VOL. V. BROOKLYN, AUGUST, 1889. NO. 8. 
CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD A MONOGRAPH OF 
THE NOCTUIDA& OF TEMPERATE NORTH 
AMERICA: GENUS OLIGIA HUPNER.* 
By Joun B. Smiru. 
Genus OLIGIA /ulner. 
Verzeichniss bek. Schmett. 404. 
Mr. Grote characterizes the sub-genus Ofgia, as follows ;—‘‘A 
slight form, allied to Hadena, apparently distinguishable by the more 
curved divaricate labial palpi. Antenne in the male simple, pubescent 
beneath. Eyes naked with short black lashes. The thoracic squamation 
consists of narrow scales. Maxille rather weak. Abdomen linear ; 
collar broad; thorax crested behind; front broad, exceeded by the 
palpi. Legs unarmed ; the median spurs of hind tibiz situate without 
the middle of the joint.” Tothis may be added that the wings are ob- 
tuse, and that the anal tuft of the male is rather larger than usual. The 
genus is not a strongly characterized one, and its characters are mostly 
negative. The species are small in size, closely scaled as a rule, the 
maculation usually distinct, and the t. p. line always even and a litle 
outwardly oblique from costa—this latter being rather an unusual] character 
and distinctive of the genus. 
Of the species listed in our catalogues those described by Guenée 
have never before been satisfactorily identified, and several different 
forms have done duty as Hiibner’s chalcedonta. By careful comparisons 
of long series of specimens with the descriptions, I have succeeded in 
definitely fixing the species intended by both Hiibner and Guenée. 
At the head of this series comes _/esfivordes, distinguished by shorter, 
comparatively broader primaries, bright color, and large, oblique reni- 
* See Ento, Amer., vol. V, 105, for introduction to this series. 
ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA, VOL, V. 6 AvuGusT 1889. 
