REVISION OF MOTHS OF CARPOSINIDAE 7 



the segments as well as in the overall length of each segment. Most of 

 the differences with regard to the length and curvature of the labial 

 palpi is to be attributed to the morphology of the second segment. In 

 the females of most species this segment is longer and straighter than 

 in the males. In some genera it can also be noted that the apical 

 segment of the male palpus is somewhat more slender and longer than 

 that of the female. 



Thorax. — The application of wing venation in the classification 

 of this family presents some problem with regard to character 

 weighting. Very likely no satisfactory evaluation will be achieved 

 until most of the species have been properly described and studied 

 as a group. As the situation appears at present, considerable inter- 

 specific variation occurs in this family (in proportion to the number 

 of known species), but relatively little intraspecific variation. That is 

 to say, for those species studied thus far, venational characters appear 

 quite stable for a given species even though distinct differences often 

 exist between species or species-groups. In an attempt to obtain 

 some idea as to the range and magnitude of this variation, three sets 

 of diagnostic venational characters were investigated for those species 

 represented by adequate series. A summary of those observations is 

 given in table 1. The particular veins studied were so selected because 

 they exhibited the greatest amount of variation. All other major 

 veins were noted to be relatively stable in their origins. 



As can be noted from table 1, veins 4 and 3 (M3 and Cui) of the 

 hindwmgs exhibit the greatest amount of intraspecific variation. In 

 spite of such variation, characteristics involving this particidar set of 

 veins still provide one of the best single means for superficially separat- 

 ing the two genera Carposina and Bondia. It is obvious from a study 

 of the American species that for generic evaluation venation must be 

 considered in conjunction with as many additional features as possible 

 and especially with characters of the male and female genitaha. 

 Unfortmiately this has not always been possible due to the lack of 

 adequate material. 



Male genitalia. — I have interpreted the uncus as being present 

 in the American species even though its presence is very slight m most 

 forms. In Tesuqiiea and certam Old World genera (e.g., the New 

 Zealand species of ''Carposina'') the uncus is very prominent; in 

 Bondia and Carposina it is represented by a minute lobe which is 

 largely fused to the tegumen. Some authors may chose to consider 

 this as merely a lobe of the tegumen. 



Within the Carposinidae, and particularly in the genera Carposina 

 and Meridarchis, the gnathos may be observed in various stages of 

 development. In most forms the two arms of the gnathos are widely 

 separated and appear as short, lobelike enlargements from the latero- 



