2 AUG. R. GROTE. 



fleeted, still it is in C piatrix, C. insolabilis, etc., usually open and 

 thrown outside of the t. p. line into the subterminal space. I have not 

 met the subreniform spot of Catocala in other genera of the family, so 

 that this explanation of its origin seemed interesting to me. I followed 

 a grouping of the species according to the color and appearance of the 

 secondaries for convenience of reference, and indeed in the majority 

 of cases this arrangement seemed natural. The little C. tristis, how- 

 ever, appeared more properly associated with the slenderer yellow 

 winged species, than with the heavier insects of its group. 



I arranged the North American Catocalse as follows : 



Secondaries black and unhanded above Species 1 — S. 



Secondaries black above with a white band " — 9. 



Secondaries various shades of red above with black median band " 10 — 23. 



Secondaries orange above with a black median band " — 24. 



Secondaries black above with a narrow median yellow band " — 25. 



Secondaries yellow above with a median black band " 26 — 51. 



Secondaries yellow above without a median band " 52 — 54. 



1. Catocala epione, Westwood. 

 Noctua epione, Drury. 



% 9 • — A species of medium size and readily recognisable by the broad black 

 transverse lines of the primaries above. The subreniform is moderate, irregu- 

 larly pyriform, pale. The reniform is large, rather vague, with a brown annu- 

 lus and stain. The t. p. line has a moderate single acute tooth opposite the cell 

 and is followed by a distinct brown shade band, and this again by a pale shade 

 following the serratures of the subterminal line. Hind wings deep black above, 

 with long pure white fringes and fuscous hair at base and along internal mar- 

 gin. Beneath, the wings are almost wholly blackish with an iridescent tinge ; 

 hind wings with a hardly perceptible trace of the usual bands. Primaries with 

 a narrow whitish subterminal band becoming obsolete before internal margin> 

 and a broader internal and shorter band discontinued below vein 2. 



I have seen many specimens from the Middle and Southern States. 

 From Abbot's figures Guenee described the larva found on oak. The 

 imago is quickly distinguished by the broad and comparatively even 

 lines of the primaries above ; occasionally the t. p. line is connected 

 with the subreniform. 



2. Catocala laclirymosa, Guenee.— 



Described comparatively with C. epione, this is a species I have 

 never been able to identify. We are led to look for a near ally of C 

 epione with, apparently, the same facies. It should be recognisable 

 from the unusual character afforded by the subterminal line which is 

 stated to be distinct and very black. 



