28 PROCEEDINGS OF TIIIC NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Habitat — Texas in March, May, June, August, and October. 



This is a decidedly whiter species and smaller than deridens. The 

 ornamentation is much less distinct and the median lines are not con- 

 nected, though there is a vague suggestion of a very narrow line 

 through the submedian intersi)ace. There is the usual difference in 

 the amount of the black powdering, which sometimes gives the median 

 shade almost the dignity of a band; but otherwise my specimens 

 indicate no variation. 



CHARADRA DECORA Morrison. 



Charadra decora Morrison, Vvoc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1875, XXVII, p. 55, 

 flHphtheru cavillator GuoTK, Can. Ent., 1880, XII, p. 2.")8. 



This species has been described by Morrison, as follows: 



Exj)aii8c, .'")7 inni. LcufftL of body, 23 iiiiii. Eyes liairy. Antennae simple, black. 

 Abdomen yellowish. Anterior winj^s white, with the nsnal maikings black, wavy, 

 and distinct; the ordinary lines are marked on the costa by heavy oblitiue black 

 dashes; halt" line ]»resent; interior line strongly iobed; the orbicular spot black, 

 tignre-eight shaped, very conspicuous; median shade present; the renilbrni spot 

 large, irregular, open above and below ; the exterior and subterminal liuin 4re drawn 

 close together, forming wavy, irregular bands across the wings; at the costa and 

 internal angle the subterminal line forms large black blotches; a series of short 

 terminal l)lack lines on the nervules; fringe white, checkered with black. Posterior 

 wings i>ure white, with a single heavy oblirjue black dash at the anal angle. Beneath 

 white. 



IJabitdt. — California. 



This large and l)eautiful speciet; is closely allied to our three smaller Eastern ones. 



The white ground coloi", the peculiarly shaped orbicular spot, and the black mark 

 at the anal angle of the posterior wings will servi- to identify it. 



This must be a striking species from the description ; but I have seen 

 nothing like it. No information is given as to what part of " Califor- 

 nia" is to be credited with this insect, nor is the name of the collector 

 given. Mr. Grote states that the specimen is Central American, and 

 suggests its identity with the Diphthcra cariUutor of the British Museum 

 lists, but he does not make the reference definitely, nor does he state 

 why he denies the Californian habitat of the species. I have little doubt 

 that Mr. Grote is quite right in this matter, but have no material or 

 evidence to verify his statements, and hence simply reproduce the 

 description. 



ACRONYCTA Ochsenheimer. 



Acronijcta OCHSENHEIMER, Schmetterlinge, 1816, IV, p. 62. 

 Species of moderately robust form, tending to become slight in the 

 smaller sjiecies. Head not prominent, yet usually distinct, though 

 tending to become sunken. Eyes naked and of good size, but not promi- 

 nent; there are no lashes or fringes of hair at the orbits. The front 

 may be somewhat conic, evenly convex, or very much tiattened, the 

 former occurring most obviously in t\i^, americana group, while the 

 latter occurs most frequently in the group auricoma and reaches its 



