327 



eluded, however, that their distinctness is sufficiently probable to war- 

 rant the retention of both names. Walsingham, in describing this 

 species, contrasts it with Riley's, and says that it has shorter fore 

 wings with a less prominent apex, and that it is in general less robust. 

 We have carefully studied a large series from all parts of the country, 

 and are convinced that the species cannot always be separated on this 

 basis. Fernald separates them in his monograph on a difference in 

 the extent of the brown bands on the hind tibiae. This we regard as 

 wholly insufficient. The series which we finally retain as percno- 

 dactyla differs from our carduidactyla in the greatly reduced scale 

 tooth. In carduidactyla, as noted, this is distinctly triangular. In 

 pcrcnodactyla it is often very weak, and is made up of scales of ap- 

 proximately equal length. The two paratypes in the Fernald collec- 

 tion, and, according to Meyrick's comparison of our specimen, Wal- 

 singham's own series, have this type of scale tooth. 



Distribution: B. C. to Alta., south to Wyo., Utah and S. Cal., 

 June to August. 



The early stages are unknown, and may, when studied, clear up 

 the standing of the species. 



10. Platyptilia CAROLINA Kearfott. PI. XLI, fig. 16. PI. I., fig. 13. 

 Platyttilia Carolina KearfoU, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. XXIII, 155, pi. VIIl, 

 f. 17, 1907. 



Meyrick, Wagner's Lep. Cat. pars 17. 16, 1913. 



Barnes & McDunnough, Check List 150, 1917. 

 Tawny. Frontal tuft prominent, conical. Palpi oblique, exceeding tuft: 

 second joint with a short tuft projecting below third. Antennae dotted with 

 brown above. Legs brownish within, whitish outside ; hind pair slightly darker 

 at bases of spurs and ends of tarsal joints. Abdomen with paired white spots 

 in terminal margins of several segments. These are not evident in some of 

 our specimens, probably due to stain. 



Primaries concolorous with body at base, often darkening toward apex. 

 Outer margin with a few dark scales, costa brown before apex and cleft pre- 

 ceded by two brown dots. Other marks very variable, consisting of the two 

 usual discal spots and dark triangle. Lobes crossed by a pale outer line, poorly 

 marked in most specimens and sometimes absent. Fringes whitish with a basal 

 row of dark brown scales along outer margin, pencils of grayish hairs at 

 apices and inner angles, and two brown scale teeth and some scattered scales 

 on inner margin. Secondaries rather darker than primaries with more grayish 

 fringes. Inner margin of third lobe with scattered brown scales in the fringes 

 and in its outer third a small scale tooth, sometimes lacking. Expanse 18-26 mm. 

 Distribution : N. J., N. C, Utah, Cal. May to Sept. 



