T 



PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON. 33 



± 



crepancy between my figure and ^\lr. Mfeyrick s diagnosis/ The 

 original description reads. " Forewings .... 8 and 10 stalked, 9 

 absent, 11 from near angle," but I have considered th< formula 

 better expressed by taking 11 as the missing vein and numbering 

 the others accordingly. In the bind wings also 5 and 6 arc staled 

 to be absent, but are sometimes faintly traceable. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



Expanse usually under 13 ram.; meta 

 thorax usually pale yellow ; colour of f.w. 

 a reddish-gray, black scales on subapical 

 portion of dorsum of f.w. form four com- 

 pact equidistant groups . . . . liophanes 



Expanse usually over 15 mm. ; metathorax 

 usually grayish : (•(►lour of f.w. pale 

 yellowish-gray ; black scales on dorsum of 

 f.w. are often absent and. when present, 

 are scattered and irregularly grouped .. atomosa 



Note. — -Both these species seem to be very variable in size, 

 coloration, and development of the cilial scales. 



EXELASTIS ATOMOSA, Wlsm. 



(Plate A., figure 11.) 



Atomosa.— Wlsm., P. Z. S., 1885, 885 ; Meyr., B. J., XVII., 730 : 

 Lefroy, Mem. Agric. Ind., Ent. I., 219, (figs.). 



Parasita. — -Meyr.; Lefroy, Ind. Ins. Pests, p. 140 (tigs.). 



Distribution. — Anuradhapura, Galle, Weligama, Trincomalee, 

 Undugoda, Madulsima. 



The Ceylon form of this moth is smaller and lighter-coloured 

 than the Indian type, from which it may ultimately prove to be 

 specifically distinct, and seems to be decidedly scarce and mostly 

 confined to the low-country. The case is very different, however, 

 in India, where E. atomosa is generally distributed throughout the 

 plains and often becomes a serious local pest on crops of Cajanus 

 indicus and Dolichos lablab. 



Early Stages.— The, early stages have not yet been found in 

 Ceylon, but I rather expect that the larva may he found on the 

 flowers of Anacardium occidental (kadju-nut). 



Exelastis liophanes, Meyr. 



(Plate A., figure 12.) 



T. E. S., 1886, 19 ; B. J., XVII. 13<>. 



Distribution. — Jaffna, Mankulam, Anuradhapura, Kurun^gala 

 Kegalla, Puttalam, Colombo, Labugama, Ambalangoda, Galle, 

 Weligama. Hambantota, Trincomalee, Matale, [Candy, Peradeniya, 



k 7(6)09 



