MEGATHYMINAE. By Dr. M. Draudt. 997 



P. igniculus Drc. is closely allied to the preceding species from which it differs by the reduction of igniculus. 

 the white basal area on the hindwing beneath, consisting only of a white spot above the costal vein and some 

 white scales at the lower edge of the cell. From Peru (Pozuzo). 



P. caninus Drc. is likewise closely allied to orasus (165c), but coloured lighter, with a white border caninus. 

 of the hindwing before the white fringes. Beneath the costal margin is white from the base to behind the middle 

 of the cell. Head, palpi and apex of abdomen red, like the anterior hips and pectoral hair-tufts. Colombia 

 (Rio Meta). 



P. tenebricosa Hew. (165 c) likewise greatly resembles the preceding; above coloured the same as lenebrimsa. 

 the preceding. Beneath of a more yellowish tint, with a yellowish basal area of the hindwing as far as the cell- 

 end, gradually passing over into the bronze-green tint, being not so distinctly defined as in orasus (165 c). Shoul- 

 ders red-brown. Peru. 



P. lugubris Drc. Above uni-coloured jet-black with white fringes which, towards the apex on both lugubris. 

 wings and at the anal angle of the hindwing, are smoked grey. Beneath both wings are dark green, with black 

 veins, the proximal margins on both wings blackish brown. Head, palpi and legs are black, posterior tibiae 

 and sides of the chest with red-brown hair-tufts, abdominal end likewise red-brown. Bolivia (La Paz). 



P. subvirescens Schs. Above bluish-black, fringes of the forewing apically brown, analwards whitish, suhvires- 

 fringes of the hind\\ing yellow. Beneath olive-green, with black veins, on the forewing the lower half of the '^*"*' 



cell and the proximal margin as far as the upper median vein are bluish-black, on the hindwing the inner- 

 marginal part. Palpi red except the black terminal joint; the last 3 abdominal rings and the anus are red. 

 Expanse of wings: 43 mm. Castro (Parana). 



P. quispica Plotz (= reedii Weehs) (165 c) differs from the preceding by the ground-colour above quispica. 

 being more brownish-black, and the fringes orange-red or yellow. Beneath as socrates (165 b, c). Peru and 

 Bolivia . 



P. camposa Plotz (166 b, c) is above greenish steel-blue with whitish fringes and red anus. The camposa. 

 under surface is of a bright green, the costal margin of the forewing yellow, the proximal part black; the middle 

 of the hindwmg is crossed by a broad black band, the inner-marginal part is likewise broad black, towards 

 the base with a green spot in it. Brazil. 



P. maravilha Foetterle (165 b as camposa) very much resembles camposa, but easily discernible bj^ maraiUha. 

 red shoulder-covers and beneath by the absence of the yellow costal stripe of the foreAving; the colour of the 

 hindwing is more golden yellow, and in the steel-blue inner-marginal part there are 2 oblong spots of the ground- 

 colour. South Brazil. 



P. cleanthes Latr. (165 d as cleanthus). Above steel-black with 2 white discal spots, and on the dcanthes. 

 hindwing white fringes being red at the anal angle. — f . apicalis H.-Schaff. is only a form of it with very small apkalis. 

 spots. Brazil. — f. romula Drc. (165 d) probably also belongs hereto and has larger, confluent, white romula. 

 discal spots. Colombia. 



P. telmela Hew. (192 c) has a much more extensive white discal band, since beside the spots of ieJmda. 

 the preceding there are yet a Cjuadrangular cellular spot and a submedian spot ; in addition often yet a distally 

 remote 5th spot and a subapical one; these forms belong to f. ochrope Ploiz. Brazil (Para). ochrope. 



P. xanthothrix Mab. Sooty black with a violet reflection, forewing at the base lighter. Fringes yellow, xanilwihrix. 

 at the apex of the forewing and anal angle of the hindwing blackish. Under surface as in the following agaricon. 

 Shoulders anteriorly bordered with red, bases of palpi spotted red; the two last abdominal rings are irargined 

 with red, abdomen laterally spotted red. Expanse of wings: 50 mm. Peru (Hunj^abamba). 



P. agaricon Drc. (161 a) is above dark purple-brown, body and basal third on both wings tan-coloured, agaricon. 

 Beneath golden lustrous olive-green, with black veins, in the proximal part of the forewing and at the proxi- 

 mal margin of the hindwing brownish-black. Colombia. 



5. Subfamily: Megathyminae Mab. 



We append here this group of very much deviating species to the Hesperids, in order not to conflict 

 with the opinions expressed in the works we have hitherto followed in general (especialljr ]\'LiBiLLE's Catalogue 

 of the Hesperids and Wytsman's Genera Insectorum), which might prejudice the utility of both works. We 

 remark, however, that the Megathyminae have, especially of late, been often quite correctly regarded as a separate 

 family. A work as the ,,Macrolepidoptera of the Earth", serving essentially a practical use has its main point 

 more distinctly there where the single groups are to be inserted than in the rank that may be attributed 

 to the single groups. We therefore do not try to correct Mabille. 



The head of the Megathyminae is much smaller than otherwise in the Hesperids. Antennae thick and 

 fixed with a stout club and a very short point on it. Body long and stout. Middle and posterior tibiae with 

 a pair of very short terminal spurs. Veins as in the last genera: the middle radial vein of the forewing 

 at the base very much bent downward and nearing the lower. Peculiar, hairy insects externally reminding 

 us of the Castnia. The larvae, as far as they are known, live in the interior of plants. 



