THE ENTOMOLOGIST 



Vol. XLIV.] SEPTEMBEE, 1911. [No. 580 



FOUR NEW PTEROPHOEIDiE. 

 By T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, R.N., F.E.S., F.Z.S. 



(Published with the sanction of the Inspector-General of Agriculture in India.) 



The following descriptions of new Pterophoridae were drawn 

 up two years ago whilst working through the National Collection 

 of Plume-moths, and, as I have already had occasion to refer to 

 one species under its manuscript name (Trans. Ent. Soc. 1910, 

 p. 141), and since the types are standing in the British Museum 

 Collection under the names then given to them, it seems desirable 

 to publish the descriptions. 



The first three species have been placed more or less pro- 

 visionally in the genus Oxyptilus, Z., but there is no doubt that 

 this genus contains at present a very heterogeneous collection of 

 exotic species, and that it will require subdivision in the near 

 future. In the meantime, and until we have a larger knowledge 

 of exotic forms, it seems premature to attempt to break it up, 

 more especially as the number of species contained in it is at 

 present moderate (about thirty). 



The fourth species belongs to Walker's genus Sochchora, 

 which Mr. Meyrick has regarded (Trans. Ent. Soc. 1907, p. 482) 

 as a synonym of Platyptilia, Hb., a view in which I am unable 

 to concur, as Sochchora, Wlk., appears to me to be quite a distinct 

 genus, more nearly allied to Oxyptilus than to Platyptilia. 



Oxyptilus erythrodactylus, n. s. 

 $ . Exp. 15-5 mm. Palpi porrect, rather long ; second joint 

 longer than the diameter of eye, rather roughly scaled, slightly 

 expanded apically with a few minute spinous hairs ; terminal joint 

 about two-thirds length of second, filiform, acuminate, smoothly 

 scaled, fuscous ; third joint and centre of second joint darker. Antennae 

 dark fuscous lined with whitish. Head fuscous, a slight ridge of 

 scales between bases of antennae. Thorax fuscous irrorated with 

 blackish. Abdomen fuscous, slightly tinged with reddish-brown, 

 with a slight admixture of whitish scales and considerable admix- 

 ture of blackish ; anal tuft light brown. Fore leg fuscous, irro- 

 rated externally with blackish, and narrowly lined on femur and 



ENTOM. — SEPTEMBER, 1911. Y 



