222 BEUTENMULLER, MONOGRAPH OF THE SESIID^E. 



Characters of the Genera. 



The main characters of the genera may be found in the position and number 

 of veins of the wings, especially in the hind wings, as can be seen from the 

 figures and descriptions given in the following pages. The venation affords a 

 very constant character and may be relied upon as one of the most important 

 features by means of which the genera may be distinguished. These characters, 

 together with the structure of the palpi, anal tuft, and legs, constitute the 

 differences in the different forms of this homogeneous family. 



The genera may be readily separated as follows : 



Synopsis of Genera. 



Tongue absent or rudimentary. 



Fore wings with vein Cu 3 absent. 



Veins R 4 and R 5 stalked Bembecia. 



Veins R 4 and R 5 coalescent , Zenodoxus. 



Fore wings with vein Cu g present. 



Discocellular of hind wings very oblique. 

 Inner margin of hind wings very oblique. 



Head with long, loose hairs Euhacena. 



Head with short hairs Gaea. 



Inner margin of hind wings rounded. 



Palpi erect, with long hairs ^Egeria. 



Tongue present, long and distinct. 



Fore wings with n veins ; R 4 and R 5 coalescent. 



Hind wings with veins M 3 and Cuj from angle of cell. 



Palpi ascending, with appressed scales , Calasesia. 



Fore wings with 12 veins ; R 4 and R 5 on a long stalk. 

 Hind wings with veins M 3 and Cu t stalked. 

 Hind legs moderately long ; tibiae hairy. 



Palpi ascending, reaching vertex of head, with appressed scales. 



Male with five long anal pencils , Sannina. 



Palpi scarcely ascending, with loose scales. 



Anal tufts of both sexes straight Parharmonia. 



Palpi not reaching top of head, slightly hairy. 



Anal tuft of male truncate Vespamima. 



Palpi short, straight, hairy Palmia. 



Hind tibiae with bunch of hairs at base and end and at base of tarsi. 

 Palpi scarcely reaching top of head. 



Male with long anal appendage Alcathoe. 



Hind tibiae with appressed scales and tufts of hairs at spurs. 

 Palpi loosely scaled. 



Anal tuft of male wedge-shaped ; female with a tuft of hairs on each side anally. 



Sanninoidea. 

 Hind tibiae hairy or with tuft of hairs at spurs. 

 Palpi slightly hairy, reaching vertex of head. 



Anal tuft of male fan-like ; female brush-like . . . . Sesia. 



Hind legs very long, clothed with short hairs. 



Palpi with very long hairs at base , Podosesia. 



