Ethmia

Ethmia delliella.–Powell, 1959 (not Fernald, 1891):150

A Mexican species of the delliella group, having broad, entire bands on the forewing, the median of which lacks the outward projecting spur, and having no hindwing costal hair pencil in the male.

MALE.–Length of forewing 9.2 mm. As described for E. delliella, differing as follows. Head: Labial palpus slightly longer, second segment length about 1.15–1.20 eye diameter. Thorax: Ochreous on legs more extensive. Forewing: Slightly broader than in delliella, length about 3.0–3.1 times width. Markings metallic blue, pattern similar to delliella, markings broader: first band, near base from costa to just above dorsum; second and third bands broad (width about one-half eye diameter), complete from costa to dorsum, only slightly curved outward toward middle, outward projecting spur in cell from third band, lacking or represented by a small isolated spot; fourth band complete or broken just below broad connecting spur to fifth band, latter complete or broken above connecting spur; submarginal dots reduced to about six, very small. Marginal band more extensive, broader and extending beyond tornus, and darker ochreous than on delliella. Fringe grayish, pale ochreous basally. Hindwing: Costal brush lacking. Abdomen: Genitalia as in Figure 85 (drawn from allotype, JAP prep. no. 351; one preparation examined); uncus rather broad, its length about 1.1 times width; basal process rather short, its length about 1.2 times uncus length, constricted near middle; valva with costal area drawn out into a projecting lobe.

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 9.8–10.0 mm. As described for male; antenna not dilated. Genitalia not examined.

TYPES.–Holotype female and allotype male: Mexico, 20 miles east of El Camaron, Oaxaca, August 7, 1956 (D. D. Linsdale); deposited in California Academy of Sciences. One paratype: Female, same data, in California Insect Survey.

Ethmia clarkei Powell, new species

A small shiny moth with white forewings having metallic blue spots and an ochreous terminal band; from an island off the coast of Quintana Roo.

MALE.–Length of forewing 8.0 mm. Head: Labial palpus rather short, not strongly curved; second segment slightly curved, length about 1.1 times eye diameter; third segment straight, about 0.7 as long as second; smooth scaled, white, second segment becoming dark brown apically. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.22 eye diameter; scaled dorsally, white near base, brown distally. Scaling of tongue, front, crown, and tufts of occipital margin white. Thorax: Pronotal scaling white; two wide metallic blue spots between tegulae, a second pair at sides of scutellum. Underside shining white; legs exteriorly ochreous at base, becoming dark brownish distally; metathoracic leg mostly white with dark segmental bands, tibial fringe rather reduced, grayish white. Forewing: Length about 3.3 times width; costa slightly curved from base to apex; termen not strongly angled back, slightly concave, tornal angle well developed, tornal fringe broad; wing rectangular in appearance. Ground color shining white; costa at base dark brown; remainder of wing checkered with isolated, metallic blue spots of varying sizes and shapes, more concentrated near base and in dorsal area, those of terminal area smaller; terminal margin with an ochreous band from just before apex to just above tornus. Fringe pale brownish, white at tornus. Underside pale brownish, paler toward dorsum; fringe whitish in apical and tornal areas; ochreous terminal band faintly reproduced. Hindwing: Broader than forewing; costal hair pencil from base, elongate, pale ochreous; costal margin excavate toward apex, latter narrow, termen slightly concave below apex, strongly angled back, tornal angle scarcely discernible. Fringe rather broad, about one-fourth membrane width. Ground color white, tinged with ochreous in costal area; apical area irregularly brownish. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling of second segment ochreous, of other segments brownish with paler caudal bands; of underside whitish; genital scaling ochreous. Genitalia as in Figure 86 (drawn from holotype, JAP prep. no. 1229; one preparation examined); very similar to E. delliella, differing by a slightly broader uncus, width 1.1 times length, and by slightly broader valvae with the distal notch broader.

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 8.1 mm. Essentially as described for male, differing as follows. Antenna not dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.15 eye diameter (eye about as large as in male). Forewing markings reduced, metallic blue spots smaller, ochreous terminal band smaller and paler. Hindwing costal area simple. Abdomen less distinctly marked, ochreous of second tergite reduced, less well defined; genital scaling pale tan. Genitalia not examined.

TYPES.–Holotype male and allotype female: Mexico, Quintana Roo, Isla de Mujeres (near Puerto Juarez), March 29, 1960 (J. F. G. Clarke; Bredin Expedition); deposited in U.S. National Museum.

Ethmia subsimilis Walsingham

Ethmia subsimilis Walsingham, 1897:89.–Busck, 1934:166, figures [biology].

A rather small Antillean moth having whitish gray forewings marked with numerous bluish gray spots.

MALE.–Length of forewing 7.5–8.4 mm. Head: Labial palpus rather short, strongly upcurved, not reaching base of antenna; second segment curved, length 1.0 eye diameter; third segment slightly curved, 0.80–0.85 as long as second; smooth scaled, whitish, with intermixed brownish, which forms a spot at apex of second segment. Antenna only slightly dilated, width of shaft near base about 0.20 eye diameter; densely scaled above, white at base, becoming shining gray distally, scape with a dark spot above. Scaling of front and crown appressed, occipital tufts only slightly spreading, white, an ill-defined gray band or pair of spots on front. Thorax: Pronotal scaling white, tinged with pale gray, base of collar and large paired spots between tegulae and at sides of scutellum steel gray. Underside shining white including legs; prothoracic tibia and tarsi mostly, mesothoracic and metathoracic tibiae and tarsi spotted exteriorly with dark brown reflecting steel blue; hind tibial fringe elongate, conspicuous, white. Forewing: Moderately broad, length 3.1–3.2 times width; costa curve slightly flattened beyond middle, apex blunt, termen only slightly angled back, tornal angle well developed, fringe broad, giving truncate appearance. Ground color pale whitish gray, becoming dull gray with age, the whitish scaling apparently easily lost. Markings shining steel blue, sharply contrasting on freshly emerged specimens, becoming dull steel gray and ill-defined with age, as follows: about five small, distinct spots near base, at base of costa, in cell and two in dorsal area; numerous separate or more or less coalesced spots tending to form two parallel, outwardly angled, transverse bands at times becoming obsolete toward costa; about six darker and more distinct spots parallel to but preceding margin. A row of bronzy scales at base of fringe; latter gray. Underside brown; whitish blotches along costa and at dorsum. Hindwing: Slightly broader than forewing; costal hair pencil well developed, partially enclosed in a costal fold, pale whitish ochreous; costa slightly excavate toward apex, latter acute, termen strongly angled back, broadly curved to dorsum, tornal angle scarcely discernible. Ground color whitish, becoming pale brownish or dark brown toward apex. Fringe white. Underside whitish, brownish along costal and apical areas. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling brownish, segments with pale caudal margins; underside paler; genital scaling shining whitish tan. Genitalia as in Figure 87 (drawn from plesiotype, Sierra Maestra, Cuba, AB Slide September 27, 1931; four preparations examined); very similar to E. delliella, differing by a slightly narrower gnathos and slightly deeper notch on distal margin of valva.

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 7.7–9.7 mm. Essentially as described for male, samples available too limited to define sexual dichromatism. Antenna not dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.75 that of male. Costal brush of hindwing lacking. Wing markings variable as in male; one specimen with a conspicuous angulate bar from dorsum well before tornus toward apex, ending in cell (this marking usually narrower and less distinct). Hindwing not darker than male. Genitalia very similar to E. delliella, sterigmal plate somewhat simpler, without rugosity subtending the ostium (two preparations examined).

TYPE DATA.–West Indies, Jamaica, VII–17 (Cockerell); type male in British Museum. A specimen of E. abraxasella with the same data bears additional information: “Institute of Jamaica, Kingston, 1891.”

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.–Jamaica and Cuba (Sierra Maestra; Portland Parish; Santiago).

FLIGHT PERIOD.–January and February (Cuba); April, July, September (Jamaica).

FOOD PLANT.–A specimen from Santiago is labeled “Feeding on leaves of Cabo-Hacha,” a plant reported by Busck (1934) and Bruner, et al. (1945) to be Trichilia hirta L. (Meliaceae).

REMARKS.–Specimens from Cuba differ in appearance from Jamaican ones, but the small numbers of both available limit conclusions. The variation in forewing pattern exhibited by reared and nonreared Cuban examples is greater than that among nonreared Cuban and Jamaican material. Male genitalia from Jamaica show a slightly broader posterior lobe of the valva and slightly smaller spines of the posterior part of the gnathos. Examination of additional material will be necessary to define species or subspecies in the entities here referred to as subsimilis and E. kirbyi.

Ethmia kirbyi (Moeschler)

Psecadia kirbyi Moeschler, 1890:341.–Walsingham, 1892:528, 546.

Ethmia kirbyi.–Walsingham, 1897:91.–Wolcott, 1923:204.–Forbes, 1930:133.

A moderately small Antillean Ethmia, having whitish forewings with broad costal and dorsal gray-brown markings.

MALE.–Length of forewing 8.1–8.4 mm. Head: Labial palpus strongly upcurved, slightly exceeding antennal base; second segment curved, length 1.1–1.2 times eye diameter; third segment slightly bent, 0.7 as long as second; smooth scaled, white, a brown spot at apex of second segment. Antenna only slightly dilated, width of shaft near base 0.20 eye diameter, densely scaled dorsally, white basally, becoming pale brownish distally. Scaling of front, crown, and tufts of occipital margin appressed, white. Thorax: Dorsal scaling white; broad, black, faintly metallic, paired spots at bases of tegulae, between tegulae and at sides of scutellum. Underside white; prothoracic leg mostly, metathoracic tibia and tarsi spotted with dark brown; hind tarsi spotted with pale brown, tibial fringe moderately large, white. Forewing: Length about 3.2 times width; costa curve slightly flattened beyond middle; apex blunt, termen not strongly angled back, tornal angle well developed, fringe broad, giving truncate appearance to wing. Ground color white; gray-brown markings as follows: three or four small roundish spots near base, the two central ones tinged with metallic bluish; a broad, more or less complete blotch on middle half of costa extending into cell, and an opposing one on dorsum, both variably interrupted by spots of ground color, and separated by a median longitudinal streak of ground color which is upcurved to costa at basal one-fourth and before apex; terminal area with some scattered brownish gray marks and a submarginal row of about six roundish spots tinged with metallic blue. A narrow terminal band of golden ochreous. Fringe gray-brown with a basal row of white scales adjoining the ochreous terminal band. Underside pale brownish; costa whitish at middle and toward apex. Hindwing: About as broad as forewing; costal hair pencil narrow, pale whitish ochreous, arising from, but not enclosed in, a thin, subcostal pinch fold; costa slightly excavate toward apex, termen moderately strongly angled back, tornal angle discernible. Ground color white, becoming brownish toward apex. Fringe narrow, white. Underside white, indistinctly brownish along costa. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling pale brownish; distal segments with whitish caudal bands; underside and genital scaling shining whitish. Genitalia very similar to E. delliella, virtually indistinguishable from E. subsimilis (Figure 87) (two preparations examined).

MAP 33.–Geographical distribution of members of the Kirbyi group of Ethmia.

E. kirbyi (Moeschler) E. subsimilis Walsingham

FEMALE.–Not studied. In the original description, Moeschler mentions that the golden terminal band is lacking from a female, but it is present, darker than in male, on a recently collected female at U.S. National Museum.

TYPE DATA.–Porto Rico; types in Moeschler collection.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.–Haiti (Port au Prince) and Puerto Rico (Coamo Springs; Peñon Collao, Salinas; Mayaguea).

FLIGHT PERIOD.–February (Haiti), April, August (Puerto Rico).

FOOD PLANT.–Unknown.

Ethmia bittenella (Busck)

Tamarrha bittenella Busck, 1906b:730.–Barnes and Busck, 1920, pls. 26, 36.

Ethmia bittenella.–Meyrick, 1914:28.–Heinrich, 1921:819 [biology].–McDunnough, 1939:83.

A moderately small moth in Texas and Mexico, having a white forewing, with a dark costa, scattered black dots, and an ochreous marginal band.

MAP 34.–Geographical distribution of Ethmia bittenella (Busck).

MALE.–Length of forewing 7.4–9.2 mm. Head: Labial palpus upcurved, short, not reaching base of antenna; second segment length 1.0 eye diameter; third segment about 0.8 as long as second; smooth scaled, white, some scattered brownish scaling exteriorly, especially on second segment distally. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft basally 0.20 eye diameter. Scaling of front and crown smooth, and of occipital margin tufts, white. Thorax: Pronotal scaling white; paired large spots, black, reflecting metallic blue, between tegulae and on scutellum. Underside whitish; legs bright ochreous basally, tibiae and tarsi banded with dark brown; hind tibial fringe whitish. Forewing: Length about 3.3–3.4 times width; costa slightly curved from base to apex, latter blunt, termen moderately strongly angled back, slightly concave; tornus evident, its fringe broad, wing rather truncate in appearance. Ground color white, markings blackish brown, those longitudinally through middle of wing reflecting metallic blue, as follows: costa from base nearly to apex, broadly along middle area, paler than other markings; a round spot in dorsal area near base, followed at basal one-fourth on dorsum by oblique bar, a spot in cell above latter; a roundish spot on dorsum at one-third followed by an elongate blotch along dorsum, a U- or V-shaped mark just above latter, its apex toward base, reaching just into cell, followed by an indistinct spot just beyond its distal, open end; a larger roundish spot at tornus; about six somewhat variable spots in terminal area, at outer, lower edge of costal brownish and end of cell; at times two or three elongate blotches in cell adjoining costal brown; an irregular submarginal streak preceding a distinct, dark ochreous marginal band, from before apex nearly to tornus, becoming brown at latter. Fringe brown with a distinct, white basal band. Underside yellow-brown clouded with brownish; markings of upper side showing through, marginal ochreous not reproduced. Hindwing: About as broad as forewing; costa dorsally with thick ochreous hair pencil from base to end of cell; costa not folded, excavate toward apex, latter narrow, termen strongly angled back, tornal angle evident. Whitish basally, becoming pale brownish on apical half; costal area under hair pencil brown. Fringe white. Underside similar, brownish more restricted. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling brownish, second segment pale ochreous; segments laterally and ventrally whitish, leaving a thin, brown line down middle of venter; genital scaling whitish ochreous above, darker ochreous below. Genitalia as in Figure 88 (drawn from cotype, JAP prep. no. 1538; three preparations examined); uncus short; basal processes short; valva large in relation to tegumen, with apical notch small; vesica with small spurs.

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 9.0–9.6 mm. Essentially as described for male, evidently consistently larger and more heavily marked. Antenna not dilated. Hindwing costal area simple. Forewing markings as on male but all larger relative to size of wing; spot beyond the V-shaped one conspicuous, at times almost coalescing with the broadened V; elongate blotches in cell adjoining costal brown well developed. Terminal ochreous band darker, deep burnished gold. Abdomen color, including ochreous second segment, same as in male. Genitalia as in Figure 209 (drawn from plesiotype, Culiacan, Sinaloa, JAP prep. no. 2731; two preparations examined); sterigma plate deep, hoodlike, surrounding ostium, posteriorly with fine spines; ductus unsclerotized, with five or six loose coils; signum as in E. delliella.

TYPE DATA.–Brownsville, Texas (Barber), “June”; the type female in U.S. National Museum bears the additional data “29–5–04” and “in copula.”

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.–Southern Texas (Victoria) to southern and central Mexico (Chiapas; Rio Balsas, Guerrero) and thence northward along the west coast to Sinaloa (Mazatlan, Culiacan) and Sonora (Alamos).

FLIGHT PERIOD.–February, March, May, June, and November (Texas); late June to August (Sonora and Sinaloa).

FOOD PLANT.–Heinrich (1921) reported that two pupae were collected in galleries in stems of Pseudabutilon (=Wissadula) lozani (Rose) (Malvaceae) at Brownsville. In view of known food plant and pupation site preferences in the genus, this record may represent a pupation site only. A specimen in the U.S. National Museum from Victoria, Texas, is labeled “larva from Anachua, IV–2–08, pupa IV–7–08”; specimens of E. delliella and E. semiombra are similarly labeled, “Anacua” or “Anagua,” and these records are believed to refer to Ehretia anacua (=elliptica de Candollé) (Boraginaceae).

REMARKS.–A female of E. bittenella labeled “Vulkan Colima” in the Bavarian States Museum is somewhat darker, with the spots slightly broader, than extreme specimens from Texas.

The Mulleri Group

Eye small, index not comparable with other species owing to extraordinary head shape, crown produced in a large knob, front compressed, shorter than normal. Labial palpus moderately short, smooth scaled. Antenna of male not dilated. Forewing narrow; pattern white with longitudinal spots. Hindwing of male with double costal brush and pinch fold. Abdomen I-II terga with specialized scaling. Uncus hoodlike; gnathos dentate anteriorly and posteriorly; basal processes membranous narrow; valva with distal notch; fultura-manica simple; vesica armed. Female unknown.

A single species in Mexico which has strongest phenetic similarity with the Cypraeella group.

Ethmia mulleri Busck

Ethmia mulleri Busck, 1910a:212; 1914c:55,56.–Meyrick, 1914:30.

Ethmia mülleri (error) Busck, 1912:84.–Walsingham, 1912: 146, pl. 5, fig. 10.

A Mexican species, superficially similar to E. proximella but having fewer spots on a narrower forewing and hindwing costal fold over one brush and a second, exposed, enlarged brush; the crown is produced, with huge lateral tufts.

MALE.–Length of forewing 9.7–10.4 mm. Head: Labial palpus thin, porrect; basal segment curved, second segment nearly straight, length 1.1–1.2 times diameter of the small eye (eye diameter 0.7–0.9 that of comparable sized Ethmia species); third segment straight, short, about 0.5 the length of second; smooth scaled, ochreous basally, becoming dark brownish apically. Antenna not dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.15 eye diameter; scaling pale grayish. Scaling of proboscis ochreous of front roughened silvery white; crown produced into a conspicuous knob, scaling rough, shining white, with enlarged, dense, lateral tufts above antennae caplike over scapes, dark gray-brown. Thorax: Pronotal scaling white; scutellum with lateral black spots. Underside pale ochreous; prothoracic leg ochreous basally, becoming dark brown, tibia with a broad brushlike fringe directed mesad; mesothoracic leg ochreous, becoming pale brownish; metathoracic leg whitish ochreous, tibial fringe rather sparse. Forewing: Narrow, length 4.1–4.3 times width; costa very slightly curved, straight beyond middle, termen rather strongly angled back, to curve into dorsal margin at about middle, resulting in narrowed aspect of distal half of wing. Ground color white; costal area above cell gray-brown, tapered, ending before apex. Seven black spots (possibly reflecting blue on fresh examples): one at base; a pair above and below lower fold at basal one-fourth; a pair at about middle, one in cell adjoining costal gray-brown and one just basad and below fold; a pair just beyond end of cell, parallel to preceding pair. Six conspicuous black dots along terminal margin. Fringe white. Underside pale brownish; irregularly blotched with whitish beyond end of cell; costa with a conspicuous fringe directed toward middle of wing. Hindwing: Broader than forewing; costa with a large dense, dark ochreous scale brush extending to end of cell, subtended by a second brush enclosed in fold over costal half of cell; costa excavate toward apex, termen strongly angled back, tornus not discernible, dorsum concave before anal angle. Ground color pale brownish, darker under costal brush. Fringe whitish. Underside similar, distal area broadly dark gray-brown. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling of first two segments pale ochreous, of succeeding segments and underside tan; genital scaling ochreous-tan. Genitalia as in Figure 89 (drawn from plesiotopotype, JAP prep. no. 1096; two preparations examined); uncus notched as in Albitogata and Cypraeella groups; posterior gnathos with dense, fine spines; anterior gnathos with lateral lobes, weakly dentate on sides; basal processes short; valva modified, unlike any other member of the genus.

FEMALE.–Unknown.

TYPE DATA.–Tehuacan, Puebla, Mexico, July, September (R. Miiller); type male in U.S. National Museum.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.–Known only from the type locality.

FLIGHT PERIOD.–May, July, August, September.

FOOD PLANT.–Unknown.

REMARKS.–Ethmia mulleri exhibits some characters which are unique among New World members of the genus: the porrect labial palpus, bulging crown with lateral tufts, and narrowed forewing in distal half. It will be interesting to find whether the female shares some of these features. Even if none of these prove to be exclusive male traits, inclusion of the species in Ethmia is warranted according to present concepts, by the typical uncus, gnathos, and basic valva shapes.

The Cypraeella Group

Eye index 0.9–1.0. Maxillary palpus small to large, three or four segments, distal one reduced or elongated. Labial palpus moderately short to extremely elongate, II segment index 1.0–1.9; smooth scaled. Antenna of male not dilated to moderately dilated, index 0.19–0.25. Forewing moderately broad; pattern usually dorsal blotch, markings metallic. Hindwing of male with costal area unmodified or with hair pencil enclosed in pinch fold (rarely costal fold). Abdomen usually with genital scaling ochreous and scaling of I-II terga specialized. Uncus hoodlike; gnathos dentate posteriorly, usually not developed anteriorly; basal processes membranous, narrow, sometimes weakly ridged; valva with distal notch or simple; fultura-manica usually strongly armed; vesica usually simple. Papillae anales heavily sclerotized, setate; posterior apophyses not elongate; anterior apophyses narrow, usually short, sterigma ornate with lateral lobes or simple; antrum usually enlarged with sclerotized band; ductus bursae membranous or partly sclerotized with 5–8 tight or loose coils; signum a dentate bar or short or long dentate keel.

This is a somewhat diverse assemblage of 20 nocturnal yet brightly colored species. The group is widespread in the Neotropical Region, and includes three fairly distinct subgroups according to features of male genitalia, but overall phenetic similarity values indicate no strong clustering within the array. Genitalic similarities to species in the Oriental Region suggest this group may be a component of a pantropical group, perhaps with New World derivatives.

Ethmia proximella Busck

Ethmia [paucella (Walker)]; Kimball 1965:286

A small, gray Caribbean moth that looks like a pale edition of E. linda with an additional spot in the costal area beyond the middle. Subsequent to writing the following description on the basis of two females from Puerto Rico, I received examples which appear to be conspecific, from the Florida Keys, upon which the male is characterized.

MALE.–Length of forewing 5.6–5.7 mm. Head: Labial palpus elongate, strongly curved, well exceeding base of antenna; length of second segment 1.1 times eye diameter; third segment curved, 1.1 as long as second (1.25 times eye diameter). Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.22 eye diameter. General coloration as described for female, ground color of forewing at times less broadly tinged with grayish. Hindwing: Costa narrowly folded to about middle, enclosing a thick, dark gray hair pencil. Ground color slightly paler than in female, whitish near base, becoming brownish distally. Abdomen: Genitalia virtually indistinguishable from E. humilis (Figure 128; one preparation of julia examined).

FEMALE.—Length of forewing 5.8–6.4 mm. Head: Labial palpus greatly elongate, strongly curved, well exceeding crown; second segment length 1.2 times eye diameter (eye smaller than in male); third segment strongly curved, 1.3 times length of second (over 1.5 times eye diameter); smooth scaled, white, a broad, dark brown subapical band on third segment. Antenna not dilated, width of shaft about 0.9 that of male; dorsal scaling whitish. Scaling of tongue, front, and crown white, occipital tuft with a small brown spot at middorsum. Thorax: White, notum with two pairs of dark brown spots, adjoining apices of tegulae and at sides of scutellum, the latter pair nearly fused. Underside white, fore and midtibiae and tarsi marked exteriorly with brown. Forewing: Length 3.0–3.1 times width; costa very gently curved, almost straight towards middle, apex rather blunt, termen not strongly angled back. Ground color white, tinged with pale brownish gray in costal area, more broadly so towards end of cell and less conspicuously so over remainder of wing, or evenly over whole wing. Markings round, blackish dots, more or less uniform in size (about 0.6 eye diameter) and spacing; pattern as in E. linda, with an additional spot just above cell beyond middle: one spot at base of costa, continued along extreme costal edge to another spot at basal one-fourth, a row of three dots, upwardly oblique from dorsal area at basal one-fifth, toward midcosta, the first below Cu, followed by two in cell; a second, almost parallel row of four spots from dorsal area at basal one-third to costa before apex, the first just above dorsal margin, second adjoining Cu before end of cell, third adjoining end of cell, fourth before apex; a single spot, largest of the wing, in tornal area, and a large, somewhat elongate one just below and beyond subapical one; a row of dots around terminal margin to above tornus. Each dot accented by a border of white. Fringe white with a brownish tinge below apex. Underside pale brown, a whitish area in cell beyond retinaculum. Hindwing: Costal area simple, costa slightly convex before apex, latter rather blunt, termen only moderately strongly angled back. Ground color translucent white, becoming brownish distally; fringe white becoming brownish toward apex. Underside irregularly blotched with brownish. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling pale ochreous-gray, ventral white. Genitalia indistinguishable from that of E. humilis (Figure 249).

MAP 51.—Geographical distribution of members of the Confusella and Joviella groups of Ethmia, superficially similar, allopatric species which form a circum-Caribbean ring.

E. linda Busck E. joviella Walsingham E. julia Powell E. humilis Powell

TYPES.–Holotype female: Puerto Rico, Isabela Substation, April 24, 1930 (Cornell University Lot. 795, Sub 41). One paratype female: Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, September 21, 1930 (no further data). Both deposited in Cornell University collection. Additional specimens subsequently examined, from Florida: Monroe County: Key Largo, 1♂, X–7–65, 1♀, VI–28–66, 2♂, 3♀, VII–12 to VIII–18–67, 1♀, “11/2/67” (Mrs. S. Kemp); Tavernier, 1♀, IX–14–55 (J. N. Todd); Plantation Key, 1♀, IV–8–66 (C. P. Kimball collection); not designated as paratypes. The present species resembles E. linda and joviella but bears additional forewing spots and has paler hindwings. In addition, the greatly elongated third segment of the labial palpus serves to distinguish E. julia from any related species I have seen.

REMARKS.–The holotype bears a label in Busck’s handwriting stating that the species could not be matched in Meyrick’s collection in 1932. The paratype has labels in Forbes’ hand indicating that the specimen was compared with the type of E. joviella and it differed by the above mentioned features and that the British Museum has a specimen of the present species from the Bahamas determined as E. joviella.

Ethmia humilis Powell, new species

A small, nondescript tan moth in Jamaica.

MALE.–Length of forewing 5.4 mm. Head: Labial palpus greatly elongate, strongly curved, exceeding crown; second segment length 1.25 eye diameter; third segment curved, as long as second; smooth scaled, whitish or pale tan. Antenna slightly dilated, width near base 0.19 eye diameter; dorsal scaling sparse, tan. Scaling of tongue, front, and crown whitish, tinged with tan. Thorax: Dorsal scaling concolorous with head; underside whitish; protarsi and mesotarsi indistinctly mottled with brown. Forewing: Length 3.2 times width; costa nearly straight along middle one-third; apex blunt, termen only moderately angled back. Ground color tan with some scarcely discernible slightly darker spots which in part indicate the pattern shown by E. julia: two or three above Cu fold before middle, one in dorsal area at basal one-fourth, one at end of cell and one just below and beyond; a row of darker, more distinct dots around terminal margin, fringe tan. Underside brownish gray, darker than upperside. Hindwing: Narrower than forewing, costa with a tightly appressed fold to end of cell, slightly convex beyond; apex acute, termen moderately strongly angled back. Ground color whitish, slightly tinged with brownish distally; fringe white. Underside similar, costal area brownish. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling pale grayish tan, ventral and genital whitish. Genitalia as in Figure 128 (drawn from holotype, JAP. prep. no. 1312; one preparation examined); uncus lacking, basal processes very reduced; valva with broad setose apical flap bearing short “plume,” and distally with three curved, strong, large setae, valva emarginate below; vesica with a series of flat spinelike cornuti.

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 6.3 to 6.7 mm. As described for male; labial palpus slightly more elongate than in male, second segment 1.3–1.4 times eye diameter, third 1.0–1.1 as long as second, antenna not dilated, width of shaft about 0.15 eye diameter. Forewing markings ranging to more distinct than male in the limited sample available. Hindwing costal area simple. Genitalia as in Figure 249 (drawn from paratype, JAP prep. no. 2556; one preparation examined); sterigma simple, subtended by a short, sclerotized sleeve and a membranous antrum, signum lacking.

TYPES.–Holotype male: Jamaica, Constant Spring, St. Andrew Parish, July 21–22, 1962 (T. Farr, O. and R. Flint), deposited in U.S. National Museum. Allotype female: Same locality, December 27, 1904 (Walsingham), deposited in British Museum. Three paratypes: 1♀, same data as allotype; 2♀, Runaway Bay, Jamaica, II–24–1905 (Walsingham), deposited in collections of British Museum and California Insect Survey.

REMARKS.–One of the paratypes bears the manuscript name “Psecadia humilis Wlsm.,” which I have retained since specimens so identified may have gotten into other collections.

Ethmia farrella Powell, new species

A small Caribbean moth resembling E. confusella, but darker and with a single basal spot in the dorsal area of the narrow forewing.

MALE.–Length of forewing 6.7 mm. Head: Labial palpus greatly elongate, strongly curved, well exceeding crown; second segment length 1.0–1.2 times eye diameter; third segment curved, length 1.1 that of second; smooth scaled, white, second segment with broad subbasal and narrower preapical dark bands exteriorly, third with some ill-defined dusky scaling basally and a narrow preapical dark band. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft about 0.20 eye diameter; dorsal scaling gray. Remainder of head scaling mostly lacking from holotype, whitish. Thorax: Dorsal scaling gray (damaged), tegulae paler, paired dark spots adjoining apices of tegulae and at sides of scutellum. Underside whitish, prothoracic and mesothoracic tibiae and tarsi marked with dark brown exteriorly. Forewing: Moderately narrow, length 3.5–3.6 times width; apex rather blunt, termen strongly angled back. Ground color whitish, heavily, nearly uniformly, streaked with longitudinal dark gray blotches, the most well defined of which are a single oblong spot in dorsal area at one-fourth (at times obliterated), a smudge toward end of cell, a smaller mark at end of cell, subtended by a similar spot above tornus, and followed by a streak through terminal area; a row of ill-defined dots around terminal margin, nearly coalesced. Fringe whitish. Underside brown, paler towards dorsum. Hindwing: Slightly narrower than forewing; costa with a narrow, tightly appressed fold, bearing exteriorly a whitish fringe and enclosing an elongate, thin, white hair pencil; apex acute, termen very strongly angled back, the wing shape sublanceolate. Ground color semitranslucent white, tinged with brownish distally; fringe white. Underside similar, the brownish restricted to costal area. Abdomen: Scaling gray, paler ventrally. Genitalia as in Figure 129 (drawn from holotype, JAP prep. no. 1313; two preparations examined); uncus elongate, membranous, basal processes short; valva with elongate apical “plume” setate along entire length, subtended by a setate lobe at end of costa, distal margin with five elongate, spinelike setae and an asymmetrically bifid process; vesica with ill-defined, elongate cornuti.

FEMALE.–A single damaged specimen examined, which is presumed to represent this species, may be characterized as follows. Forewing length 6.5 mm; palpi lacking; antenna not dilated, width of shaft near base 0.17 eye diameter; forewing pattern evidently as in male; hindwing costal area simple. Genitalia similar to confusella; sterigma broadly sclerotized with VIII sternite, ostium subtended by a short sclerotized sleeve and an enlarged, membranous antrum, signum with a row of flat, blunt teeth (Figures 250, 251, drawn from plesiotype, Jamaica, JAP prep. no. 2155; one preparation examined).

TYPES.–Holotype male: Jamaica, near Farmouth, Trelawny Parish, July 28, 1962 (T. Farr, O. and R. Flint); deposited in U.S. National Museum. Two paratypes: male, Florida, Key Largo, Monroe County, VI–7–67 (Mrs. S. Kemp), in collection of C. P. Kimball, Barnstable, Massachusetts; female (not designated as allotype), Jamaica, Hardwar Gap, Portland Parish, July 9, 1965 (H. F. Howden), deposited in California Insect Survey.

REMARKS.–Two additional specimens from Key Largo (♂, ♀, IX–5–67) were received after the above description was written and are not designated as paratypic. The female is larger (forewing 7.4 mm), with a slightly more elongate labial palpus.

The Longimaculella Group

Eye index 1.0–1.1. Maxillary palpus moderately large, 4-segmented, lengths about 1:1:1:2. Labial palpus usually elongate, II segment index 1.3–1.9; smooth scaled. Antenna of male moderately dilated, index 0.20–0.28. Forewing moderately broad; pattern longitudinal blackish streaks or costal-dorsal. Hindwing of male with costal brush and costal or (rarely) pinch-fold. Abdomen entirely ochreous or anal scaling ochreous. Uncus membranous; gnathos absent; basal processes membranous, narrow; valva with or without cucullus “plume” and modified scalelike setae that are bifid apically; fultura-manica simple; vesica armed. Papillae anales membranous, setate; posterior apophyses elongate; sterigma simple; antrum enlarged with sclerotized band; ductus bursae sclerotized basally or membranous, 3–12 tight coils; signum a notched keel.

A rather homogeneous array of 13 nocturnal, primarily Neotropical species that show the widest geographical range of any New World group. Features of the genitalia in both sexes indicate no relationship to Old World components of the genus.

Ethmia coronata Walsingham

Ethmia coronata Walsingham, 1912:145, pl. 5, fig. 6.–Busck, 1914c:54.

Ethmia abdominella Busck, 1912:85; 1914c:54.–Powell, 1959:145 [new synonymy].

A large Ethmia in central Mexico with ochreous abdomen and the forewing dark gray on costal half, pale gray on dorsal half.

MALE.–Length of forewing 12.7 to 13.7 mm. Head: Labial palpus elongate, well exceeding base of antenna; second segment length 1.6 times eye diameter; third segment slightly curved, length 0.88 that of second (1.4 times eye diameter); smooth scaled, whitish gray with black submedian and subapical bands on second and third segments. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft basally 0.21–0.24 eye diameter; dorsal scaling dark gray, scape whitish at base. Scaling of tongue whitish, front whitish becoming pale gray at crown, occipital tufts black at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling pale gray; tegula narrowly black at base and seven rather large, black spots on pronotum, narrowly edged with white: paired spots adjoining collar and tegula, under apices of tegulae, at sides of scutellum and a single spot preceding scutellar area at middorsum. Metathoracic scutellum scaled, ochreous. Underside white, prothoracic and mesothoracic legs spotted with brownish black, metalegs with pale brownish. Forewing: Length about 3.3 times width; costa evenly, gently curved from base to apex, termen strongly angled back, tornal angle scarcely evident. Ground color dark gray on costal half, pale gray, narrowly edged with white on dorsal, the dividing line distinct, irregular, extending below Cu as two broad spurs before middle and a narrow one beyond cell, extended above Cu as an outwardly angled, jagged spur at end of cell and angled in terminal area to midtermen; area just above line darkest, nearly black, becoming paler toward costa; poorly defined pale blotches along costa at one-third, two-thirds and at apex; dorsal area before middle with two distinct black spots narrowly edged with white, the inner one slightly elongate, nearly adjoining the first dark spur from costal half; terminal margin with a row of blackish dots from costa to tornus. Fringe pale grayish, interrupted below apex by a blackish gray streak from terminal area. Underside dark brownish gray, dorsal area and a blotch beyond retinaculum whitish ochreous. Hindwing: About as broad as forewing; costal area with a broad, closed pinch-fold between C and Sc containing a thick, elongate brush of whitish ochreous hair scales; costal margin as a result nearly straight; apex acute, termen very strongly angled back, tornal angle not evident. Ground color white, semitranslucent, reflecting purplish, becoming brownish in apical area. Fringe whitish except basally. Underside similar, costal area brownish. Abdomen: Scaling entirely ochreous, slightly paler ventrally. Genitalia as in Figure 130 (drawn from plesiotype, Tehuacan, Puebla, JAP prep. no. 1130; two preparations examined); uncus slightly sclerotized, greatly elongate, valva with apical process sparsely setate, distal end of saccular area with a narrow, bare, flat projection, vesica without definite sclerotization.

MAP 52.–Geographical distribution of members of the Longimaculella group of Ethmia.

E. coronata Walsingham E. nigritaenia Powell

FEMALE.–Not examined in detail. There is only one known specimen: length of forewing 16.0 mm; labial palpus more elongate than in male, second segment 2.0, third 1.5 times eye diameter. Generally as described for male in external features; hindwing unmodified. Genitalia not examined.

TYPE DATA.–Mexico, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, June (H. H. Smith), unique male in British Museum (coronata); Tehuacan, Puebla, October 10 (R. Muller), holotype male in U.S. National Museum (abdominella).

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.–South-central Mexico.

FLIGHT PERIOD.–June, September, October.

FOOD PLANT.–Unknown.

REMARKS.–Through the efforts of Mr. Tremewan of the British Museum (Natural History), I have been able to examine photographs of the type male and accompanying genitalia slide of Walsingham’s E. coronata, which was described from a unique specimen. The identity of the species as that of the same moth to which Busck applied the name abdominella was evident. The figure in the Biologia of this quite distinctive, rather dark gray Ethmia with a bright ochreous abdomen, is misleading.

Busck’s name abdominella is the only one among the 90-odd names proposed by previous workers which I have discovered to be a new synonym; ironically it was published within one month of coronata. The section of the Biologia containing the original description bears the date May 1912, while Volume 14, Number 2 of the Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, carrying abdominella, is dated June 19, 1912.

Ethmia nigritaenia Powell, new species

A moderately large Ethmia in northern Central America that has gray forewings bearing a conspicuous longitudinal, median black streak from base to apex.

MALE.–Length of forewing 10.4 to 13.0 mm. Head: Labial palpus elongate, strongly curved, exceeding base of antenna; second segment length 1.3 to 1.5 times eye diameter; third segment slightly curved, length 0.83–0.90 that of second (1.1 to 1.4 times eye diameter); smooth scaled, white, second segment mostly blackish exteriorly on basal half, with a narrow subapical ring, third segment with basal spot and broad submedian and subapical black rings. Antenna dilated, width of shaft basally 0.24–0.26 eye diameter; dorsal scaling pale gray, scape whitish. Scaling of tongue, front, and crown shining white; occipital tufts dark brown at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling whitish gray, pronotum with seven small black spots: lateral pairs adjoining tegulae at collar, under apices of tegulae, at sides of scutellum, a single median spot preceding scutellum. Underside white, prolegs and mesolegs heavily marked with dark brown; hind tibial fringe dense, whitish. Forewing: Moderately broad, length 3.1 to 3.2 times width; costa gently curved, appearing flattened towards apex (owing to fringe); termen moderately strongly angled back, straight; tornal angle distinct. Ground color whitish gray, clouded with pale brownish gray except at terminal margin; a more or less well defined median blackish streak from base to apex, filling most of cell near base, narrowed at about middle of cell, sending a short, ill-defined spur into dorsal area and broadened towards end of cell where it is interrupted by a well-defined white spur from dorsal area, thence broad again in terminal area and narrowed at margin, crossing fringe; an ill-defined brownish spot in dorsal area at one-fourth, at times a few similar spots in costal and dorsal areas at and beyond end of cell; a row of blackish dots around terminal margin from before apex to tornus. Fringe whitish, interrupted by dark streak below apex. Underside brownish, paler along dorsal area to end of cell and in cell beyond retinaculum. Hindwing: Slightly broader than forewing; a broad costal fold to end of cell, enclosing a thick brush of elongate hair scales from base; costal margin nearly straight, slightly convex at end of cell; termen strongly angled back, broadly curved to dorsum. Ground color white, semitranslucent, becoming pale brownish at distal margins. Underside similar, area of costal fold brownish. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling brown, ventral whitish, genital pale ochreous. Genitalia as in Figure 131 (drawn from paratopotype, JAP prep. no. 1513; four preparations examined); uncus elongate, moderately well sclerotized; valva apex produced into an elongate “plume”; apex of saccular area produced as a broad extension.

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 12.4 to 14.0 mm. Essentially as described for male, except larger and darker; labial palpus more elongate, second segment length about 1.7 times eye diameter (eye as large as in male), third segment about 0.8 as long as second (about 1.4 times eye diameter). Forewing markings as in male, the whole pattern at times darker. Hindwing costal area simple; ground color darker than male, distal one third mostly dark brown. Abdomen coloration similar to male, darker. Genitalia as in Figure 253 (drawn from paratopotype, JAP prep. no. 2557; two preparations examined); posterior apophyses elongate, thin; sterigma simple, bowl-shaped, lightly sclerotized, subtended by a heavily sclerotized sleeve and a ventrally membranous, dorsally sclerotized antrum; ductus membranous with about four tight coils; signum an inwardly directed ridge with rounded emargination, flanged on one side.

TYPES.–Holotype male and allotype female: Mexico, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, February 14 and January 18, 1956 (E. C. Welling), deposited in collections of the California Academy of Sciences. One hundred thirteen paratypes, as follows: Mexico: Chichen Itza, Yucatan, 5♂, 1♀, II–(11–15)–56, 1♂, III–17–56, 1♂, IV–6–56, 1♀, VI–18–55, l♂, VII–9–54, 1♂, VII–24–55, 1♂, X–14–55 (E. C. Welling), 1♂, IX–15–52 (J. and D. Pallister); Merida, Yucatan, 55♂, 41♀, VII–29/30–64 (P. J. Spangler); Pisté, Yucatan, 1♀, VI–8–59 (M. and P. Vaurie); “Port. Guatulca” (state unknown), 1♂, XII–3–37 (Zaca Exped.). Guatemala: Cayuga, 1♀, VIII (Schaus and Barnes); “Guatemala”, 1♂ (no date given) (W. Schaus). British Honduras: Orange Walk, 1♀, VIII–47 (no further data). Deposited in collections of American Museum of Natural History, British Museum, California Insect Survey, Carnegie Museum, and U.S. National Museum.

Ethmia subnigritaenia Powell, new species

A Mexican species resembling nigritaenia but with the median, longitudinal black band of the forewing less distinct, irregular, and narrow at base. The description is based on specimens in poor condition.

MALE.–Length of forewing 11.4 to 12.3 mm. Head: Labial palpus elongate, strongly curved, well exceeding base of antenna; second segment length 1.5–1.6 times eye diameter; third segment 0.85 the length of second, slightly curved; smooth scaled, white, second segment broadly blackish basally and with a narrow subapical band, third segment with submedian and subapical black bands. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.22 eye diameter; dorsal scaling grayish. Scaling of tongue, front, and crown whitish gray; occipital tufts brownish black at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling gray with scattered whitish flecks, pronotum margined laterally with blackish (the first two pairs of spots of related species enlarged and coalesced), small blackish spots at sides of and preceding scutellum at middorsum. Scaling of metathoracic scutellum ochreous. Underside white, prothoracic and mesothoracic legs marked exteriorly with blackish brown. Forewing: Moderately narrow, length about 3.5 times width; costa gently, evenly curved from base to apex; termen very steeply angled back (adding to narrow appearance), tornal angle scarcely evident. Ground color whitish gray, infused with dark grayish clouding, slightly less so on dorsal and terminal areas; a median longitudinal black band from base to apex, somewhat indistinct and irregular, narrow at base, nearly confined to Cu fold, broadened in outer half of cell and sending a spur into dorsal area, narrowed again and broken at end of cell, then continued to termen; some short, thin, blackish longitudinal streaks in costal and dorsal areas beyond middle; a partial row of obscure spots around margin subtending fringe. Fringe whitish, broken just below apex by the dark terminal streak. Underside brownish, dorsal area and cell paler. Hindwing: Slightly broader than forewing; a broad costal fold, enclosing a dense brush of elongate, whitish ochreous hair scales from base; costal margin nearly straight; termen strongly angled back, broadly curved to dorsum. Ground color whitish, semitranslucent, becoming pale brownish in apical area. Fringe white. Underside similar, costal fold area ochreous-brown. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling pale ochreous, ventral whitish, genital ochreous. Genitalia as in Figure 132 (drawn from paratype, Tehuacan, JAP prep. no. 1124; two preparations examined); similar to E. nigritaenia, apex of valva short, not drawn out into a narrow “plume.”

FEMALE.–Unknown.

TYPES.–Holotype male: “Mexico, R. Muller, 4665”; the genitalia slide bears the additional data in Busck’s handwriting “Mexico City”; deposited in U.S. National Museum. Two male paratypes: Mexico, Tehuacan, Puebla, V–21–41 (C. C. Hoffmann); deposited in collections of American Museum of Natural History and California Insect Survey.

Ethmia catapeltica Meyrick

Ethmia catapeltica Meyrick, 1924:119.–Clarke, 1955a:76; 1965:422.

Ethmia flavicaudata.–Busck [not Walsingham, 1912], 1934:165 [in part?].

A widespread species in Central America and northern South America which is superficially similar to E. flavicaudata; differing usually by slightly more extensive white ground color of the forewing and by a smaller, dark, costal hair fringe on the hindwing.

MAP 53.—Geographical distribution of Ethmia catapeltica Meyrick.

MALE.–Length of forewing 8.6 to 13.0 mm. Head: Labial palpus elongate, well exceeding base of antenna; second segment length 1.2–1.4 eye diameter; third segment slightly curved, length 0.85–1.0 that of second (1.0–1.4 times eye diameter); smooth scaled, white, second segment broadly black basally, narrow subapically, third segment with submedian and preapical black bands. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft basally 0.20–0.22 eye diameter; dorsal scaling whitish to about one-fourth, becoming gray beyond. Scaling of tongue, front, and crown white, lightly tinged with gray, occipital tufts black at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling pale grayish white, four rather large, black spots laterally adjoining apices of tegulae and at sides of scutellum. Underside white, prothoracic and mesothoracic legs spotted with black exteriorly. Forewing: Length 3.1–3.4 times width; costa gently curved from base to apex, flattened or very slightly concave at about middle; termen moderately strongly angled back, straight, tornal angle distinct. Ground color whitish, markings dark brownish gray, variable from an almost complete replacement of ground color to a rather distinct pattern resembling E. lichyi, the gray reduced to more or less well defined blotches above Cu and two distinct spots on an otherwise unmarked dorsal area; most individuals intermediate, with an ill-defined pattern showing two outwardly oblique bars from costa before middle, one before apex and a streak through end of cell into dorsal area (on heavily marked specimens this pattern remains discernible, slightly darker than remainder of markings); a row of about nine distinct, blackish dots around termen subtending fringe; latter white with a light brownish spot below apex. Underside brown, dorsal area and a blotch beyond retinaculum paler. Hindwing: About as broad as forewing; a tightly appressed costal fold to beyond cell, bearing a sparse blackish fringe exteriorly (ventral surface of wing) and enclosing a thin, white hair pencil from base; costal margin nearly straight, apex acute, termen strongly angled back, broadly curved to dorsum. Ground color semitranslucent white, pale brownish at margins. Fringe white. Underside similar, costal fold area pale brownish and ochreous. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling pale brownish, ventral whitish, genital pale ochreous. Genitalia as in Figures 133 and 134 (drawn from plesiotypes, Guatemala and Colombia, JAP preps, nos. 1202 and 1319; nine preparations examined); characters variable, apparently independently; uncus membranous, basal processes narrow to somewhat broadened, outer margin of valva at times with a small, pointed ridge, saccular margin angulate or rounded; vesica with an elongate, spurred cornutus (Figure 133, drawn from plesiotype, Costa Rica, JAP prep. no. 2232).

FEMALE.–All females examined are from Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Length of forewing 9.0 to 10.7 mm. Essentially as described for male. Females available represent the more distinctly marked forms; eye and labial palpus size within range shown in male. Antenna scarcely smaller than in male, shaft basally about 0.2 eye diameter. Genitalia as in Figures 242, 243 (drawn from plesiotype, Panama, JAP prep. no. 2558; two preparations examined); similar to nigritaenia, sterigma narrower, antrum sclerotized, ductus with about 12 coils, signum with a narrow inner ridge, deeply or scarcely notched.

TYPE DATA.–Costa Rica, San Jose; unique male in British Museum.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.–Southern Mexico (Cordoba, Veracruz) to Boliva.

FLIGHT PERIOD.–Probably multivoltine; April, May, October, and December at Barro Colorado Island, Panama; February, March and October in Costa Rica; July in Mexico.

FOOD PLANT.–Unknown.

REMARKS.–The variation in various features suggests that more than a single species may be involved in material I have assigned to E. catapeltica. However, I have been unable to correlate any differences satisfactorily. The more elongate, narrow wing, more elongate third segment of the labial palpus, and various differences in male genitalia, particularly the armature of the vesica, which is not much variable in most Ethmia, all seem to vary independently.

The variation is in part geographically related. The specimens available from Guatemala and Costa Rica average larger (forewing length 10.8 to 13.0 mm) and have a narrower forewing (length 3.35–3.4 times width) than those from Panama, the only other area from which a series is available. Panama specimens are generally slightly smaller (forewing 9.0 to 11.7 mm) and have a slightly broader forewing (length 3.1 to 3.35 times width). In addition, northern specimens show a tendency for the more obscured forewing pattern, but the extreme in this regard is a dark male from Alhajuelo, Panama. All material from Colombia and Bolivia is of the more distinctly marked form, indistinguishable from some of the series from Barro Colorado Island.

The genital characters as shown in Figure 134 are present on South American specimens, but the full ranges of variation in form of the basal processes, valvae, and vesica armature are shown in Panama material. Thus it seems best to provisionally retain the assemblage under the single name.

Although related with the Longimaculella group according to the genitalia, E. catapeltica superficially most resembles E. flavicaudata, from which it may be distinguished by a smaller black costal fringe of the hindwing, which is borne on the exterior of the costal fold, and by paler ochreous genital scaling. Both species also are superficially similar to the Antillean E. cubensis, which does not possess the dark costal fringe of the hindwing. Distinctly marked forms of E. catapeltica bear a similar forewing pattern to the larger and sympatric E. lichyi, which also possesses dark hindwing costal hairs.

Ethmia howdeni Powell, new species

A Mexican and Central American species somewhat resembling E. longimaculella, but with pale gray forewing, with more extensive markings, and with a black costal hair fringe on the hindwing.

MALE.–Length of forewing 8.6–11.4 mm. Head: Labial palpus moderately elongate or elongate, reaching or exceeding base of antenna; second segment length 1.15–1.50 times eye diameter, third segment slightly curved, length 1.0–1.1 times that of second; smooth scaled, whitish, second segment irregularly blotched on basal half and narrowly banded apically with blackish, third segment with broad submedian band and distal half, except extreme tip, black. Antenna dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.25 eye diameter; dorsal scaling whitish gray to apex; scape with a black spot apically. Scaling of tongue, front and crown whitish gray, occipital tufts at middorusm broadly blackish, reflecting bluish. Thorax: Dorsal scaling whitish gray, two lateral pairs of blackish spots adjoining tegulae apices and at sides of scutellum. Underside white, procoxae and mesocoxae and trochanters blotched with grayish, tarsi marked with black; hind tibial fringe pale ochreous. Forewing: Length 3.0–3.3 times width; costa gently, evenly curved from base to apex; termen rather strongly angled back, slightly concave, tornal angle distinct. Ground color whitish, irregularly and indistinctly blotched with pale gray to almost entirely pale grayish; markings black, mostly somewhat ill-defined, as follows: costal area basally, a series of short streaks in subcostal area, cell, and terminal area, at times forming a continuous streak from outer part of cell to termen below apex (as in E. l. coronella), the line usually broken or not evident, its basal or apical half indistinct; dorsal area unmarked except for three roundish spots, usually the most distinct markings of the wing, first at basal one-third, just above dorsum, second at about middle, more or less connected to markings in distal half of cell, third beyond outer, lower corner of cell; a row of black dots subtending fringe from well before apex to tornus. Fringe white with a brownish spot just below apex, sometimes nearly obsolete. Underside brown. Hindwing: About as broad as forewing; costal area with a broad, tightly appressed fold, bearing on its outer surface (ventral surface of wing) a dense row of black scales, and enclosing an elongate brush of white hair scales, from base; costal margin nearly straight, apex acute, termen broadly curved to dorsum. Ground color semitranslucent whitish basally, becoming pale brownish in apical area and along hind margin. Fringe whitish. Underside paler, costal area irregularly brownish. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling pale brownish gray, ventral whitish, genital pale ochreous. Genitalia scarcely distinguishable from E. longimaculella; basal processes with a ventral ridge; vesica with an elongate, spurred cornutus (Figure 135, drawn from holotype, JAP prep, no. 1737; three preparations examined).

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 9.8 mm. Essentially as described for male; eye and labial palpus size within range shown by male. Antenna not as dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.2 eye diameter. Hindwing, costal area simple; color darker than in male. Genitalia not examined.

TYPES.–Holotype male: Mexico, 21 miles east of Villa Union, Sinaloa (7.3 road miles east of Concordia, about 300 feet elevation), July 25, 1964, at black and white lights (J. A. Chemsak, J. Powell, and H. F. Howden); deposited in California Academy of Sciences. Allotype female: El Salvador, San Salvador, October 25, 1959 (B. Bechyné); deposited in Bavarian States Museum, Munich. Three paratypes: 1♂, same data as holotype; 2♀ ♀, same data as allotype except November 2, 1959; deposited in collections of Bavarian States Museum and California Insect Survey.

REMARKS.–The genital characters and general facies indicate a close relationship to E. longimaculella, with which E. howdeni is allopatric. However, the elongate labial palpus, especially the much larger third segment, and the hindwing costal scaling are features which relate the present species to E. catapeltica. The two localities from which the new species is described indicate a wider geographical range of stability than is shown by l. longimaculella and l. coranella in the Nearctic Region.

I take pleasure in naming the species for Henry F. Howden, coleopterist with the Entomology Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada, whose experience and cooperation greatly increased the efficiency of our collecting in Durango and Sinaloa during 1964.

Ethmia longimaculella (Chambers)

Hyponomeuta longimaculella Chambers, 1872:43.

Ethmia longimaculella.–Dyar, 1902:207; 1904b:178 [biology].–Barnes and Busck, 1920, pls. 27, 36.–Braun, 1921b:12 [biology].–Forbes, 1923:246.–McDunnough, 1939:83.–Clench, 1957:44 [synonymy].

Psecadia walsinghamella Beutenmuller, 1889:9.

Ethmia walsinghamella.–Dyar, 1902:207 [synonymy].

Ethmia zelleriella.–Engel [not Chambers, 1878], 1908:127.

A Nearctic species having the white forewings marked by evenly distributed black spots and lines.

Ethmia longimaculella longimaculella (Chambers), new status

This subspecies, which occurs in the northern Appalachian region, has white forewings marked with black dots and short longitudinal lines.

MALE.–Length of forewing 10.5 to 11.2 mm. Head: Labial palpus moderately elongate, scarcely reaching base of antenna; second segment length 1.1–1.3 times eye diameter; third segment 0.73–0.90 as long as second; smooth scaled, white, second segment with a broad brownish black band exteriorly, third with narrow basal and apical dark bands. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft basaily 0.21–0.23 eye diameter; dorsal scaling basally, including scape, silvery white, gray distally. Scaling of tongue, front, and crown shining white, occipital tufts brownish black at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling shining white, brownish black on tegulae at base and collar adjoining tegulae and at middorsum, notum with two pairs of rather large, lateral, blackish spots adjoining tegulae apices and at sides of scutellum. Underside shining white, prothoracic and mesothoracic legs broadly blotched with dark brown exteriorly. Forewing: Length about 3.3–3.4 times width; costa evenly curved from base to apex, termen rather strongly angled back, straight, tornal angle distinct. Ground color white, markings black, mostly as longitudinal streaks, as follows: costal area at base, a series of oblong spots in subcostal area; two longitudinal lines in cell, the basal one nearer costa, followed by a large dot at end of cell and a third line in terminal area, ending well before fringe; another large dot in terminal area below end of cell; dorsal area with three spots adjoining Cu, the first inwardly oblique, the third often indistinct, and a large dot below and between the first two; some scattered dark scaling between the spots, a row of dots around termen from costa well before apex to tornus. Fringe white, usually with a tinge of brownish below apex. Underside nearly uniform brown; fringes, including costal, whitish. Hindwing: Slightly narrower than forewing; costa with a narrow fold to end of cell, enclosing a thin brush of white hair-scales; costal margin nearly straight, apex blunt, termen a broad curve to dorsum. Ground color whitish basally becoming pale brownish. Fringe white. Underside pale brownish except fringe white. Abdomen: Scaling pale brownish, slightly paler ventrally; genital scaling whitish, lightly tinged with pale ochreous or tan. Genitalia as in Figure 136 (drawn from plesiotype, “Canada,” JAP prep. no. 1541; two preparations examined); similar to E. catapeltica, saccular margin of valva slightly more angulate, vesica with faint, sclerotized cornutus.

MAP 54.–Geographical distribution of Ethmia longimaculella (Chambers).

E. l. longimaculella E. l. coranella Dyar

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 9.0 to 10.0 mm (reared). Essentially as described for male. Labial palpus slightly shorter, second segment 1.1 times eye diameter. Antenna not dilated, width of shaft near base 0.19 eye diameter. Hindwing costal area simple. Genitalia similar to E. plaumanni (Figures 254, 255), sclerotized sleeve at base of ductus bursae shorter (Figure 256, drawn from plesiotype, Ohio, JAP prep. no. 2056; one preparation examined).

TYPE DATA.–Kentucky, June 4 (V. T. Chambers), lectotype male, by present designation, “Kentucky, Chambers, Type 1403,” in Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard (longimaculella); West Virginia (W. Beutenmüller), type female in U.S. National Museum (walsinghamella).

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—Southern Canada (Stockton, Manitoba; Ottawa, Montreal) to eastern Kentucky.

FLIGHT PERIOD.–Evidently normally late May to early July, but there is a single record for March in Pennsylvania (Clench, 1957) and there are three specimens, possibly reared, from Ontario, labeled August, September, and December.

FOOD PLANT.–Lithospermum officinale (Ottawa, J. Fletcher) and L. latifolium (Ohio). The latter according to Braun (1921b), who found large numbers of larvae July 10 and reared the adults the following May. Miss Braun (in litt.) also reared this species from Onosmodium hispidissimum in Ohio.

Ethmia longimaculella coranella Dyar, new status

Ethmia coranella Dyar, 1902:207.–Busck, 1915:84.–Barnes and Busck, 1920, pls. 27, 36.–McDunnough, 1939:83.

A Texas race which has slightly narrower forewings than l. longimaculella, with a black line from the middle of the wing to the apex.

MALE.–Length of forewing 8.8–10.7 mm. Essentially as described for nominate subspecies; labial palpus slightly shorter, second segment length 1.0–1.25 times eye diameter. Forewing: Slightly narrower, length about 3.5–3.6 times width; markings as in l. longimaculella except the outer bar in cell, dot at end of cell, and bar in terminal area, enlarged and fused as a streak from about middle of wing to termen just below apex, crossing marginal dot row and fringe. Remainder of markings slightly reduced, particularly the scattered scaling between definite spots. Hindwing: Paler than typical, pale brownish towards margins. Genitalia as in Figure 137 (drawn from plesiotype, Palo Duro Canyon, Randall County, Texas, JAP prep. no. 621; two preparations examined); similar to l. longimaculella, valva slightly narrower with a relatively deeper emargination following saccular area and a slightly shorter “plume” at apex.

FEMALE.–Unknown.

TYPE DATA.–Kerrville, Texas (Barnes), and Shovel Moutain,13 Texas, June 16–23 (Barnes). Two males in U.S. National Museum from Kerrville, without further data, bear labels “Type 6624, USNM”; I have designated and labeled one as a lectotype.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.–Central and northern Texas.

FLIGHT PERIOD.–May (Palo Duro Canyon, Randall County), June (Shovel Mountain), August (Kerrville).

FOOD PLANT.–Unknown.

REMARKS.–One of the original specimens from Kerrville has the line through the middle of the forewing broken at the end of the cell and again before the margin. The line is unbroken in 15 other specimens examined.

THE FLAVICAUDATA COMPLEX

A series of superficially similar Central American species having mottled gray forewings provide a problem for which no satisfactory solution is available. Ethmia flavicaudata was described by Walsingham in 1912 on the basis of three specimens from the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Unfortunately a female, from San Juan, was selected as the holotype, and two males, from Cordoba, were designated as paratypes. Subsequent authors (e.g., Busck, 1934) and workers arranging collections have accumulated a variety of superficially similar entities under the name, including specimens of E. lichyi, described below, and all material I have seen that is referable to E. catapeltica Meyrick, 1924. This latter species was proposed for a unique male, also deposited in the British Museum, and my determination of it is made from photographs of the type and its genitalia slide provided by Clarke (1965). It is more closely related to longimaculella (see above).

Inasmuch as no further material from Veracruz or other parts of Mexico has become available, and owing to the close superficial similarity of the various forms, I have assigned the name flavicaudata to the species represented by the male paratypes in the U.S. National Museum. Whether these are actually conspecific with the female type will not be definitely known until specimens in series are examined. Thus E. flavicaudata as presently conceived is known only from the area of the type locality. Genital characters of the types are quite distinct from E. catapeltica and more closely ally the species to three previously undescribed species, which are discussed below.

Ethmia flavicaudata Walsingham

Ethmia flavicaudata Walsingham, 1912:145, pl. 5, fig. 7.–Busck, 1934:165 [in part].

A species in southern Mexico having whitish forewings densely marked with brownish gray except along the dorsum; the hindwing bears a conspicuous, exposed, dark gray costal fringe.

MALE.–Length of forewing 10.5 mm. Head: Labial palpus elongate, exceeding base of antenna, second segment length about 1.4 times eye diameter; third segment nearly straight, length about 0.9 that of second; smooth scaled, whitish, second and third segments with blackish submedian and preapical bands. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.2 eye diameter, dorsal scaling gray, scape whitish. Scaling of front and crown whitish, occipital tufts blackish at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling gray, paired, lateral black spots adjacent to apices of tegulae and at sides of scutellum; possibly a singly median spot preceding scutellar area. Underside grayish white, legs blotched exteriorly with blackish. Forewing: Length about 3.1 times width; costa gently, nearly evenly curved from base to apex; termen moderately strongly angled back, straight, tornal angle distinct. Ground color whitish, mostly replaced by brownish black above Cu, the pattern more or less obscurely clouded; concentrated dark areas at base of costa and through outer half of cell into terminal area, sending a broad spur across Cu into dorsal area at about middle of wing, the darkest mark of the pattern; dorsal area pale whitish gray with a single spot in at basal one-third and a trace of another nearer base; terminal area whitish except for the broad blotch extending through end of cell and a row of large, black dots subtending fringe from before apex to tornus. Fringe whitish with an indistinct brownish gray blotch below apex. Underside brown, dorsal area and a blotch in cell paler. Hindwing: About as broad as forewing; costal area with a tightly appressed costal fold, bearing on its outer (ventral wing surface) dorsal side a thick fringe of black hair scales, and enclosing an elongate white hair pencil from base; costal margin nearly straight, slightly convex at end of cell; apex acute, termen very strongly curved back to anal area. Ground color semitranslucent whitish at base, becoming brown in apical area and at margins. Fringe whitish. Underside similar, costal area also brownish. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling dark brown, ventral whitish; genital tuft broad, bright ochreous. Genitalia as in Figure 141 (drawn from paratype, Cordoba, Mexico, JAP prep. no. 1845; one preparation examined); uncus membranous, basal processes extremely elongate, narrow, apex of valva without extended “plume,” distal end of saccular area with about eight flat, blunt spurs; vesica with an elongate, ill-defined plate, fultura ornately developed, armed with dentate processes.

FEMALE.—Not examined, known only from the holotype.

TYPE DATA.–Mexico, Veracruz, San Juan, 600 feet (W. Schaus); holotype female in British Museum.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.–Known only from Veracruz, Mexico.

FLIGHT PERIOD.–April, May, July.

FOOD PLANT.–Unknown.

Ethmia lichyi Powell, new species

Ethmia flavicaudata.–Busck

A Central and South American species which resembles a large Ethmia baliostola, having the same forewing pattern but with more extensive white ground color and with a dark rather than whitish exterior costal hair brush on the hindwing of the male.

MALE.–Length of forewing 13.7 to 17.1 mm. Head: Labial palpus greatly elongate, well exceeding base of antenna; second segment length 1.5 to 1.7 times eye diameter; third segment gently curved, length about 0.88 that of second (1.3–1.5 times eye diameter); smooth scaled, white, marked with blackish brown as follows: second segment on basal one-third (at times divided into two bands by ground color), a narrow subapical band, third segment with broad submedian and subapical bands, fusing interiorly. Antenna, shaft only slightly dilated, width near base 0.18–0.21 eye diameter; dorsal scaling whitish basally, becoming gray; scape white, blackish at apex dorsally. Scaling of tongue, front, and crown white, occipital tufts black at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling pale gray, pronotum with five blue-black spots on posterior half, one at middorsum preceding scutellar area, a pair lateral to it, and a pair at sides of scutellum; at times an ill-defined dark blotch adjoining collar at middorsum. Underside white; prothoracic leg mostly blackish exteriorly, mesoleg and meta-leg indistinctly banded with blackish or gray; hind tibial fringe tinged with ochreous. Forewing: Length about 3.0 to 3.1 times width; costa gently, evenly curved from base to apex; termen rather strongly angled back, tornal angle nearly obsolete. Ground color white, clouded with very pale gray except narrowly adjoining markings; markings blackish brown, as follows: a series of elongated spots and streaks over costal half, the most conspicuous of which is an irregular broad streak from about middle of cell to termen just below apex, usually broken just before end of cell; dorsal area to beyond middle, pale gray, devoid of streaks, marked only by two small spots, the inner one at about basal one-fourth, smaller and sometimes obsolete; an irregular blotch of blackish brown just before tornus beneath streak through terminal area. A row of black dots around termen, subtending fringe, from before apex to tornus. Underside pale grayish brown except dorsal area whitish. Hindwing: Slightly broader than forewing; costa with a double hair brush, anterior part exposed, white at base becoming blackish distally, arising on outer surface of costal fold (ventral side of wing), posterior part an elongate white hair pencil enclosed in the pouchlike fold, between C and Sc; costal margin slightly convex beyond the blackish fringe; termen rather strongly angled back, broadly curved to dorsum. Ground color semitranslucent white, becoming brownish at apex; fringe white. Underside similar, costal area pale brownish Abdomen: First segment laterally with elongate ochreous white scaling partially concealing an area of specialized, appressed ochreous-white scaling which forms a pouchlike fold with velvet-like texture. Dorsal scaling brown, ventral white, anal bright ochreous. Genitalia as in Figure 140 (drawn from paratype, Venezuela, JAP prep. no. 1614; four preparations examined); similar to E. calumniella, differing by a slightly more angulate sacculus and more numerous and smaller flat spines of the apex of the valva.

MAP 55.–Geographical distribution of Ethmia lichyi Powell.

FEMALE.–Unknown.14

TYPES.–Holotype male: Venezuela, Cuenca del Rio Borborata, “Carabobo,” September 1, 1948 (R. Lichy), with the additional data “675 m. virgin forest”; deposited in collections of Cornell University. Fourteen paratype males: Venezuela: “La Union, R. Huacamayo, Carabaya,” 1♂, November 1904 (G. Ockenden); Rancho Grande, Aragua, 1♂, XII–1–53 (F. Fernandez-Y.); “Las Quiguas, Esteban Valley,” 1♂ (no further data). Brazil: “Hyutanaban, Rio Purus,” 1♂, January 1922 (S. M. Klages). Panama: Campana, near Chica, 2♂, IV–(2–5)–65 (S. S. and W. D. Duckworth). Costa Rica: Golfito, 3♂, IV–(25–28)–65 (S. S. and W. D. Duckworth); “Sixola Riv.,” 1♂; “Costa Rica” 1♂ (no further data). Honduras: Lancetilla, Tela, 2♂, IV–30, V–5–35 (M. Bates). Guatemala: Cayuga, 1♂ (Schaus and Barnes). Deposited in collections of British Museum, California Insect Survey, Carnegie Museum, Harvard (MCZ), U.S. National Museum, and University of Venezuela.

REMARKS.–The holotype bears an identification label written by Forbes in 1945 indicating the close superficial similarity of this species with E. baliostola.

Two specimens from Venezuela and Brazil have what I take to be a manuscript name accredited to “Wlsm.?” on a handwritten label added by a later worker. The Guatemalan specimen was identified on an accompanying slide as “E. flavicaudata Wlshm.” by Busck in 1920 and probably was the basis for Busck’s (1934) reference to genital characters of Walsingham’s species.

An additional specimen (in the California Insect Survey) from Mexico (Cotaxtla Exp. Sta., Veracruz, VI–14–62, D. H. Janzen) may be referred here tentatively but it is not designated as a paratype. It is a smaller moth (forewing length 11.7 mm) with appreciably narrower forewings (length about 3.3 times width) having a slightly darker, pale gray ground color. The pattern of dark markings, relative size of labial palpus, and costal tuft of the hindwing are as in typical E. lichyi. In male genitalia the Mexican specimen differs in a few details, particularly in having narrower basal processes and fewer setae on the inner surface of the valvae basally. The second segment of the abdomen exhibits a somewhat reduced version of the peculiar pouchlike area of specialized, pale ochreous scaling which serves to separate lichyi from all other known Ethmia.

Ethmia calumniella Powell, new species

A Brazilian species superficially resembling E. catapeltica, with the white forewing heavily marked with blackish except on the dorsal area.

MALE.–Length of forewing 11.4 mm. Head: Labial palpi lacking from holotype. Antenna scarcely dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.20 eye diameter; dorsal scaling dark gray, scape white. Scaling of tongue, front, and crown appressed, white; occipital tufts blue-black at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling whitish; ill-defined dark spots on tegula at base and on pronotum laterally near apices of tegulae and across scutellum. Underside whitish, prothoracic and mesothoracic legs spotted with blackish exteriorly. Forewing: Length about 3.4 times width; costa gently, nearly evenly curved from base to apex; termen strongly angled back, tornal angle not distinct. Ground color white, markings blackish brown, mostly not well defined, as follows: costal half more or less evenly blotched, the most conspicuous mark a diagonal band from costa at one-third to cell at about middle of wing, occupying most of distal end of cell, continued as three weakly joined blotches to termen below apex; dorsal area below Cu to tornus unmarked except for a single, small, faint brownish spot at basal one-third, preceded and followed by short extensions across the fold of blotches in cell; a subterminal row of dots not darker than other markings from before apex to tornus, disappearing in blotch below apex. Fringe whitish interrupted by brown at termination of central streak, below apex. Underside pale brownish, dorsal area paler. Hindwing: Slightly narrower than forewing; costal area modification as in E. lichyi, costal brush divided, partially outside costal fold, of blackish, short hairs, partially a thick tuft of whitish hair scales enclosed by fold; costal outline rather straight; apex acute, termen strongly angled back, tornal angle not evident. Ground color subhyaline whitish, dark brown at distal margin and along veins approaching terminal margin; fringe white. Underside similar; costal area pale grayish brown, membrane ochreous tinged. Abdomen: Second segment laterally without modification. Dorsal scaling white, becoming brownish caudad; underside white; genital scaling bright ochreous. Genitalia as in Figure 142 (drawn from holotype, JAP prep. no. 1606; one preparation examined); similar to lichyi and plaumanni, differing by having narrower basal processes and three broad, flat spines at the apex of the valva.

FEMALE.–Unknown.

TYPES.–Holotype male; Brazil, Santarem, Para, “Z. .6.27”; unique, deposited in the British Museum.

REMARKS.–The holotype bears an identification by Meyrick assigning the moth to Ethmia catapeltica Meyrick, which the present species closely resembles.

Ethmia omega Powell, new species

A species from southern Brazil that superficially resembles E. nigritaenia but structurally is close to E. calumniella.

MALE.–Length of forewing 11.6 to 11.7 mm. Head: Labial palpus elongate, strongly upcurved, well exceeding base of antenna; second segment strongly curved, length 1.40–1.45 times eye diameter; third segment slightly curved, about 0.85 as long as second; smooth scaled, white, both segments blotched basally and subapically with brownish black. Antenna slightly dilated, width of shaft near base 0.22 eye diameter; dorsal scaling whitish, becoming brownish beyond segment 8 or 9. Scaling of tongue and front white, becoming intermixed with grayish and brownish at crown. Thorax: Dorsal scaling whitish, intermixed with various shades of brown, no discernible pattern. Metathoracic brushes dense, not covering the scaled scutellum. Underside whitish with intermixed pale brown; tibiae and tarsi banded (prothoracic and mesothoracic with blackish brown, metathoracic with brown). Forewing: Length about 3.4 times width; rather oval in outline, costa evenly curved to apex, termen broadly curved to dorsum. Ground color whitish, heavily interspersed with brownish gray scales, appearing more or less uniform speckled gray to the unaided eye; markings blackish brown: some indistinct spots near base, a median longitudinal bar, indistinctly arising at costa at basal one-fourth, angled outwardly into cell, thence broadened along Cu fold to termen, beyond middle with three evenly spaced bumps along its costal side, which is darker than any other mark of the wing; two linear spots in costal half, just beyond middle and at outer one-fourth; dorsal half with a spot in basal one-third, sometimes indistinct, a larger, distinct spot above tornus; termen narrowly blotched. Fringe whitish except at termination of median line, dark brownish. Underside brownish, pale at apex and along dorsum. Hindwing: Slightly narrower than forewing; costa folded to end of cell, bearing a dark gray fringe exteriorly (ventral surface of wing), enclosing a whitish hair pencil and clothed with short, specialized scales above the pencil. Ground color white, becoming brownish along costal and distal margins. Fringe white. Underside similar. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling gray, segments banded with whitish posteriorly; ventral and genital scaling whitish, latter tinged with pale ochreous. Genitalia similar to E. calumniella (Figure 142), differing by a slightly broader valva which bears a strong convexity on the costal margin before cucullus; three or four flat, distal spines (two preparations examined).

FEMALE.–A single damaged specimen examined. Length of forewing about 12.4 mm. Apparently as described for male. Labial palpus slightly longer; length of second segment about 1.55 times eye diameter; third about 0.88 as long as second. Antenna not dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.85 that of male. Hindwing costal area simple. Genitalia very similar to E. plaumanni (Figures 254, 255), ductus with only three spirals in the one preparation of omega.

TYPES.–Holotype male and allotype female: Brazil, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, November 20, 1952 (C. M. de Biezanko); deposited in Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard. Three paratype posited in California Insect Survey and Museum of males: same data except November 4–11, 1953; de-Comparative Zoology.

REMARKS.–Ethmia omega may represent a southern race of E. calumniella. The present species differs primarily by having uniform gray forewing ground color, rather than the dorsal half whitish, and by having the black markings more reduced than in the pattern shown by calumniella.

Ethmia plaumanni Powell, new species

A Brazilian species with white forewings heavily marked with black except along the dorsum, in the manner of certain Palearctic species such as sabiella Felder and forms of pusiella Roem.

MALE.–Length of forewing 9.7 to 10.3 mm. Head: Eye unusually small, about 0.8 or 0.9 that of other species of similar overall size. (Head evidently entirely small as eye index =1.1.) Labial palpus elongate, exceeding base of antenna; second segment length 1.5 times eye diameter; third segment curved, length about 0.8 that of second (about 1.25 times eye diameter); smooth scaled, white, broad blue-black bands on second segment basally and third segment basally and subapically. Antenna not much dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.25 the unusually small eye diameter; dorsal scaling white basally, becoming gray. Scaling of tongue, front and crown white, occipital tufts white laterally, deep blue-black at middorsum. Thorax: Dorsal scaling white, base of tegula blackish, pronotum with three large blue-black spots, a pair laterally about middle and one spot covering scutellum. Underside white; prothoracic and mesothoracic legs spotted with black exteriorly; hind trochanters lightly tinged with ochreous, hind tibial fringe moderately dense. Forewing: Moderately narrow, length 3.2 to 3.6 times width; costa gently curved, straightened or appearing slightly concave just before middle; apex acute, termen strongly angled back, tornal angle scarcely evident. Ground color white, markings unicolorous blackish brown, nearly black, faintly reflecting steel bluish in spots: costal half rather uniformly blotched with distinct and indistinct longitudinal streaks, the most conspicuous a bar through outer half of cell into terminal area, preceded by a diagonal, less-distinct band from costa before middle, sending two broad spurs into dorsal area at about middle of cell and beyond end of cell; dorsal area otherwise unmarked except two spots in basal one-third, the outer one nearer dorsal margin; a row of about nine dots around termen, subtending fringe, from before apex to tornus. Fringe white except a small blotch of dark gray below apex. Underside dark gray brown, costa and dorsal area pale whitish ochreous; fringe as above. Hindwing: About as broad as forewing; costa with a fold to termination of Sc, enclosing an elongate, white hair pencil; costal outline nearly straight, apex acute, termen strongly angled back, tornal angle not evident. Ground color white, dark brown at distal margins; fringe white. Underside white, costal area and distal margins dark brown. Abdomen: Dorsal scaling pale brown, ventral white, genital ochreous. Genitalia as in Figure 143 (drawn from holotype, JAP prep, no. 1317; two preparations examined); similar to calumniella and lichyi, the structures relatively small (about 85 percent that of lichyi relative to the respective forewing lengths), spines at distal end of valva in two bundles, a group of several elongate ones and another of small ones.

FEMALE.–Length of forewing 9.3 to 10.0 mm. Essentially as described for male; eye about as large as male; labial palpus second segment length slightly less than male. Antenna not dilated, width of shaft basally about 0.8 that of male. Hindwing costal area simple, concave before apex. Genitalia as in Figures 254, 255 (drawn from paratype, JAP prep. no. 2290; one preparation examined); sterigma simple, lightly scerotized, antrum with a flat plate curled anteriorly, ductus tightly coiled with about nine spirals, signum a concave notched keel without spines.

TYPES.–Holotype male and allotype female: Brazil, Nova Teutonia, Santa Catarina (27°11′, 52°23′), November 1961 and October 8, 1948 (F. Plaumann); deposited in U.S. National Museum. Three paratypes: same data, 1♂, 1♀, X–11–39, 1♀, X–21–48; deposited in collections of California Insect Survey and Carnegie Museum. A series (9♂, 4♀) subsequently examined, same data except VIII, X, 1963, not designated as paratypes, in U.S. National Museum.

Ethmia transversella Busck

Ethmia is a large genus of small moths. It is the type genus of the gelechioid family Ethmiidae, which is sometimes included in Elachistidae or Oecophoridae as subfamily.