64 BULLETIN 38, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



ish, no (liscal line ; secondaries with a variably distinct discal spot. Col- 

 lar with two narrow black lines. 



Expands 37-53'""', 1,50-2.12 inches. 



Habitat — United States and Canada. 



One of the mosfe common and well-known species. It is readily dis- 

 tinguished from all the others by the long and narrow wings, as well 

 as the difference in color. The pale s. t. space and the black sagittate 

 dashes from reniform and before the s. t. line give the species a char- 

 acteristic appearance impossible to be mistaken and unlike any other 

 American species. The type to which this belongs is European, as has 

 been already suggested. 



The life history has been frequently written in the works of the 

 economic entomologists. The larva is a general feeder and has been 

 injurious to strawberries among others. 



I am entirely unable to understand Mr. Butler's synonymy of this 

 species. He makes saucia Hbn. the same as ypsilon llott., and cites 

 diffcrens, ambrosioides, impacta and intecta Walker also as synonyms. 

 Then he adds that a s])ecimen labeled turris in Mr. Grote's collection is 

 the same as the imimcta of Walker, and thus destroys the possibility 

 of crediting any part of his synonymy. Saucia has simple antennoe, 

 turris has them serrate and bristled, while ypsilon has them pectinated ! 



Agrotis geniculata G. & R. 

 1868. Grt. aud Rob., Tr. Aiu. Ent. Soc. i, 349 pi. 7, f. 54, Agroth 



Varying from dark ash-gray to deep fuscous or smoky ; basal and 

 transverse lines geminate ; included space pale ; s. t. line very irregu- 

 lar, narrow, pale; ordinary spots pale; intervening space black; au 

 indistinct median shade; claviform short, narrowly outlined in black; 

 s. t. si>ace usually darkest, median space usually palest ; t. a. line 

 irregularly dentate and scalloped; t. p. line very irregular; variable in 

 position and course, but usually with a single evident outward curve. 

 Secondaries fuscous brown to smoky black, paler toward base. Beneath 

 dull dark smoky, paler toward base of wing. Collar with a distinct 

 black line. 



Expands 33'"'", 1.32 inches. 



Habitat. — Northern, Eastern, and Middle States. 



This insect is so variable in color and maculation, while retaining a 

 remarkable uniformity of appearance, that a detailed description is 

 rather that of an individual tjian the species. As a rule the space be- 

 yond the t. 1). line is darkest, the gray predominating in the other parts 

 of the wing. The dark space between the ordinary spots continued as 

 a mediau shade adds to the peculiarity of the species and renders it 

 easily known. From the other species of the group it has been suffi- 

 ciently distinguished. 



It seems not common, and its early stages are not published. 



