—49— 



Notes on Geometridae. No. 4. 



By Geo. D. Hulst. 



Antepione imitata, Hy. Edw., Papilio, vol. II, p. 48. 



Dr. Packard has raised in Maine, on Alder, a specimen of this in- 

 sect, and with the intergradations taken in various parts of the countr}-, 

 it must be regarded as variety of ^. sulphuraia, Pack. 



Aplodes coniferaria. Pack., Am. Nat., vol. XVIII, p. 933. 



By the kindness of Dr. Packard I have the type of this species. It 

 is a small form of J. 7niinosaria, Guen. , 



Eugonia magnaria, Guen., Phal, I, 147. 



Since publishing the note (Ento. Am., II, 49), slating that the 

 American differs from the European species in venation, I have seen an 

 article by Mr. P. C. S. Snellen of Rotterdam, Holland, calling attention 

 to the fact that the American also differs from the European species, in 

 that it has but one pair of spurs on the hind tibice, while the European 

 has two pair of spurs. Mr. Moeschler, speaking of this fact, does not 

 seem to think it gives a valid basis for specific distinction, inasmuch as 

 some of the Acidalice vary thus in the same species. But I am inclined 

 to think Mr. Moeschler's opinion is hardly to be allowed. I do not 

 know, nor have I been able by correspondence to ascertain, that any 

 Geometer, in the same sex, has from a single batch of eggs been bred, 

 some specimens having a different number of spurs on the hind tibiae 

 from others. As far as I can learn, the determination of specific identity 

 is made on the basis of the identity of the two forms in size, coloration, 

 food plant and perhaps larval history. But, though in every other respect 

 two insects were alike, and differed only in the number of spurs, I would 

 not hesitate to consider them distinct species. The spur is an important 

 structural character, and its presence or absence is marked by a very im- 

 portant modification of the tibia in all cases where I have made examina- 

 tion. If further observation verifies what has been stated concerning 

 E. autiuimaria and E. magtmn'a, these species will have to be considered 

 generically as well as specifically distinct. 



Acidalia hepaticaria, Guen., {riihromarginata, Pack.), Phal. I, 47. 



Of this species Cidaria erythrata, Hulst, Brookl. Bull., Ill, 42, is a 



variety. The variety is the deep uniform reddish form in which the lines 



are very indistinct or not at all evident. It seems to be the prevailing, 



perhaps the only form in Colorado. 



Lepiodes {Tonws) interruptaria, Grt. , Can. Ent. , XIV, 185. 

 I was quite a little suprised some time since on receiving some Geo- 

 metridce from Dr. Packard, to find that one labelled Etipithecia Behren- 

 sala, Packard, was the same as the above insect. Dr. Packard's name 



