Figs. 9, 63

Epagoge vinolenta Walsingham 1913: 212 (in part).

Diagnosis. This species is superficially most similar to S. hydeana and S. coloratana. In the male genitalia of S. laderana, the valval crease connects to the base of the sacculus, whereas in S. hydeana it does not. The reticulate pattern of the hindwing and the more southern distribution of S. laderana separate it from S. coloratana.

Description. Male. Head: Frons grayish white to brownish gray, smooth scaled; vertex roughened, brownish gray. Labial palpus white mesally, brownish gray and dark brown laterally. Antennal scaling brownish gray and white. Thorax: Pronotum smooth scaled, brownish gray. Forewing length 11.2–11.9 mm (= 11.6, n = 2). Forewing ground color brownish gray, with a light scattering of brown, orange, and white scales, indistinct median and subterminal fasciae brown, dark brown transverse strigulae throughout subterminal and terminal areas, brown spot at apex of discal cell. Fringe grayish white, tinged yellowish gray. Hindwing grayish white with gray transverse strigulae throughout, more dense in apical and distal regions. Abdomen: Genitalia (Fig. 9; slide #AB 23.xi.1929; NMNH; Mexico, Guerrero, Iguala; n = 2) with uncus long, slender, simple, elbowed at nearly 90° angle at two-thirds distance from base, with long setae dorsally and patch of small setae ventrally; tegumen slightly raised and triangular at base of uncus; socius subtriangular posteriorly, secondary arms long, slender, abruptly angled near middle, enlarged apices asymmetrically lobed to moderately boot-shaped; transtilla sclerotized, straight to very slightly bilobed, spines short, numerous over most of posterior margin, anterior process reinforced with invagination at middle; valva subrectangular with sclerotized curved crease connecting to near base of sacculus and extending over two-thirds of valva, sacculus and costa straight, pulvinus present; phallus pistol shaped, aedeagus parallel-sided and slightly curved, shorter than phallobase, attenuate apically, attached to juxta by a thin process; cornuti with a minute spine near base.

Female. Unknown.

Type material. Holotype: Male: MEXICO: GUERRERO: Iguala, vi.1906, W. Schaus (NMNH).

Paratype (1♂). MEXICO: Popocatepetl Park, 8000’, vi.1906 (1♂), W. Schaus (NMNH).

Immature stages. Unknown.

Distribution. Popocatepetl Park in the State of Mexico, and the vicinity of Iguala in Guerrero.

Remarks. Both specimens were included in the type series of S. vinolenta by Walsingham (1913), but they were recognized as a new species by Lambert (1950). Collecting at lights in the vicinity of the type locality in Guerrero in September 1982, J. Chemsak and J. Powell failed to recover additional examples of this species. Owing to the markedly different habitats at Popocatepetl Park (8000’) and Iguala (2400’), it is possible that the two specimens are not conspecific.

Etymology. The specific epithet, “ladera,” is Spanish for slope.