Publ. 15. XII. 1913. PTYOHOPODA. By L. B. Prottt. 89 



C. filacearia H.-Sch. ( = flaveolaria Tr. nee Hbn.) (7 d). Certainly less closely related to the two preceding filacearia. 

 than they to one another, but the structural differences seem to me quite insufficient to justify the retention 

 of the genus Chrysoctenis, which Meyrick proposed for it. He relied chiefly on the course of the first sub- 

 costal vein of the forewing which, as pointed out above, is inconstant. It seems that the extremity of the 

 areole is less frequently open in filacearia than in the other species, but this structure does occur. The palpus, 

 leg, etc., are quite normal; the antennal pectinations shorter than in the other species. In size, shape and co- 

 lour filacearia closely approaches Ptychopoda aureolaria, but the tone of colour is not quite so bright, the 

 lines are more weakly expressed, the inner line of the forewing obsolescent, the postmedian of the hindwing 

 on an average rather straighter, the fringe, though darkened, much less blackish and the underside duller. 

 Larva stumpy, dorsally and ventrally flattened, with strong transverse folds, the surface granular, setae short. 

 Head small, black-brown. Body with very pronounced lateral carination ; olive-brownish, becoming more vio- 

 let brown in later stages; dorsal line and a shield-shaped spot on the fifth abdominal light reddish violet, 

 the dark lateral ridge with a similarly coloured elongate spot on each segment, especially the 2. — 5. abdominal, 

 anteriorly somewhat convergent; ventral surface dark violet brown. Very different in its dark colour and 

 peculiar violet markuags from the larvae of the aureolaria-gvouj) of Ptychopoda. The moth flies from the 

 end of May to July, and is local from Spain through Southern Europe and Central Asia to Issyk Kul. 



20. Genus: Ptychopoda Curt. 



Face smooth. Palpus not hairy. Antenna in (J ciliated (but see maderae). Hindtibia in (^ with a pair 

 of spurs (section Sterrha) or without spurs (section Ptychopoda), in the latter case often shortened and thickened; 

 tarsus often abbreviated; $ with a pair of spurs. Forewing very variable in width, on an average less broad 

 than in Acidalia, sometimes quite narrow; its distal margin nearly always entire; neuration as in Acidalia or 

 (very rarely) with the areole open at its end, the first subcostal failing to anastomose with the others. Hindwing 

 very variable in width, its distal margin smooth or somewhat crenulate, sometimes with excisions, slight or 

 deeper, between the radials and again towards the anal angle, but never with a single marked angle or tail 

 at the third radial; second subcostal moderately to very long stalked with first radial. ^J genitalia less homo- 

 geneous than those of Acidalia, commonly with the valves narrow, fused at the base, so that it is impossible 

 to obtain a displayed view of them without rupturing their union. 



The early stages are also less homogeneous than those of Acidalia, and it is possible that the genus, 

 which is at present a very extensive one, may later admit of subdivision on biological grounds. The egg is 

 sometimes similar to that of Acidalia, at other times very different; thus some are less elongate, with strong 

 hexagonal pattern or covered with a network of dark markings. The known eggs will be described in their 

 places, but no systematisation of their forms seems at present possible. The larvae are strongly rugose, much 

 less regularly cylmdrical than those of Acidalia, tapering strongly anteriorly, generally with strong lateral cari- 

 nation, often quite short and stout, never so elongate as in Acidalia, but very variable in this respect. They 

 show a much more marked predilection for dry or withered leaves than those of Acidalia. The pupa is some- 

 times less polished than in Acidalia and has generally on the cremaster, so far as I have been able to observe, 

 a group of 6 very fine and thread-like bristles with hooked tips. Some of the species produce a succession 

 of generations during the warmer months, but others, even in warm climates, refuse to be hastened, the larva 

 feeding very slowly for perhaps 1 1 months and a single brood of the perfect insect appearing about June or 

 July. They are often exceedingly local, but generally plentiful where they occur, flying gently and seldom 

 moving far from their chosen haunts. 



The geograpliical range of Ptychopoda is almost coextensive with that of Acidalia, but no Arctic 

 species 'are known and indeed the very great majority of its Palearctic representatives belong exclusively 

 to the southern part of the region. It has not reached New Zealand and there seem to be but few species 

 in South America; several which were described from the Neotropical Region as Ptychopoda have proved, 

 on examination, to have a double areole. 



Concerning the generic name, it is not quite certain that the one here used is older than those 

 of HuBNER. It was first published by Curtis (from Stephens' manuscript) in September 1826 with specified 

 tjrpe dilutata Hatv. (= biselata Hufn.). Our leading systematists regard Hxjbner's "Verzeichnis", or at least 

 its latest sheets, as having been published about the end of 1826 or early in 1827, and unless an earlier date 

 can be proved for it, it is clearly preferable to give priority to Curtis' name; especially as this section is very 

 much more extensive than that to which the Hiibnerian name of Sterrha has hitherto been applied. Moreover 

 it is convenient to be able to drop Sterrha and Eois, both of which have at times — the former incorrectly, 

 the latter I believe correctly, been applied in a different sense from that of Mey rick's classification, 

 namely to genera in the Larentiinae. 



For convenience of reference, I have arranged this genus, like Acidalia, in sections according to 



IV 12 



