108 JOHN B. SMITH. 



Dimorphic variety : 



Macroglossa ruficaudis Kirby. 

 " vnifonnis G. & R. 



" hiffaloeiisis G. & R. 



" fioridemis G. & R. 



Mr. Grote has always objected to including buffaloensis in this 

 synonymy because the larva was different and as can be seen from 

 the description there are differences, though apparently not greater 

 than in other Sphingid larvae. 



Mr. Holland states that he considers nniforniis the Northern form, 

 and that he has never received it from south of the Potomac, and 

 has never found it in West Virginia, North Carolina and southern 

 Indiana. 



Personally, after the examination of large series in all accessible 

 collections, I believe we have to do with but a single species, and 

 that with a really narrow range of variation. The difference in size 

 is a very common one in this family, and the difference in the denta- 

 tion of the outer band is an inconstant character. It is, of course, 

 possible to separate out the varieties, but it is equally easy to run 

 an uninterrupted series from one form to the other. 



As to the Western species, which all belong to the Hemaris, or 

 yellow section of the genus, it is impossible to venture any decided 

 opinion. There seem to be too many names, but exactly what spe- 

 cies fall together cannot yet be told with certainty. 



I would arrange the species for the present thus : 



Colors yellow and black, form plump. 



Vestiture shaggy, thin, short, palpi small. 

 Black margin of primaries narrow, even. 



Palpi orange ; black tipped psilpalis. 



Palpi yellow, black at sides and tip. 

 Abdomen with dorsum yellow or olivaceous at base, and pre-aual seg- 

 ments yellow, posterior tibia with a tuft of yellow hairs .tlietis. 

 Abdomen more or less covered with yellow hairs over its entire surface ; 

 no colored hairs at base ; red stains on primaries very prominent. 



rubeiis. 



Abdomen black at base, only two pre-anal segments yellow ; marginal 



baud of primaries narrow ; no brush of yellow hair to hind tibia. 



c.yiioglo!«!i«iiin. 

 Vestiture longer, smooth, more closely appressed ; palpi longer, forming an 

 indistinct snout. 



Terminal band of primaries even on its inner edge teiniis. 



Terminal band of primaries rouudedly exserted on its inner edge .ilifliiiis. 

 Terminal band of primaries dentate on its inner edge a-xillaris. 



