96 
PIERCTA. By L. B. Prout. 
of a normal CoUix. Described from “Central Africa" (by which Guenee always means Namaqualand!), but 
apparently very widely distributed from W. Africa to Zululand and Madagascar, though generally taken singly. 
psephcria. C. psepheiia Provt (10 g), from Sao Thome, is much like a darker foramhiata, the underside with the 
markings a little narrower anch weaker. In the darkest $$ the pale subterminal spots stand out almost as 
in flavipimcfa, thongh that of the hindwing is narrowed. Strncturally distinct from both the preceding in that 
the (J midtibia is scarcely dilated. 
20. Genus : Piercia Janse 
Face with appressed scales, a very slight cone at lower edge. Palpus moderate or rather long, 2nd joint 
heavily clothed. Antenna in ciliated, generally in fascicles (in bryojjhilaria and cidariata slenderly pectinate). 
Hindtibia in l)oth sexes Avith all spurs. Thorax with the posterior double tuft well developed; abdomen somewhat 
crested virtually throughout. Forewing with cell about discocellulars normal, areole double or single. 
Hindwing fairly ample (relatively larger than in Eupithecia): discocellulars oblique, often more or less biangulate, 
2nd radial abont central (in the perizomoides group somewhat before middle). 
Type of the genus; prasiwarm Warr. (Epirrlwe). 
This genus appears necessary for the reception of a number of species, chiefly African, which (on ac- 
coAint of their variable venation) have been dispersed between Coenotephria and Eupithecia, or quite doubt¬ 
fully placed. From Eupithecia, with which they share several superficial characters, they differ in shape and 
general habitus and especially in the genitalia, which lack most of the special features of that genus, in par¬ 
ticular the labides and the body-])late; the coremata, moreover, are on the 7th segment, the valve has a strongly 
differentiated costa and there are, at least generally, paired curved bristles or “hooks" arising from near its 
base or from the anellus. Hindwing weakly marked, not concolorous with foreAving. 
The nearest relatiA^es are the Indo-Australian Xenoclystia and Desuioclystia, biit at least one Indian 
sjiecies (rnononyssa Prout, described as Coenotephria) is a veritable Piercia. 
rrspondens. P* tespondens Prout (10 g). FAddently variable, but easily distinguishable from prasinaria by its 
longer AA'ings, paler liindAA’ing (Avith more biangulate discocellulars) differently shaped median band of foreAving 
and generally the paler and less degided green of the ground-coloAir. Areole doiible; antennal ciliation slightly 
longer than diameter of shaft. Capb ToAvai and Stellenbosch. 
prai,inaria. P* ptashiaria Warr. (10 h). It is not yet quite certain that the species whicli has subsequently been 
identified AA'ith this is absolutely the same as the original, AV'hich Ave here figure, unfortunately a rather small 
from Kilimandjaro; it might conceivably prove an aberration of the closely related and extremely Amriable 
subrujaria. The species AA^hich passes for prasinaria is locally abundant in Kenya Colony and reaches Nyasa 
and even, I belieAm, Barberton, Transvaal. Antennal ciliation about as in respondens, areole occasionally un¬ 
divided, discocellulars not or scarcely angulated. 
rhlorostola. P. chlorostola Hmpsn. (10 h). Imperfectly known, the fype being the only example yet received 
from RuAvenzori. I have suggested that it might ])05sibly be an aberi’ation of subrujaria, but do not think it 
probable; antenna similar, discocellulars of hindAving appreciably biangulate. The bright verdigris-green 
foreAA'ing has only a feAA^ scattered brown scales to dull it, the cell-dot obsolescent, the hindAving is pale AAoth 
a decided bnff tinge, thus intermediate betAveen those of prasinaria and subrujaria, thongh nearer to the former. 
Underside fairly AA^ell marked, but without the strong subterminal shade of subterlimbata and some prasinaria. 
A pair from Lake Mokoto district, N. W. Kivu, 5000—7500 feet (T. A. Barns) perhaps represent a smaller 
race, A\dth slightly more fleshy-tinted hindAving, but differ considerably on the forewing from one another and 
from the tyjAe; moreover the C the discocellulars scarcely biangulate, thus they may be subrujaria forms. 
suhriifaria. P. subrufaria Warr. (10 h). Confusingly similar to prasinaria. U ciliation 1'4; areole, so far as I knoAV, 
ahvays double, the dividing Avail rather strongly oblique; hindAving beneath more uniformly coloured, buff 
or broAvnish (in prasinaria paler proximally than distally). On an average smaller and Avith the forewing 
paler green, with narroAver central band, the cell-spot large, the discocelhdars of the hindAving perha]AS less 
strongly obliqrie. Kenya and ])erha])s Tanganyika Territory, excessively A'ariable, some aberrations shoAving 
much red-broAvn admixture. 
rittaia. P. vittata Janse. 28—30 mm. Palpus rostriform, fuscous-scaled. Antennal ciliation of U short. Ab¬ 
domen A\dth a metallic broAAm tuft of scales. ForeAving moss-green, Avith the markings fuscous, sulderminal 
line pale green, zigzag, typically Avith the “tAvin spots" at the radials fuscous-black; said to be distinguishable 
from that of prasinarm by the shape of the postmedian line, AA'hich arises at Y'S costa, is ill-defined in places, 
irregular, foreAAdng a small tooth at 1st radial and a longer one at 3rd radial, then incAirA^ed to beyond 23 hind- 
margin. HindAving “tilleul-buff", cell-spot present, the whole area proximal to the postmedian and distal to 
the sid)terminal tinged Avith pale drab, leaving a characteristic pale curved band betAveen. Durban and Im- 
])etyeni Forest. The areole of the forewing in simple; 2nd radial of hindAving about central. 
