14 BULLETIN OF THE BROOKLYN ENT. HOC. 



SPILOSOMA (Hyphantiia) CUNEA. Drury. 



In the year 1770 Drury described one of our common Bomby- 

 cidre under the name of Bombyx Cunea, and the speci< s was later by 

 Westwood referred to the genus Spilosoma. 



Harris, in 1833, created the genus Hyphantria, to which he re- 

 ferred Cunea, and added to it his species Tartar, while, later. Pitch 

 described another species under the name of Punctata, 



The two first-named species (?) are well known and common on 

 Long Island. I have taken numbers of specimens, although I could 

 not for the life of me believe there were two species. I, however, 

 followed the example of other lepidopteiists, and labelled my white 

 specimens Textor, and those with many black spots. Cunea. The spe- 

 cimens, however, intergrade, as I have often met with specimens with 

 very few black spots, which circumstance proved that they were one 

 and the same species. I received a letter (May 17th) from my friend, 

 Mr. Otto Meske, of Albany, stating he found Cunea and Textor in cop- 

 ulation, which I had also noticed on several occasions. This is an 

 additional proof of their identity. 



Excepting that Cunea is somewhat slighter, I see no reason for sep- 

 arating it from the genus Spilosoma, and would propose to refer it 

 again to the genus wherein it was correctly placed by West wood 

 forty-three years ago. 



Spilosoma Cunea is, like most Arctians, a variable species, varying 

 from a pure, immaculate white, to the black, spotted form. 



I hardly think these forms of sufficient importance to warrant their 

 retention as varietal names ; however, for the purpose of correctly 

 determining them, I add the synopsis : 



Spilosoma Cunea, Bra. White, with many black spots. 



Variety Punctata, Fitch. White, single band of small, black spots. 

 Variety Textor, Harris. Pure white. 



Edward L. Qraef. 



What we Need. 



Among the many collectors with whom I am acquainted, there is 

 not a single one who can devote .all his time to entomology ; every 

 one is engaged in another by far more earnest business, which ab- 

 sorbs most of his time, in which he has to work for his daily bread, 

 and can spend rarely a few evening-hours or, horribile dictu! Sun- 

 days to entomology. " Short is life and long the art," but, if we can 



