46 



pupal condition in this case was passed in eight days, and the chrysalis 

 was concealed in a rolled-up leaf of strawberry. Taking into consid- 

 eration a previous observation on the larva's occurrence on straw- 

 berry in 1899, it would seem that this is a true larval food plant. 



The moth is typical of the Deltoid group of Xoctuidae, a group of 

 genera which derives its English name from the triangular outline 

 of the moths when at rest, which is suggestive of the Greek letter 

 Delta (A). 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES. 



The moth, like many others of this group, is remarkable by reason 

 of its palpi, which are long' and prominent, .projecting in front like a 

 snout, hence the name snout-moth. The hind wings are unusually 

 broad. The color is variable, dull, sometimes verv dark brown, form- 



Fig. ■2^.—Plathi/}xna seabra: a, moth in natural position with wings folded: b. same with wings 

 expanded; c, egg from, above: d. egg from side: e, penultimate stage of larva from above: /. same 

 from side; g, head of larva — all enlarged; c, d, p, greatly enlarged (original). 



ing the ground color varied with black and gray, arranged in the aver- 

 age specimen in a pattern similar to that figured in the illustration at h. 

 A rather unusually light-colored indh'idual was selected as the type 

 for illustration in order to show the markings in full, since in dark 

 specimens the pattern is often very obscure. A moth at rest is shown 

 at a. The niorh is also variable as regards size, the average expanse 

 being about an inch and a quarter, although a series of specimens 

 before the writer shows a still greater expanse and one individual 

 measures but five-eighths of an inch. 



A technical diagnosis of the genus, detailed specific description, and 

 bibliography is given by Dr. John B. Smith in his revision of the 

 Deltoid moths (Bui. U. S. Nat. Museum. No. 48. 1895. pp. 110-112). 



