(Figs. E-18, N-4, S-8)

Diagnosis. The transition between the dark terminal band the discal area is gradual on the dorsal hindwing of S. cherti, thus it might be confused with S. homogena. It differs from S. homogena by the dorsal forewing, which is charcoal gray in S. cherti, without a ochre hue and without a lighter shade of gray between the outer margin and subterminal line. Sympistis homogena has a distinct ochre hue along the anterior margin of the antemedial line, a distinct pale area between the terminal and subterminal lines, and generally a lighter, more patterned forewing.

Description. Antennae filiform, head charcoal gray; prothoracic collar a dark grayish brown; thorax and tegulae charcoal gray; abdomen light grayish brown. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets present on base of male abdomen. Forewing length 15-19 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color charcoal gray; postmedial, antemedial and basal lines black; postmedial line edged distally by scattered lighter gray scales which blend to charcoal gray towards subterminal line; antemedial line narrowly bordered basally with light gray to grayish brown scales, subterminal line usually absent; terminal line black; orbicular and reniform spots outlined with black scales, filled with charcoal gray and dusted with white scales; fringe with light grayish brown basal line, a black medial line and dark gray terminal area. Dorsal hindwing basal area with white scales under long gray hairs and scattered gray scales giving a dirty, light gray appearance; veins with scattered gray scales; discal lunule gray; dark gray terminal shade blends gradually into discal area; fringe light grayish brown basally with white terminal line and black median line. Male genitalia. (Fig. N-4) Valve shaped like the prow of canoe, with distinct corona; ampulla of clasper gradually narrows to terminal spine arcing from posterior margin; clavus well-developed, about 1.5x as tall as wide. Vesica with small basal, ventral diverticulum bends slightly upward; a patch of short, sparse cornuti on left near base and second patch of much longer cornuti on right at base; a ribbon of long cornuti extends along ventral margin of apical ¾ of vesica; a second ribbon of longer, stouter cornuti extends on left side of apical ½ of vesica, nearly to apex, where vesica narrows and bends downward toward patch of long cornuti and single apical spine. Female genitalia. (Fig. S-8) Ovipositor lobes rounded, apex with long, fine setae, corona of short setae mid way down -these setae arc anteriorly; a ruff of longer, finer setae encircles ovipositor lobes at base; a Y-shaped sclerite occurs on ventral surface of ductus bursae at ostium bursae, ductus bursae about as long as corpus bursae, doubles in width at a point ca. ½ of the way from ostium bursae to appendix bursae; appendix bursae parallel sided, narrowing near anterior end towards ductus seminalis, meeting ductus bursae on right side near posterior end; corpus bursae ellipsoidal, about ¾ as large as appendix bursae, arises via narrow duct from left side of appendix bursae near ductus bursae, elongate signae on dorsal and ventral sides.

Type material. Holotype male: USA, Washington, Bethel Ridge, 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 5800’, 21 viii 1999, J. Troubridge, in the CNC. Paratypes: 35♂ 25♀: Washington: same data as holotype, 7♂ 1♀; Bear Cyn., Yakima Co., 46° 42' N, 120° 53' W, 2400’, 15 viii 1998, J. Troubridge, 1♂; Bethel Ridge, Yakima Co., 25 vii 1996, J. Troubridge, 3♂ 3♀; Bethel Ridge, 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 5800’, 27 viii 2002, 5800’, J. Troubridge, 5♂ 8♀ Bethel Ridge, 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 5800’, 27 viii 1998, J. Troubridge, 8♂ 10♀; Bethel Ridge, 46° 42' N, 121° 07' W, 5800’, 22 viii 1997, J. Troubridge, 4♂; Bethel Ridge, Yakima Co., 6300’, 25 vii 1996, J. Troubridge, 2♂; Bethel Ridge, Yakima Co., 6300’, 14 vii 1996, J. Troubridge, 1♂; Junior Point Campground, Chelan Co., 5800’, 6 viii 1997, J. Troubridge, 1♂ 1♀. Oregon: Bolan Mtn., Josephine Co., 42° 01' N, 123° 27' W, 5200’, 27 vii 2001, J. Troubridge, 1♂; Eight Dollar Mtn. Rd., 42° 14' N, 123° 41' W, 5800’, 29 viii 2002, J. Troubridge, 1♂. Nevada: Mt. Rose, Washoe Co., 39° 19' N, 119° 54' W, 8600’, 29 viii 2000, J. Troubridge, 1♀. British Columbia: Kirby Flats Rd., 50° 32' N, 121° 43' W, 20 viii 1999, J. Troubridge, 1♂ 1♀.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Cherti was ram-god of the underworld and ferryman of the dead. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. I have collected this species from south central British Columbia to the northeastern Sierra Nevada, California.