SYNTOMIS. By Dr. M. Draudt. 
53 
3. Family: Syntomidae. 
We retain the name although Hampson latterly has introduced the name Amatidae. A great deal of 
attention has been given to this Family similarly to that of the Zygaenidae owing to the variation in the number 
of the spots. This has given us a host of names through which it is almost impossible to wade. It would of 
course have been better to introduce collective names, but unfortunately this has not been done. On the other 
hand through the conscientious studies of Turati a large number of genuine species have been discovered. 
Nevertheless it is- even to-day almost impossible to decide which is merely a form and which a species. Full 
recognition must be given to Turati for the thorough way in which he has produced a classification table of 
the Syntomis species with 2 yellow abdominal belts. Generally speaking we have followed the lines laid down 
by him. In consequence of this we have been forced to slightly alter the sequence of the species from that given 
in the main Volume. 
1. Genus: Syntomis 0. 
Turati has separated the palaearctic Syntomis with 2 yellow abdominal belts into 4 groups: 1. phegea 
group with small basal spot und larger preapical spot on the hindwings, 2. melanocera group with 2 equally 
large spots on hindwings, 3. marjana group with large basal and small or absent preapical spot and finally the 4. 
bactriana group in which the 2 spots on the hindwings are confluent forming a single large and often angular 
spot. For this reason we are classifying this group in a different sequence than in the main Volume. The spots 
of the forewings are counted as follows: spot 1 is the basal spot, spot 2 the one on the costa, spot 3 is the spot 
of the middle row that is situated on the inner margin, spot 4 is the apical spot, spots 5 and 6 the 2 spots 
below same situated at the outer margin. 
A. Species with 2 yellow abdominal belts. 
1. phegea group. 
S. phegea L. (Vol. 2, p. 38, pi. 9 a). "With the extraordinary variability in the number and size of the 
spots one cannot be surprised that a correspondingly large number of names have been given, that might mostly 
be dispensed with. At the same time a number of races have been created in which naturally a similar number 
of aberrations might claim attention. — repicta Trti. is the form in which the costal spot of the antemarginal 
row, i. e. spot 4, is divided into 2 spots. — septemmaculata Muller has the middle of the 3 outer spots, spot 5, 
subdivided in 2. — arcuata Trti. has the basal fore wing spot confluent with the inner marginal spot of the middle 
row, viz: spots 1 and 3. This aberration is shown in kruegeri as the illustration in Vol. 2, pi. 9 a. — fenestrata 
Ramme (Vol. 2, p. 444) has all spots increased in size and number. — semidiapliana Trti. is an extreme form 
where all spots of forewings are confluent. - ornata Skala also belongs to the repicta forms and exceeds 
fenestrata with supernumerary spots between Nos. 4 and 5 and below 6, as well as an increased number of 
spots on hindwings. — orbiculifera Zerny (= phegea ab. Hafn., punctulata Vorbr.) has an unusually largely 
developed costal spot 2 with a black spot. The latter form has frequently been found in Carniola and Switzer¬ 
land. — divisa Stdr. has the basal spot of hindwings divided. In contrast to the above, such forms with reduced 
number or size of spots have been named: — morsosignata Trti. (5 a) with 6 forewing spots but with only the 
small preapical spot on hindwings. — pfluemeri Wacq. (Vol. 2, p. 38, pi. 9 a) with obliterated spot 6 on forewings 
and frequently only one on hindwings, this form occurs as an aberration in all localities of the main form and 
in fact in certain regions, as in the Riviera, in the Tyrol, may be described as a race. It is more delicately built 
and smaller than the aberrative pfluemeri of other localities. Another 5 spotted form from Trieste is: — acelidota 
Galv. with basal spot absent. — phegeides Spada also has only 5 spots on forewings in the pattern of an inverted 
L '5’\ Here also the yellow collar mark is decidedly crescent shaped with the points towards the head; hindwings 
with 2 spots. — phegeus Esp. (Vol. 2, p. 38) has 4 spots on forewings, none on hindwings.— sexmaculata Gian. 
phegea. 
repicta. 
septem¬ 
maculata. 
arcuata. 
fenestrata. 
semi- 
diaphana. 
ornata. 
orbi¬ 
culifera. 
divisa. 
monosig- 
nata. 
pfluemeri. 
acelidota. 
phegeides. 
