LYMANTRIIDAE. General Topics. By Dr. M. Draudt. 
535 
6. Family: Lymantriidae. 
of the family of the Lymantriidae. has been so minutely particularised in 
Vol. XIV, p. 127, that it is unnecessary here to touch all the questions 
that the genuine Lymantriidae are essentially characterised by the absence 
of the proboscis; moreover these insects are easily discernible by the basal anastomosis of the costalis in the 
hindwing, the presence of the frenulum, and the origin of vein 5 of the hindwing near the lower cell-angle. In 
America the limits are partly somewhat obliterated by the appearance of forms exhibiting also close relations 
to other families, such as the Pericopidae and Geometrulae. We refer here particularly to the genera Animomyia 
Dyar and Eloria Wkr., the former being placed to the Geometrulae by Pearsall and Me Dunnough, whereas 
the latter genus often exhibits a feebly developed proboscis, though only in one sex, for which reason it is partly 
to be assigned to the Pericopidae. Owing to the absence of the proboscis, which fact signifies that they feed 
on flowers, we may assume a phylogenetically very old age. 
As to the distribution of the Lymantriidae in the New World, the northern continent only possesses, 
beside the quite different small species of Animomyia, such genera that entirely correspond to the palearctic 
species of Dasychira and Orgyia, of which only the latter proceed down to southern latitudes. In Central and 
South America we meet with quite different forms which partly resemble externally the Geometridae or Perico¬ 
pidae, but which partly also exhibit a remarkable convergency to African Stilpnotia, such as the silvery white 
Caviria; on the other hand, we also find quite different types, particularly among the genera without an areola, 
which, as for instance the Desmoloma, most decidedly resemble Notodontid groups, the Phiditia and Rolepa- 
species the allies of Apatelodes. Thus the family creates in the New World a much more heterogeneous impression 
than in other faunal districts. 
As far as the early stages are known, they are here quite the same as we are used to find in the 
palearctic Lymantriidae-, knobbed tubercles, pencils, and brushes are inserted in the general hairy coating, 
partly with an inflammatory effect. Some of them live on conifers. About the early stages of the more southern 
forms we know almost next to nothing. 
The elaboration of this difficult family by Dr. Schaus and the most perfect reproduction of the insects 
by the master-hand of Mr. Francis H. Noyes, most of which have never been figured before, means an enormous 
progress in the information about this family, particularly since there had so far only existed detached pub lications 
about it from the American faunal district. The arrangement in Kirby’s Catalogue is of no use whatever, as 
it contains a most varied collocation of insects from all kinds of families that were thrown together here. 
We feel infinitely indebted to Dr. L. 0. Howard, the Director of the Entomological Division of the 
National Museum in Washington, by whose great obligingness we were enabled to published such a unique 
material of figures as will probably never again be possible for any other work. Some new species from the 
Berlin Museum have been inserted by myself, in accordance with Dr. Schaus to whom I had submitted them. 
(Dr. Draudt.) 
It is preferable to use the family name as enjoyed already by Strand, Vol. II, p. 159, who gives an 
interesting outline of it. The American species are not very numerous in comparison to the Oriental and 
African forms. Unfortunately three of the most injurious species, Porthetria dispar, Nygmia phaeorrhoea Don., 
and Stilpnotia solids L. have been introduced into the United States where they are doing considerable damage. 
Eventually the genera Eloria Wkr. and Animomyia Dyar will have to be transferred to a new family intermediate 
between the Pericopidae and Lymantriidae. (Dr. W. Schaus.) 
The general characterisation 
Vol. II, S. 109, Vol. X, p. 291, and 
once more. We merely recapitulate 
