THE TYPE SPECIMEN OF PHAL.T:NA-B0MBYX ATRA, LINN. 57 



The type specimen of Phalaena-Bombyx atra, Linn. 

 = Acanthopsyche opacella. 



By T. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.Z.S., F.E.S. 



Mr. Prout called my attention to the type specimen of Bomhy.v 

 atra in the Linnean collection at Burlington House, and suggested 

 that it should be examined. He informs me that it is the only 

 Psychid of any sort in the whole collection, carrying a Linnean label. 

 My examination of the specimen affords the following facts : The 

 specimen has a small label " atra " in the writing of Linne, a-nd a 

 larger one of Sir J. Smith's, " atra 823," 828 being the page in the 

 Si/stema yatarae, ed. xii., in which B. atra is described. 



As a cabinet specimen, the example is in deplorable condition, few, 

 if any, scales are left on it, the left wing apex is gone, the abdomen 

 is eaten away by mites or otherwise, so that only a few hollow rings 

 are left. On the head are empty shells, either of mites or of Tineid 

 eggs. As a type specimen, however, to be recognised and identified, 

 the specimen is excellent. Except for some damaged pectinations, 

 one antenna is perfect to the tip, all the legs are present, and the 

 front ones well displayed, and the neuration of both upper and lower 

 wings is as easily seen as if the wings had been specially mounted for 

 the purpose. 



The specimen belongs to the species we at present know as Acan- 

 thopsijche opacella, H.-S. It has the same robust structure as com- 

 pared with any Oreopsycht' [anyustdla ov plnmifera). The antenna has 

 29 countable joints, as opacella, H.-S., has. The front tibia carries a 

 spur precisely like that of opacella, and, what is distinctive and final, 

 the neuration agrees in every detail with that of opacella. This 

 neuration is widely different from that of (h-eopg;/che, and 'distinct 

 enough from that of any other Psychid, except probably some other 

 species of Acanthopxijche, with regard to which no question can arise. 



One other point may be referred to. Linne says his specimen was 

 taken near Upsala by Thunberg. A. opacella occurs throughout a 

 large part of Sweden, but I have not heard of any species of (hwopsj/c/ie 

 having been taken in Scandinavia. The identity between atra, L., 

 and iiliniiifera, 0., was assumed by Dr. Heylaerts, who, in his essay on 

 the Psychides (Amiales Sue. h'nt. Heli/ique, xxv) remarks that the true 

 Phalaena-Biniihi/.r atra, L., has been found, and refers to a short paper 

 of a couple of pages on the matter, which he contributed to the 

 Stettiner Knt. Zeitmui (1880, p. 186). 



In this paper he recites that hicracii, Thnb., has been identified 

 with plumifera, 0., and proceeds to the point that interests us here, 

 riz., the identification of atra, L., with liieracU, Thnb., an identifica- 

 tion that has since been accepted. 



His position amounts to this, that Thunberg captured Iiieracii, 

 Thnb. — somew^here — . Linne says that his atra was captured by 

 Thunberg at Upsala. Thunberg having captured both insects, there- 

 fore they are the same. In the absence of any better information, 

 there is a certain plausibility about this that might make it acceptable, 

 though one cannot help thinking that Thunberg must have known 

 that his insect was not atra, L., and, for that reason, gave it a separate 

 name. Now that we know what atra, L., is, it is easy to see that the 

 argument is of the flimsiest nature. It may be also that acceptance 

 March 1oth,]^1902. 



