^'yg.j 1 '] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 45/ 



CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD A MONOGRAPH OF THE NOCTUIDiE 

 OF TEMPERATE NORTH AMERICA-REVISION OF SOME T/ENIO- 

 CAMPID GENERA. 



BY 



John B. Smith. 

 (With plates xxii-xxiii.) 



Of a somewhat distinctive habitus is a series of genera grouped about 

 the genus Tasniocampa. Without any isolating characters, they form 

 an intermediate series allied to Mamestra on the one hand, and to the 

 xyliniform genera on the other, with little spurs in all directions — even 

 to the Heliothinw through Trichoelea. All of them have hairy eyes, and 

 they constitute a large part of the hairy-eyed genera in our fauna. As 

 a whole the forms treated in this paper are easily separable from all 

 the other hairy-eyed genera by the habitus — that peculiar feature which 

 is appreciated at sight, but which often defies description. As a rule 

 the species are hairy, or, if the vestiture is scaly, it forms no distinct 

 tuftings. The sole exception of the genera treated here is Barathra Ilbn., 

 which distinctly belongs to the earlier series, and is included here 

 simply from motives of convenience. From like motives Nephelodes is 

 omitted, though it belongs more nearly here than where it stands in 

 Mr. Grote's list. It is an important link in the series connecting Tivnlo- 

 campa with Mamestra. From Auarta, the round eyes distinguish this 

 series ; from Leucania the color and maculation, which is never pale, 

 strigose. The other hairy-eyed geneva are distinguished in my synopsis 

 of genera (Bull. Bkln. Ent. Soc, Aug.. 18S2, vol. v.). The possession 

 of round hairy eyes and a habital resemblance to Tceniocampa deter- 

 mines the reference here. It is not intended to convey the idea that 

 there is any such association between the genera treated here as to 

 authorize any definite terms expressing family or tribal relation. 



Barathra Ilbn. has already been said to resemble habitally the genus 

 Mamestra. It is our only hairy-eyed genus with a distinct claw termi- 

 nating the anterior tibia. The front is not modified. There are two 

 Americau species occurring at opposite sides of the continent. 



Trichoelea is peculiar by the rough, full clypeus, and the peculiar 

 armature of the fore tarsi which have the outer side furnished with a 

 series of claw-like spines. The habitus is like Tceniocampa, and yet is 

 not unlike some of the Heliothid genera. 



Scotogramma contains large species with powdery squammation, 

 dark-gray colors, and a strong resemblance to Mamestra in habitus. 

 It has none of the tuftings, however, and the characters are negative 

 rather than positive. Mr. Grdte has referred two of the species to 



Proceedings National Museum, Vol. XII— No. 781. 



