310 



Cilbcrtia Walsingham, Ent. Mo. Mag. XXVII, 259, 1891. Orthotype G. eques 

 Wlsm. 

 Tutt, Ent. Rec. XVII, 36, 1891. 

 Crocydoscclus Walsingham, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 35, 1897. Orthotype C. 

 fcrruginea Wlsm. 

 Tutt, Ent. Rec XVII, 36, 1905. 

 Gillmeria Tutt, Ent. Rec. XVII, 27, 1905. Orthotype ochrodactyla D. & S. 

 Frcdericina id., loc. cit. Orthotype cdodactyla D. & S. 



Front with a prominent scale tuft in some species, usually with at least 

 a moderate tuft. Palpi short, scarcely exceeding front, to long; second 

 joint obhque, third porrect. Tibiae sometimes with slight scale tufts. Fore 

 wings cleft not more than one-third their length, anal angle evident on 

 both lobes, in some species prominent and in some retreating. Vein Cu,. well 

 before angle, Cu^ near angle. R^, R., and R- separate, R„ and R^ stalked. 

 Hindwings trifid, third segment with black scales or scale tuft in fringes of 

 inner margin in most species. Vein Cu., from middle of cell, CUj from near 

 angle. (See pi. XLVIII, fig. 3). 



As noted by Meyrick in the Genera Insectorinn this genus ap- 

 proaches Stcnoptilia closely. In some of the species which we include 

 here the black scales are lacking, and we retain them in Platyptilia 

 only because they seem generally closer to the characteristic species 

 of that genus. Referring again to Meyrick in this connection, we 

 quote his statement that "as the two types are really quite distinct 

 and in general easily separable on a comparison of all the characters, 

 it is desirable to keep them separate." 



We are not adopting the grouping proposed for this genus, based, 

 so far as it concerns us, on the scale tuft, because it is likely to prove 

 too confusing in the separation of the North American species. 



The identification of these insects is by no means easy, though 

 some of the species are well marked and may be recognized without 

 trouble. Others are difficult to place, even with an abundance of 

 material and authentic specimens at hand. Of these we can only 

 say that careful study of the superficial characters has led us to believe 

 that the species which we retain are all valid, with possibly one or two 

 exceptions. Unfortunately the genitalia are of no assistance in such 

 cases, for throughout the genus they seem to differ in proportion to 

 the other characters. Keying such a genus has naturally been a try- 

 ing task, and unsatisfactory in its results, but we feel that the key 

 which we present will suffice for the identification of most material. 



