BAGWORM MOTHS OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE 101 



Type of genus. — Oiketicus kirbiji Guilding, 1827. Original 

 designation. 



Male. — Relatively large-size moths, containing some of largest 

 members of family. Body very stout, densely hairy. Antennae 

 (figs. 382, 384, 385) with segments short, broadly bipectinate, pecti- 

 nations diminishing in length gradually to apex or decreasing abruptly 

 about % way out, sharply biserate, with various intermediate conditions. 

 Foreleg equalling or slightly exceeding mesothoracic leg, differing in 

 structure between subgenera ; epiphysis present in all species except 0. 

 platensis. Mesothoracic tibia with 1-2 minute spurs. Hindlegs 

 most reduced in size, femur varying in outline from slightly expanded 

 in most species to globose in 0. zihvatanejensis ; 1-2 small apical spurs 

 present. Abdomen exceeding hindmargin of secondaries some 

 distance, frequently by about ji length. 



Wings variously scaled; may be transparent and without scales, or 

 unicolorous and moderately scaled, or more heavily scaled and possess- 

 ing distinct color pattern. Venation (fig. 146, 167) rather variable in 

 certain species. Forewings more or less elongate, usually with 

 prominent apex; 12-veined; R3 and 4 stalked, Rs usually connate or 

 stalked; base of M forked for some distance; lA curving down, 

 joining 2A, sometimes giving off short spur before juncture; 2A 

 occasionally sending off 1-2 slender spurs toward hindmargin; 2A 

 and 3A connected by crossvein near basal third of wing, 3A directed 

 down toward margin, Hindwing triangular, outer margin weakly 

 rounded, straight, or excavated ; approximately % the area of forewings ; 

 normally 8-veined; Sc usually giving off 1-2 short spurs toward costal 

 margin; Sc + Ri and Rs connected by basal crossvein, also by second 

 vein slightly beyond apex of discal cell; Mo and 3 either connate or 

 stalked ; base of M divided within cell (in 0. zihuatanejensis, M may 

 be simple or even absent) ; lA often partially atrophied, sometimes 

 connected to 2A by faint crossvein. 



Male genitalia. — ^Elongate, apex of tegumen cleft or entire. 

 Valves with pulvilli well developed, minutely spined; apex of sacculus 

 with several spinules. Vinculum elongate, gradually tapering to 

 long, slender saccus. Aedeagus base strongly dilated or only slightly 

 so. Eighth sternite with furcal arms, broad, stout, usually slightly 

 divergent. 



Female. — Vermiform, all body appendages vestigial or completely 

 absent. Dorsum of head and thorax sclerotized, darker than rest 

 of body; usually completely naked except for characteristic posterior 

 ring of dense hair. 



Female genitalia. — (Fig. 310.) Very similar to Thyridopteryx. 

 External genitalia with pair of short, rodlike apodemes; dorsal pair 



