AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA. 11 



marked, and the only remaining subdivision is based on the shape 

 of the reniform. In circumlucen* and rutila the mark is normal in 

 form, a little constricted centrally but symmetrical, and of about 

 the same size above and below the constriction. In appa&ionata, 

 marginidens and furcata the mark is much larger, hardly, if at all, 

 constricted centrally, and the lower half much broader than the 

 upper. 



Circumlucens is even, yellow to red-brown in color, without strong 

 contrasts anywhere, and the s. t. space hardly, or not at all, darker 

 than the remainder of the wing. 



Rutila is darker and redder, so strongly powdered in many cases 

 as to seem rusty. The t. p. line at least is always well marked, and 

 the s. t. space is always strongly shaded with purplish brown. 



Appa&ionata is easily confused with rutila until the reniform is 

 examined ; but the size of this and its enlargement inferiorly is 

 characteristic. 



Marginidens is paler, more brick-red in color, with the purplish 

 shadings not contrasting. All the markings are well defined, but 

 there is nothing that stands out except the white spots. The darker 

 shadings seem rather to give the wings a soiled appearance. 



Furcata is very pale, almost straw yellow in color, with all the 

 marking well written, but without dark shades or contrasts. The 

 white spots are very large, the reniform broader than any other spe- 

 cies, but the central portion is concolorous, the surrounding group 

 of spots relieving this very prettily. In this species the clasper de- 

 parts from the usual type and is forked at the tip. The upper pro- 

 cess is irregular and forms a continuation of the basal portion ; the 

 lower process is much longer, slender, cylindrical and curved to 

 form almost a semicircle. 



The only species not known to me autoptically is erepta Grote, 

 described from Kansas. I have no material from that State and 

 have no sufficient recollection of the type to enable me to place it. 

 The species is well enough described, however, to be recognized, pro- 

 vided it is an Hydrcecia at all. 



Our knowledge of the early stages of the species of this genus 

 leaves much to be desired. Few of them, comparatively, are known 

 at all, and others are only imperfectly described. In a general way 

 they may be said to be borers, either in roots or stems and they have 

 the usual appearance of species with such habits. 



Mr. Henry Bird, of Rye, N. Y., lias in recent years made a study 



TRANS. AM. ENT. SOC. XXVI. MAY. 1899. 



