Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/286

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222

SCOPELODES UNICOLOR, Westwood.

PLATE XXVIII. Fig. 2.

It is not easy to decide on the natural situation of this curious but plain-coloured moth, although the elongated palpi and slender antennæ seem to indicate a relation with the Crambidæ; it must, however be very remote. Its general appearance is rather that of the female of Odonestes potatoria than any other moth, somewhat agreeing with that species in the broad oval wings.

The head is rather small, but the eyes are large; the palpi are very long, forming a thick clavate brush of hairs; the maxillæ are almost rudimental, forming a very short flat tongue; the antennæ are short and slender; the wings are short and broadly ovate, the anterior rather acute at the apex, from which point to the base the hind margin of the wing forms a regular curve. The postcostal vein is at a considerable distance from the mediastinal one, and anteriorly emits three branches, the third of which is furcate, the apical point of the wing being included between the fork; the medial vein emits three branches, and there are two longitudinal veins (extending from the vein which connects the post-