BY T. P. LUCAS. 1085 



a series of short longitudinal bar spots ; in 9 a second series runs 

 diagonally from apex of hindmargin to J of inner margin. In 

 many specimens some or nearly all markings absent. Hindwings 

 rosy, large discal spot, broad fascia close to and parallel with hind- 

 margin, more or less interrupted in (J, rarely interrupted in Q. 



This species is I am persuaded quite distinct from the following, 

 S. quinquefascia. I have seen about 200 specimens from Brisbane 

 neighbourhood and they are all constant as follows : — the markings 

 of the inner | of the fore wings are sparse, being confined to the 

 central longitudinal bars, the transverse fasciae found in the next 

 species are absent, the markings of the outer third hardly form 

 into fasciae, being short and more or less separated bars. The 

 fascia of the hind wing is separated from the hindmargin by a 

 well-defined border. The tendency is to sparsity of markings ; 

 the 9 is always fuscous. 



Spilosoma quinquefascia, n.sp. (included in S. fuscinula, Walk.). 



The distinguishing feature in this species is the transverse 

 fasciae of the forewings, of which there are five ; 1st is near the 

 base, and consists of short bars or joined into a contiguous band ; 

 2nd from ^ costa to near ^ and thence in a curve to \ inner 

 margin, in some specimens narrowly interrupted ; 3rd from f 

 costa twice waved outwards and from median obliquity to ^ of 

 inner margin, generally united to discal spot ; 4th from ^ costa to 

 4 inner margin, in some specimens interrupted once or oftener in 

 middle third ; 5th on hindmargin, in some frequently interrupted, 

 often covering hindmarginal line ; in ^ these fasciae are often 

 more or less confluent, in 9 they are more deeply banded and give 

 the insect a rich black appearance, often almost to leaving only 

 lines of ground colour. The basal costal bar often curves into 

 2nd fascia. The thorax is often entirely black. The fascia of the 

 hindwing is broader than in S. Brisbanensis, and leaves only a 

 narrow hindmarginal line of ground colour. 



