cauquenen¬ 
sis. 
jerrugi na- 
ria. 
chilenaria. 
subviolaria. 
distracta. 
ilietis. 
72 RHODOSTROPHIA; ZALISSOLEPIS; DITHECODES. By L. B. Prottt. 
3. Subfamily: Sterrhsnae. 
This subfamily y as at present defined, shows some very interesting and remarkable developments in 
the New World. The study of the genitalia, indeed, as well as the divergences in wing-shape and colour-scheme, 
raises some doubts whether it is so natural a group as was at one time believed; yet the combination of easily 
recognizable characters renders it desirable to treat it provisionally as a taxonomic entity. These characters 
are the smooth face, frequent modifications of the armature of the hindleg, especially in the almost in¬ 
variable presence of all the veins on both wings (see, however, Epicleta [Vol. 16], Goniacidalici , Aphanophleps), 
presence of one or two areoles in the forewing (only rarely replaced by stalking of all the subcostals or all 
except the 1st), full development of the frenulum, point-anastomosis of the costal vein of the hindwing with 
the cell, strength and general position of the 2nd radial of this wing, besides other details less capable of concise 
definition. Peculiar to America are two quite remarkable groups, the Asellodes group and the day-flying 
yellow species which have been considered to constitute not only a separate subfamily but even a separate 
f a m i 1 y , the Cyllopodidae (pars typica) of Kirby’s well-known Catalogue. Further, the Sterrha group 
shows here still more diversity than in the Old World, not only as retaining a considerable element with double 
areole — presumably the forerunners of Sterrha proper — but also as producing a very large number of G 
modifications which have been made by Warren and others the basis of separate genera but are here regarded 
as subgenera, the $5 usually remaining very homogeneous. The life histories of a few of the North American 
Sterrh inae have been worked out, but those of the Neotropical remain almost entirely unknown. 
1. Genus: Ithoriostropliia Hb. 
This genus, which is chiefly Palaearctic and Himalayan, is discussed in Vol. 4, p. 35 and it need only 
be repeated that it is characterized chiefly by the G antenna, which bears two pairs of slender pectinations 
on each joint, often the G hindleg, which has a tendency to lose one of the proximal spurs, and the smooth- 
margined wings, the forewing with double areole. Although the genus is regarded as a primitive one, its re¬ 
appearance in so remote a locality as Chili is very remarkable. The Chilian species have the 3-spurred G hind- 
tibia and the 2nd subcostal of the forewing arising from the cell. 
R. cauquenensis Btlr. (= dentilinea Wan.) (9 a) is the largest species, intermediate in colour between 
the other two, somewhat more reddish-tinged beneath than above. Possibly a form of the following. 
R. ferruginaria Blanch. (9 a) is distinguishable by the reddish (or light cinnamon) tone and the weaker 
markings, only the cell-dots as sharply black as in the other species. 
R. chilenaria Blanch. (= obscura Warr.) (9 a) much resembles a diminutive cauquenensis, but is pale 
grey, not brownish, and is more densely irrorated with fine dark scales than the other species, though the 
density of the irroration varies somewhat. 
2. Genus: Zalissolepis Warr. 
Perhaps a specialized development of Dithecodes, differing in the hindleg, which in the G is spurless, 
with the tarsus broadened and flattened, in the $ 3-spurred; areole single; 2nd radial of hindwing arising 
much before the middle of the discocellulars. Only one species. 
Z. subviolaria Guen. (9 a). Recognizable by the structure and shape, the strong gloss, the peculiar 
vinaceous-drab tinge, minute white cell-dots and weak markings. Brazil. A single $ from La Oroya, Peru, 
has a more olive-grey tone and probably represents a separate race. 
3. Genus: Dithecodes Warr. 
Palpus short. G antenna with fascicles of cilia. Hindtibia in both sexes with terminal spurs only. 
Eorewing with areole nearly always double, 2nd subcostal, in the New-World species (genus Neosterrha Warr.), 
from stalk of 3rd—5th or connate, hindwing rounded or with a single angle at 3rd radial. A widely distributed 
genus in Asia, Africa and South America. 
D. distracta Walk. ( = cryptereuthus Prout ) (9 a). A very variable species, or perhaps group of species 
not yet differentiated. Hindwing angulated, but variably in degree. The underside, in the name-typical form, 
has the forewing predominantly orange-red or rosy, the hindwing pale, sometimes with some reddish suffusion 
anteriorly. — f. (?) thetis Warr. has both wings beneath pale greenish. Both forms are widely distributed, 
