NO. 1140. 



NORTH AMERICAN NOCTUIDAE— SMITH AND DYAR. 39 



ences they are merely specific; indeed, they can not be used satisfac- 

 torily for even specific separation, because in closely allied species the 

 structures are so similar as to be within the range of possible variation. 

 Superticially the group is distinguished by the well-developed, trig- 

 onate primaries, in which the outer margin is long, oblique, evenly 

 curved, and the apex is pointed. Yet the wings are never lanceolate 

 or tending to that form. Xone of the species have the psi or dagger 

 marks strongly developed, though in most instances that opposite the 

 anal angle is at least indicated. The markings are of one general type 

 and while all present, tend to become broken and blotchy. While 

 there is no distinctly roughened vestiture, yet there is throughout a 

 powdery appearance which is quite characteristic, and which, with the 

 wing form, makes it fairly easy to determine the group. 



There is no uniformity in the structure of the male foreleg, yet the 

 tendency is to locate the tibial epiphysis below the middle and extend- 

 ing to the tip. 1 • T 



Separated from all the other species by having all the maculation dis- 

 tinct and the median hues geminate is rubricoma. It is rather a van- 

 able form and narrower winged than the others. There is little contrast 

 in the maculation and in most cases the lines can hardly be called even 

 blackish. The species varies in size and may be either clear ashen gray, 

 or may have a yellowish smoky suftusion throughout. When the gray 

 and the yellowish forms are separated they seem quite distinct; but 

 there are specimens that may be with equal propriety placed in either 

 series; hence it is not safe to give even a varietal name. 



The balance of the sjjecies may be separated into two series accord- 

 ing as there is or is not a basal black streak, line, or dash. 



In the tirst series no such line, streak, or dash exists, and of this 

 amrricnna is characteristic. This, the largest species of the genus, is 

 really very much like ruhrieoma save that the markings become much 

 less definite, and the transverse anterior line tends to obsolescence. 

 The transverse posterior line, while it is dentate, is not nearly so well 

 marked in this particular as is ruhrieoma, and finally, besides being the 

 largest in the genus, the secondaries are uniformly smoky brown m 

 both sexes, though much darker in the female. It is also remarkable 

 for the extremely well-developed anterior femora in both sexes. 



Hastiilifera is a smaller species, of a somewhat paler gray, soiled 

 with a yellowish suftusion, most obvious in the male, which is other- 

 wise decidedly paler in color than the female. In the secondaries the 

 same yellowish shade obtains, but those of the female are much darker 

 and smoky. The ditterence between the sexes in this species is quite 

 marked and much more obvious than elsewhere in the group. In 

 all the specimens 1 have seen there is a distinct though slender dagger 

 mark crossing the transverse posterior line opposite the anal angle. 



UcHpcrida is a new species, from the Pacific coast, which has been 

 mistaken for dactylina, and perha])s for americana in some cases. It is 



