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X. On the classification of the Australian Pyralidina. 

 By E. Meyrick, B.A. 



[Read August 5th, 1885.] 



This paper includes the remaining families of the 

 Pi/ralidina, viz., Ptcrophoridce, Alucitidce, Hydrocampid(c, 

 and' Oxi/chirotida, together with such additional species 

 of the previous families as have been obtained since 

 their publication ; and therefore completes for the present 

 the results of my investigations on the Australian species 

 of this group. 



The thirteen families into which I have divided the 

 grouj) (including throughout the world at present some 

 2500 described species, a number which will probably 

 be at least quadrupled), appear to me to be mainly 

 collateral branches descended from a group of extinct 

 forms. I think that the PJiycididce may be regarded as 

 a development of the Galleriadce, the Botydidce of the 

 Scopariadce, and the Hydroeampidce and Mnsotimidfe of 

 the Pyralididce. With these exceptions it does not 

 appear to me that any of the families can be regarded 

 as immediately derivable from any other known existing 

 forms. The Pyralidida and Epipaschiadce are referable 

 to a common ancestor very little removed ; and the 

 same may be said of the Scopariadce and Cramhidce ; 

 whilst the Galleriadce come from somewhere between 

 these two presumptive ancestors. The Tineodidcc, 

 Oxycliirotidce, PterophoridcB, and Alucitidce are relics 

 of a once more extensive section of the group, now 

 reduced to a fragmentary condition, and approaching 

 most nearly to the Crambidce and Scopariadce. Of course 

 no linear order can express these aftinities fully, but I 

 think the following arrangement tbe most convenient : — 

 EpipascJtiadce, Pyralididce, Miisotimidce, Ilydrocanipidce, 

 Botydidce, Scopariadce, Crand)idce, G(dleriadce, PJn/rididfe, 

 Tineodidce, Oxychirotidce, Pterop]iorid<e, Aliicitida'. 



The original type-form of the Pyrcdidina may be 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1885. PART IV. (dkC.) 2 G 



