468 NORTH AMERICAN NOCTUID.E — SMITH. 



Himella thecata Morr. 



Pr. Ac, 1875, 59 (Manmtra); Grt., C. E., 1880, 12, 186 (Graphiphora), ibid., 1881, 13, 126 

 (Tceniocampa) . 



contrahens Grt., Bui. Surv. 4, 180; C. E., 1880, 12, 186 (pr. syn.). 



Dark fuscous gray, with blackish powderings. The ground color is 

 luteus, and is variably distinct, so that sometimes a specimen is evenly 

 dark gray, while another is irregularly blotchy. Median lines always 

 distinct, geminate, the defining lines concolorous, jthe included space 

 discolorous, pale luteous. S. t. line obsolete. Apex usually pale, and 

 sometimes this pale shade invades the s. t. space. A diffuse, darker 

 shade through outer portion of median space, darkening the reniform, 

 which is outwardly defined by a few pale scales. Orbicular obsolete. 

 Secondaries pale luteous, glistening; outwardly smoky; a black ter- 

 minal line, and a faint dusky median line and discal spot. Beneath 

 white, with black powderings, broad black outer lines and distinct dis- 

 cal dots. Head and thorax concolorous. Expands 1.10 to 1.30 inches 

 (28 to 33 mm ). 



Habitat. — New York, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Colorado. 



Easily recognized by the dark glistening primaries and the pale 

 mediau lines. The species is widely distributed, but is nowhere com- 

 mon. Oddly enough, the females only seem to be captured. I have 

 seen but a single male and that lacked the abdomen. 



Himella intractata Morr. 



Pr. B. S. N. H., 1874, 160 (Twniocampa). 



fidelis Grt., Pr. Ac, 1374, 201 (Himella), C. E., 11, 27 (Graphiphora). 



Grayish fawn color, somewhat powdery. Basal line interrupted, 

 marked by black scales on costa and in s. m. space. Median lines gem- 

 inate, very faintly marked; t. a. upright, somewhat sinuate, outwardly 

 marked opposite orbicular, and in s. m. interspace by black spots. T. 

 p. line parallel with outer margin, inwardly marked on s. m. interspace 

 with black. S. t. line distinct, pale, sinuate inwardly, black marked. 

 Ordinary spots large, concolorous, distinctly pale ringed. Secondaries 

 pale fuscous gray, outwardly darker. Beneath pale, powdery, with in- 

 complete, interrupted dusky line and a distinct discal spot on second- 

 aries. Head and thorax concolorous, with primaries. Expands 1.20 to 

 1.40 inches (30 to 35" 1 " 1 ). 



Habitat. — New York, Massachusetts, Missouri. 



A very distinct species, not readily confused with anything else 

 known to me. The bright fawn color, clearly pale ringed ordinary 

 spots, and the black spots on the transverse lines in s. m. interspace, 

 are all peculiar features. 



