March, 1903.] SmITH : New NOCTIID.K FuR I903. 17 



in general but in the termination, which is long drawn out in detracta 

 and rather short and abruptly terminated in ncoierica. In the latter 

 the clasper is a simple, curved, corneous hook, while in the former it 

 is a peculiar spatulate process with a slender, acute tip. Dctracta is 

 figured in Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XIV, PI. IX, Fig. 12, and the cor- 

 responding parts of neoterica are shown PI. I, Fig. 14. 

 Mamestra lunolacta, sp. nov. 



Ground color of head, thorax and primaries smoky fuscous, black powdered, and 

 with an admixture of whitish or greenish scales that may, at times, give the insect a 

 mossy appearance. Head with an admixture of gray scales. Collar with a feebly 

 marked light median line and a blackish line below the gray tip. Thoracic vestiture 

 defective in my specimens. Primaries with all the markings present, not contrasting 

 except that the reniform is prominently white-ringed, and there is a large, lunate 

 creamy white patch in the s. t. space just above vein i. Basal line geminate, black, 

 included space marked by creamy or mossy scales. T. a. line geminate, complete, 

 blackish, included space a little mossy, as a whole obliquely outcurved. T. p. line 

 geminate, inner line blackish, best marked in the submedian interspace, outer line 

 smoky, lost over the cell : as a whole, the line is rather evenly curved over the reni- 

 form and then runs evenly oblique to the inner margin. S. t. line white or whitish, 

 a little irregular, continuous, edged here and there by blackish scales or spots. 

 Fringes long, a series of whitish lunules at their base, a line of brownish intermediate 

 lunules, tips yellowish. Claviform small, incompletely outlined by black scales, 

 with mossy yellowish scales that extend inward toward base. Orbicular small, narrow, 

 oblique, outlined by black scales within which is a narrow paler line, else concolorous. 

 Reniform narrow, upright, oblong or feebly lunate, outlined by black scales within 

 which is a rather prominent white ring. Center concolorous. Secondaries smoky, 

 a little paler at base, fringes whitish with a broad smoky interline. Beneath, prima- 

 aries blackish smoky, with pale costal dots and pale lunules at the base of the fringes : 

 secondaries gray, powdery, with a smoky outer line, marginal shade and small discal 

 spot. Expands 1.08 inches - 27 mm. 



Habitat: Idaho; Pullman, Washington, C. V. Piper. 



Two females, both somewhat rubbed and with defective thoracic 

 vestiture. This is a somewhat obscure, powdery form that gives the 

 impression as though it might vary to mossy green at times. It is not 

 unlike alboguttata in type of maculation, without the contrasts that 

 inspired Mr. Grote's name, while it is characteristic in the large lunate 

 pale patch in the s. t. space, extending to the hind margin only by an 

 enlargement of the s. t. line. The s. t. space is a little paler, more 

 grayish powdered than the rest of the wing ; but not contrasting. 

 The species should be readily recognized as a member of the smaller, 

 stumpy-winged groups — olivacea or laudabilis ; but its nearest allies 

 cannot be determined until the male is at hand. 



