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1954
The Lepidopterists' News
171
concludes with Coenonympha, and commences the Nymphalidae beginning with Apatura.
The fourth instalment of vol. 2 contains plates which continue the Nymphalidse, figuring Limenitis, Neptis, Vanessa, Aglais, Inachis, Nymphalis, Polygonia, Araschnia, Euphydryas, Melitcea, and Mesoacidalia.
The fifth instalment of vol. 2 continues the text of the Nymphalidae with Melitcea and the following genera: Mesoacidalia, Fabriciana, Pandoriana, Argyhnis, Argyronome, Brenthis, Proclossiana, Clossiana, Boloria, Issoria, embraces the Libytheidae, Libythea, the Riodinidse, Nemeobius, and commences the Lycsenidae with Thecla and the following genera: Strymon, Callophrys, Heodes, Lyccena, Thersamonia, Palceochry soph anus, Syn-tarucus, Lampides, Everes, Cupido, Celastrina, Scolitantides, Philotes, Jolana, Glaucopsyche, Maculinea, and starts Lycceides. The plates continue the Nymphalidse, figuring Fabriciana, Pandoriana, Argynnis, Argyronome, Brenthis, Clossiana, and Proclossiana.
In the Satyridae the authors have used the generic name Agapetes instead of Melan-argia, although an application is now pending before the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to validate the latter name, to which no opposition has thus far been published, and it is in current use by Seitz and other authors.
As observed before, the European authors indulge in considerable splitting of genera, but this, in the writer's opinion, is not the subject of criticism, rather is it to be commended when based on substantial morphological characters. For that reason the reviewer has cited the genera at length so that American readers may see the whole picture.
C. F. DOS PASSOS, Washington Corners, Mendham, New Jersey, U.S.A.
THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS HYDRIOMENA OCCURRING IN AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO (GEOMETRID/E, LARENTUNM). By James H. McDun-nough. Bull. Amer. Museum Nat. Hist., vol. 104: pp. 237-358, 3 pis., 185 figs. 6 July 1954. [Price $1.75; available from American Museum of Natural History, New York 24, N. Y., U. S. A.]
Dr. McDUNNOUGH'S last review of Hydriomena was published in 1917. The new revision is a beautifully thorough treatment of this large genus. Fifty-five distinct species of Hydriomena are recognized, and the new genus Hymenodria is erected for H. mediodentata (B. & McD.). To taxonomists, one of the most impressive and confusing characteristics of Hydriomena is the great variation of wing-pattern which appears in almost any substantial series. The new revision therefore is based largely on the male genitalia and to a lesser degree the female genitalia. The genitalia are described in detail and illustrated in 185 clear figures. Unfortunately, the 63 photographs of spread specimens are so poorly reproduced that their usefulness is not as great as might be expected.
In view of the large number of species, two additions to the revision might have made it much more valuable to lepidopterists other than Geometridse specialists. First, there is need for an identification key, regardless of phylogenetic naturalness, with which at least preliminary detailed sorting could be done; there is a small key to the nine Groups, using the male genitalia, but Group I alone has 35 species. Obviously, precise identifications of undetermined Hydriomena must be made, by the traditional method of "picture-book taxonomy", from male and female genitalia. However, it is a substantial advance that even this can now be done. Second, some reasoned guessing in determining the species would be possible, based on geographic data of specimens, if the "List of Species" at the end of the text were expanded to show the known general range of each form. There is no mention in the revision of larval or pupal characteristics, but foodplants are given wherever known.
The importance of Dr. McDUNNOUGH'S authorship of this definitive revision of Hydriomena is emphasized by the fact that of the 104 names other than synonyms, 59 were originated by him.
C. L. Remington, Osborn Zool. Lab., Yale University, New Haven 11, Conn., U.S.A.