NO. 1140. NOUTR AMEPxICAN NOCTriDAE— SMITH AND T)YAR. 43 



There is a vague dusky shade in the submedian interspace from the 

 transverse posterior line outward, which represents the ordinary jm 

 mark. Occasionally this is fairly distinct aud sometimes we have a 

 more or less obvious streak, which crosses the transverse posterior line. 

 The secondaries are whitish, with a faint yellowish tinge in the male, 

 darker and a little smoky in the female. There is usually a vague dis- 

 cal dot and a discal outer line, which are rather a reflection of what is 

 found on the under side than a distinct marking of the upper surface. 

 Beneath the color varies from white to yellowish smoky, in all cases 

 with a more or less obvious discal dot and an outer shade line on both 

 wings. 



Expanse, 1.25 to 1.80 inches (31 to 45 mm.). 



Habitat. — Long Island, New York, March G; \Vashiugton, District of 

 Columbia, April 28, July 10, September 3; St. Louis. ]Missouri, March 3; 

 Texas, April 11 and 21, August 12. Occurs throughout the Middle aud 

 Southern States and has been found in Canada. 



This insect varies remarkably in size, and this seems to be, to some 

 extent at least, due to locality, for all my large examples are from 

 Texas, while the smallest are from Long Island. Some of the latter 

 seem to be bred specimens, and it may be that this is in some measure 

 responsible for the small size. At first sight it almost seems as if the 

 species could be divided into two by the ground color, because the 

 larger specimens are more generally shaded with yellow; but nothing 

 in the structure or markings will authorize the separation even into 

 varieties. The original description of the species fits best to the well- 

 marked specimens from the southern range of the species. The head 

 is usually distinct: the front is i^rominent and a little conical. The 

 clas])er of the male genitalia is moderate in size, quite stout, and not 

 very strongly curved. The harpes are oblong, with an oblique tip. 

 The anterior legs ot the male are usually short and stout, the femur is 

 very strongly deve]o])ed, and the tibia is short and thick, with the 

 epiphysis attached at the middle and extending to the tip. The tarsi 

 are also stout and rather short. The species differs from all the others 

 in the group by its complete niaculation, aud in this respect it some- 

 what resembles the European aceris, with which it was compared by 

 its describer. The longitudinal black line at the base is never very 

 prominent and sometimes scarcely traceable. Indeed, in some of the 

 paler specimens it is altogether absent. Eight males and fifteen 

 females have been compared for this description from divers col- 

 lections. 



LARVA. 



French, Sixth Kept. 111. State Normal Univ., 1880, p. 45.— Marten, Tenth Kept. 

 III. State Entomologist, 1881, p. 132. 



Sta(/e TV. — Width of head, 2 to 2.2 mm.; shining dark brown over 

 the lobes, cly])eus and mouth pale whitish. Body greenish white, with 

 traces of a i)owdery blackish dorsal shade most distinct on joints 5 to 

 9 and 12. Hairs whitish, not very abundant, the primary form small, 



