117 



a. Dorsum of prothorax, metathorax, and first three abdominal seg- 

 ments with a distinct median ridge; antennae and mesothoracic 

 legs reaching the caudal margin of the wings and longer than the 

 maxillae; caudal margin of mesothorax never with a row of shal- 

 low depressions Plaihypena Grote. 



aa. Dorsum of body never with a median ridge; antennae and meso- 

 thoracic legs not reaching the caudal margin of the wings and not 

 longer than the maxillae ; caudal margin of mesothorax with a row 

 of shallow depressions Balsa Walker. 



The following species were examined : 

 Plathypena scabra Fabricius 

 Balsa malaria Fitch 



Subfamily Catocalinac 



This group is distinguished from all other noctuids by the pres- 

 ence of a whitish "bloom" on the surface of the pupa, which is re- 

 tained even in alcoholic specimens. Both prothoracic and meso- 

 thoracic legs extend cephalad to the eye-pieces. The labial palpi are 

 always present, but the femora of the prothoracic legs are seldom 

 visible. The epicranial suture is found throughout the genera Catoc- 

 ala and Eunetis but is lacking in the remainder of the subfamily. 

 The antennae, mesothoracic legs, and maxillae either reach the cau- 

 dal margin of the wings or very closely approach it. The cremaster 

 is usually very short or absent, and the setae at the caudal end of the 

 body are usually of two sizes and inserted at different levels except 

 in the genus Eunetis. This generic name is applied to certain species 

 of the genus Catocala of Dyar's list which have a short cremaster, 

 slightly broader at the caudal end, bearing about eight slightly 

 curved setae which are usually directed towards the meson. The fol- 

 lowing table will serve to separate the genera of Catocalinae: 



a. Epicranial suture present; body tapering rapidly from the fifth ab- 

 dominal segment so that it is more slender in appearance than the 

 typical noctuid, the lateral margins of abdominal segments 8-10 as 

 seen in dorsal view convergent and not strongly convex, 

 b. Cremaster, if present, very short and narrowed at the caudal end, 

 and with eight long hooked setae of two sizes, some larger and 



more heavily chitinized than the others Catocala Schrank. 



bb. Cremaster broadened at the caudal end, usually with eight short, * 

 stout setae which are slightly curved and usually directed tow- 

 ards the meson Eunetis Hubner. 



aa. Epicranial suture not present; body of typical noctuid shape, with 

 the lateral margins of abdominal segments 8-10 distinctly convex 

 as seen in dorsal view. 



