^°ii9l!^'] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 233 



Mamestra cristifera Wlk. 



1858. Wlk., C.B.Mas., Lep. HeU., xv, lti54 ; Acronycta. 



18a2. Grt., 111. Essay, 3-J. Au JIadenid. 



1889. Butler., Traus. Ent. Soc. Load., 385; Mamestra. 



htbens Grt. 

 1875. Grt., Traus. Am. Eut. Soc, v, 113; Muiuatra. 

 1875. Grt., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila., 4'2.') : Mamestra. 

 1875. Morr., Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., xviii, ll- : Mamestra. 

 1881. Grt., Cau.Ent.. xiii, l-:i7 ; Mamestra. 

 1889. Butl., Traus. Eut. Soc. Loud., 380 ; pr. syn. 



nifttJa II Morr. 

 1875. Morr., Proc. Acad. Xat. Sci. Pbila., t3'2 ; Mamestra. 

 1875. Grt., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 428 ; pr. syu. 

 1881. Grt., Cau. Eat., xiii, 1'27 ; pr. syn. 



brassicat Grt. 



1873. Grt., Bun". Bull., i, 103; Mamestra. 



1874. Grt., Buff. Bull., II, 12; Mamestra. 



1875. Morr., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pbila., 62; pr. syu. 



Dark blackish gray, with a variably distinct rufous flush and bluish 

 iirorations, forming a peculiar shade, hard to describe. Transverse 

 lines present, geminate, but not very distinctly visible against the dark 

 ground color. Basal line traceable. Basal space with a distinct rufous 

 tinge. T. a. line with three subequal outward curves; included space 

 bluish. T. p. line lunulate or crenulate, nearly parallel to outer margin. 

 S. t. line yellow, marked with a few violet scales, irregularly sinuate, 

 usually interrupted. An irregularly dentate line crosses median space 

 between the ordinary spots, A row of black terminal lunules. Clavi- 

 form moderate in size, distinctly outlined, coucolorous. Ordinary spots 

 distinct, moderate in size, black-ringed. Orbicular round, bluish gray, 

 with darker center. Reniform upright, sometimes slightly constricted 

 at middle, usually oblong, creamy yellow, occasionally with a reddish 

 tlush centrally, with a pale shade of ground color. The median space 

 is variably — sometimes not at all — flushed with red, always with blue- 

 gray i)Owderings, which are most evident on costa and at inception of 

 t. p. line. S. t. space most strongly powdered, a distinct patch o[)posite 

 the cell, and another prominent and distinctive shade at the sinus of 

 tiie t. p. line near hind margin. A sordid, rusty red shade ])recedes and 

 marks the s. t. line, which is also marked by a blackish costal patch. 

 Terminal space darker, apex strongly marked with blue scales. Second- 

 aries smoky fuscous. Beneath, with carmine powderings and distinct 

 dark outer line. Head and thorax coucolorous with primaries. Dorsal 

 thoracic tufts distinct, divided. Abdominal tufts rather prominent, 

 especially on third and fourth segments. 



Expands 40-48""" (1.00 to l.Hii inches). 



Haiutat. — Hudson's Bay territory, Canada ; Maine to Pennsylvania, 

 west to the ^Mississippi. 



Six speciniens are in the study collection, others in the duplicate 

 series. Localities: New York (C. V. K., J. B. S.); Albany, New York, 

 May 30 (Meske); New Hampshire (J. B. S.). 



