38 [August 



LEPISESIA, nov. gen. 



A genus hitherto confounded with Macroglos.mm, but more nearly 

 allied to Sesia, from which it is however quite distinct. The former 

 genus, of which M. stellatarum is typical, is not represented in North 

 America. 



Head smaller and more obtuse than in Macroglossum^ loosely *>. -Jed ; 

 antennae shorter, more prismatic, [n 8esm the head is more rounded, 

 and freer from the thorax, more advanced ; the antennae are much 

 longer and more robust ; vertex narrower ; the clypeus is shorter, epi- 

 cranium broader, giving the head a more conical appearance. In the 

 present genus the eyes are smaller compared with Sesm^ while the 

 wider vertex gives them a lower, more sunken position. In this respect 

 the genus approaches Macroglonmm^ in which latter the flattened head, 

 more prominent palpi and larger eyes, which are also somewhat differ- 

 ently placed, are distinguishing characters from Lepkesla. 



The anterior wings are relatively much longer, narrower, external 



margin more oblique than in Macroglossum. The discal cell is longer 



and more constricted ; median nervure depressed ; all 



the nervules shorter. The costa is medially depressed 



. ^ . . and markedly contrasts with the conformation of both 

 Anterior wing _ -^ 



of Lepisesia, Sesia and Macroglossum in this respect ; the internal 



natural size, nervure is less bent than in Sesia. The sub-costal ner- 

 vure is curved upward beyond the discal cell ; apex more produced 

 than in either of the genera I have compared it with. The external 

 margin is slightly excavate below the second median nervule, is more 

 irregular and oblique, and less rounded. The posterior wings ai-e small; 

 external margin very straight, not rounded, apices produced. Costal 

 and first sub-costal nervures diverging, leaving the interspace on exter- 

 nal margin wider than usual. Discal cell large. First, second and 

 third median nervules less propinquitous than in Macroglossum, more 

 curved ; internal nervure straighter. The nervulation has undergone 

 important modifications, while the pterogostic characters in their en- 

 tiety are very distinctive, and, without any sudden change, show the 

 position of this genus as intermediate between Sesia and Macroglos- 

 sum, while considerably modified from either. 



The abdomen is more smoothly scaled and less obtusely terminated 

 than in Sesia ; anal segments contracting more suddenly than in 

 Macroglossum. 



The ornamentation is peculiar. Head and thorax are clothed above 

 with similarly colored and disposed scales to those which are so charac- 



