764 
DIR PHI A. By Dr. M. Draudt. 
oculwta. 
P. oculata Schs. is light orange with a fine brown antemedian line and a large grey spot at the cell end, 
surrounded by black and centred black; postmedian line whitish, slightly undulate and bordered somewhat 
greyish-brown from the apex to the distal third of the inner margin, distally shaded with orange; some dark 
subterminal lunulae. Hindwing with traces of a distal line, and a subterminal line which is dentate between 
4 and 2. Expanse of wings: 40 mm. Minas. Brazil. 
14. Genus: l>ir|»8ila Hbn. 
Since Kirby’s Catalogue few authors have hitherto discussed the classification of the genera Dirphia 
Hbn., Phricodia Hbn., Ormiscodes and CatocepJiala Blch. and Plateia Hbn., which is a sheer impossibility, for on 
superficially examining the species jumbled up there, it will be clear that on the one hand many species cannot 
remain together, on the other hand all the 5 genera contain species that belong into one genus. All the attempts 
of Packard, Grote, and Lyar are neither satisfactory, because they comprised a much too small circle of 
species. Considering this fact, we have been forced to abandon the principle of our work, i. e. only to supply a 
classification of the lepidoptera hitherto known, and to try to arrange the species as well as possible according 
to the differences in the neuration, as Hampson did, and it w T as found, in fact, that in this way a very suitable 
order could be attained. However, it must be considered that the arrangement of veins may sometimes also 
vary within the species even to a great extent. Thus X discovered, for instance, among a large series of D. 
mexicana Bouv. all kinds of variations: forewing 6 and 7 stalked, from the same base or separated, hindwing 
6 and 7 the same, in one case even together with 5 from the same base; the same is the case in the forms of 
avia. The type, however, being assumed as the fundamental species always predominates by far. 
Before characterizing the genus Dirphia in the following lines, we supply here an analytical table of 
our subdivisions. We must of course leave it to future authors to keep up or to alter this provisional and rough 
sifting in revising the insects in question here. It may be that the examination of the genitals will provide 
better results than those yielded today. 
Dirphia (+ Ormiscodes, CatocepJiala, Phricodia, Plateia) sensu latissiino. 
A. Fore wing veins 6 and 7 not stalked. 
a. Forewing veins 6 and 7 from the same base. 
a 1 Hindwing veins 5 and 6 separated; $ without anal tuft and lateral wool. 
a 2 Hindwing veins 6 and 7 separated Dirphia Hbn. 
b 2 Hindwing veins 6 and 7 from the same base or on a short stalk. 
a 3 smaller species, distal margin of forewing slightly convex CatocepJiala Blch. 
b 3 larger species, distal margin of fore wing slightly concave Ormiscodes Blch. 
b 1 Hindwing veins 5 and 6 mostly from the same base, $ with anal tuft and lateral woo I Hidripa nov. 
b. Forewdng veins 6 and 7 separated. 
a 1 Hind wing veins 5 and 6 from the same base 
b 1 Hindwing veins 5 and 6 separated 
B. Fore wing veins 6 and 7 stalked. 
a. Hindwing veins 6 and 7 not stalked. 
a 1 Hindwing veins 5 and 6 separated 
b 1 Hindwing veins 5 and 6 stalked 
b. Hindwing veins 6 and 7 stalked. 
a 1 Anterior tibia with a long horny sting 
b 1 Anterior tibia without a horny sting 
Dihirpa nov. 
Phricodia Hbn. 
Phidira nov. 
Mesoleuca WJcr. 
Kentroleuca nov. 
Hirpida nov. 
The forms which accordingly belong to the genus Dirphia are partly still very heterogeneous and will 
probably have to be subdivided later on. They are mostly very large lepidoptera, especially the $$ are large, 
stout insects, most variably coloured and marked; according to the latter differences various groups of species 
can be assorted. Proboscis absent, the hairy palpi are very well developed, but do not project beyond the 
frons. Antennae of strongly pectinated, in the $$ serrate and ciliated. Abdomen mostly short and rarely 
projecting beyond the hindwdng. Legs short and stout, tibiae and femora covered with a dense hairy fur, hind 
tibiae only with one pair of short terminal spurs. Wings rather broad. As to the neuration we refer to the table 
above. 
Type: D. tarqvinia Cr. 
