MELANTHES. By Dr. M. Draudt. 



917 



Th. tiaevius Lintn. (178 h) is smaller, with narrower and more pointed wings than petronius which 

 the species approximates; the postdiscal hyaline band is likewise shortened and also contains only 2 discal 

 spots below the subapical band. Behind the middle of the costal margin lighter spots. Onlj^ known from 

 Florida. 



Th. pacuvius Lintn. (178 h) is much smaller, very contrastingly marked on a grey groiind, the small 

 hyaline spots of the postdiscal band, being formed as in the preceding species, are very small. Hindwing almo.st 

 entirely black, its fringes in the anal half pm-ely white. Colorado, Arizona and Mexico. 



Th. tatius Ediv. is established according to a single c?- It is discernible from the other species with 

 white fringes of the hindwings by the purely brown colour of the marginal area of the forewing without whitish- 

 grey scaling; the usual, oblong, black marginal spots exhibit distally bluish-white bordering, so that a very 

 conspicuous, white-dentate line is prodiiced. From Arizona. 



Th. parked Weeks is said to be most closely allied to tatius. Above dark brown, slightly dusted with 

 grey, with a postdiscal band irregularly strewn with grey, extending from the costal margin to the lower median 

 vein; 4 small, white, hyaline subapical dots. Hindwings dark brown with traces of lighter submarginal diffu.se 

 spots. Beneath dull brown, the submarginal diffuse spots of the hindwing more distinct. From Venezuela 

 (Suapure). 



Th. clitus Edw. (178 h) is much larger and darker than pacuvius, often behind the middle of the 

 costal margin with a brighter spot. Hindwing almost monotonously black with broad white fringes as far as 

 the apex. Arizona and New Mexico. 



Th. funeralis Scddr. (= australis Mah.) (178 h). This species being widely distributed as far as South 

 America is extraordinarily similar to clitus, on an average smaller, greyer, darker, with somewhat narrower 

 forewings. The following species are neither easily discernible, chiefly by the difference of the genitals. In 

 funeralis the tegumen exhibits on the under surface 2 short, downwards posteriorly curved hooks; the valves 

 are very asymmetrical, the right one has vmdulate edges and exhibits on its distal edge 2 upturned, obtuse 

 appendages. From California, Texas and Arizona through Mexico to Guatemala; Colombia. 



Th. tristis Bsd. is externally scarcely discernible from funeralis, mostly somewhat larger. The forewings 

 are somewhat less pointed. On the under surface of the tegumen are 2 long hooks being downwards anteriorly 

 curved, the right valve shows at its distal edge a very bristly, boss-shaped appendage. California to Mexico. 



Th. maestus G. & S. from Arizona and Mexico (Puebla) is only separable by the different genitals. 

 The tegumen is similar as in tristis, but the right valve appears as a distally turned, ensiform hook. 



Th. albomarginatus G. & S. (178 h) is recognizable by its large size and by the white fringes of the 

 hindwing being particularly broad at the anal angle, beneath also by the white border before the fringes. Common 

 from Mexico to Colombia. 



Th. diogenes Plotz (178 i) is the most similar to petronius (178 g), but somewhat smaller, with narrower 

 wings and a more oblique distal margin, of a somewhat darker colouring, the postdiscal hyaline spots are minute, 

 below the subapical ones there is only one small hyaline dot. Described from Cuba. 



Th. heteropterus Plotz (178 i) is not dissimilar to brizo, but of a purer bluish-grey, and it has 3 conspi- 

 cuous, white, subapical hyaline dots. Hindwing darker brown without the yellowish submarginal dots, instead 

 of them with a darker submarginal band. From Brazil (Chapada). 



Th. austerus Schs. is unknown to me. Above dark brown, strewn with dark grey, little prominent 

 scales, a discal band, a spot at the cell-end, bent round it the postdiscal band; distal margin broad dark grey, 

 in it a dark subterminal line ; marginal line brown, base of fringes grey ; the grey markings are partljr bordered by 

 darker brown fine lines. The dark brown hindwing is lighter at the distal margin. Expanse of wings : 36 mm. Peru. 



Th. miilleri .sp. nov. (178 i) is most similar to hrizo, also in the shape of the wings and the size. The 

 blackish-brown ground-coloiu- is very much strewn with lighter or darker whitish-grey or bluish-grey scales; 

 in and behind the middle there are 3 fine, black, lunar transverse lines and in the middle of the cell a spot ; 

 before the brownish-grey fringes there is a blackish marginal line. Hyaline dots entirely absent. Hindwing 

 monotonously blackish-brown with snow-white fringes being blackened at the apex. Beneath on the hindwing 

 fine, white anteterminal and thicker white terminal dots. According to 1 (J from Mexico (Esperanza) in the 

 Coll. Deatjdt. 



Th. lacustra Wright (178 i) is apparently allied to mulleri, but of a much more monotonous brownish- 

 grey, not dusted so blue, and it has quite brownish-grey, not white fringes on the hindwings. Also beneath 

 the submarginal and marginal dots on the hindwing are extinct and yellowish-grey. From California. — pernigra 

 Wright, likewase from California, seems to be almost the same, but it is reported to have 3 small white subapical 

 dots and to be smaller. 



paeuviii.'i. 



tatiiis. 



parkeri. 



clitits. 



funeralis. 



tristis. 



niaesius. 



albomargi- 

 natus 



diogenes. 



heteropte- 

 rus. 



austerus. 



miilleri. 



lacustra. 

 pernigra. 



62. Genus: Melanthes Mab. 



Antennal club shorter and more pointed than in Thanaos, terminal joint of the palp more slender. 

 Distal and proximal margins broadly rounded. Posterior tibiae almost bare with 2 pair of long spurs. Costal 

 fold present. 3 large forms from the West Indies. 



