CLEAR-WING MOTHS OF FAMILY AEGERIIDAE 59 



and transversely on posterior margin of metathorax. Abdomen broadly 

 banded with golden yellow on segments 2, 4, and 6 and more narrowly 

 banded on segments 3 and 5, subject to variation ; the bands broadened or 

 united beneath; anal tuft deep yellow, slightly mixed with black at base 

 and sometimes at the sides. Posterior tibiae rough, yellow, blue-black at 

 the lower spur ; tarsi pale yellow. Forewing transparent, costa dark 

 brown, edged with golden brown inwardly, narrow outer margin, fringes 

 and veins golden brown and inner margin deep orange or red, discal mark 

 also orange or red except for a very narrow black inner edge. Hindwing 

 similar, inner veins darker and fringes turning yellow near wing base. 

 Beneath wings shaded heavily with deep yellow, orange, or red. 



Expanse: Male 26 to 28 mm., female 24 to 30 mm. 



Distribution. — Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah. 



Type. — Female. Collected in Colorado (Morrison). In the American 

 Museum of Natural History. 



Remarks. — An accumulation of over 50 specimens, assembled under 

 the name of giliae, align themselves definitely with this species on struc- 

 tures, but in coloration and in size they vary greatly. This material com- 

 prises specimens collected singly or in small numbers, many in a worn 

 condition, over a long period of years. The moths are active fliers, 

 indiscriminate in visiting flowers. The first clue to the insect's food 

 plant was furnished by a fine series of fresh specimens collected by A. B. 

 Klotz during August 1932 on a species of wild geranium in New Mexico, 

 9,200 feet. Upon repetition of this experience (Klotz and Engelhardt) 

 in the San Juan Mountains, San Miguel County, Colo., 10,000 feet, 

 August 1937, a female was observed ovipositing on geranium, and after 

 persistent search larvae were found in the roots. The borer shows prefer- 

 ence for old, strongly rooted plants along exposed places rather than in 

 dense woods, and it was found in colonies, often widely separated. Un- 

 fortunately none of the larvae survived the winter. More careful and 

 extended field investigations are needed to support or to correct the 

 foregoing conclusions. 



As typical giliae I have selected a series that most nearly agrees with 

 Hy. Edwards's original description and with the female type. The 

 examples in this series, males and females, come from Jefferson County, 

 Colo., 6,000 to 8,000 feet, as did the type. Added to this series is a female 

 from Mount Timpanogos, Utah County, Utah, 8,000 feet, and another 

 very old female, labeled Albuna rileyana Fly. Edwards, Type 2, evidently 

 in Hy. Edwards's handwriting. This specimen clearly is giliae, not 

 rileyana. Distinguishing features of typical giliae are the highly colored 

 forewing with the costa and outer margin golden brown and the con- 

 spicuous discal mark bright red. The abdomen is banded with yellow, 

 broadly or narrowly, on every segment. All dates of capture are during 

 July. 



