470 Mr. E. Meyrick on the classification 



The earliest form of the family is the group of Stericta, 

 formerly separated by me as a distinct family under the 

 name of Epipaschiadce, but I now recognise that this 

 distinction is not tenable. From this group development 

 has taken place in two principal lines ; one through 

 M/iesixena, Synaphe, Endotricha to Acropcntias, the other 

 through Pyralis to Aglossa. The family is nearly cosmo- 

 politan, but of no great size ; it is, however, unrepre- 

 sented by indigenous species in New Zealand. 



Tabulation of Genera. 



1. Hind wings with vein 8 anastomosing strongly 



with 7 2. 



Hind wings with vein 8 free or anastomosing ex- 

 tremely shortly 



2. Fore wings with vein 10 out of 8 . . 

 Fore wings with vein 10 rising separate . . 



3. Thorax in ^ with patagia very long, ending in 



long tuft of hairs . . 

 Thorax in ^ with patagia normal 

 •i. Antenme in J^ bipectinated. . 

 Antennie in ^ ciliated 



5. Posterior tihice in ^ with tuft of scales on basal 



joint 

 Posterior tibiee in ^ without tuft . . 



6. Basal joint of antenna; large, dilated with scales 

 Basal joint of antenna normal 



7. Tongue obsolete 

 Tongue developed 



8. Basal joint of antenuie in ^ with horny pro- 



jection 

 Basal joint of antennae without horny projection 



9. Crown in ^ with long reflexed tuft of hairs 

 Crown in ^ without reflexed tuft . . 



10. Basal joint of antenna; with projection of scales 

 Basal joint of antenna without projection 



11. Hind wings with vein 7 out of 6 . . 

 Hind wings with vein 7 rising separate . . 



I 



52. ACROPENTIAS, 11. g. 



Face rounded ; ocelli distinct ; tongue short. Antennse two- 

 thirds, in ^ dentate, ciliated (1). Labial palpi moderately long, 

 subascending, second joint with long dense projecting scales 

 beneath, forming an angular tuft at apex, terminal joint moderate, 

 exposed, pointed. Maxillary palpi moderate, triangularly dilated 



