[tn-moths] Re: Sympistis kappa?--Another potential new species for NC
- From: Larry McDaniel <larrycmcd@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-moths <tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, ncsc-moths <ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:01:07 -0500
My hobby is photographing insects. I haven't collectied any but I might if I
had good reason. I agree with you that in some cases it would be the better
thing to. I also don't have a problem with people who collect regularly. In
fact I am hoping someone will bring specimens to our nature center so I can add
them to our display. At the same time I can see how others may feel that
collecting is wrong. I think tn-moths should probably use photos of live moths.
I would be interested in hearing more opinions on this if we can keep it civil.
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:36:41 -0500
Subject: [tn-moths] Sympistis kappa?--Another potential new species for NC
From: jmerrilllynch@xxxxxxxxx
To: ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
CC: parker.backstrom@xxxxxxxxx
Moth'ers,
I have seen several individuals at my place in Watauga County, both in 2009 and
again this year, of a noctuid in the genus Sympistis that I did not recognize.
I sent one of my pics to Bugguide, http://bugguide.net/node/view/370837, where
it was tentatively identified as S. kappa #10066.2. I also sent this photo to
Bo Sullivan, a Smithsonian moth researcher, who forwarded my photo to Don
LaFontaine, a Canadian expert. Don's response follows:
"This is an unfortunate record because it can’t be positively identified and
may well be a new record for North Carolina – whatever it is. Most likely it is
Sympistis kappa, which we have from TN (Wilson Co.), OK, KS, AR & IL. It is
distinctive in male genitalia but difficult to tell from from S infixa [OK, TX,
TN (Wilson Co.)] in wing markings. However, in S kappa the black line
connecting the am and pm lines, and the streaks in the subterminal area that
extend in toward the reniform spot are usually sharply defined in kappa, like
the picture, but are usually blurred in infixa. We have both species from the
same place in TN and they are easily segregated there by the wing markings."
I'm curious if anyone on the TN listserve is familiar with this species and if
there are any observers in Wilson County, TN where both species have been
recorded.
This also raises the issue concerning the collection of specimens. Up until
this year, I have focused my efforts on photographing moths and trying to
identify them based solely on visual characteristics. However, there are
instances such as this case where the moth cannot be positively identified
without dissection. I'm not philosophically opposed to the collection of
specimens, if it results in the advancement of science and knowledge such as
the verification of a new state record or the discovery of an undescribed
species. I bring this up because I wonder what others think about this. I
have made the decision to start judiciously collecting some specimens when I
feel there is a good chance that by doing so I can make a significant
contribution to our knowledge base.
Is anybody else out there grappling with this?
--
J. Merrill Lynch
Echo Valley Farm
Watauga County, NC
Elevation: 3,400 feet
Other related posts:
