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A New Species of Feralia. 



BY JOHN B. SMITH. 



F. major n. sp. — General color of head, thorax and primaries a rather 

 light bluish green fading to yellowish in old specimens, more or less pow- 

 dered with black. This black powdering usually prevails in the median 

 space of primaries, but sometimes invades the entire surface, so that the in- 

 sect is really black, with a few green scales only. Usually the basal and ter- 

 minal spaces, and the costal region, are green, while the median space is 

 blackish. Described from a distinctly written specimen the markings are as 

 follows: Basal line evident, single. T. a. line single, black, with three out- 

 ward angulations, the longest and broadest in the submedian interspace; an 

 evident, single, black, irregularly sinuate and angulate median line. T. p. 

 line well removed outwardly, as a whole nearly parallel with outer margin, 

 but with an outward angulation on vein 4, and an incurve over the anal angle. 

 Opposite this curve a little black spur proiects into the terminal space in most 

 specimens. There is no s. t. line. Orbicular large, round, very indefinite, 

 usually defined at the sides, rarely beneath, never above. The cell is black 

 between this spot and the reniform. The latter is large, always traceable, 

 usually well and completely defined by a black margin, in well marked speci- 

 mens also, by an interior ring of white scales. Fringes greenish at base, 

 blackish cut with white 5utwardly. These markings are traceable on even 

 the darkest specimens I have seen. Thorax a variable mixture of black and 

 green, never with definite lines. Secondaries pale, smoky fuscous, tending 

 to become paler marginally. Beneath pale, powdery, usually with an inner 

 and exterior common line, between which on secondaries is a distinct discal 

 spot. These lines, however, are very variably distinct, and on the primaries 

 usually obsolete. Expands 34 — 36 mm.; 1.36 — 1.44 inches. 



Habitat. — Washington, D. C, Franconia, N. H., and Platts- 

 burgh, N. Y. 



Mr. G. H. Hudson, of Plattsburgh, to whose kindness I owe 

 the chance of seeing a good series, has taken seven specimens, all 

 at electric light, as follows: 1887, May 3, 8, 16 (2), 19 ; 1889, April 

 18, 28. Of these, two are now in the U. S. National Museum. 

 Mrs. Slosson has taken a specimen at Franconia, and Mr. Schoen- 

 born has a very perfect specimen, also taken at light in Washington 

 very early in the year. 



In all essential characters this species is a close ally oi F. jocosa, 

 the lines being almost identical in course, but it is not that form 

 which shows a black median space. In jocosa the lines are always 

 distinct, and the white accompanying shades marked, while the tho- 

 rax has the patagiae always neatly black lined. There is none of 

 the powdery appearance so distinct in the new species, and finally, 

 besides the smaller size jocosa has the secondaries black. The 

 harpes of the male are in all essentials similar in both species, but the 

 spur from the lower angle is different. 



