OF TUE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 91 



specimens of grata with the black markings and the shade over the 

 prolegs, caused by the greater heaviness of these markings in that 

 region, fully as heavy as in the two specimens of xliuo examined. 



The grape-feeding habit of this larva rests solel}^ on the authority 

 of Dr. Fitch, who probably reared it from this plant. But unless he 

 did so/ it is possible that it never touches the Grape-vine, though so 

 closely allied to grata. If the Doctor did not so completely shut him- 

 self out from the entomological world, such questions as these might 

 be at once settled ; but my own experience is that one might as well 

 try to turn stones into bread as to get a written word from the former 

 State entomologist of New York. The Epilohium coloratum on which 

 Mr. Lintner found it feeding is the only species of its genus that grows 

 with us. The larva3 reared by Mr. Lintuer buried themselves in the 

 sand, in which were stuck their food-plant; but it is not improbable 

 <hat this was an exceptional mode of pupating,^ consequent upon the 

 circumstances, just 2i% grata has pupated with me without any cover- 

 ing, or in silk-fastened leaves, when it could get nothing soft to edt 

 into. 



The moth (Fig. 24), with us is about as common as the Beautiful 

 Wood Nymph, from which it differs principally in its somewhat smaller 

 size, the paler color of brown markings ; the inner edge of the brown 

 border of front wings being wavy instead of straight, and the border 

 of hind wings extending to the costa, instead of fading off about half 

 way to it. On the under side, also, the marginal bands reappear, 

 whereas in grata they are seldom more than indicated near the apex 

 of front wings. Typical specimens of the two species are readily 

 distinguished from each other; but with sufficient material, the dis- 

 tinguishing characters, whether as regards size, color or pattern, are 

 found to be inconstant; and the two species really approach each 

 other through connecting individuals, in such a manner as not only to 

 speak most eloquently of a common origin, but to betoken recent 

 differentiation, and to render it doubtful whether they have yet be- 

 come sufficiently separated to be ranked as good species, according 

 to the criterion of inability to cross and produce fertile offspring. The 

 only other species (?) of the genus is one recently described as hrevi- 

 2)ennis by Mr. Stretch* from a headless and otherwise imperfect speci- 

 men found in California. It is distinguished principally by its broader 

 and shorter wings, but otherwise combines the characters of the two 

 better known species, the discal spot on the upper surface of the 

 secondaries which Mr. Stretch seems to think peculiar to it, occurring 

 in grata as it is found in Missouri, and sometimes being quite appa- 



* Illustr. of the Zygsenidse and Bomljycid?e ol" N, A. by Rich. H. Stretch, T, 151. 



