Schinia miniana Grote
Creators: name: Pogue, Michael G.
name: Ouellette, Gary D.
name: Harp, Charles E.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2013
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Noctuidae
Schinia
Schinia miniana

description: Schinia miniana (Grote)
(Figs. 5–10, 35–37, 47–49, 59, 93–94, 97 –100, 102, 104, 110)
Rhododipsa miniana Grote, 1881:175.—Grote 1883:152.—Smith 1883:251.—Smith 1891:53.—Smith 1893:273.—Dyar 1903:186.— Holland 1903:225.—Barnes and McDunnough 1917:38.—McDunnough 1938:104.
Schinia miniana: Franclemont and Todd 1983:158.—Poole 1989:895.—Myles and Binder 1990:75 [life history].—Poole and Gentili 1996:772.—Hardwick 1996:151. —Lafontaine and Schmidt 2010:69.
Schinia pallicincta Smith, 1906:24.— Franclemont and Todd 1983:159.—Poole 1989:896.— Poole and Gentili 1996:772.— Hardwick 1996:151 [synonym of Schinia miniana].
Rhododipsa pallicincta: Barnes and McDunnough 1917:38.— McDunnough 1938:104.
Diagnosis/ Description. Schinia miniana has a pale yellow head, thorax and abdomen. Forewing ground color is pale ochreous with thick, solid, white, antemedial and postmedial lines. The antemedial line is straight from costa to posterior margin and the postmedial line is slightly curved from costa then straight to posterior margin resembling a shallow question mark. Most specimens have an irregular shaped subapical patch of pink to dark reddish-brown scales. In a some specimens these scales represent a remnant of the subterminal line. Hind wing is dark pink to pale ochreous with a wide, dark pink marginal band.
Type material. NEOTYPE, ♂, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Labels: 1) Albuquerque, N.M., Snow, August, 1894; 2) Collection Brooklyn Museum. In the original description, Grote (1881) mentions that the specimen he was describing was sent to him by Prof. Snow. A specimen in the USNM collection that was collected by Snow is selected as the neotype to insure nomenclatural stability in this variable group of species. Deposited in the USNM.
Material examined. All specimens are from the National Museum of Natural History (USNM) collection except as noted. (106 ♂, 153 ♀). MEXICO: CHIHUAHUA: 16 km S of Chihuahua, 11 July 1947 (1 ♂); Santa Barbara District, Santa Barbara, 18 July 1947 (AMNH), 20 Aug. 1947 (1 ♂). DURANGO: San Juan del Rio, 5200 ft., 31 July 1947, M. Cazier (AMNH). U.S.A.: ARIZONA: COCHISE CO.: Douglas, 16–23 May (1 ♂), July (1 ♂), 1– 7 July (1 ♂), Aug. (1 ♂), 8–15 Aug. (4 ♂, 9 ♀), 24–31 Aug. (1 ♂), 26 Aug. 1960 (3 ♂, 4 ♀); 5131 Bannock St., Pueblo Del Sol, Huachuca Mts., 14 Apr. 1986 (1 ♂), 2 Aug. 1986 (1f), R.S. Weilgus; 2.5 mi E of Portal, 13 Aug. 1959, M. Statham (AMNH); Huachuca Mtns., Ash Canyon Rd., 0.5 mi W of Hwy. #92, Lot #4, 5100 ft., oakmanzanita grassland, 28 Apr. 1992 (1 ♀), 17 Aug. 1989 (1 ♂), 1 Sep. 1991 (1 ♂), 19 Sep. 1981 (1 ♀), (NMC), 26 Aug. 1989 (1 ♂) (CEH), N. McFarland; Huachuca City along Hwy. # 90 in front of Municipal Building, 4410 ft., 6 Aug. 1999, C. & C. Harp (CEH); E of Sierra Vista along Hwy. # 90, 4560 ft., 3 Aug. 1999 (1 ♀), 4 Aug. 1999 (1 ♀), 4663 ft., 4669 ft., 4 Aug. 1999 (4 ♀), 4517 ft., 4 Aug. 1999 (2 ♀), 4310 ft., 4 Aug. 1999 (5 ♀), 5 Aug. 1999 (1 ♂, 3 ♀), 4156 ft., 6 Aug. 1999 (1 ♂, 3 ♀), C. & C. Harp (CEH); E of San Pedro River along Hwy. # 90, 4764 ft., 3 Aug.
1999, 4156 ft., 5 Aug. 1999, at Misty Ray Road, 4310 ft., 5 Aug. 1999, at municipal shooting range entrance, 4528 ft., 4 Aug. 1999, C. & C. Harp (CEH); Guadalupe Canyon, 28 July 1982, C. Olsen & J. Burne (UAT); 1 mi S of Portal, 26 July 1965, M.A. Cazier (OSUC); 3 km N Palominas, 5 Aug. 1989, B. & J.F. Landry (CNC); Sierra Vista, 11 Sep. 1967, R.F. Sternitsky (CNC). COCONINO CO.: Colorado River, Grand Canyon, mi 194, 13 May 2001 (1 ♂), J. Rundall (NAU). GILA CO.: Globe, 19 Apr. 1935, O. Bryant (AMNH); Sierra Ancha, R. Leuschner (RHL). GREENLEE CO.: Morenci, S of all mining activity, 7851 ft., 2 Aug. 1999, C. Harp (CEH). LA PAZ CO.: 14 km E Wenden, 2000 ft., 9 Mar. 1987, 4 Apr. 1984, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC). MARICOPA CO.: nr. Wickenburg, 21 Apr. 1938 (2 ♂, 2 ♀), 30 Apr. 1938 (5 ♂, 7 ♀) ♂ genitalia slide USNM 50336, J.A. Comstock; Wickenburg, 6 Apr. 1967 (1 ♂), 21 Apr. 1938 (2 ♂, 1 ♀) ♂ genitalia slide USNM 50337, G.H. & J.L. Sperry; 5.3 mi W Aguila, 2000 ft., 26 Apr. 1991, C.B.M. (CNC); Wickenburg, 2000 ft., 20 Apr. 1983, 28 Sep. 1986, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC); nr. Wickenburg, 30 Apr. 1958 J.A. Comstock (CNC). MOHAVE CO.: 22 mi SE Wikieup, 1 Oct. 1969, D.F. Hardwick (CNC). PIMA CO.: Redington, (1 ♂); Tucson, Apr. (1 ♂), D.K. Duncan, 19 Apr. 1958, G.D. Butler, 9 May 1928, A.H. Nichol (UAT), Aug. 1933, O. Bryant (AMNH); E of Tucson, 19-29 Apr. 1988, T.G. Myles (UAT); 5 mi N of Tucson, Oracle Hwy., 20 Aug. 1959, K. Radford (UAT); 2 mi W of Helvetia, SRRR, 8 July 1959, 8 Aug. 1959, F.G. Werner (UAT); Waterman Mt., 22 Apr. 1938 (1 ♂), J.A. Comstock. PINAL CO.: Oracle Jct., 2500 ft., 18 Apr. 1980, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC). SANTA CRUZ CO.: Sonoita. YAVAPAI CO.: Santa Maria River, 16 mi S Bagdad, 27 Mar. 1980, 3 Apr. 1980, 18 Apr. 1990, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC). YUMA CO.: Aztec, 16 Apr. 1938 (1 ♀), F.H. Parker; Laguna Mts., 12 Apr. 1949 (2f), D.L. Bauer; Quartzite (RHL); Salome (AMNH); 13 mi S Quartzite, 24 Apr. 1991, D.F. & V. Hardwick (CNC). CALIFORNIA: INYO CO.: Olancha, 24–31 May (15 ♂, 17 ♀) m genitalia slide USNM 49907, f genitalia slide USNM 49480, 1– 7 June (7 ♂, 10 ♀) ♂ genitalia slide USNM 49921, 8 –15 June (10 ♂, 18 ♀). KERN CO.: Indian Wells, 8 May 1921 (CNC). MONO CO.: no specific locality (LACM); Mono Lake (CNC). RIVERSIDE CO.: Indio, 5 June 1921 (1 ♂, 2 ♀), E. Piazza, 31 Mar. 1941 (AMNH); Palm Desert, 8 Apr. 1955, 27 Apr. 1953, A.H. & S.K. Rindge (AMNH); Hopkin’s Well (RHL); La Quinta, 14 Mar. 1955, May 1955, D.F. Hardwick (CNC); Thousand Palms, 3 Apr. 1955 (1 ♂), D.F. Hardwick (EHM), 1 Apr. 1955, J.E.H. Martin (CNC), 5 Apr. 1955, D.F. Hardwick (CNC), 1 Sep. 1955, J.E.H. Martin (CNC). SAN BERNARDINO CO.: Clark Mtn., 27 May 1938 (4 ♂); Mountain Pass Station, May 1973 (1 ♂), 23 May 1969 (1 ♂), 15 June 1974 (1 ♂), 7 July 1971 (1 ♂, 1 ♀), 11 Aug. 1972 (1 ♀), 14 Sep. 1972 (2 ♂); near Barstow, 10 May 1940 (2 ♂), C. Ingham; Victorville, 20 May 1938 (1 ♀); Wheaton Springs, rest stop US 466, 3 May 1969 (1 ♀); Yermo, Apr. 1939 (2 ♂, 2 ♀), G. Beevor, Apr. 1939 (AMNH), 29 Apr. 1937, G. Beevor (CNC); Needles, 2 Apr. 1986, R. Robertson (AMNH); 15 mi N Needles, 3 Apr. 1986 (1 ♂, 1 ♀), R. Robertson (EHM); nr. Barstow, 10 May 1940, C. Ingham (AMNH); Clark Mtns., 8 May 1938 (AMNH); 18 mi NNW Cima, 14 Apr. 1986, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC); 2 mi S Kelso, 2400 ft., 14 Apr. 1986, 30 Apr. 1986, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC); Halloran Springs, 14 mi E Baker, 15 Apr. 1964 (CNC); Ivanpah, New York Mts, 3700 ft., 14 Sep. 1990, D. & V. Hardwick (CNC). SAN DIEGO CO.: Borego Valley, 13 Apr. 1941 (1 ♀), R.R. McElvare; San Diego, (1 ♀); Ocotillo (CNC). COLORADO: PUEBLO CO.: North Pueblo, 20 Aug. 1957, M. May (AMNH). NEVADA: CLARK CO.: No specific locality, 16–23 May (1f), 8– 15 June (1 ♀); Christmas Tree Pass, E of Las Vegas, 3 Apr. 1986 (1 ♀), R. & J. Robertson (CSU, AMNH); Mojave Desert, Hwy. # 160, 3 mi W of Blue Diamond Rd., 3476 ft., 30 Apr. 2001, on Baileya multiradiata, C. & C. Harp (CEH); Mojave Desert, Hwy. # 160, 2 mi N of Hwy. # 159, 3486 ft., 30 Apr. 2001, on Baileya multiradiata, C. & C. Harp (CEH); Mojave Desert, E of Blue Diamond Rd., 3022 ft., 30 Apr. 2001, on Baileya multiradiata, C. & C. Harp (CEH); SW Las Vegas, Hwy. 160, Blue Diamond Rd., 3476 ft., 30 Apr. 2001 (6 ♀), on Baileya multiradiata, C. & C. Harp (CEH); SE of Pahrump, Hwy. #160, Mojave Desert, 3335ft., 30 Apr. 2001 (2f), on Baileya multiradiata, C. & C. Harp (CEH); SE of Pahrump, Hwy. #160, Mojave Desert, 4875 ft., 19 May 2002 (7 ♀), on Baileya multiradiata, C. & C. Harp (CEH); Searchlight, N end of town along Hwy. # 95, 3563 ft., 29 Apr. 2001 (4 ♀), C. Harp (CEH); Searchlight, 18 Apr. 1987, R. & J. Robertson (AMNH); Spring Mtns., 9.3 mi W of Hwy. #95, 27 Apr. 1987, 1 May 1977, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Spring Mtns., Red Cloud Mine, 26 Apr. 1987, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Spring Mtns., Hwy. 3160, 5 mi W of Blue Diamond Mtn. Rd., 1 Sep. 1984, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Cottonwood Pass Rd., 1 mi S of Hwy. #160, 28 Mar. 1986, 21 Apr. 1980, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Carp-Elgin Rd. at Hwy. I-15, 23 Apr. 1983, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Hwy. #93, 6.3 mi NE of Hwy. I-15, 19 Apr. 1981, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Virgin Mtns., Gold Butte Rd., 8 mi E of Riverside, 15 Apr. 1981, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Virgin Mtns., Cabin Canyon, 25 Apr. 1980, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Valley of Fire, 24 May 1938 (AMNH). LINCOLN CO.: Mormon Mtns., Carp-Elgin Rd.,7.2 mi N of Hwy. I-15, 23 Apr. 1983, G.T. Austin (NSLV); Kane Springs Wash Rd., 11.5 mi E of Hwy. #93, 26 Apr. 1980 G.T. Austin (NSLV). NYE CO.: Mercury, 8 Aug. 1965 (1 ♂). NEW MEXICO: southern [no specific locality], 1–10 Sep. (1 ♂, 1 ♀), Poling. BERNALILLO CO.: Albuquerque, 1625 Roma NE, 5000 ft., 22 June 1976, R. Holland (RHA); Tijeras Canyon at Four Hills, Albuquerque, 5900 ft., 28 May 1968, R. Holland (RHA). DONA ANA CO.: Del Norte, 12 Sep. 1994, J. Adams (JKA); Franklin Mts., lower bajada, west side of Hwy. I-10, 0.1 mi N of state line (E of Anthony), 1200 m, rest area on sandy desert, 1 Sep. 1997 (1 ♂), 25 Sep. 1995 (1f), R.D. Worthington (UTEP); Las Cruces, 2 Sep. 1958 (1 ♀), G.L. Nielsen (NMSU); Leasburg State Park, 4000 ft., 15 June 1979, R. Holland (RHA); Radium Springs, Leasburg Dam State Park, 14 Aug. 1995 (1 ♂), M. & P.H. Arnaud, Jr. GRANT CO.: Silver City, 21 Aug. 1963 (1 ♀), G.L. Nielsen (NMSU); St. Rt. 90 at Gold Gulch Rd., 6325 ft., 9 Aug. 1999 (1 ♂), DJ. Wright (DJW). HIDALGO CO.: 2.5 mi N Rodeo, 6 Sep. 1960, H. Howden (CNC). LUNA CO.: Pancho Villa State Park, Columbus, 4200 ft., 24 July 1979, R. Holland (RHA). SANDOVAL CO.: Frijoles Canyon, 30 July 1942, C.A. Thomas (AMNH). SIERRA CO.: 8 mi E of Hillsboro on roadside on Hwy. 152, 26 July 1991 (1 ♂), C. Harp (CEH); 1 mi E of Caballo River, Caballo Creek, 29 July 1999 (2 ♂, 14 ♀), P. Opler & E. Buckner (CSU). SOCORRO CO.: Bosque del Apache NWR, 4 Aug. 1999 (1 ♀), D.J. Wright (DJW); 12 mi W Socorro, 6700 ft., 12 Sep. 1971, D.F. Hardwick (CNC). TORRANCE CO.: 6 mi N of Gran Quivira National Monument, along Hwy. #55, east shoulder, 6531 ft., 8 Aug. 2002 (3 ♀), on Gaillardia pulchella, C. Harp (CEH). TEXAS: BREWSTER CO.: Big Bend National Park, Oak Spring, 2 Apr. 1965 (1 ♂) genitalia slide USNM 49477, 30 June 1965 (1f), 5 Oct. 1965 (1f), 6 Oct. (1 ♂), A. & M.E. Blanchard; Big Bend National Park, Gov. Spring, 3 Sep. 1964 (1 ♀), 23 Sep. 1963 (2 ♂), 29 Sep. 1965 (2 ♂), 6 Oct. 1967 (1 ♀), A. & M.E. Blanchard; Big Bend National Park, Dugout Wells, 2 July 1965 (2 ♂, 1 ♀) ♂ genitalia slide USNM 49478, 7 Aug. 1964 (1 ♀), 29 Aug. 1965 (1 ♂), A. & M.E. Blanchard; Big Bend National Park, 6000 ft., 25 Apr. 1959, A. Blanchard (AMNH); Big Bend National Park, The Basin, 4 May 1959 (1 ♀), M.R. MacKay (EHM); Big Bend National Park, Basin Area, 28 May 1959, B. Howden (AMNH); Big Bend National Park, Tomillo Flats, 2800 ft., 1 May 1959, W.R. Mason, 25 May 1959, Howden & Baker (CNC); Big Bend National Park, The Basin, 28 Apr. 1959, 4 May 1959, M.R. MacKay (CNC). CULBERSON CO.: 10 mi N of Van Horn, 2 Sep. 1979 (1 ♂); Cherry Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains, 24 May 1973 (1 ♀), D.C. Ferguson; Guadalupe National Park, 6–8 Sep. 1991, E. Knudson (ECK). EL PASO CO.: El Paso, E. Montana Hwy., 20–24 Sep. 1995, E.C. Knudson (CEH); I-10 rest stop at Fabens, 10 Aug. 2005 (1 ♂), J.K. & E.R. Adams (JKA). JEFF DAVIS CO.: Davis Mtns., R. Leuschner (RHL). PECOS CO.: no specific locality (LACM). PRESIDIO CO.: Big Bend State Natural Area, Sandeda Ranch, 4200 ft., 7 Oct. 1995 (1 ♀), Bohuslavek & Worthington (UTEP); Marfa, 11 Sep. 1960 (1 ♂), R.R. McElvare; Shafter, 31 May 1973 (1 ♂), D.C. Ferguson, 9 Sep. 1969 (2 ♀) genitalia slide USNM 50619, A. & M.E. Blanchard. REEVES CO.: no specific locality (LACM). TERRELL CO.: Sanderson, 9 Sep. 1996, J.K. Adams (JKA). VAL VERDE CO.: no specific locality (ECK). UTAH: No specific locality, (2 ♂), southwest, no specific locality, (1 ♀). WASHINGTON CO.: Hurricane, 8–15 June (2 ♀); Beaver Dam Wash, 19 Apr. 1986, R. Mower (AMNH), 19 Apr. 1986, Mower (CNC).
Larval host plant. There are three recorded larval host plants for S. miniana all in the genus Baileya. Hosts include Baileya pleniradiata Harv. & A. Gray ex A. Gray, Woolly desert marigold, B. multiradiata Harv. & A. Gray ex A. Gray, desert marigold, B. pauciradiata Harv. & A. Gray ex A. Gray, laxflower (Asteraceae).
Biology. Myles and Binder (1990) and Hardwick (1996) detail the life history of S. miniana. As with the other species, S. miniana has a life history where the first instar larva bores into a corolla tube and feeds on its contents. During the second and third instar the larva continues to feed on the corolla tube. Prior to molting into the third instar the larva ties together frass and floral parts to form a nest within the floral head and continues feeding. During the fourth and fifth instars the larva ties down some of the rays over the disk flowers to form a feeding shelter and feed on the seeds.
Flight period. Based on collection dates, S. miniana is multiple brooded with a spring brood flying from March through May, a smaller summer brood in June and July, and a third summer/autumn brood flying in August and September, with a few specimens collected in early October.
Distribution (Fig. 110). Specimens have been collected from Pueblo County, Colorado, southeastern Arizona and central and southern New Mexico to west Texas. In Mexico records are from northern Chihuahua south to the city of Chihuahua.
Discussion. The forewing color and pattern of Schinia miniana is somewhat variable in the amount of pink present with specimens from the western part of S. miniana ’s range tending to lack pink scales in the forewing. Specimens from further east, including those from southern Arizona eastward to Texas, have pink scales at the apex and in the terminal area. The hind wing varies from pale gray to dark gray to dark pink. Specimens from southern California east to central Arizona and Utah with gray hind wings were described as Schinia pallicincta by Smith. The hind wing coloration can be completely gray to variably suffused with pink scales in the same populations (ie. Olancha, Inyo Co., California; Wickenburg, Mariposa Co., Arizona). As the distribution of S. miniana extends eastward the amount of pink in the hind wing tends to increase. Most specimens from southern California are gray to gray slightly suffused with pink. In Arizona, Nevada, and Utah specimens can be gray to pink. Specimens from New Mexico and Texas are mostly pink.
description: Published as part of Pogue, Michael G., Ouellette, Gary D. & Harp, Charles E., 2013, A revision of the Schinia volupia (Fitch) species complex (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae), pp. 157-191 in Zootaxa 3716 (2) on pages 178-181, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3716.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/248743