178 



AEGERIIDAE 



Gaea palmi Beut. (PL XX, Figs. 13, 15). 



This species was described in the genus Scsia (Synanthedon) 

 ostensibly from two $ 's (Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc, I, 126) ; the receipt 

 recently of a series of both sexes from Kingman, Arizona, some of 

 which were taken in copula, shows that Beutenmuller had mistaken the 

 sex and that the types were two 9 's. The color of fresh S 's is 

 glossy blue-black, the brown color mentioned in the description being 

 due to the f)oor condition of the types, one of which is before us. 

 The S is totally different, displaying a remarkable sex dimorphism, 

 in view of which fact we believe that the following description of 

 this sex may be of value : 



i . Antennae strongly serrate and fasciculate ; palpi rather long, slightly 

 upturned, 3rd joint porrect, long, pointed; pectus and under side of palpi white, 

 3rd joint fuscous; head mixed black and ochreous; thorax black with a cen- 

 tral and two lateral pale ochreous stripes; abdomen grayish-ochreous, anal tuft 

 blackish edged laterally with ochreous; legs pale smoky ochreous, coxae black- 

 ish ; wings opaque, primaries smoky with an orange tinge, a heavy black discal 

 dot followed by a small orange spot and sometimes preceded by a dash of the 

 same color; fringes dusky; secondaries bright orange at the base, shaded broadly 

 with smoky outwardly ; a small discal dot ; fringes dusky with a faint pale basal 

 line. Beneath much as above but primaries showing rather more orange shading. 



As veins 3 and 4 of the secondaries are connate we believe the 

 species should be removed from Synanthedon and placed in the genus 

 Gaea; a proboscis is present but apparently rather reduced and gen- 

 erally hidden by the palpi ; the species was collected during the early 

 part of October. 



