98 



PTYGHOPODA. By L. B. Proft. 



fuscomix- 

 tata. 



the antennal joints project even more strongly than in ochrata. Apart from these structural characters, serpen- 

 tata may generally be recognized by its smaller size, rather brighter but at the same time less glossy tone, 

 somewhat darkened frmges, especially beneath, thicker and less clearly defined postmedian line, position of the 

 median line and several other characters. The median line nearly always passes on the proximal side of 

 the minute black cell-spot of the hindwing, occasionally crosses it ; in ochrata it is beyond (placed distally 

 to) the cell-spot, when such is present. A fine blackish distal marginal line is usually well developed, though 

 more or less interrupted; dark spots in the fringe are usually wanting, never strong. On the under surface 

 the lines, as in ochrata, are considerably darkened, but the ground-colour itself is generally much less suffused 

 griseaia. than in that species. Rather variable in ground-colour and in the strength of the markings. — ■ ab. griseata 

 F. Fuchs has the ground-colour uniformly grey, with the lines darker. Two examples were taken at Bornich, 

 and by subjecting the larvae to moisture a further example was bred. I know of no others. — ab. fusco- 

 mixtata ab. nov. is a very handsome form with the lines strongly blackish-fuscous, the terminal line quite 

 black, underside (especially of the forewing) strongly dusted with fuscous, the lines thick^'and intense. The 

 fringes (especially beneath) are also more strongly infuscated. Described from a (J in the collection of Rev. 

 dohlmanni. P. E. LowE, taken in the marshes of St. Triphon, in the S. of Vaud, end of May, 1912. — dohlmanni Hed. 

 is almost certainly nothing more than a local race of serpentata, perhaps scarely that. I have only seen one 

 example from Central Amurland and this does not agree in quite all particulars with the description. More- 

 over, I possess one 3* from Barracouta which differs from the type form m almost the opposite direction 

 to dohlmanni, being of a duller, less reddish ochreous and weakly marked, more like the Esthonian specimens. 

 dohlmanni is a brightly coloured form, with the median line more weakly expressed than the others, the post- 

 median the strongest, on the hindwing more deeply bent proximad between the radials, hence appearing 

 to project more between the third radial and second median. It is said to have the discal dot present on both 

 wings, but in the example before me only the hindwing bears the dot, as usual. The fringe is well darkened. 

 — The egg of serpentata is a very beautiful object under the microscope, the hexagonal depressions being very 

 regular and very deep, their rims thus appearing to stand out very strongly; moreover they are marked with 

 strong knots or buttons at the angles. Of the usual Geometrid shape, not very elongate; colour pale yel- 

 lowish or greenish, the raised net-work dark grey to black. The larva is grey or wood-colour, sometimes almost 

 without markings, sometimes with broken dorsal and subdorsal lines consisting of anteriorly pointed dashes 

 on each segment ; in form it does not differ greatly from that of ochrata, being moderately long, gradually tape- 

 ring anteriorly, the segment-incisions apparently distinct, but not deep. It feeds on low plants, and has 

 been reared from the egg on lettuce. Of the pupa I can find no description. The moth seems to be partially 

 double-brooded, at least in the more southerly localities, and may be met with from June to August. It 

 is said to be a true day-flier, being active in the sunshine. According to von Nolcken the time of appearance 

 in the Baltic Provinces is from about 20 June to 24 July and the (J appears about 8 days earlier than the 

 9. Distributed almost throughout Europe except the polar region, Britain, Holland, Spain and Por- 

 tugal; also in Asia Minor, Central Asia and Eastern Siberia. 



flaveolaria. Pt. flaveolaria Hbn. (= brunnearia F. nee Vill.) (4 a) is nearest in aspect to aureolaria Schiff. and 



has probably been associated with it in the minds of lepidopterists ever since Hubner discovered it and gave 

 it a name of similar formation. The structural difference in the ^ hindtibia, however, necessitated their 

 generic separation in Meyrick's system, and they here fall into different sections of our genus. Ground-colour 

 generally of a slightly less clear yellow than in aureolaria, more inclining to ochreous; occasional aberrations 

 occur, however, almost identical in coloration with that species. Fringes blacker. The lines on the upper 

 surface are generally very much more weakly expressed, the first line of the forewing usually obsolete. Beneath, 

 however, the postmedian and frequently also the median lines are as strong and blackish as in aureolaria, 

 and the chief distinctions are the absence of the cell-spots and the presence, on the forewing at least, of more 

 blackish dusting. Aberrations sometimes occur in which tlie^lines of the upper surface are entirely wan- 

 ting, but these intergrade through all possible transitions to'' the normal specimens. On the other hand I 



nigroVmeata. have one really striking aberration — ab. nigrolineata ab. nov., which might easily be mistaken, on a ca- 

 sual inspection, for aureohtria. Upper surface with the lines as sharply expressed as in that species, including 

 a strong inner line on forewing. Under surface of both wings as far as the median line strongly black-dusted, 

 some further dusting beyond the postmedian on forewing. Lines very black and thick. A ^ taken by Dr. 

 Chapman in the Val d'Herens, Valais (elevation not recorded) and now, through his kindness, standing in 

 my collection. — Egg laid on its side, oval, almost as wide as long, 'micropylar end rather wider than nadir; 

 slightl}' depressed on greater part of upper surface; surface covered with very strongly-marked polygonal 

 reticulation, which is regular and less coarse than in some allied species. Pearly grey, becoming darker, the reti- 

 culation becoming blackish. Larva short, attenuated anteriorly, rugose, moderately carinated laterally, seg- 

 mentation distinct; head small, brown; body dark clay-colour; dorsal line fine, pale, uninterrupted, edged 

 with brown; subdorsal fine, brown, slightly flexuous; lateral line fine, pale, uninterrupted; spiracles whitish; 

 not dark-ringed; below them, on the 2. — G.^abdominals^a large brown spot; ventral surface with a double 



