NORTH AMERICAN NOCTIIDAE— SMITH AND DYAR. 83 



whitish, i)OW(lery, the tips of the wings sometimes a little smoky; both 

 wings with Ji more or less distinct outer line and discal spot. 



Expanse, 1.80 to 2.40 inches (45 to 00 mm.). 



Habitat. — From Canada to Florida and Texas, west to the Kooky 

 Mountains. Texas, in March, April, and May; Illinois, April, May, 

 and July 1; Washington, District of Columbia, in April; New .Jersey, 

 in June and August; Evans Center, New York, in June; Minnesota, 

 in August; Douglas County, Kansas; Louisiana, in April. 



Tliis is as large as morula, and one of the most common s[)ecies in 

 this series. It is as a rule easily recognized by the large size and by 

 the very prominent contrasting bhujk dashes, \vhi(;h are better marked 

 than in any other species. There is considerable variation in size and 

 considerable variation also in the color of the hind wings, espe<;ially of 

 the males. It has been impossible, however, for me to separate them 

 into species on any tangible character, and I have been compelled to 

 hold tliem together. Ordinarily the very heavy bla(;k markings, (;om- 

 bined with the dark under wings and quite ])ale gray i)rimaries, will 

 be sufficient to recognize the species. The head is quite distinct, the 

 front bulging and a little i>rominent. Tlie legs are w ell developed, the 

 femur being very stout at the base and somewhat abrui)tly narrowed 

 toward the tip. The tibia has the epiphysis attached (juite close to 

 the base and not extending much beyond the middle. The harjies of 

 the male are narrow, bluntly rounded at the tii), sometimes a litth*- 

 broader just before. The clasijer is well developed, the superior pro- 

 cess curved and moderately long, a distinct finger-like i)i'ocess of good 

 length from the upper margin near the base of the clas{)er. The si)e- 

 cies is well represented in all the collections before me and a very 

 large series of both sexes has been under examination. 



LARVA. 



GUENl^:i;, Spof. Geii., Noot., 1852, I, p, 44.— Coqi'H.lkit, I'apilio, 1881, I, ]>. 6. — 

 Packako, Fifth Report U. S. Ent. Coiiiin., 1890, \>. 168. 



E()<). — Circular, about 45- rjbbed, of the shai)e of a segment of a 

 sphere, flattened. Kibs free at ends, not diminishing in number till one- 

 third the distance to apex, when the alternate ones terminate; the 

 others end in a circular ridge around the micropyle, which is reticulated, 

 highest in the center, Kidges wavy; the grooves between likewise 

 waved; no cross striae Diameter, 1 mm,; height, 0,3 njm. 



Htage I. — Whitish, a large i)urple-brown dorsal spot on Joints 2, 4, 5, 

 8, f), and a smaller one on 12 and anal plate, varying in distinctness. 

 Head pale, with a similar spot on each lobe; width, 0.:3 mm. Tubercles 

 large in the dark marks, smaller elsewhere, and concolorous, normal, 

 single haired, the hairs of I to IV black, V white, a small white seta 

 on the leg plate. On thorax la+lb dark, Ua black, lib small and pale, 

 as also IV' and VI. 



Stage IT. — Head whitish, a brown spot above and two below on the 



