NEPTICULIDA. 
ee oe ee 
—* 
Genus Il. TRIFURCULA. 
TRIFUROULA, Zell. L. E. iii. 330 (1848). Zyonetia p., Zell. Isis, 1839. 
_ Capilli superne et in fronte hirsuti. Antenne breviuscule, nude, con- 
chula modica instruct. Palpi maxillares longiuseuli, plicati, arti- 
culis ultimis pendulis. Palpi labiales breves, subporrecti. Ala an- 
teriores breves, grosse-squamatz, posteriores ovato-lanceolate ; ante- 
riores: vena subcostalis furcata, vena mediana arcuata trifida, vena 
subdorsalis simplew; posteriores: vena mediana ¢rifida, subdoysalis 
longiuscula, 
Head above and in front hairy. Antenne rather short, naked, the 
basal joint furnished with a moderate-sized eye-cap. Maxillary palpi 
rather long, folded, the last joints drooping. Labial palpi short, sub- 
porrected. Anterior wings short, coarsely scaled, the posterior ovate- 
lanceolate. In the anterior wings the subcostal vein is furcate, the 
arched median vein is ¢rifid, and the subdorsal vein is simple. In the 
posterior wings the median vein is ¢rifid, the subdorsal vein rather long. 
The investigation of the generic characters of these insects 1s 
rendered extremely difficult, from their small size and hairy heads ; 
smooth-headed species of equal size would be far more easily exa- 
mined ; it is also difficult to examine the neuration of the wings, 
and I am therefore doubtful whether the distinctness of this genus 
from the preceding has been sufficiently established. On the 
other hand, it may be that it would be more correct to divide the 
Nepticulide into a greater number of genera*. 
The four species placed in this genus all agree in the absence 
of definite markings, such as spots and fascia, and are best dis- 
tinguished by their coarsely-scaled, irrorated appearance. 
1. atrifrontella, Sta. Sup. Cat. p.11 (1851). Allis anticis luteo- 
albidis, fusco suffusis, basi costee tantum sine squamis fuscis; capillis 
atris. Exp. al. 4 lin. 
Head and face black. Palpi whitish. Antenne dark fuscous, basal joint 
whitish. Anterior wings yellowish-white, almost entirely suffused with 
dark fuscous scales, only the base of the costa remaining of the ground- 
colour; cilia greyish. Posterior wings pale grey, with paler cilia. 
Two specimens in Mr. Bedell’s collection. I have a specimen 
taken at Lewisham from a mixed hedge, in August. 
* Here I must mention the singular insect taken by Mr. Boyd among alders, in 
the New Forest, last summer, and which I cannot consider Lepidopterous, though 
so completely Nepticuliform. Its longer antenne, longer legs, differently-shaped 
broader posterior wings, and neuration of the anterior and posterior wings, would 
clearly place it in a distinct genus, if admitted as Lepidopterous; but the more po- 
lished appearance of the anterior wings, and its general facies, induce me to think 
it Trichopterous, Many of the smaller Zrichoptera are continually being taken for 
Tineina, but, except in the present instance, I am not aware that any difficulty has 
been found in ultimately distinguishing them. 
