46 
pupal condition in this case was passed in eight days, and the chrysalis 
was concealed in a rolled-up leaf of strawberry. Taking into consid- 
eration a previous observation on the larva’s occurrence on straw- 
berry in 1899, it would seem that this is a true larval food plant. 
The moth is typical of the Deltoid group of Noctuids, a group of 
genera which derives its English name from the triangular outline 
of the moths when at rest, which is suggestive of the Greek letter 
Delta (4). 
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES. 
The moth, like many others of this group, is remarkable by reason 
of its palpi, which are long and prominent, projecting in front like a 
snout, hence the name snout-moth. The hind wings are unusually 
broad. The color is variable, dull, sometimes very dark brown, form- 
FIG. 26.—Plathypena scabra; a, moth in natural position with wings folded; b, same with wings 
expanded; c, egg from above; d, egg from side; ¢, penultimate stage of larva from above; /, same 
from side; g, head of larva—all enlarged; c, d, g, greatly enlarged (original). 
ing the ground color varied with black and gray, arranged in the aver- 
age specimen ina pattern similar to that figured in the illustration at d. 
A rather unusually light-colored individual was selected as the type 
for illustration in order to show the markings in full, since in dark 
' specimens the pattern is often very obscure. A moth at rest is shown 
at a. The moth is also variable as regards size, the average expanse 
being about an inch and a quarter, although a series of specimens 
before the writer shows a still greater expanse, and one individual 
measures but five-eighths of an inch. 
A technical diagnosis of the genus, detailed specific description, and 
bibliography is given by Dr. John B. Smith in his revision of the 
Deltoid moths (Bul. U. S. Nat. Museum, No. 48, 1895, pp. 110-112). 
