Vol. xxiv] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 3O5 



Some new forms of Lepidoptera from Massachusetts. 



By William Reiff, Forest Hills Sta., Boston, Mass. 



(Plate X.) 



The season of 1912 yielded a number of atypical lepidop- 

 terous forms, six of which are described in the present paper. 



Phyciodes tharos Dru. f. nov. reaghi (Figs. 1 and 2). 



One 9 derived from summer form morpheus Fab. Upper surface 

 of fore wings much blackened in basal and median spaces, with light 

 spots obsolete in marginal band. The latter very broad and black, this 

 color extending over upon the costa for about one-half its length. 

 Black markings near apex of primaries represented by a few black 

 scales only. Black median line replaced by a broad, dull black, in- 

 definite shading. The hind wings, on upper surface, have all markings 

 in basal space obsolete. There is a black powdering in an indefinite, 

 broad line at the base of these wings, parallel with the inner margin. 

 Marginal band of secondaries uniform with primaries as regards width 

 and intensity of shading. Exterior line of spots present. Parallel 

 with this is a broad, black band extending into discal area and ob- 

 scuring black spot normally present, in exterior line, near apex. At 

 this point the broad band joins the marginal band. 



On lower surface of primaries there are no black markings what- 

 ever, while all the colors are paler than in the norma! form. Marginal 

 band consists of four, large, irregular spots, alternately light yellow 

 and reddish violet in color. This band is distinctly outlined by a nar- 

 row, uneven, reddish line. All other markings of marginal band are 

 obsolete. The secondaries resemble somewhat, in pattern, the spring 

 form marcia Edw. The ground tint is straw color, with three irregu- 

 lar, somewhat confluent, reddish violet spots of different sizes extend- 

 ing in series across discus from marginal band towards base. Two spots, 

 in exterior band of upper surface, reappear faintly on lower surface, 

 and are surrounded by a whitish tint. Corresponding with the inner 

 margin of the black median band of the upper side of secondaries, is 

 a wavy, reddish line on the under side. This line begins near the inner 

 margin and connects the large, reddish spot near the discus with the 

 spot nearest the outer margin. The character of the marginal band of 

 secondaries is similar to that of the primaries. Beginning at the apex 

 it is composed of straw colored, lavender, whitish, brownish lavender 

 and light yellow spots of different sizes. The marginal band is out- 

 lined like that of the primaries. 



This form finds its closest relative in f. packardii Saunders. 



Type, 1 female, Franklin, Mass., Aug. 4, 1912 ; in coll. of 

 Dr. Arthur L. Reagh. after whom I take pleasure in naming 

 this aberrant form. 



