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This genus is related to Damalis Fabricius. It is distinguished by having the dorsum of thorax clothed with very dense yellow pile (as in Bombomina); this pile is mostly erect and so dense that the ground color is almost concealed. The species of Damalis are more sparsely haired, with the pile mostly recumbent and not at all concealing the ground color.

The material here described represents three new species and one new variety. These were received by the writer from J. K. Jacob of the University of British Columbia and from D. Denning of the University of Minnesota.

Since 1963 a team research, multi-disciplinary project has been underway attempting to gain as much information as possible concerning evolutionary processes under insular conditions: why some groups have speciated so profusely in the Hawaiian Islands; why and how such an array and diversity of morphological and biological characters have arisen; the time required for speciation; and ultimately the origin of species. This has been a cooperative project of the University of Hawaii Departments of Entomology and Genetics and the Genetics Foundation, University of Texas, and has involved many senior investigators, technicians, and assistants. To date approximately 25 senior scientists from various institutions and about 150 graduate and undergraduate research assistants have taken part in this study. The stock center for the Hawaiian species has been established and is being maintained at the University of Texas. The species now in culture are available for experimental use by qualified researchers.