88 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



am not able to say, but I am inclined to think that it is not, especially in 

 Lecanium iiigrofasciatiim. As this insect reaches considerable size, and 

 remains upon the tree over winter, exposed, as a partially matured 

 creature, it seems to me that the foul smeli is for the protection of the 

 species from the attacks of birds. On the other hand, I do not think this 

 theory applies to A. perniciosus or C. eiio?iymi, as neither of these 

 species are sufficiently large to be attractive or available as food for birds. 

 The odour here, therefore, may be for sexual purposes, or for attracting 

 other insects. The former would hardly seem probable, because the 

 sexes are found upon the same twigs, and we should not suppose the 

 male would have any great difficulty in finding the female. 



WEST AFRICAN MOTHS. 



In the Canadian Entomologist, XXVI., pp. 69, 70, Mr. Geo. A. 

 Ehrmann described as new three West African moths. Very recently 

 this gentleman has been so obliging as to forward his types to me for 

 examination. I should like to put on record a few observations on them 

 for the benefit of students of the African fauna. 



1. Syntoinis hiida, Ehrm. 



This should stand Ceryx hilda with seminigra, HolL, as synonym, 

 and not as it does on page 46 of Hampson's monograph. 



2. Syntomis abdominalis, Ehrm. 



This belongs to the Zyg^enidse (by the table of families in Cat. Lep. 

 Phalienfe, I.), and should be erased from page 141 of Hampson's mono- 

 graph. In Vol. I. of the Moths of India it falls into the genus Tasema, 

 Walk., but yet differs obviously from that in wing shape. The fore wings 

 are long, the outer margin very oblique, the hind wings small and 

 narrow, quite characteristically Syntomid, which doubtless explains Mr. 

 Ehrmann's erroneous reference. 



3. Pachypasa Nasmythii, Ehrm. 



This is a true Lasiocampid and falls in the genus Taragama by the 

 table in the Moths of India. Female. Fore wings moderately broad, 

 somewhat pointed at the apex, the outer margin oblique. Discal cell of 

 both wings short; fore wings with veins 6 to 8 stalked, 9 and 10 on a 

 separate long stalk ; hind wings with vein 3 shortly stalked with 4 and 5 ; 

 intercostal cell as long as discal cell, separate from it except at basal 

 third, and with one distinct humeral vein in the moderately sized lobe. 

 Palpi just reaching the frontal tuft ; antennae shortly pectinated ; hind 

 tibiae with small terminal spurs. 



Harrison G. Dyar, Washington, D. C. 



