279 



i 



Palpi short, obtuse, not projecting far beyond the Iron! ; second joint wide, trun- 

 cated at the end, the scales partially concealing the small, short, depressed third 

 joint; a short frontal tuft between the palpi. Fore wings distinctly falcate; 

 the eosta straighter than in Thamnonoma ; the apex more or less falcate, with 

 usually a well-marked excavation below the apex. Hind wings either dis- 

 tinctly bent on the first median venule, or with a salient angle. The costal 

 region is very narrow, much more so than in Thamnonoma, and the subcostal 

 venules are usually shorter, otherwise the venation is of the same pattern as 

 in Thamnonoma. In S. ocellinata and californiata, the areole is open exter- 

 nally. The hind wings are well rounded at the apex, very angular on the 

 first median venule, or the angle (as in ocellinata) is obtuse and much less 

 distinct ; scalloped, usually distinctly, on the outer edge ; the inner angle is 

 well marked and parallel with the end of the abdomen, which latter is long 

 and slender, though much less so than in Thamnonoma. Hind tibia? scarcely 

 swollen, not much longer than the tarsi, or, as in S. ocellinata, they are large 

 and much swollen, and twice as long as the tarsi. The species usually with 

 three lines on the fore wings, and a fourth oblong, large, conspicuous spot, 

 with a dark line on the curve under the apex. 



This well-marked and wide-spread genus is usually recognized by the 

 falcate fore wings, the distinct excavation below the apex, and the angular hind 

 wings. From Thamnonoma it is distinguished by the shorter palpi and nar- 

 rower costal region and simple antennas. The lower series of species merge 

 into Phasiane, the head becoming larger, the body much stouter, and the wings 

 less falcate and angular, as in S. ocellinata, californiata, and s-signata. 



The genus may, for convenience, be divided into three sections : A, those 

 with the fore wings scarcely falcate, and the hind wings but slightly angular; 

 B, those with slightly falcate wings and angular hind wings ; and C, those with 

 decidedly falcate wings and the angle in the hind wings very prominent. The 

 species are ochreous or granite-gray, usually with a costo-apical conspicuous 

 brown spot. 



Larva. — Caterpillar quite short, without tubercles, not attenuated, marked 

 with longitudinal lines, living exposed on trees and bushes. Chrysalids in 

 cocoons- at the surface of the earth (Guene'e). 



The genus Semiotliisa was so well limited by Htibner in 1318 (only one 

 of the seven species enumerated by him belonging to another genus) that I 

 see no good reason why it should not be retained instead of Macaria. 



