THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST l45 



PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA OF 



ALBERTA, N.-W. T. 



BY F. H. WOLLEY DOD, MILLARVILLE, ALTA., N.-W. T. 



(Continued from page 60.)* 



267. Euxoa 7iesilens, Smith (Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc, XL, 192, Dec, 

 1903). — Described from Calgary and from Brandon, Man. The type is a 

 Calgary specimen in Prof. Smith's collection, and a ? co-type is in my 

 own. The description says: "In general appearance it resembles 

 silens, but does not have the black basal streak, nor the blackish suffusion 

 between the ordinary spots. On the other hand, it does have more 

 complete, better marked median lines ... Its distinctness is clear, and its 

 association is wiih basalis, from which, however, it differs obviously in 

 colour." The reference to silens, implied also in the name, should 

 probably have been to tritticuhi, which at that time he looked upon as a 

 eynonym of silens. In general type of maculation its association may be 

 with basalis, but at the same time it is not in the very least degree like it. 

 It has the gray colour of tristicula, but unlike thaf spedies, has generally 

 a distinct yellowish powdering. A good series of Calgary tristicula shows 

 a tendency in that species to lose the black markings, and conversely, in 

 a series of twelve nesilens there is a tendency to develop black before and 

 between the stigmata, but no sign whatever of a basal streak. The 

 yellowish powdering is not always evident, and though the transverse 

 lines above referred to are a noticeable character in the series, they are 

 not a reliable guide. As regards the basal streak, I may use ochrogaster 

 for comparison. In none of my twenty-one examples of that species in 

 series (i) (vide itifra) is there any trace whatever of any of the black 

 markings referred to, and all are obvious in the ten specimens under (ra). 

 Yet I understand from Dr. Fletcher that both forms (1 and la) have been 

 bred from the same female. I tried to call Prof Smith's attention to 

 nesilens as being distinct from tristicula (then known as silens) ten years 

 ago, but shortly prior to its description proffered my doubts on the subject. 

 I dare venture no definite opinion at present. Rare, at any rate of recent 

 years. July and August. 



268. E. ochrogaster, Gn. — Nearly always common, sometimes 

 abundant, and the commonest '' cutworm " in gardens. One of the most 

 variable species known to me, some forms being decidedly handsome. 



Erratum: On page 56, line 17 from the top, "No. 248" in the note on E, 

 pkiin'lica should be " 249." 

 April, 1905. 



