SQ BULLETIN 38, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



p. line with an outward curve just below costa, thence almost straight 

 to inner margin ; the inner line more or less lunulate, the outer remark- 

 ably even, forming the boundary of the darker s. t. space; s. t. line 

 very distinct, pale, sinuate. A diffuse dusky median shade most dis- 

 tinct between the ordinary spots. Claviform entirely obsolete, or but 

 faintly indicated. Ordinary spots pale ringed, of good size. Orbicular 

 round, coucolorous. Reniform upright, constricted .it middle, the inner 

 inferior angle someU'hat extended inivardly. Secondaries yellowish, fus- 

 cous; beneath smoky, powdered with red; a distinct extra discal dark 

 line, and on secondaries a discal lunule. Thorax concolorous with i)ri- 

 maries, head paler. 



Expands 30-33™™; 1.20-1.32 inches. 



Habitat. — Northern and Eastern States, Canada. 



This species has been much confused in collections. I have before 

 me now specimens labeled rubi, rubifera, conflua, and perconflua, and 

 for some of these determinations Mr. Grote is responsible. The differ- 

 ences between this species and the European rubi have been detailed 

 with painful exactness. Line for line they have been compared, and 

 even nmbrosa has been brought in ; but scarcely one of the numerous 

 differences have proved permanent when a large series of specimens has 

 been compared. Yet the American species undoubtedly loohs different, 

 though the localization of the difference seems to be almost impossible. 

 A comparison of the S genitalia at once demonstrates the difference of 

 the species ; those of rubifera are figured ; those of rubi are much like 

 those of normanicma. The harjies are the same, but the clasper con- 

 sists of one inferior short curved hook and a long corneous ridge form- 

 ing part of harpe and extending obliquely upward from this hook to the 

 finger-like process on superior margin. Of the very sudden dilation of 

 the harpes so conspicuous in rubifera there is no trace. From jjcrco/t- 

 fliia, this species can be always separated by the shape of the reniform. 

 which does not vary greatly. Other differences will at once strike the 

 student comparing the descriptions and figures. It was undoubtedly a 

 large specimen of this species that was mistaken for dalilii by Guenee. 

 I have a specimen agreeing perfectly with his comparative description 



Noctua oblata Morr. 



1875. Morr., Proc. Boat. Soc. N. H., xviii, 116, Agrotis. 

 * hiUiana Plarv. 



1878. Harvey, Cau. Eut., x, .55, Agrotis. 



Bright rusty ocher, shaded with lilac gray, median space darkest; 

 s. t. space with a purplish tint, terminal space i)aler ochreous. Trans- 

 verse lines geminate, basal line distinct. T. a. line oblique; a very 

 slight curve to vein 1, then a distinct outward curve to inner margin. T. 

 p. line sinuate, inner line faintly crenulate; S. t. line marked only by 

 the contrast in color between terminal and s. t. space, its course sin- 

 uate. Claviform distinctly evident though not completely outlined. 



