Publ. 2. VIII. 1933. 
DUOMITUS; COSSUS. By M. Gaede. 
241 
25. Family: Cossidae. 
1. Genus: Dtiomiliis Btl. 
This Genus is classified in Vol. 10, p. 813 and Vol. 14, p. 546 as Xyleutes Him., the type of which is 
strix Cr. Duomitus Btlr. is based on the species ceramica Wkr. = lignosa Btlr., which varies somewhat in the 
arrangement of the markings from strix (Vol. 10, pi. 97 b), but otherwise quite fits in with the Genus Xyleutes. 
When Hoitlbekt in his monograph regarding Duomitus states that same is entirely different from Xyleutes, 
this would seem to be an exaggeration, even when one considers that a specialist usually goes rather far in 
subdivision. One need have no compunction in combining the two Genera and it is all the easier to give the 
older name the preference, as all the species placed here are subdivided under so many generic names that even 
prescriptive rights will not be impinged. The american species, of which a few hitherto have been designated 
as Xyleutes, have been denominated since 1882 as Prionoxystus Grote, so that no misunderstanding can arise 
in that quarter. — Besides it must be remarked that Xyleutes-Duomitus would be better inserted before Azy- 
gophleps (Suppl. Vol. 2, p. 244) instead of right at the beginning. Apart from the arrangement of the markings, 
the similarity of Xyleutes and Azygophleps is so great, that Aitrivillius felt inclined to unite them. — The 
following experience with Xyleutes species may be of interest: Dr. Seitz when in India was presented with a 
number of X. leuconotus by some natives and these all soon went greasy in the paper covers. He then asked 
the Hindus to expise the contents of the abdomens and fill same with cotton wool before placing them in the 
papers and he showed them how to do this with a freshly killed specimen. Presently the natives brought him 
some boxes with living Xyleutes moths that were crawling about on the bottom of the boxes. On examination 
it proved that all the moths had been dealt with according to instructions, but without having first been killed, 
as it is contrary to native religious commandments to take the life of anything living! The natives evidently 
preferred to follow the precepts without regard to the suffering and cruelty involved, in a desire to carry out 
the instructions they had received. 
2. Genus: Cossus F. 
C. cossus L. (Vol. 2, p. 419, pi. 53 c). The dark Lapland form stygianus Stich. has long been known; cossus. 
the larvae feed in birch stems, subnigra 0. Schultz was bred from a larva found in Germany without indication 
as to the food plant. This form certainly differs from stygianus in that the segments of the abdomen have no 
pale edges. — nigra Dietze from Locarno is a sooty black, in contrast to the dusky dark brownish of stygianus-, nigra. 
collar and abdomen are velvety black, only the vertex retains a yellowish sheen. Subapical and discal areas 
of forewings are slightly paler whitish grey. No particulars are given of the hindwings. — aceris Griep w 7 as aceris. 
bred from larvae feeding in maple. Forewings very dusky. In central area there are quite a large number 
of olive green scales. Hindwings impure grey with few markings and fairly typical. — The author bred a moth 
from a larva feeding in a birch stem found at Frankfort on the Oder, which was exactly like stygianus. Pos¬ 
sibly subnigra had also fed on birch. — orientalis Gaede is darker and larger than stygianus. On forewings the orientalis. 
pale area of a normal cossus is generally discernible in its outer area from costa to lower end of disco-cellular 
nervure. A black line, that is very thick, proceeds from anal angle vertically to costa. Similarly there is the 
posterior part of a submarginal line. Hindwings very dark, only the base and partially also the cell are some¬ 
what paler. Underside scarcely darker than typical. 62—90 mm. N. Corea. — albescens Kitt from Albar- albescens. 
racin is partially suffused with white. On forewings apex and central costal zone are basally whitish grey. 
Also thorax has a whitish grey centre. The markings on the pale ground colour are distinct and clear. There 
is a faint resemblance to C. terebra. 
C. OSthelderi Daniel is like a small cossus L. with creamy white ground colour on both wings. Forewings osfhelderi. 
somewhat more truncate, the central area more profusely striated with black. In consequence of the pale 
ground colour all striations stand out more prominently, also on hindwings. Body is as pale as the wings, a 
black streak is indicated on collar, however there is no yellow band. Shaft of antennae is black, the long pectin¬ 
ations are white, £ 51—55 mm. N. Amanus. 
Supplementary Volume 2 
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