1888.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 185
NOTES ON CYDOSIA AND CERATHOSIA.BY JOHN B. SMITH.Cydosia was first named by Westwood, without any very elaboratecharacterization, in the thirty-seventh volume of the Naturalist'sLibrary, with Tinea nobUitella as sole species and therefore type.In tbe second volume of the catalogue Lep. Heterocera in the BritishMuseum, p. 524, Walker describes the genus as follows: "Has someresemblance to Crambus and other pyralites. Body rather stout, notlong; palpi short, pubescent; third joint conical, less than half of thesecond ; proboscis short ; antennae slender, testaceous, bare, rather morethan half the length of the body; abdomen extending a little beyondthe hind wings; legs rather stout; hind tibia? with four long spurs;wings narrow, rather long; fore wings hardly convex in front, veryslightly oblique along the apical border; hind angle slightly rounded;first, second, and third inferior veins very near together at the base;fourth very remote from them."C. nobUitella Cram, is still the sole species and is credited to the WestIndies and various South American points. It forms a part of theassemblage elassed by Walker as Lithosiidw.In 1868 Messrs. Grote and Bobinson describe Cydosia aurivitta fromTexas, and distinguish it from what they identify as nobUitella by thelack of determinate white spots, the golden bands alone remaining.The genus is here placed in the family Zygaenidce, subfamily Zygaeninic.Without giving any new characters they refer to its systematic positionthus: "The present genus we regard as related to Apistosia Hiibner,and forming one of a low group of zygaenid genera with simple an-temne and elongate wings, which latter, when at rest, the imago foldsafter the manner of Lithosia. This group is so laden with Lithosiananalogies as to render its critical study difficult. C. nobUitella and Oetacompta mimic the Lithosian genus Utetheisa. Deiopeia aurea Fitch isprobably a species of Cydosia. * * * Their metallic colors aid ourconception of their true position." Messrs. Grote and Bobinson hereuse the term "analogy" as Dr. Packard did in treating of Ctenucha, andthey regard all the Lithosian features as coming under it and not asaffinities. They fail, however, to give any zygaenid affinities save ofcolor and wing form.In view of subsequent developments it may be as well to note herethat Apistosia Hb. is placed by its author among the Lithosiidce, andnobUitella is referred to the genus Crameria and placed directly afterUtetheisa, a point which has been overlooked, but which speaks wellfor Hubner's shrewdness in associating allied forms.
18G NOTES ON CYDOSIA AND CERATHOSIA.Mr. Stretch, in the Zygaenidae and Bombycidse of North America, p,161, writes : " X\ CAliMli.K-ZviJAKNi.N.i:? (J en us Cj/dosia.' 1 He gives asomewhat general description of the venation of primaries, but saysnothing of the secondaries, the venation of which is so important infixing the true position of these forms, fie follows Grote and Kobiusonin their comments on its Lithosiid analogies, and also remarks on its re-semblance to the Tineidce. The species he leaves as they were, but sug-gests thai the species identified as nobilitella by Grote and Robinson isnot Cramer's species, but an allied one, for which he proposes the termimitella, should his suggestion prove correct. No differences are given,as Mr. Stretch, not having access to Cramer's works, could not withcertainty identify his species. In 1873 Mr. Grote, in Bull. Buff. Soc.X. Sci., vol. 1, catalogues the Zygaenidae of North America, includingCydosia therewith. He, however, makes it the type of a new subfamily,which he calls Cydosiina', containing this genus only. No charactersare giveu, and no reasons for this separation. He accepts Mr. Stretch'sview that the Texan form is not the same as Cramer's species fromSouth America and the West Indies, but now suggests that the twospecies, aurivitta and imitella, are merely forms of one variable species.Nothing is here added to our knowledge of the structure of thespec it-s.In the list of 1882 Mr. Grote retains the same classification, andmakes imitella Str. a variety of aurivitta G. & R. Penthetria Hy.Edwards is added to the Gydosiince without comment or question.Recently Mr. Edwards removes his genus to the Hetergynidce, quiteerroneously iu my opinion, though he was undoubtedly correct in break-ing up the association with Cydosia.In preparing my notes on the so-called Zygaenid genera, publishediu Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, 1885, vol. 12, pp. 77-84, I had no specimen ofCydosia at hand for study, and I simply referred to it as of uncertainlocation.In the Stettiner Ent. Zeitung, 1885, vol. 46, pp. 203-208, Mr. H. B.Moeschler reviews my paper, and fully agrees with my disposition of themajority of the genera. Of Cydosia, which he appears to know well, hesays it is unquestionably Lithosiid.Recently, in a little lot of odds and ends shown me, I found a frag-mentary, rubbed specimen of C. aurivitta and took the opportunity ofglancing at the venation. I saw at once that the venation was, asMoeschler suggests, Lithosiid. This induced me to examine the Museumcollection, which contains a considerable number of both aurivitta andimitella, and I was easily able to make out the entire venatiou, whichwas completely Lithosiid. An examination of the head, however,showed a prominent clypeal protuberance and very distinct ocelli,making the genus Arctiid and closely allied to Cerathosia Smith. Fromthis latter it differs in lacking the claw of the fore tibia and the acces-
1888.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 187sory cell of the primaries, as well as in minor features of venation, wiugform, etc.These two genera
?
Gydosia and Gerathosia?furnish a very interest-ing and instructive part of our Arctiid fauna, combining as they do thehabitus of the Lithosiidce and some of their peculiarities of venation,with the presence of ocelli, leaving the latter as the sole distinctivefeature separating the Arctiidw from the Lithosiidw. With the Zygae-nidw, Cydosia is analogous only in color, the affinities are all Lithosian,and Mr. Grote and his followers have allowed themselves to be blindedby this superficial character, which did not even deceive Hiibner intooverlooking the absolute agreement in all essential details with Lithosia-As Cydosia and Cerathosia form a distinct group in the Arctiidce, towhich the term Cydosiince may continue to be applied, I will give indetail the characters of the genera and species, premising that the sub-family is distinguished by the narrow primaries, ample secondaries, andthe conic protuberance of the clypeus.Genus Cydosia Westw. Dune. Nat. Libr. 37, 193.Head distinct, not prominent, the clypeal protuberance roughened infront, not depressed centrally. Palpi minute, not exceeding front,slender. Tongue strong, moderate in length. Anteume simple in bothsexes. Thoracic vestiture scaly, closely appressed. The legs are stout,tibia? gradually becoming longer posteriorly ; the median tibia with onepair, posterior with two pairs of spurs. Abdomen cylindric, stout. Thegenitalia will prove interesting, but they are small and not easily madeout, and I have no material for dissection.In detail the venation is as follows: Primaries, 12- veined ; vein 1free, not furcate at base; vein 2 from median, about three-fifths frombase; veins 3, 4, and 5 nearly equidistant fromthe end of the median vein ; vein 6 from the ex-treme end of the subcostal ; veins 7, 8, and 9 onone stalk, 9 nearest to base, 7 and 8 forking veryclose to the apex ; vein 10 from subcostal, as farfrom 7 as the latter is from 6; vein 11 from sub-costal, three-fourths from base, free tocosta; vein12, the costal vein, from base, free, parallel tocosta, which it joins three-fifths from base.Secondaries lacking vein 5. Two internal veinsas usual; vein 2 from the median, half way toits furcation forming veins 3 and 4 ; G and 7formed by the furcation of the subcostal ; vein 8 from the subcostal aboutone-third from base.Mr. Edwards assures me that the Texan form is perfectly identicalwith the West Indian form which Cramer named nobilitella, and thisname must therefore be restored and imitella Stretch cited as a syn-onym.
Venation of Cvdosia.
188 NOTES ON CYDOSIA AND CERATHOSIA.C. nobilitella (ram. Pap. Ex. PI. 264 f.G., Tinea; Hiil>. Verz., p. 168, Orameria;\\ es1 w . I >ono. Nat. Libr. ::7, p. 193, Cydosia : Wlk. Cat. Brit. Mus. Lep. Bet.2, j>. 523, Cydosia; Grt. A Rob. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc n, p. 186, Cydosia;Stretcb, Zyg. & Bomb., 162, pi. 7. f.8, Cydosia.imitella Stretch, Zyg. & Bomb., 163 e1 242, an sp. dist.prsec. Grote Bull. Bull'.Soc. N. Sci. . i. 36, an var. aurivitta.Var. aurivitta Grt. & Rob. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, 2, 186, pi. 3, f. 68, Cydosia;Stretch, Zyg. A Bomb., 163, pi. 7, f. 9, Cydosia.Bead, thorax, and abdomen bluish or greeuish black, metallic, withwhite spots arranged as follows: A spot on the vertex; two small dotsat base of antennae; a few white scales on front and palpi; collar nearlyall white: patagise with two spots each; disk of thorax with five dots.Beneath the legs are maculate with white and numerous whitish hairlighten up the breast. Anal segment of the male ringed with brightfulvous scales.Primaries bluish or greenish black, metallic; a golden-yellow* costalstripe from base to a point over the inception of the first transverseband ; a broad, slightly oblique golden transverse band from the me-dian vein down to inner margin, about one-third from base; anotherstill broader transverse band of the same color rather close to andnearly parallel with the outer margin. A subquadrate spot of the samecolor beyond the middle of the cell, filling the space between the ordi-nary spots which here are obsolete. Between these prominent deepgolden markings are white spots and patches as follows: A dot at base;an elongate spot below the internal vein not reaching the first trans-verse band; an elongate spot between vein one and the median vein,also not touching the transverse band; a large round spot in the cell,between the basal band and the discal spot; below this a smaller, alsoround spot ; beyond the discal spot are two upright somewhat lunatespots before the outer transverse band, and belowT these is a large,subquadrate spot near the internal margin. Beyond the outer goldenband is a series of white dots beginning with a curved series of threeor four small dots on costa, then three larger and somewhat angularspots, the upper much the larger. A white line at base of fringes.Secondaries immaculate somewhat darker than the primaries.Beneath, primaries with a series of small apical white dots and whitefringes, else black, immaculate; secondaries black, immaculate exceptas apex where the fringes are white marked.Expands, .85-.90 inches=21-23mm .Habitat?Texas.The variety aurivitta is in every respect identical with the type formsave that it completely lacks all the white maculation. Exactly whatrelation these two forms, which seem so distinct at first appearance,bear to each other is not yet known. They are not sexes, as we haveboth sexes of each ; they seem to copulate readily, as we have 2 of oneand 9 of the other taken in coitu. The variation is not gradual, for I
1888.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 189have seen nothing like real intergrades. The larval history, whichmight serve as a guide, is unknown as yet.According to Belfrage, as quoted by Stretch, the insects fly in Mayand June. They are generally distributed through the State of Texas,though nowhere common ; are generally taken on the wing in the day-time and are also attracted to light at night,In the Museum collection we have eighteen specimens, about equallydivided between the two forms, and ranging in dates of capture fromthe middle of March to the end of May. One specimen is dated Au-gust, which appears to indicate two broods.Cerathosia Smith. Eutoni. Amer., 1887, vol. 3, p. 79.Body slender, graceful, untufted. Head distinct, rather prominent;palpi slight, reaching the middle of the front, the terminal joint minute.Tongue moderate in length. Eyes hemispherical, prominent; ocellidistiuct. Antennae simple in both sexes. Front depressed, excavated,with a circular, sharp, somewhat irregular rim ; in the center of the de-pression is a cylindrical projection with a truncate and somewhat cup-shaped tip. Thorax ovate, with smooth, scaly vestiture. Abdomenelongate, slender, cylindric, smooth. Legs slender, smoothly sealed,increasing in length posteriorly. Anterior tibia shortest, rather stout,with a moderately long, curved spineat tip ; middle tibia with one pair,posterior with two pairs of spurs,not spimilose.Primaries narrow, elongate, sub-equal, outer margin slightly oblique,arquate ; 12-veined ; accessory cellpresent; internal vein not furcateat base ; veins 3, 4, and 5 nearlyequidistant from the end of the me-dian; 6 from lower margin of acces-sory cell ; 7, 8, aud 9 on a short stalkfrom the end of accessory cell, 8 tothe apex, giving off 9 at about its middle ; 10 from upper angle of ac-cessory cell.Secondaries large, rounded. Two internal veins; 2 from median atits outer third ; 3 and 4 on a short stalk from the end of the median : .">very weak, midway between 4 and C ; 6 and 7 from a short stalk at endof subcostal; the costal (vein 8) from the subcostal about two-fifthsfrom base.Supra anal plate of $ triangular; hook somewhat irregular, thickened*The figure is incorrect in not showing vein 5 of secondaries; the vein is midwayhet ween 4 and G, and is very weak?so weak as to lie invisible in the recent mountin Canada Balsam, aud in the best instance almost obsolete. The drawing was madefrom two slides newly mounted.
Venation and fore leu of Cerathosia.'
190 NOTES ON CYDOSIA AND CERATHOSIA.in the middle, with a pointed tip, but little curved. Side pieces sub-equal, with an obliquely curved tip.C. trioolor Smith. Entom. Araer., L887, vol. 3, p. 79.Bead, thorax, and primaries above, glistening pure white, spottedwith black; secondaries and abdomen uniform glistening clay-yellow.Palpi black tipped ; tip of frontal projection also black ; a black spotai lb*' inner base of antenna'. Collar with a black dot each side of themiddle; thorax with four black spots, two on each side of the middle;patagise with two black spots.Primaries with black powderings along costa, forming an elongatecostal patch at outer third, in which arc three white costal dots. Theblack spots on primaries are rather irregularly arranged and variable;there is a series along the median vein and another along- the subcostal
;
in some specimens there are two rather indistinct transverse bandsformed. At outer fourth is usually a sinuate, narrow, Olaek transverseline, often broken up into spots and sometimes not traceable as a line;there is some difference, too, in the form of the line when it is present.A series of int ra-venular spots parallel to and not far from outer mar-gin always present; a series of terminal lunules; fringe white. Sec-ondaries and abdomen immaculate. Beneath, secondaries and abdomenas above; abdomen with a more or less complete series of narrow blackspots on each side of the middle. Legs white, black marked. Tarsiblack or brown, ringed with white. Primaries yellow to near outermargin, where it is separated from the white terminal space by a broadblackish shading which extends inward on the costa. A series of blackterminal lunules.Expands, 1-1.37 inches=25-35mm .Habitat.?TexasThis species seems locally common. It has been received by a num-ber of collectors as well as by myself, but all the specimens are from thesame source in southwestern Texas. It was collected at light. Thearmed fore tibia, combined with the clypeal protuberance, are, I believe,unique in the Arctiidw.