606 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. ii4 



Specimens examined. — 14 (all d^cT), from 5 localities: 



California: Jacumba, cf (Aug. 13, 1917, J. C. Bradley); Rancho La Sierra, 

 Riverside Co., cT (Aug. 29, 1940, Fred H. Rindge collection), cf (Sept. 17, 1940, 

 Rindge), d^ (July 31, 1941, Rindge), cf (Aug. 7, 1941, Rindge), cf (July 9, 1942, 

 three mites on abdomen, Rindge), cf (Aug. 16, 1942, Rindge), cf (July 17, 1947, 

 Rindge); San Diego, cf (June 27, 1911, Geo. H. Field), c? (June 30, 1911, 

 W. S. Wright), & (July 1, 1911, Wright), cf (Aug., L. E. Ricksecker); Santa 

 Paula, cf (July 31, 1923, H. H. Keifer). Texas: Boquillas, Brewster Co., cf 

 (July 7, 1948, C. & P. Vaurie). 



Remarks. — This species undoubtedly ranges southward into Mex- 

 ico. It has one synonym, diversus Busck, described from San Diego, 

 Calif. A. kearfotti is very closely related to psevdohirsutus, the two 

 comprising a small species group. This group has been characterized 

 in the key and in the foregoing remarks on pseudohirsutus. These 

 two species may be distinguished from the other acrolophids treated 

 here on the basis of their harpes and aedeagi. However, the two may 

 be distinguished from each other only by the differences occurring in 

 the cucuUi of their harpes. Except for this structure, the genitalia of 

 both species are essentially the same. Their aedeagi are so similar 

 that their distinctness as good species may be questioned. However, 

 since the color patterns of the two moths are different and since 

 kearfotti is at least half again as large as pseudohirsutus, they are 

 retained here as distinct species. 



I have examined the type cf specimen at the U.S. National Museum. 

 It is labeled "Eulepiste kearfotti Dyar, type no. 6734, Desert, Yuma 

 Co., Aiiz." My examination of a slide preparation of the cf genitalia 

 of the paratype, also from Yuma County, further confirmed the 

 identity of this species. 



Busck described Acrolophus diversus as a new species in 1912. 

 FoUowing his description, he stated: 



Alar expanse, 27 to 28 mm. Habitat: San Diego, California, July (Geo. H. 

 Field, collector). Type: No. 15122, U.S. Nat. Mus.; cotype in Mr. Field's 

 collection. Nearest in pattern and size as well as in the form of the palpi to 

 Acrolophus (Neolophus) persimplex Dyar, from which it differs in the clearer 

 color, more distinct pattern, and less hairy labial palpi. 



Since 1912, diversus has appeared in the literature as a distinct species. 



The type cf, at the U.S. National Museum, is labeled "Acrolophus 

 diversus Busck, type no. 15122, San Diego, Calif., 7/2/11, Geo. H. 

 Field." After examining the type and a slide mount of the cf geni- 

 talia of a paratype, also from San Diego, I found them to be equivalent 

 to Dyar's older species, kearfotti, the type cf of which is also at the 

 U.S. National Museum. 



Thus, diversus Busck should be considered a new synonym of 

 kearfotti (Dyar). I faU to find any noticeable resemblance or re- 

 lationship between Busck's diversus and persimplex (Dyar). Perhaps 



