2014 ( 1♂, dep. W. V. Butterfly Atlas Project) .

Etymology: The species name reflects the frosted appearance of freshly emerged individuals.

HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION

A. gelidus flies in late spring (mid-May through mid-June in Michigan, early June in West Virginia). Early/late dates of confirmed specimens are: 13 May to 15 June in Michigan and 30 May to 19 June in West Virginia.

While we have had little experience with this species, it does not seem to be much different in habitat or habits from A. hegon , A. matheri , or A. nemoris , though possibly more adapted to the cold climates of Michigan and highlands of West Virginia. Several West Virginia specimens were captured on and near Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. They were found on lightly traveled gravel roads in Transition Zone hardwood forested areas. The area is known as the Allegheny Plateau, on which the climate is considerably colder than surrounding lowlands, and likely similar in climate and habitats to Michigan. Nothing is known about the precise habitat of the evaluated Michigan specimens. Nielsen (1999) describes the habitat of A. hegon in Michigan as “small, sunny forest openings, swamp edges and other partially shaded moist areas.” This is similar to the habitat for the other species discussed in this work, and seems reasonable it would apply to this new species.

The ones from the Spruce Knob area of West Virginia were resting at wet areas on a shaded gravel road, and it can be assumed they nectar at flowers like the other Amblyscirtes discussed in this work.

The confirmed range of this species consists of Michigan, primarily southwest Michigan, plus one locality in NE Michigan, and in West Virginia, primarily the Spruce Knob area of West Virginia. The photo of A. hegon in ‘ Michigan Butterflies and Skippers’ ( Nielsen, 1999) appears to be this new species and states the distribution to be “throughout the Upper Peninsula and scattered counties in the Lower Peninsula.” Since we have not examined any of these specimens that he based these records on, we cannot confirm the distribution of gelidus in Michigan based on Nielsen (1999). We expect that additional states will be added to this disjunct distribution as more specimens are evaluated.