266 AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA. 



Mamestra ortruda n. sp. 



Ground color a rather even pinkish luteous, on which the macula- 

 tion of primaries is prominently and contrastingly written. Front pro- 

 tuberent, convex, concolorous. Collar with an obscure dark transverse 

 line above the middle. Disc of thorax with rather well defined ante- 

 rior and posterior tufts ; patagia a little powdered, sometimes with an 

 obscure, dusky sub-margin. Abdomen rusty yellowish. Primaries 

 with all the markings well-written, essentially like those of albifusa. 

 Basal line geminate, black, interrupted on median vein. T. a. line 

 geminate, black, outer portion best marked and defined, inner portion 

 preceded by a diffuse blackish shade varying in extent in the speci- 

 mens ; in course rather evenly and not greatly outcurved. T. p. line 

 geminate, rather obscure, inner portion lunuate, smoky, outer portion 

 more even and less obvious — tending, indeed, to become lost ; in course 

 abruptly bent over cell and then very even and almost direct to inner 

 margin. S. t. line paler than ground color, irregular, forming out- 

 ward dents that reach the outer margin on veins 3 and 4, preceded by 

 conspicuous black sagittate marks in the middle of its course. Termi- 

 nal space a little darker than the ground. A series of black terminal 

 lunules. A slender yellow line at base of the dusky fringes which are 

 cut with yellow opposite the veins. Claviform short, broad, blackish- 

 filled, conspicuous. Orbicular rather small, a little ovate, oblique, 

 pale-ringed, concolorous. Reniform very large, kidney-shaped, or a 

 little constricted, narrowly outlined in black, with an incomplete inner 

 pale ring, smoky filled, with or without a pale lunule. Secondaries 

 yellowish, veins blackish, a broad blackish outer border which is in- 

 wardly diffuse ; a smoky discal lunule ; a dusky more or less obvious 

 lunate terminal line. Beneath yellowish, powdery, with a broad 

 blackish subterminal band which is sharply limited outward by the 

 paler terminal area ; primaries with a large dark discal lunule, second- 

 aries with a small dark discal spot. 



Expands, 1.32-1.48 inches = 33-37 mm. 



Hab. — Denver and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, April, 

 June, July and August. 



Five males and three females in fair to good condition, 

 and all very much alike in general appearance. This species 

 was first received by me many years ago from Mr. David 

 Bruce, and has since then been sent in by Dr. Barnes, to 

 whom five of the examples under consideration belong. The 

 species is nearest to obesula in general appearance and size, 

 with a very decided leaning toward farnhami in color and 

 maculation, which latter is, nevertheless, on the whole more 

 like that of albifusa than of any other species. 



