—51 — 



Notes on certain Psychidae, with descriptions of two new 



Bombycidae. 



Bv A. S. Packard. 

 From material kindly given me by Messrs. Graef, Hulst and Edwards, 

 I have been able to review the characters of our two true Psychids, and to 

 add another fine species from Texas to our fauna. I also offer a description 

 of a verv prettv Lithosia from Northern Maine, and of a small Cochlidian 

 from Texas. 



Psyche carbonaria n. sp. 



2 c5^c^. This is the largest species yet known from this country, the wiiigs ex- 

 paneling a fifth of an incli more than those of P. confederata. The head and thorax 

 are very hairy ; front of head wide, much as in P. confederata, and the eyes of the 

 same proportional size. Antennce with long pectinations. Wings uniformly smoky 

 black, not quite so black and thickly scaled as in P. confederata. They are slightly 

 narrower than in that species ; the costa of both pairs not so full, and the apex of the 

 primaries is more pointed. The venation of the fore wings differs from that of Z'. 

 confederata, besides other less important respects in the 4th median venule,* the 

 origin of which is in common with the 3rd, and not widely detached from it as in P. 

 confederata. In the hind wings the costal vein sends off backwards a slight spur to- 

 wards the costal edge, and there is an oblique veinlet, connecting the costal and sub- 

 costal veins and situated on the inner fourth of the wing ; beyond this the costal does 

 not unite with the subcostal on the apical fourth of the wing, as is the case in P. con- 

 federata. There are other differences which can be only described by aid of a figuie. 

 The male genitals are longer, slenderer, and more pointed than in P. confederata. 



Expanse of wings, 21 —22 mm.; length of body, 8-9 mm. 



Two males from Texas. Collection of Mr. Edward L. Graef; one 

 of these by the kindness of the author retained in my own collection. 



Note on Platceceticus gloverh Pack. It will be remembered that this 

 genus and species was described in my "Guide" from the drawings of the 

 late T. Glover. Having been favored witli several specimens from Crescent 

 City, Fla. , received through the kindness of Mr. H. G. Hubbard, I have 

 been able to compare this species with Psyche confedtrata, with which it 

 might at first sight be confounded. But by a study of the venation it is 

 evident that the two moths belong to different genera. Besides minor 

 differences Platceceticus differs from Psyche in having, so to speak, two 

 independent venules arising from near the middle of the discal space, i.e. 

 besides the usual four median venules, and five (the 5th in Psyche forming 

 the "independent'') subcostal venules there is an extra independent venule 

 * The author here wishes to protest, with Westwood, against the custom instituted 

 by Herrich-Schaefer and followed by other German and American writers, of counting 

 the branches beginning at the anal angle from i to 12. To do so is irrational and un- 

 scientific. As is well known, there are at least 5 main veins, of which the subcostal ai^d 

 median are always branched. As heretofore we count the first branch to be thrown off 

 from the main stem as venule i, and so on. To count only the branches without reference 

 to the main stems, would be as unscientific as to count the fingers of our hands 

 from I to 10. 



