140 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Voi.xviii. 



cogitafa that satiiia does to latcritia. The male genitalia are figured 

 and show only such differences as are due to smaller size and method 

 of mounting. 



Dnhltans \V\k., = sputafrix Grote, is very close to the preceding, 

 but is suffused with black-brown, and in most cases has the normal 

 noctuid maculation easily traceable, though never prominent. The 

 marking of the reniform is as in cogitafa, while the orbicular and 

 claviform are also defined and readily traceable. At first blush there 

 might seem some difficulty in dift'erentiating between cogitafa and 

 diibitans, for some of the latter show decidedly brown at times, while 

 some of the former tend to blackish ; but keeping this tendency to a 

 complete maculation in mind the difficulties vanish. The vestiture now 

 becomes even more scale-like and the thoracic tufting even more dis- 

 tinct. In good examples there is an anterior divided crest and a well 

 defined posterior crest, while the dorsal abdominal tuftings are 

 complete. 



The structure of the male antenna does not differ from that of 

 cogitafa; but the male genitalia are in some respects nearer to those 

 .of latcritia. The ladle-like tip is large, the fringe of spines is well 

 marked and the patch at the inner angle is large. The clasper is as 

 slender as in latcritia, but much longer, while the uncus has no trace 

 of dilation and is even more attenuated than in cogitafa. The penis- 

 sheath has two spines instead of one and is characteristic in form. 



This species is much more limited in distribution than either of 

 the preceding and does not extend across the continent. Its home 

 is in the Middle and New England States, but it ranges into Canada, 

 westward to South Dakota, and southward to Virginia. Dates of 

 flight are in July and August. 



One other character common to all the previously described forms 

 should be mentioned. In each case the males have a long-stalked hair 

 pencil at the base of the abdomen, and there is a characteristic groove 

 extending between dorsal and ventral surface of two segments into a 

 pocket extending through the third, and into le fourth from base. 

 Of the orthosiid series hclva alone has this pencil and pocket. All the 

 others lack both pencil and pocket entirely, and have no other sec- 

 ondary male characters to replace them. 



Of this orthosiid series, hclva is the best kno- i and quite distinct 

 from all others. It has shorter and broader wings and all the normal 



