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Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society
The specimen was taken along a damp trail from a sandy road, where the vegetation consisted primarily of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), red maple {Acer rubrum L.), white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), sweet bay {Magnolia virginiana L.), tassel-white (Itea virginica L.), blueberry (Vaccinium sp.), and sweet pepperbush {Clethra alnifolia L.), which was just coming into bloom. This habitat resembles in some respects that designated as Group A for kingi by Gatrelle (1974).
Only three worn Megisto cymela (Cramer) and one fresh male Wallengrenia otho (J. E. Smith) were seen in the same area on the date of capture. Incisalia henrici (Grote & Robinson) was common and /. augustus (Kirby) rare in the previous spring, the only other time I had collected there.
William A. Andersen (M.D.), 220 Melanchton Avenue, Lutherville, Maryland 21093.
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 38(1), 1984, 64
THE IDENTITY OF WING HAIRS IN MEGALOPYGIDAE
The wings of Megalopygidae were described as being covered with long, wrinkled or wavy hairs that gave them a wooly appearance.
By making transparent impressions of the upper surface of the front wings of both male and female Megalopyge opercularis (J. E. Smith), using the replica method described by Khalaf (1980, Fla. Entomol. 63(3):307-340), it became clear that the wings were covered with scales that were deeply divided (Figs. 1 & 2); the apices were attenuate; and the branches formed the so-called "hairs". The base of the scales was cuneate (attenuate) as in other moths.
This investigation received support from the Academic Grant Fund of Loyola University.
Kamel T. Khalaf, Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118.
FlGS. 1 & 2. Light micrograph of replica of the front wing of Megalopyge opercularis (J. E. Smith), showing deeply divided scales: 1, female; 2, male.