80 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM Vol. 117 



5cfcf, 5 99 (Feb. 15-Mar. 10, 1951; Feb. 3, 1952; Mar. 3, 13, 1955); 

 Plazoleta del Yunque, 200 m., cT (Feb. 20, 1951). 



Previously recorded by Meyrick from Masafuera from a single 

 specimen. It may be expected around almost any human habitation. 



This species has previously appeared in American lists as Endrosis 

 lactella (Denis and Schiffermiiller) , and was recorded by Meyrick as 

 such. The latter is a synonym, and this present combmation is in 

 accordance with contemporary usage. 



For an extended bibliography on this species, up to 1940, see 

 Clarke, J. F. G., 1941, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 90, pp. 264-266. 



Family Gelechiidae 



Genus Gnorimoschema Busck 



Key to the Species of Gnorimoschema 



1. Third segment of labial palpus with two distinct dark annuli 2 



Third segment of labial palpus otherwise 3 



2. Forewing with conspicuous pale area between two dark blotches in center of 



wing; male with strong black sex-scaling on underside of fore- and hind- 

 wings and upper side of latter melanolepis, new species 



Forewing without conspicuous pale area; markings consisting of fine streaks, 

 three fuscous discal spots and scattered whitish scales; male without 

 sex-scalmg absoluta (Meyrick) 



3. Third segment of labial palpus with black spot at base anteriorly; forewing 



clay colored shaded grayish toward costa .... hemilitha, new species 

 Third segment of labial palpus without black spot at base anteriorly; forewing 

 grayish toward costa, darker dorsally but never clay colored. 



operculella (Zeller) 



Gnorimoschema absoluta (Meyrick), new combination 



Figure 80 



Phthorimaea absoluta Meyrick, 1917, Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1917, p. 44. 



Food plants: Solanum tuberosum L. (potato); Lycopersicon esculen- 

 tum (L.) Mill, (tomato). 



Distribution; Masatierra: Bahia Cumberland, 8 99 (Feb. 14-Mar. 

 20, 1951; Mar. 12-18, 1955). 



Meyrick described this species from a unique male from Huancayo, 

 Peru. In the U.S. National Museum there is a series, bred from potato 

 and tomato, from Chile, Peru and Venezuela. As a pest of potato and 

 tomato we can expect to find absoluta rather generally distributed 

 because it is undoubtedly carried in commerce. 



The female genitaha have not previously been figured. 



