224 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. iis 



the uncus densely clothed with hairs and the sacculus of the valva 

 ornamented and strongly sclerotized in its basal portion. Common 

 (1958, 19G3) placed the genus Meritastis in his new tribe Epitymbiini, 

 the complete diagnosis of which remains as yet unclear. On the other 

 hand, the new genus shows a close relationship to the genera of the 

 tribe Cnephasiini, and only differs from them in having a plate- 

 shaped signura not yet known in the described genera of this tribe. 

 A complicated gnathos of the new genus is rather unique in the tribe 

 Cnephasiini, although some indications of a similar modification of 

 this structure are known in the Australian genus Syllomatia Common 

 (1963). 



The seven species of the new genus Pseudomeritastis are very 

 similar to each other in the pattern of the forewing, but until more 

 material is available, it would perhaps be hasty to include this char- 

 acter in the diagnosis of the genus. 



Key to the Species of Pseudomeritastis 



1. Hindwing white or light yellowish to pale brownish 2 



Hindwing orange or dark ferruginous 6 



2. Front whitish, distinctly paler than remaining head . distincta, new species 

 Front gray, concolorous with head 3 



3. Subterminal fascia of forewing distinctly darker than two large, ferruginous- 



brown blotches decora, new species 



Subterminal fascia of forewing not darker than large blotches 4 



4. Light gray interspace between subterminal fascia and large, external blotch of 



forewing divided by a light ferruginous line 5 



Above interspace not divided by any Une clarkei, new species 



5. Ferruginous streak in subcostal area of forewing almost reaching point of 



origin of subterminal fascia cordigera Walsingham 



Tlais streak by far not reaching subterminal fascia voluta Meyrick 



6. Hindwing orange heliadelpha Meyrick 



Hindwing dark ferruginous orphnoxantha, new species 



Pseudomeritastis cordigera (Walsingham), new combination 



Plate 1 (Figs. 1-4), Plate 2 (Figs. 1-3) 



Tortrix cordigera Walsingham, 1914, in Godman and Salvin, Biologia Centrali- 



Americana, vol. 42 (Lepidoptera-Heterocera; vol. 4), p. 276, pi. 8, fig. 17. 

 Meritastis voluta (in part). — Meyrick, 1932, Exotic Microlepidoptera, vol. 4, p. 261. 



Male genitalia: Uncus with tip slightly bulbose, somewhat stronger 

 sclerotized; middle process of gnathos wddely dilated, with two acute, 

 rather short, curved processes, one on each side of middle process; 

 lateral arms of gnathos continued as long, strongly bent appendages 

 directed caudoventrad and densely clothed with setae on inner side of 

 basal portions and on tips. Valva with an elongate, subrectangular 

 cucullus; ledge of sacculus with a longitudinal carina protruding from 

 ventral margin of valva and ending with a short, free, acute tip. 

 Aedeagus tapering apicad; carina penis dorso-externad of caulis. 



