PHASSUS. By R. Pfitzner f. 
1299 
Before this series of spots, at about % of the costal margin (counted from the base), begins a dull flesh-coloured 
transverse band 2 mm broad, parallel to the distal margin; a similar golden brown interrupted spot is in the 
apex, 3 others, likewise intermixed with brown, at the costal margin between the base and the transverse band. 
A dull flesh-coloured blotch extends at the inner margin from the base to the end of the transverse band, with 
which it rather indicates than represents the well known triangular Hepialid marking. Hindwing of a bright 
reddish ochreous colour in the distal part, in the anterior part duller, darker, semidiaphanous. From Venezuela 
(Merida), 1 $ in my collection. Denominated according to the legendary “man of gold" (el dorado) whose home 
was in the same district. 
Ph. aurigenus Pf. (99 h). Likewise an isolated species. Expanse of wings: 64 mm. length of body 36 mm. aurigenus. 
Thorax, abdomen and antennae dark brown. Forewing grey, costal half beautifully reddish ochreous, anal half 
beautifully marbled dark brown. 3 groups of intense golden spots (on the basal part, in the centre and apical 
part). Hindwing grey, apex and base and the adjoining parts of the body yellowish ochreous. Under surface 
brownish grey, diaphanous, edged with a bright ochre. 1 specimen from the Orosi, Costa Rica, 1200 m. Type 
in my collection (Museum Senckenberg in Frankfort on the Main). 
Ph. absyrtus Schs. $ light red-brown, forewing behind the middle traversed by 4 darker brown bands absyrtus. 
from the costa to the median vein; darker shadows and lighter undulated stripes around the interior angle and 
along the inner margin. $ with more indistinct bands traversing the whole wing. 60—85 mm. Brazil (Petropolis). 
Ph. agrionides Wkr. £ brown, antennae yellowish brown, abdomen somewhat paler than the thorax, agrionides. 
projecting far beyond the hindwings, pale brown, darker at the apex. Forewing slightly cancellated, numerous 
curved transverse stripes between the veins; stripes paler on the inside, darker outside. Length of the body: 
25, length of the wings: 50 mm. Brazil. 
Ph. pedipogon Strd. Similar to triangularis H.-Edw. Colour of forewing likewise similar, but the base at pedipogon. 
the inner margin of the forewing and the base on the hindwing with pinkish red hair. At the costal margin also 
small black spots, more distinct. A light spot at the costal margin near the base, edged with black, resembles 
the same in hubneri (100 c). At the same distance at the costal margin another similar light spot, and a qua¬ 
drangular spot behind it. The exterior light band extends indistinctly to vein 3. Submarginal band light grey, 
irregular, similar to that in triangularis , with a brass-coloured dot above vein 6. A narrow light band extends 
from the second spot at the costal margin inward as far as vein 2, a brass-coloured dot below it. Base and 
interior area as in triangularis. The silver spot at the cross-vein is replaced here by a brass-yellow similar spot. 
Hindwing similarly streaked outside at the costal margin as in hubneri (100 c), such streaks also at the distal 
margin. 126 mm. 1 specimen from Costa Rica. 
Ph. triangularis H.-Edw. This well-known large species, with its subordinate forms and allies, has a rank triangularis. 
in America similar to that of Ph. signifer and its allies in the Indo-Australian Region. The range of the triangu¬ 
laris- group extends from Mexico across the whole of Central America to the Isthmus of Panama, triangularis is 
from greyish brown to yellowish brown; recognizable by the thick brown triangle in the centre of the forewing, 
at the \ipper end of which in the cell there is the silver stigma. Body very long, blackish brown, lighter ringed. 
96- -160 mm. Schaits reports about its biology: eggs of 3 —t 5 mm diam. Very numerous, at first grey or blue, 
then brown or black with a sticky coating. The $ drops them at random into the underwood. Larva 10 cm; 
head large and very strong, well withdrawn beneath the strong broad dark brown second segment. The third 
segment like old ivory, the fourth has 3 such spots, the rest of the body dark velvety brown, a large ivory yellow 
oval spot on each ring, one small accessory spot each on the 5th and 6th; a small round ivory spot on the sides 
behind the stigmata, and an ivory line below it. The last segments quite brown. The larva bores a passage 
almost 3 feet long into the roots of trees, so that often only the outward bark of the root is left. The outlet 
near the surface of the earth is covered with a hard web of silk and refuse. Before the metamorphosis it spins a 
silky cover exactly fitting into the opening. On lifting this cover one notices neither a larva nor a pupa, because 
the insect immediately disappears below on its being disturbed. Pupa almost just as mobile as the larva. The 
tree the roots of which it inhabits is called “Guzamillo" by the Mexicans (“magot-tree” in English), the Hepialid 
living in such great numbers in it. It emerges between 3 and 5 p. m. However common the larva is, yet the 
imago is but rarely found. Nearly all the specimens in the collections were bred. — An allied form from Mexico 
is: triangularides Pf. (100 c). Markings quite indistinctly brownish ochreous, rather unicoloured, without a silver triangulari- 
stigma. There are also intermediate forms between this form and triangularis with a slightly traceable triangular des - 
marking, and numerous transitions. — Of the form hubneri Geyer (= Pharmacis hubneri Him.) (100 c) I received hubneri. 
1 specimen with this label by Luck E Gehlen ; it is recognizable by the rosy red hair on the bases of the wings 
and of the abdomen. Forewing with golden stigmata in a brown triangle and at the apex. 122 mm. 1 specimen 
from Orizaba (Mexico), August 1909. This form is a transition to the following species: 
Ph. rosulentus Weym. Greyish brown, marbled by small short light grey transverse striae. 3 darker spots rosulentus. 
at the costa. Silvery markings at 1 b, at the cell-end, at veins 4, 6, 8 and 9. Hindwing pale rosy red at the base 
