NORTH AMERICAN ACROLOPHIDAE — HASBROUCK 617 



tion in lateral aspect. If the aedeagus, vesica, or any of the other 

 genital structm-es, except the cucuUus, do possess usable characters 

 for separation, they are too subtle for detection by the methods 

 employed in this problem. 



However, the variation found in the cucullus seems to exceed the 

 limits of intraspecific variation observed in the other species of this 

 family. Although the cucullus is somewhat unstable in any one 

 series, its major variations enable one to separate the entire gi'oup 

 into foiu- fairly distinct series. Likewise, size, wing pattern, and 

 ground color, although variable in some cases, enable one to divide 

 the group into three rather definite series. The eyes are the same 

 throughout the group and the labial palpi are of little value in the 

 separation of series. However, the antennae aid in separating at 

 least one series from the others. These differences in habitus and 

 antennae also seem to exceed expected intraspecific variation. Using 

 all of the above-mentioned differences, either singly or in combination, 

 the entire complex may be separated into five reasonably distinct, 

 although very closely related, series. 



Geographical separation is responsible for most of the differences 

 among these series, although it is not involved in the occurrence of 

 two of the series in the same city. Thus, it is best to consider the 

 material at hand as a complex composed of four subspecies and one 

 form which offer rather poor characters for separation. Each of 

 these subspecies exhibits variation or instability in one or more char- 

 acters, and more information is needed, including larger collections 

 over larger areas and studies of the immature forms and life histories, 

 before this complex can be properly understood. Additional material 

 may disclose better characters for separation, or it may show that 

 geographical separation does not actually exist and that gradual and 

 complete intergradation occurs between two or more of these sub- 

 species. 



The original group of 69 male specimens was divided into five 

 series representing the four subspecies and one form now under 

 consideration. The first series, consisting of 33 specimens from 

 Oroville, California, agrees reasonably well with British Museum 

 photographs of the type cf adult and genitalia of laticapitanus which 

 was described from approximately the same area in northern California 

 by Walsingham in 1884. In addition, this series agrees closely with 

 Walsingham's original description of laticapitanus . The second series, 

 16 specimens from San Diego and Alpine, Calif., agrees with Busck's 

 (1910) description of occidens from San Diego, approximately 550 

 miles south of Oroville. This series also agrees with the type material 

 representing occidens in the U.S. National Museum. A third series, 

 consisting of 10 specimens, also from San Diego, agrees reasonably 



