THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 25 



DESCRIPTIONS AND NOTES ON CERTAIN MOTHS. 



fiV A. R. GROTE, 



Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sciences. 



Among several interesting species of Xoctua?, winch recent collections 

 in the vicinity of Buffalo, N". V., have brought to light, is a species of 

 Gortyna Hiibn. (== Hydroecia Led.) allied to G. nitela (iuen. I have 

 already called attention to the fact that the single European species of 

 Ochria Hiibn., to which Lederer would restrict the term Gortyna (as I 

 believe incorrectly), is distinguished by a clypeal projection, easily per- 

 ceived if a slender pin is passed along the front, without denuding the 

 head of the insect. The Californian Ochria Sauzalitcc is also furnished 

 with a clypeal horn ; but the Eastern species are without it, and are all 

 referable to the genus Gortyna. Many of the species of this genus are 

 infrequently met with, as a rule : and, even in Europe, seem to be among 

 the rarities. This is perhaps owing to their habits ; the larvae being 

 internal feeders in the stems (Gortyna in part) or roots ( Apamca Ochs. 

 Hydroecia Guen.) of plants. Air. Norman has bred Gortyna cafapliracta 

 (irote from thistle stems. This latter species has a curious resemblance 

 to the European Ochria flavago, but differs generically by the want of the 

 clypeal horn. 



Gortyna necopina, u. s. 



g $ . Of the same blackish olivaceous with G. nitela and St ib odium 

 spumosum (irote, with paler hind wings. Everywhere there is an even 

 sprinkling of white scales. These can be seen on the body parts and 

 secondaries, as well as most prominently on the dark anterior wings. No 

 markings on these latter whatever. All lines and spots obsolete. Only 

 the reniform indicated by a deeper color. The costal white ante-apical 

 dots are obsolete or extremely minute. Beneath both wings pale, like 

 hind wings above, everywhere pulverulent with white. The legs and 

 under body parts are everywhere powdered with white. This character 

 is here not very conspicuous and becomes unnoticeable when the insect 

 is rubbed, as is the case with my male example. It may be made out, 

 however. The median space of primaries is more sparsely frosted. Ex- 

 panse, $,4311111.; length of body, 24 mil. Expanse, J., 34 mil.; length 

 of body, 17 mil. Collected by Mr, Fischer, 



