%\\t Ctitatlian miitomologbt. 



Vol. XXX. LONDON, MAY, 1898. No. 5. 



METALLIC SPECIES OF BASILODES AND NEW SPECIES OF 



ALLIED GENERA. 



BY R. OTTOLENGUI, NEW YORK. 



Among the Basilodes there are three closely allied species of very 

 similar pattern, the fore wings being mainly solid metallic golden. These 

 are territans, Hy. Edvv., Howardi, Hy. Edw., and Arizonae, French; 

 Howardi and Arizonae having been described as Plusias. The most 

 casual examination of the front of Howardi separates it structurally from 

 Plusia and places it with Basilodes. Arizonfe I have not seen, the only 

 specimen known to me being the " type " in the collection of Prof. 

 French. I, however, sent a male and female of territans to Prof French 

 for comparison with his " tyi)e," thinking that Edwards might have 

 redescribed French's species. From Prof French's reply, together with 

 a photograph of the type which he kindly had made for me, I have little 

 doubt that his species is a Basilodes, unless, indeed, it may belong to an 

 allied, undescribed genus of which I have to write. 



The following notes may ai^ in identifying these three species : 

 Basilodes territans, Hy. Edw. — Edwards described this by com- 

 parison with Howardi, but fails to note two differences, probably because 

 his single type of Howardi is in indifferent condition. He speaks of two 

 spots along the costa. This is clearly discernible in the female (see 

 plate, fig. 4), but the male is slightly different. The ground colour 

 persists along the median vein as far as the cell, thus dividing the 

 metallic area and isolating a long narrow metallic spot between the costa 

 and the vein (see plate, fig. 3.) Moreover, in territans the metallic 

 colouring reaches quite to the fringes all along the outer margin, whilst 

 in Howardi at the centre of the outer margin the ground colour shows as 

 a semi-lunar blotch. This is more distinct in the female (Howardi) than 

 in the male. In territans the secondaries of the male are clear white, 

 while in the female a dusky shade shows along the costa and outer 

 margin. Male expands n mm. ; the female 35 mm. My specimens 

 agree with the types in the Neumoegen collection. 



