NO. 3547 NEARCTIC GELECHIIDAE — HODGES 15 



9cf, 29, Aug. 14-29, N. Griddle (RWH slides 2748, 2749, 3434-3436; RWH 

 wing slide 56), CNC, USNM; Beulah, 4c?, Aug. 15, (RWH slides 2625 and 2626), 

 USNM; Westbourne, 1 d", Aug. 26, 1908, J. B. Wallis, USNM. Saskatchewan: 

 Attons Lake, 2c?, Aug. 20, 1940, A. R. Brooks (RWH slides 2746 and 2747), 

 CNC, USNM; Earl Grey, Icf, Aug. 2, 1924, J. D. Ritchie (RWH slide 3443), 

 CNC, Harlan, 2cf, Aug. 10, 11, 1940, A. R. Brooks (RWH slide 3437), CNC; 

 Saskatoon, Icf, Aug. 14, 1940, A. R. Brooks, CNC. 



Discussion: The moths illustrated indicate the range of macula- 

 tional variation to be anticipated in this species. I have seen a 

 moderate series of specimens from one area; and in it, although 

 maculational variation is great, the extremes in size and color pattern 

 are not present. As a guess, it would seem as though the species is 

 extremely variable but that any given population will have a number 

 of phenotypes smaller than the total of the species. Variability is not 

 confined to maculation, color, and size. It is also expressed in the 

 shape of the apical portion of the heavily sclerotized flange of the 

 aedeagus in the male genitalia and in the relative length of the 

 ductus bursae and corpus bursae in the female genitalia. 



As might be expected, several species have been confused under 

 the name variabilis. Most of them are easily distinguished by the 

 frontal processes, antennal characters, and the shape of the aedeagus. 

 L. variabilis is the only known species of Lita mth the aedeagus 

 shape as illustrated in figures 68-70. 



Lita barnesiella (Busck) 



Figures 8, 61, 85, 139, 175, 176 



Gelechia barnesiella Busck, 1903, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 25, p. 875. 

 Lita barnesiella.— Busck, 1939, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 86, p. 573. 



Maculation: as in figure 8. Head: tongue pale gray bro'wn 

 basally, becoming darker broAvn distally; maxillary palpus ascending, 

 nearly attaining ventral margin of frontal depression, pale gi'ay Avith 

 scattered light brown scales; labial palpus pale gray with a few brown 

 scales on posterior and lateral siu'faces of second and third segments, 

 anterior surface brown Avdth a few pale gray scales, thu'd segment 

 brown with dusting of pale gi'ay scales; scape of antenna brown buff, 

 shaft piceous dorsally, ocherous ventrally; frons, vertex, and occiput 

 pale buff, fron to vertical processes as in figure 61. Thorax, forewing, 

 and abdomen, pale buff overlaid with dark brown and varying shades 

 of red brown, cilia of forewing pale buff. Hindwing: pale fuscous, 

 veins shghtly darker fuscous, cilia and tuft of scales on vein 1 pale 

 buff. Prothoracic leg: coxa brown overlaid Avith pale buff, apex pale 

 buff; femur and tibia dark brown with scattered pale buff scales, 

 buff scales more abundant on outer sm-faces; tarsus dark brown, 

 apices of first, second, and third segments pale buff, ventral surface 



