57 



the neighborhood of Augusta. Near Auburn, Ala., it has been known 

 since 1897. 



Of the distribution of this species, Sir G. F. Hampson, in volume 

 IV of the Fauna of British India, published in 1896 (p. 373), says: 

 "Mediterranean subregion and throughout the tropical and subtropical 

 zones, except the neotropical and Australian regions." From this and 

 the fact that the insect does not inhabit northern or middle Europe, it 

 would appear that there is no immediate danger of its appearance in 

 the region of our countiy north of the Lower Austral area. 



In the same writer's Revision of the Moths of the Subfamily Pyr- 

 austinse and Family Pyralidae, (Part I, p. 760), from the Proceedings 

 of the Zoological Societ}^ of London, November 15, 1898, Botys 

 rogatalis Hulst. is added to the list of synonyms, with this legend in 

 regard to distribution: 4t U. S. A. ; Mediterranean subregion; Ethio- 

 pian and Oriental regions." 



The following synonymy is recognized: 



Hellula undalisF abr., Ent, Syst., Vol. Ill, 2, p. 226, Herr.-Schaffer, Eur. Schrnett., Vol. 



IV, pi. 8, f. 54. 

 Scoparia alconalis Walker, Catalogue, Vol. XIX, p. 827. 

 Leucinodes exemptalis Walk., Catalogue, Vol. XXXIV, p. 1313. 

 Botys rogatalis Hulst., Tr. Am. Ent. Soc, Vol. XIII, p. 149. 



In the publication first cited will be found a technical diagnosis of 

 the genus Hellula, as also a technical description of the species. Both 

 publications are illustrated. The figure, showing wing venation and 

 head, are here reproduced. 



OBSEEVATIONS OF THE YEAR 1899. 



June 19, 1899, in response to request, Mr. Simons wrote that the 

 moth had made its appearance in his garden, and sent us the first 

 specimens seen.' The moths are very rapid in 

 their movements when in the field, and for that 

 reason, difficult to capture. Cabbages had been 

 almost a total failure in 1897 and 1898, owing to 

 the ravages of this pest. 



Decrease in numbers owing to cold winter. — Of 

 the noticeable decrease in the numbers of this in- 

 sect in the early summer of 1899, our correspond- 

 ent wrote, July 22, in response to our suggestion 

 that the climatic conditions were probably in great part the cause of the 

 decrease, that the previous winter, as with us at Washington, was 

 unusually severe, being marked with snaps of intensely cold weather. 

 This, in our opinion, as previously expressed in Bulletin No. 22 (n. s., 

 p. 56), would be just the sort of weather to destroy an insect which is 

 not as yet thoroughly acclimatized, since such sudden changes and 

 severely cold spells are never experienced in the Old World regions 

 which this insect is known to inhabit. The same conditions doubtless 



Fig. I'd.— Hellula undalis : 

 wing venation, head and 

 antenna— enlarged (after 

 Hampson). 



