Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Explanation of Names
From the Greek σισύρα (sisýra) 'cloak of goat's hair'
Numbers
1.
Sisyra apicalis: se. US (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, TX,
(2) VA
(3)); south to Brazil, West Indies
2. Sisyra nigra (=fuscata): Canada and n. US (BC, ON, QC; AK, IN, MA, ME, MI, MN, NY, WI); w. Palaearctic
3. Sisyra vicaria: s. Canada and transcontinental US (BC, NS, ON, QC; AZ, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NY, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI)
Identification
Differentiated from Climacia by the absence of outer gradates, 3 branches of RS rather than a single branch, and distinctly dark wings.
Wing venation
Keys to larvae and adults in Bowles (2006).
(2)
Sisyra apicalis: Body length <5mm, antennae with distinct pale region, forewings streaked
Sisyra nigra: Body length >5mm, antennae uniformly dark brown to black, R2 fork at or apical to Sc / R1 junction
Sisyra vicaria: Body length >5mm, antennae with base (2-3 segments, rarely up to two-thirds) dark brown and remaining segments light brown to yellowish, R2 fork basal to Sc / R1 junction
Range
transcontinental, though significantly more common in the eastern half
(5)See Also
Sympherobius spp. can also have uniformly dark wings, but they can be distinguished from Sisyra by the presence of a series of outer gradates and the branches of R2-R5 connected directly to R1 rather than to a separate Rs vein as in Sisyridae.