AGNIBESA. By L. B. Prout. 
179 
H. subobliquaria Moore (16 g). This fairly common Sikkim species, more recently recorded from Ton- subobliqua- 
kin, occurs also on Omei-shan probably in a differentiable race, paler and with the lines more slender than 
in the typical form as here figured. But as both my specimens (collected respectively at 3500 and 11000 feet) 
are wasted I defer giving it a name. 
H. sericea Btlr., which is very similar in markings but much darker grey-brown, with the median line sericea. 
slender and accompanied distally by a faint grey shade, also belongs chiefly to the N. E. Himalayas, but I 
have before me a form or close relative: — pampesia subsp. (?) nov. (16 g). Ground-colour as in subobliqua- pampesia. 
ria, lines and grey shade almost as in sericea , all the lines of proximal area conspicuous, perhaps (as also the 
Bhodostrophiadike outer line) rather more sinuous. Kashmir Valley (Colonel Ward), 1 rf, 2 $$ in the Tring 
Museum. 
H. laetivirga Prout (16 h). Near subobliquaria, both wings with the midterminal angle rather sharper, laetivirga. 
Apart from the beautiful pink bands of the unique type (which may possibly prove inconstant, as in some 
Sterrhinae), it is further distinguishable from its nearest ally by the regularly curved antemedian and various 
differences in the outer lines, etc. Mt. Pehlinting, 6000 feet, 50 miles N.N.W. of Chengtu, 1 
H. sanguiniplaga Swinh. (Vol. 4, pi. 7 g). Various other localities in Szechuan are now known and I sanguini- 
received a short series in beautiful condition from Hpimaw Fort, Kachin Hills. Very constant. 
B. Hindwing with 3rd radial and 1st median stalked. 
H. nisaria Christ. (Vol. 4, pi. 13 e). The special characteristic of the venation has been brought out nisaria. 
in the sectionizing of the genus and was also emphasized in the differentiation of the very similar adesma 
(supra, p. 178, 16 g). Sterneck records the present species from Pekin. 
H. parvulata Stgr. (16 h). Structure as in nisaria, to which it is certainly very close, though the parvulata. 
darker median band, offset by broadened white outer band, gives it a much more variegated appearance. 
Sterneck records that Stotzner collected this together with the preceding at Pekin in July and there is 
perhaps a possibility that the two represent a single, strongly dimorphic species. A Noctuid, Parascotia 
cognata Stgr., which also occurs at Pekin, is superficially so similar that Sterneck thinks there is suggested 
a possible mimetic group which would embrace all three. I have a $ from Kwanhsien, Szechuan, which is 
a probable darker race of parvalata and a further race (?) from Upper Burma was described by me as enisaria. 
H. bicauliata Prout (Vol. 4, pi. 12 c). Not particularly close to the two preceding, probably an inde- bicaaliata. 
pendent development as regards the venation, but belonging to the present section. Actually it is even more 
specialized, for — as was noticed in the original description — the 1st median is here stalked in both wings. 
I have no fresh Palaearctic records, but a similar $ from Formosa has the same venation and is probably a 
subspecies. 
67a. Genus: Agni Siesa Moore. 
(See Vol. 4. p. 269.) 
Although no very constant structural distinctions have yet been found between this and Hydrelia I 
doubt whether their relationship is really very close. There are usually differences in the subcostal system of 
the forewing, but this is so variable in both genera that it is difficult, if not impossible, to reduce it to a rigid 
formula. In Agnibesa the areole is rather long and narrow, the first 4 subcostals long-stalked from its apex, 
while the 5th typically arises from near its apex, occasionally from the apex and very rarely even from the 
base of the stalk of the other four. In Hydrelia the areole is very variable in size and all 5 subcostals are 
very frequently stalked beyond it; but the 1st can also arise from the areole and though it is almost always 
the first to separate, the 5th isc ommonlv so little beyond it that it is possible — though exceedingly rare - 
for their relative positions to be reversed. Agnibesa consists of only 5 species, larger than ordinary Hydrelia, 
the S antenna almost simple; all are very similar in shape and facies, their distribution restricted to the N. E. 
Himalayas and the mountains of W. China. Two Asthena species (distinct-aria and albidaria Leech) which, on 
account of disarrangement in our national collection. Dr. Cockayne assumed to be Agnibesa, and in which 
he observed fluorescence, have of course nothing to do with the present genus; Agnibesa does not fluoresce. 
A. picfaria Moore is the type of the genus and was described from Darjiling. I doubt whether it pictaria. 
occurs in the Palaearctic Region, though it reaches Simla. — brevibasis subsp. nov. (16 h). I am somewhat brevibasis. 
surprised that I overlooked, in preparing Vol. 4, the quite evident racial distinctions of this form: subbasal patch 
of forewing shorter, postmedian blotch broader, cell-dots minute, etc. Ta-tsien-lu (type and others) and 
Wa-shan, ex coll. Leech; also in the Oberthur collection, various W. Chinese localities. 
A. recurvilineata Moore meroplyta subsp. nov. (= recurvilineata Leech ) (16 h). Dark lines weaker than meroplyta. 
in the Sikkim recurvilineata, especially on the forewing; postmedian of forewing more incurved at the fold, sub- 
terminal obsolete, except the costal dash. Type from Omei-shan, ex coll. Leech. Also known from Siao-lu. 
