360 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS [Oct.. 'lO 



can do now is to call attention to the fact that very similarly 

 marked species exist; that further critical study of the Euro- 

 pean forms is needed, and in this connection to fix the Ameri- 

 can forms designated by the names now in use in our collec- 

 tions. 



Mamestra trifolii. 



Tends to uniformity in color, and ranges from an even ash- 

 gray to luteous gray, variable in the amount of powdering. 

 There is little contrast in the ground color, but the relative dis- 

 tinctness of claviform and reniform is variable, and so is the 

 distinctness of the W in the s. t. line. This may be only slightly 

 marked, or extend distinctly to the outer margin, and may or 

 may not be preceded by dark marks or shades ; rarely, how- 

 ever, are the preceding marks black. The orbicular varies in 

 size and somewhat in shape, but is never drawn inwardly into 

 a point. The reniform is broadly and symmetrically kidney- 

 shaped. 



Forty-seven examples of this type are under examination, 

 and they come from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, 

 Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, Washing- 

 ton, New Mexico and Arizona, covering thus approximately 

 the entire country. 



The structure of genitalia has been sufficiently mentioned to 

 be left to the figure for further details. Examples from the 

 entire range of localities have been examined in the prepara- 

 tion of this figure. 



Mamestra albifusa Wlk. 

 . 



The primaries, especially in the male, have a distinctly mottled ap- 

 pearance and tend to lighter shadings in the median and s. t. spaces. 

 The maculation is on the whole much more distinctly relieved, and the 

 W-mark of the s. t. line is always prominent and extends to the outer 

 margin. Sagittate marks always precede the s. t. line ; but they vary 

 much in distinctness, and range anywhere from brown to black. The 

 peculiarities of the orbicular and reniform have been already described, 

 the latter as a rule somewhat less contrasting than in the preceding. 



Thirty-six examples of this type are at hand from Maine, 

 Alberta, Manitoba, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, 

 Middle California. 



