260 REVISION OF MAMESTRA SMITH. 



tooth above orbicular, inwardly curved over tliat spot, then outwardly 

 and obliquely curved to bind margin, the curve interrupted by a prom- 

 inent tooth on internal vein. T. p. line black, luuulate, followed by a 

 more or less evident series of venular dots, indicating the outer part of 

 the line; intervening space paler. The line is outwardly curved over, 

 and inwardly curved beneath reniform. A prominent outward tooth 

 on internal vein. S. t. line pale, iiunctiform, often hardly traceable, 

 preceded or marked by variably prominent black scales or spots. 

 Sometimes a dusky blotch above hind angle. Fringes cut with black. 

 Ordinary spots distinct, of the green ground-color, outlined in black. 

 Orbicular round, variable in size. Keniform variable in size, con- 

 stricted at middle. Claviform variable in size and shape. Seconda- 

 ries whitish to blackish, rather paler at base. Beneath, variable in 

 tint, powdery, with a distinct outer line and discal spots. Head and 

 thorax concolorous with primaries, more or less admixed with black 

 scales. 



Expands 25 to SO'"'" (1 to 1.20 inches). 



Habitat. — Washington, District of Columbia, southward and west- 

 ward to Florida, Texas, and California. 



Thirteen specimens are in the Museum series, others in the duplicate 

 material: Washington, District of Columbia, August 6, 21; Selma, 

 Alabama, September; North Carolina, central Missouri, Texas, April 

 10 (C. V. B.) ; Texas (Meske) ; Florida (J. B. S.) ; California, Santa 

 Cruz Mountains (through C. V. R.). 



This is a very variable form. The typical examples have the median 

 space black or dark ; the variety illaudabUis has it more or less reddish. 

 All intermediate shades are found. The median lines vary somewhat 

 in course, and are variably approximate interiorly, sometimes almost 

 contiguous, at others widely separated. The only constant characters 

 are in the ground color and course of the t. a. line, and even this latter 

 is not equally marked in all specimens. The sexual characters of the 

 species have been already described. The species is a very handsome 

 one, and appears to be common enough southwardly. The green color 

 is apt to ftide and turn to a dingy yellow in the cabinet. 



Mamestra alboguttata Grt. 



1877. Grt., Buff. Bull., in, 85; Mamestra. 



Sordid fusco-luteous, powdery, median lines geminate, included spaces 

 white. Basal line prominently white. A more or less distinct white 

 blotch betw^een this and t. a. line. T. a. line outwardly oblique, curved, 

 slightly irregular. T. p. line lunulate, about parallel with outer margin, 

 not so distinctly white-marked as is the t. a. line. S. t. line broad, 

 white, interrupted. The s. t. space is unusually narrow and irregularly 

 mottled with paler, blotchy maculation. Claviform outlined, moderate, 

 concolorous. Orbicular small, round, rather paler than median space. 



