Entomological Reprints

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1899 Excerpt: ... Notes on some Heliothid Moths. By T. D. A. Cockerell. 1. Rhododipsa masoni Smith. Some years ago my wife collected specimens of this species at Boulder, Colorado, always on flowers of Gaillardia aristata. The moth rests on the flowers so that the red wings are on the red disc, and the yellow thorax is over the yellow rays, with the result that although the insect is brightly colored, it becomes practically invisible. I afterwards found that this habit was known to Mr. J. Mason, of Denver, and Professor Gillette. The type was, I believe, discovered through the picking of a Gaillardia flower. 2. Lygranthoecia brevis Grote. At Boulder, on August 3, I noticed that this species rests upon the disc of Helianthus lenticularis, and is admirably protected in this position by its color. It seems to me very close to R. masoni, and I had taken it for a new form of Rhododipsa, but Dr. Dyar assures me that it is Grote's brevis. Hoiland's figure (PI. xxvii, f. 40) is not much like my insect; Hampson's is better, but hardly characteristic, and as I was unable to identify my species from the works of these authors, I give a brief new description. Expanse about 26 mm.; eyes large, rounded; prothorax with mainly yellow hair, almost entirely replaced on disc of thorax above with broad gray scales, having a more or less greenish lustre; behind this are large tufts of hairs which are broadly tipped with red; abdomen dark plumbeous with a metallic greenish and pinkish lustre, the apex broadly pinkish shading into orange at tip; anterior tibiae very short, three spurs on outer side, one near middle of apex, and mesad of that two large ones, also a small one on inner side higher up; pattern of anterior wings essentially as in R. masoni, but bright deep ferruginous taking the place ...