566 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol.86 



In spite of these and other variations the genitalia are, as is the 

 venation, remarkably constant and offer excellent characters for 

 generic and specific definition as well as for family grouping. The 

 fact that scarcely any two specimens of our common cosmopolitan 

 clothes moth, Tineola lisellieUa (Hummel), have identical venation 

 does not nullify the value of venation, and this species may actually 

 be identified on its venation alone in spite of the variation. Simi- 

 larly there is very great variation in the harpes of the gelechiid spe- 

 cies Chionodes dentella (Busck), but the species may nevertheless be 

 definitely identified by the genitalia alone. 



No apologj' is needed for the use of the characters of the genitalia 

 as major determinating factors in the definition of genera. Their 

 value in the sound classification of Lepidoptera is conceded by all 

 modern workers. The time has passed when the dissection of these 

 parts of the males was deplored and consolation found in the belief 

 that "this new science will not classify the females, so it is a pleasant 

 reflection in these days of equal suffrage to know that the females 

 will still look forward" while "it may be necessary some day to turn 

 our males around in our collections and let them travel backwards." • 



Too little is known as yet about the early stages of this group to 

 warrant generalizations about the larval and pupal characters, but 

 the few species of which these stages have been properly studied and 

 figured, mainly by Heinrich and Keifor, clearly substantiate further 

 the generic divisions made in this paper. The presence or absence 

 of a cremaster in the pupa and the length of the wing covers and 

 antenna of the pupa, for example, appear from the evidence at hand 

 to be constant within the genus; these characters will presumably 

 prove to be of generic value and verify the divisions made in this 

 paper on adult characters. 



The present contribution is based on material in the United States 

 National Museum. The figures were drawn under the author's super- 

 vision by Mrs. Mary Foley Benson from slides made by the author. 

 The plates were arranged by Mrs. Eleanor A. Carlin. To both 

 thanks are due for their expert help. 



The group of genera here considered have the following external 

 and venational characters in common : Antennae shorter than fore 

 wings; second joint of labial palpus thickened with scales, and with 

 rough and normally furrowed tuft beneath; terminal joint nearly as 

 long as or slightly longer than second. Fore wings elongate, more 

 or less pointed; 12 veins; 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to costa, 6 sometimes out 

 of 7 near base, 3 and 4 approximate, connate or short-stalked, lb 

 furcate at base, Ic absent. Hind wings nearly as broad as or broader 



• A. p. Braun, Ent. News, vol. 32, p. 118, 1921. 



