LITHOCHARES; SARONAGA. By Dr. A. Seitz. 
187 
18 . Family: Cymatophoridae. 
Since the publication in June 1912 of Vol. 2 dealing with the palaearctic Cymatophoridae, numerous 
new forms have been described, but no fresh progress appears to have been made in regard to our knowledge 
as to their position in systematic classification. At all events nothing seems to have been published. The only 
distinguishing characteristic continues to be the neuration of the hindwings, the approximation of the costalis 
and subcostalis, which occasionally become closely contiguous. This however is no longer sufficient for a defini¬ 
tion and thus the Axia (Cimelia) and Epicimelia are separated from the other Cymatophoridae , whilst howev¬ 
er they are removed from the family, they are nevertheless left in the same position in the classificatory 
system. Meanwhile a peruvian moth has been discovered — Oiozona geometrica Draudt (Vol. 6, p. 1010, pi. 154 b) 
— which has the main characteristic in, to a certain measure, a more marked degree: the costal nervure 
fuses along quite a considerable stretch with the middle part of the subcostal. On the other hand this Genus 
shows in other ways so little agreement with the Cymatophoridae, that its inclusion does not appear justified. 
This discovery therefore does not help to throw much light on to the position of this familx in the classi- 
ficatory system. According to the larvae it would seem best to place same next to the Notodontidae. 
As mentioned in Vol. 2, p. 321—332, the position of the Genus Diloba was left open to doubt. Meanwhile the 
larva of the Axia has been discovered. It is comparable to the Diloha larva, but not to any known Cymato¬ 
phoridae larva; one assumes today that the Diloba larva would most naturally connect with certain Cucullia 
larvae; accordingly it would best be classified with the Noctuidae, even though its earlier interpolation among 
the Valeria or Apamea cannot be maintained. 
As in the case of the' Notodontidae, most of the Cymatophoridae newly described in the last 20 years 
emanate from the eastern regions of the palaearctic zone. 
Genus: Ijitliocliares Warr. 
This Genus is dealt with in Vol. 2, p. 321. It is based on the species maxima Leech-, Hoitlbert en¬ 
larged same further by grouping albibasis Hmps. (Vol. 10, p. 661) to same, which had formerly been placed 
under Palimpsestis. — Besides in 1921 the following new species was described: 
L. cinereofusca Houlb. Size and shape about like maxima (Vol. 2, p. 321, pi. 49 h), but the wings 
are not so pointed. Colouration similar, forewings dull olive brown, distinguishable by a white costal stiipe, 
that is abt. 2 mm wide and which commences immediately at the base and terminates befoie the apex. 
Hind wing darker at margin. Wing expanse 58 mm. Found in Yunnan, but in its northern part, fionr the thi- 
betan frontier and hence included in the palaearctic Part, although it certainly also occurs in tin India 
regions of China. It is to be mentioned that the original description of Houlbert does not cpute agree with 
the photographic picture. He mentions black transverse lines and small crescents, of which nothing can be 
detected on the photograph which is excellently clear and good. Form and general colouration especially of 
the hindwings seem to closely approach Sar. albicosta Mr. illustrated in Vol. 10, pi. 85 a, but flu regular white 
costal streak on forewings seems to differentiate same sufficiently. 
2. Genus: Saronaga Mr. 
S. oberthuri Houlb. Very close to Sar. albicosta (Vol. 10, pi. 85 a), so that it may be deemed to be 
an allied species or even a subspecies. It also resembles S. consimilis Warr. (\ ol. 2, p. 321, pi. 49 f), differing 
however by the more leadish white costal part of forewings and the lobulate central spot which is separated 
into two parts. It occurs in Yunnan, close to the palaearctic boundary and also in the Himalayas. Probably 
cinereofus¬ 
ca. 
oberthuri. 
