HESPEROTHRIPA; GARELLA. By M. Gakijk. 
17!) 
Subfamily: Sarrothripinae. 
More than 50 partly very dissimilar genera are united in this subfamily containing far inore than 30U 
species; this number will increase yet considerably, if also the insignificant Moths resembling Microlepidoptera 
will be paid more attention to. Regarding the number of species known the Ethiopian Region containing 
about 70 species is not very prominent, yet it harbours the most imposing Sarrothripina: Eligrm laefepicta 
Oberth., a diurnal flyer of glaring colours, which, owing to its habitus, might be placed rather to the Agaristidae 
or Hijpsidae. 
The whole subfamily is entirely heterogeneous. On the whole, 4 types of Noctuids belonging to this 
subfamily can be distinguished: 1. the Sarrotliripus-gvowp containing mostly very small lepidoptera with broad 
wings; 2. t\ve Eligma-gvowp with large magnificently coloured species; 3. allied to them the Gadirtha-gvowp 
with very long subuliform palpi and a flat-shaped body as in the Eligma, but of only half their size at most 
and of a protective colour adapted to the bark of trees; 4. the Blenina-gronj) with a cylindrical body, very broad 
wings and an upper surface adapted to tree-trunks, especially to the lichens on them. The sidofamily abounds 
in species with accessory sexual marks on the wings; we frequently find on the lower surface scent-patches, 
transverse or longitudinal stripes of raised or modified scales, hair-pencils and hair-brushes, extensive finely 
pubescent areas on the hindwing, hairlocks below the base of the wing as in Gyrfothripa pusUla from the Gold 
Coast, pubescent woolly fringes on the inner margin of the hindwing as in the (])erhaps Ethiopian) Giaura re- 
pleiana Wkr., moreover differently scaled sectors on the hind wing beneath as in certain (Indian) Selepa; some¬ 
times also the hindwing shows a modified shape owing to indentations or notches on the distal margin, such 
as in the American Elaeognatha troctopera Sells, and Efanna. mackwoodi Hmps. from Colombo, or projecting 
lobes on the margin of the hindwing (in Diloptothripa lohata Hmps., Blenina angiiUpennis Mr. from Sikkim 
etc.). — The Sarrothripinae exhibit a similar individual variability as the Stictopjterinae; 25 names have been 
given to the various colourations of the typical species of the subfamily alone, Sarrothripus revayana Scop., 
10 different ones of which from the palaearctic region alone have been figured in Vol. Ill (pi. 53 d); about 
twenty forms of the Indian coffee-vermin Plofheia decrescens have been described by Walker and named as 
species, all of which can be observed in Ceylon at the same time and all of which, according to Hampson, 
belong together. 
In treating upon the Sarrothripinae, we must finally speak of another remarkable peculiarity which 
may be unique in the lepidopteral kingdom. An Eastern Asiatic species from the genus Gadirtha pupates on 
the trunks of trees by fixing a number of slightly convergent silk cords to the inside of the cocoon *). If the 
tree on which the cocoon is fastened is shaken, the pupa strikes a chitinous listle at the end of the abdomen 
rhythmically against this self-made harp backward and forward, producing a scratching sound similar to the 
chirping of a large cicada (Gaena maculata) numbers of which often abide on the tree. (Seitz.) 
Proboscis almost invariably normally developed. Palpi long, especially the third joint. Antennae 
mostly ciliated. Thorax mostly tuftless, abdomen with 1 or 2 tufts at the base. Tibiae without spines and 
claws. Porewing mostly narrow, the costal margin bent forward at the base. Erect scales frequently on the 
places of the ring-macula and reniform macula. The retinaculum of the ^ is transversely ringlet-shaped. 
Neuration as in the preceding subfamily. Veins 3 — 4 of hindwing often stalked, S farther fused rith the cell 
than usual. The larvae have all their feet. The pupation takes ])lace in a boat-shaped cocoon. The group 
contains about as many species as the two preceding ones together. 
1. Genus: Sesperothripa Hmps. 
Proboscis normal, jialpi thin, very erect. Abdomen with a basal tuft. Tibiae thinly haired. Wings 
broad. Veins 3—5 of the forewing near the lower cell-angle. 7 -f 3 + 9 stalked, without an areole. Veins 3 
and 5 of hindwing from the lower cell-angle, 4 absent, iS arising from the centre of the cell. Only 1 species is 
known. 
H. dicyma Hmps. is somewhat like Selepa viole.scens Hmps. (17 g) in its size and marking. Body and dicyma. 
forewing whitish greyish brown. Interior line oblique, black, slightly undulated. A fine streak at the cross¬ 
vein. Exterior line black, far outwards below the costal margin, parallel to the margin from veins 6—3. with 
a small inward point at vein 2. Submarginal line faded black, only recognizable in the central part. Hindwing 
brownish white. $ 18 mm. Sierra Leone. 
2. Genus: Oarella Wkr. 
Similar to the preceding genus. A short tuft also on the metathorax. Porewing with a small areole 
from the apex of which veins 7 -f 8 + !) and 10 arise. Veins 3 A a of hindwing stalked. 4 absent. Type: 
rotundipennis Wkr. from India. The two other species from Africa. 
*) The figure of such a harp cf. Phitouiolog. Kundschau. \'ol. 30. p. It. 
