80 [June 



Microcoelia fragilis, Guenee. 



M.fragilis, Guen., Noct. 1, i). 34. 



M. fragilis. Walk., C. B. M. Noct. p. 31. 

 Wings broad; anterior pair whitish, sprinkled with black and with 

 the ordinary marks black, distinct, powdery. The basal space is occu- 

 pied, below the subiuedian vein, by a blackish shade which forms an 

 ill-defined black streak superiorily ; the transverse posterior line is 

 slightly oblique, geminate, formed of two rather widely separated undu- 

 late black lines. The ordinary spots are well defined, encircled with 

 black, with white centers, of the normal shape ; the median shade line 

 is black, appearing above and below the reniform spot and joining a 

 diffvise black streak which occupies the position of the claviform spot. 

 The transverse posterior line is white, much lunulated, projected supe- 

 riorily, and bordered posteriorily by a distinct black coincident shade. 

 The subterminal and terminal spaces are narrow owing to the large 

 median space ; subterminal line much interrupted ; a terminal row of 

 small black lunate spots between the veins ; fringes whitish, minutely 

 interrupted with black between the veins. Posterior wings silky, 

 whitish, immaculate, with a terminal interrupted blackish line; fringes 

 white, interruptions obsolete. Under surface of the wings with a pale 

 yellowish shade : anterior pair with faint subterminal bands : posterior 

 pair with a black discal dot and faint median irregular undulating line. 

 Head whitish with two parallel black lines between the eyes; base of 

 antennae whitish on the inner side ; thorax whitish, blackish on the 

 collar and sides of teguli«, with some posterior blackish marks; palpi 

 white, second joint black; abdomen greyish. % . Exp. Ij^g inch. 



Hah. Canada, Eastern and Middle States. Coll. Saunders. 



Closely resembles M. dtphtheroules Gruen., in all but coloration. 



I assume that M. ohliterata will receive additional evidence of its 

 distinctness from 31. diphtheroides Guen., on the discovery of the 

 larval states, and I have for the present refused to regard it as a va- 

 riety of that species; its presence in numerous collections in which the 

 latter is wanting would favor the view of its validity. It appears to 

 sustain a parallel relation to 3L diphtheroides that Lac'mia expultrix 

 m., does to L. cymatoplioroides Gruen., and in the latter ease I have 

 noted larval difi"erenees which will not permit the species to be united. 

 {Proc. Ent. Soc. Phlla. Vol.2, p. 134.) 



