52 



U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 55 



Map 6. — Distribution of Tegeticula yuccasella (marginal records are indicated by black 



circles). 



Discussion. — Although my decision may seem somewhat arbitary, 

 the present lectotype designation for T. yuccasella is beheved to be 

 reasonably accurate. The difficulty in selecting a lectotype for this 

 name stems from the fact that none of Riley's original, syntypic series 

 (9 males and 15 females) can be positively identified. Riley never 

 fully realized the importance of a type series and consequently was 

 very careless in labeUing such specimens or in publishing any data 

 concerning them. Frequently his specimens bear no labels at all, 

 or else they were provided \\-ith extremely brief and sometimes 

 cryptic information. The source of Riley's 24 original specimens was 

 never stated, although I have assumed that at least some were collected 

 from Missouri where Rilej^ had been employed during this period as 

 state entomologist. For this reason and also because some synt}-pes 

 most likely still exist in the collections of the U.S. National ]\Iuseum, 



