40 



RHODOSTROPHIA. By L. B. Prottt. 



adauctaia. R. adauctata Stgr. (3d). Related to the preceding, but differing as follows: discal spots very weak 



or wanting; the space between the median and outer lines usually forming a reddish band; under surface of 

 both wings quite different, that of the forewing pale, scarcely yellowish, and without the dark grey patch, 

 on the other hand usually more or less suffused with reddish, that of the hindwing strongly suffused with reddish. 

 In auctata at most the costal and distal borders of the hmdwmg are I'eddish. Apparently common in parts of 

 Central Asia (Zerafshan to the Hi district) at the end of June and begmning of July, probably in the mountams. 



praeaisaria. R. praecisaria Stgr. (3d, as badiaria) is extremely similar to hadiaria except in shape, and in the absence 



of one of the median spurs in the (J. The forewing is produced to a more acute apex, the hindwing has the 

 distal margin rounded. Usually also the ground-colour, both above and beneath, is somewhat more reddish 

 than in hadiaria, but both species vary m this respect. The markings are usually a little stronger, and the central 

 Ime rather straighter. This species was treated as a form of hadiaria by Christoph (Rom. Mem. sur Lep. vol. 

 2, p. 126) and by Staudinger. It inhabits Central Asia (Transcaspia to Issyk-Kul). 



meonaria. 



R. meonaria (rwew. (= pelloniaria /7m ^sm.) (7 a). The species which, according to Guenbe's description, 

 I identify as meonaria, has nearly the coloration of adauctata (the ground-colour slightly paler above, in dark 

 specimens more olivaceous, rather redder beneath) but is smaller, the wings are still narrower, the forewing 

 almost subfalcate, the distal margin bemg ui general faintly concave, and further differs in having the median 

 Ime removed nearer to the distal margm (close, indeed, to the outer line, which, however, is usually very weak 

 or wanting), its course slightly oblique and as a rule very gently mcurved, nearly straight. On the forewuig this 

 median line is often of a very bright deep red colour, on the hindwing it is often indistinct, especially towards 

 the costa.^The forewing lacks the inner line and the discal spot is extremely indistmct or more generally 

 wanting, on the hmdwing always wanting. Costal edge of forewing and fringe of both wmgs more or less tinged 

 with red. This species belongs chiefly to N. W. India and perhaps scarcely enters the Palearctic Region. I 

 have specimens before me from Kashmir, from Western China (Pu-tsu-fong, Chow-pin-sa), etc. I have noticed 

 one aberration in which the 2. subcostal is stalked with the 3. — 5. mstead of arising from the cell. It is possible 

 that the species belongs in the immediate vicinity of vinacearia, in which that character is also sometimes 

 variable. 



cmencscens. 



R. cinerascens Moore (=subflavida Warr.)J^5d). Wmgs shaped about as m terrestraria. Forewing 

 glossy grey, weakly marked ; distal area usually somewhat darker, a nearly straight, darkened postmedian band 

 parallel with the distal border, separated from the distal area by a thick pale line or narrow space. Hindwing 

 whitish, tinged with ochreous, toAvards the anal angle with grey; sometimes unmarked, usually with weak 

 median and postmedian lines, fading out before the costal margm. Underside with the costal and distal 

 areas of the forewing and the whole of the hmdwuag more or less strongly suffused with yellowish (occasionally 

 more reddish). $ smaller and narrower-wmged. Apparently common in parts of Kashmir and Afghanistan, 



rufilinea. June to September. — In ab. rufilinea ah. nov. the groimd-colour is rather browner, the markings somewhat 

 more distinct, in particular the Ime which bounds the postmedian band proximally is of a reddish colour, 



borealis. as are also one or two Imes on the hindwmg beneath (almost or entirely obsolete m the type-form). — borealis 

 Swinh., from Kulu, is probably a further form of cinerascens, differing chiefly from ab. rufilinea in the somewhat 

 fuller colourmg and stronger markmgs, especially the presence of an mner Ime on the forewing and conspicuous 

 dark discal dot on both -wings (both the line and the dot, at least on the forewing, are however sometimes 

 faintly indicated m ab. rufilinea). The postmedian luae on the hindwing is bent between the first radial and se- 

 cond subcostal veins and is contmued to the costal margin; but this too, is traceable in a few extra strongly 

 marked cinerascens. I am unable to point ont any further differences. 



R. bicolor is apparently an exceediiigly variable species, perhaps nothing more than a further series 

 of forms of cinerascens, while it is possible, on the contrary, that we are dealmg under this name with two or 

 three closely allied species. In general bicolor differs from cinerascens in having a rather more sinuous and thicker 

 median line on the forewing, m the bright rosy colour of this line and nearly always in the presence of additional 

 bright rosy colouring, particularly in the frmges and on the under surface. From all forms of cinerascens 

 excepting borealis, it also differs in the presence of a distinct, usually strong discal spot in each wing. It 

 occurs in various parts of Kashmir and Chitral, the diverse forms (in respect of coloration and the strength of 

 bicolor. the lines) being perhaps partly racial, partly aberrational. — bicolor Warr. is a glossy form with the costal 

 margin of the forewing as a rule rather strongly rounded near the apex, the three lines always well developed, 

 except m the ab. suffusa. Ground-colour of forewmg dull olivaceous grey, middle line thick and always rosy, 

 the other Imes (especially the outer) occasionally almost plam dark grey, or only weakly shaded with rosy; fringe 

 of the ground-colour or somewhat suffused with rosy — more strongly in Warren's original than in any other 

 which I have seen. Hindwing with the lines not closely approximated, the outer usually stronger and more com- 

 plete than the inner. Underside %vith only the outer line of both wings distmct, thick, rosy; proximal half of 



