94 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 21, NO. 4, APR., 1919 



ON SOME GENERIC SYNONOMY IN THE FAMILY GELECHIIDAE 



(LEP.). 



BY AUGUST BUSCK. 

 Platyedra Meyrick; Pectinophora Busck. 



The genus Platyedra Meyrick was erected in 1895 (Handbook 

 British Lepidoptera, p. 605) for the single European species 

 vilella Zeller, which consequently is the type of the genus. The 

 genus was separated from Gelechia on two characters only ; namely 

 the parallel vein 5 in the hindwing and the flattened abdomen. 

 The species malvella Hiibner, was considered in the handbook 

 two pages before and w r as included in Gelechia. 



Recently (Exotic Microlepidotera vol. II, p. 136, 191S) Meyrick 

 has included in the genus Platyedra, the so-called Pink Boll Worm 

 of Cotton, gossypiella Saunders, and malvella Hiibner, with the 

 remark that: "the best distinguishing character of the genus 

 Platyedra from Gelechia is the possession of a distinct pecten on 

 basal joint of the antennae" a character not even mentioned 

 in the description of Plaiyedra. 



The genus Pectinophora Busck, was, as indicated in the name, 

 erected mainly on this character, which is very rare in the family 

 Gelechiidae, with gossypiella Saunders, as type and including 

 malvella Hiibner. Several other pterogostic, larval and pupal 

 characters were given (Journ. Agri. Research, vol. 9, p. 346, 

 1917). 



If Meyrick is correct in referring gossypiella and malvella to 

 Platyedra (and the writer is a priori inclined to accept any deliberate 

 conclusion of his eminent friend), then Pectinophora must of 

 course sink as a synonym of Platyedra. If so I believe Mr. 

 Meyrick will be the first to admit, that the synonomy is due to 

 his insufficient characterization of his genus Platyedra and no 

 great harm will have been done; a good synonym, which adds to 

 our knowledge, is rather an asset than otherwise. 



But the actual proof of this synonomy should in my judg- 

 ment be awaited, before it is accepted and the name Pectinophora 

 discarded. Pectinophora was erected and described very fully 

 not only on the adult characters but on several important and 

 prominent larval and pupal characters and until it is ascertained 

 that the type of Platyedra, vilella Zeller, possesses these characters, 

 the making of the synonomy is a little previous and may have 

 to be upset again. If for example it should be found that the 

 pupa of Platyedra is smooth and seta-bearing and not with the 

 pubescence, characteristic of Pectinophora, or if it should differ 

 in any other of the important characters given for Pectinophora, 

 it would certainly indicate that the two genera arc distinct in 

 spite of superficial adult resemblances. In other words we utv 



