WM. G. DIETZ, M.D. 287 



THE IVORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF THE 

 GENUS ORNIX Tr. 



BY WM. G. DIETZ, M.D. 



(Plate IV.) 



A well defined genus of the Micro-lepidopterous family Tiueidse, 

 characterized as follows : head rough-haired, more or less appressed 

 on the face, two large tufts on the vertex, directed more or less for- 

 ward. Antennae as long as the forewings, simple, basal joint with- 

 out pecten. Labial palpi moderately long, smooth scaled, curved 

 and more or less ascending; third joint pointed, shorter than the 

 second. Maxillary palpi distinct, porrect and of moderate length. 

 Forewings elongate-lanceolate; vein 16 not furcate at base, 11 veins, 

 3 ab.?ent, 6 and 7 usually stalked, latter to costa. Hiudwings nar- 

 rower than the forewings, narrowly lanceolate, cilia 2-3; vein 3 

 sometimes absent, cell open between 4 and 5, 5 and 6 sometimes 

 stalked. 



Of the species heretofore enumerated in our lists, but few are 

 definitely recognized; this is due in part to faulty description, which 

 leaves the identity of a species in serious doubt, and again to the 

 fact that several of Clemens' species were described from captured 

 specimens, their food-plant being unknown, and the type, either lost 

 or in such a condition as to make identification impossible. Ornix 

 acerifoliella does not belong here, but is the type of Paraclemensia 

 Busck. 0. qxiercifoliella Ch. belongs to Gracilaria — Dialectica 

 Wish. — and is a synonym of Gracilaria strigifinitella. 



Thus far I have seen no representatives of the genus from the 

 Pacific Slope. The species appear to prefer the temperate and 

 more northern regions. If those who are interested in the further- 

 ance of our knowledge of the Micro-lepidoptera of our fauna will 

 give more close attention to the breeding of material, I have no 

 doubt that many more species will be discovered than are here 

 enumerated, and almost all of which were bred from the immediate 

 vicinity of the writer. 



The species arrange themselves into two natural groups. The 

 first of these is characterized by the forewing being of a dark golden 



TBANS. AM. ENT. SOC. XXXIII. AUGUST. 1907. 



