208 REVISION OF MAMESTRA SMITH. 



angulate, dilated at tip and there inwardly fnrnisbed with a single row 

 of spinules. The clasper is a single, rather short, slightly curved, cor- 

 neous hook. This species is very readily recognized and easily distin- 

 guished from all its associates. It does not look like a Mamestra at 

 first sight, and has little of the habitus of the genus. 



The synonymy is based upon an examination of types and typical 

 specimens. Mr. Morrison's description bears date in October, while 

 Mr. Grote's is dated in May. 



It appears from Mr. Grote's most recent list that he never recognized 

 Morrison's species. 



Mamestra leucogramma Grt. 



1873. Grt., Buff. Bull., i, 140; Dianthoecia. 



1874. Grt., Buff. Bull., ii, 64; Dlaiithwcia. 

 1881. Grt., Cau., Eut. xiii, 130 ; Mamestra. 



Sordid luteous gray, terminal space somewhat irrorate, with white 

 scales. Transverse lines denticulate, filled with pale, the marginal 

 lines scarcely discernible. S. t. lines marked with yellow scales and a 

 few darker points. Ordinary spots slightly paler, very indefinite. A 

 row of dark terminal Innules. Secondaries blackish fuscous, paler at 

 base. Beneath, powdery fuscous, secondaries paler, all with an exte- 

 rior dusky line. Head and thorax concolorous with primaries, the ves- 

 titure somewhat divergent. Abdomen with a basal tuft only. Male 

 antennae serrate and ciliate. 



Expands 28'°'" (1.12 inches). 



Habitat.— California. 



There are four specimens in the Museum collection from Los Angeles 

 County, California, dated April, August, and October (through C. V. 

 E.) and these agree with the type in Mr. Hy. Edwards's collection. 



This is an ugly, inconspicuous species, not easily confused Mith any 

 of its allies. The primaries are comparatively small, the outer margin 

 oblique, apex somewhat produced, fringes long. There seems to be 

 little or no variation and the resemblance to insolens is marked. 



The male genitalia are peculiar. The harpes are narrow toward 

 base, suddenly broader, resembling a cleaver, abruptly truncate at 

 tip and furnished with an acute long spine. The clasper is a rather 

 slender, curved, corneous hook. 



The insect is not generally found in collections. 



Mamestra lepidula Smith. 

 1887. Smith, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus,, x, 463 ; Maviestra. 



Bright, somewhat ferruginous brown, darker in the median and termi- 

 nal spaces. An oblique light brown streak inferiorly in basal space. 

 Transverse lines distinct, single, margined \vith pale violet blue. Ba- 

 sal line brown. S. t. line irregularly sinuate and dentate, distinct, yel- 

 low j apex of wing violet blue. Claviform small, pointed, velvety 



