fasciata. 
peitaihoen¬ 
sis. 
aksuensis. 
anal is. 
eburnea. 
increta. 
celator. 
138 HERSE; MEGANOTON; PSILOGRAMMA; PSEUDODOLBINA. By B. Gehlen. 
2. Genus: Herse OJcen. 
H. convolvuli L. (Vol. 2, p. 233, pi. 36 a). — ab. fasciata Pillich (mentioned in the original descrip¬ 
tion as “ Protoparce”) has wide, dentate blackish central bands on forewings. — subsp. peitaihoensis Clark from 
Pei-tai-ho, N. China. The usual sexual dimorphism of convolvuli is absent here. Both A and $ have white ground 
colour, on which the dark markings sharply contrast. — aksuensis 0. B.-H. <$. This subspecies from Aksu 
(Central Thien Shan) is remarkably pale, the fore wings are almost whitish grey with reddish stripes below the stig¬ 
ma; the 4 bands of hind wing distinct. $ grey-white. ( 'peitaihoensis and aksuensis appear to be identical; I have 
not seen specimens of them both.) 
3. Genus: Megauotoii Wkr. 
M. analis Flclr. (Vol. 2, p. 234, pi. 36 c). The following is now known regarding the early stages (accord¬ 
ing to Mell): Ova yellowish, glossy and relatively very small. The monophagous larva (food plant: Sassa¬ 
fras Tzumu Hemsl.) is monochrome green, each segment with a belt of yellowish short conical humps; 10th 
segment below the oblique stripe and entire 11th segment smooth, no humps, abdominal fold and claspers 
with dense, large conical humps of pale brownish colouration. Only the 7th oblique stripe is present, it is 
widely pale yellow and extends to the horn. This is the only marking. — Pupa dark brown, slightly glossy, 
the sheaths of the limbs are. not dilated. Cremaster bold, conical, ending in a short, glossy bifurcated tip. 
4. Genus: fiNilograiiima R.&J. 
P. menephron Cr. (Vol. 2, p. 234 and Vol. 10, pi. 60 d). Of this very variable species Gloss has denom¬ 
inated an extreme aberration ab. eburnea. The pale spots of forewings are extended forming 2 heavy yel¬ 
lowish white dentate bands, of which the outer one expands forming a large patch of the same colour. Hind- 
wings with yellow costa and large yellow anal spot. W. China. 
P. isiereta Wkr. (Vol. 2, p. 234, pi. 36 b). In Vol. 2 Dr. Jordan enumerated increta as a subspecies 
of menephron. Mell, with abundant material available, has been able to ascertain *), that increta is a separate 
species and says: the m a i n food plants of the larvae of the two species are different. The larvae can be 
differentiated after the 2nd moult. In breeding the two species at the same time hybridism did not occur, 
although 6 copulae took place in one night and 30 in a fortnight. The imago differs as follows: menephron 
has breast and underside of abdomen heavily intermixed with grey scales. Forewings generally with whitish 
markings in postdiscal area. P. increta is smaller. Underside of body as far as and including 5th segment, 
white. Forewings without whitish markings, but discal streaks more pronounced. Proboscis shorter. — Accord¬ 
ing to Mell the Psilogramma-^ when excited emits a clear chirping tone, which is in higher key and less 
loud than that of the Acherontia. This sound is not created by the tongue case, which is not moved during 
the stridulation, but through active, lateral, sideways movements of the anal segment; if one holds this 
tight, the chirping ceases. AS that were encircling the $$ prior to copulation emit the stridulation sound. 
It does not appear to be a defensive measure: Mell observed giant toads, birds and bats making a meal 
of chirping Psilogramma ! — Ova relatively small, pale watery green in colour. They are deposited singly 
on the underside of young leaves and shoots. Differences between the two species not discernible. — The 
larvae of the two species differ as follows: P. menephron is always of green colour, cones on abdominal fold 
and claspers green, broad and not numerous; centre of stigmata narrowly black, edge simple; pupa colour- 
ation dull, impure brown. P. increta : colour of body green or heavily brown mottled; cones on abdominal 
fold and claspers smaller and more numerous, the tips dark, centre of stigmata wide, edge double; pupa co¬ 
louration glossy lilac brown. — It is very difficult to induce the depositing of ova in captivity. Mell had 
abundant material and every possible facility but had scarcely any success. Only one $ deposited, but it laid 
only 8 ova, which collapsed already the following day. 
4. (bis) Genus: l*semloclolMna Rothscli. 
The Genus has hitherto only been dealt in Vol. 10, p. 530, as it was not until 1926 that a subspec¬ 
ies of the two known species was ascertained on palaearctic territory. The rather small moths remind one 
of the american Genus Dolba. The 1st hind tarsal joint is shorter than the tibia and is not longer than 
the 2nd to 5th tarsal joints together. Aedagus with a single long and pointed spur which is directed towards 
the right. 
Ps. fo Wkr. (Vol. 10, p. 530, pi. 60 e). — subsp. celator Jord. can only be differentiated from the 
main type form by the harpe of the C which has a spur near the apex ventrally, which can vary in size. 
*) Fauna Sinica II, 1922. 
