36 OLD-WORLD MIMICS [ch. iii 



of the characteristic Danaines, while a few such as 

 P. ridleyanus and P. cynorta resemble either an Acraeoid 

 or a Planemoid model. 



As in the Oriental region the African Pierines 

 do not offer many instances of mimetic analogies. 

 The genus Mylothris, in which certain species are 

 characterised by orange patches at the bases of the 

 undersurfaces of the fore wings, is regarded by some 

 authors as providing models for aUied genera such 

 as Belenois and Phrissura. But as neither models 

 nor mimics offer a marked divergence in appearance 

 from the ordinary Pierine facies it is doubtful whether 

 much stress can be laid on these cases. 



Africa also offers a few striking instances of mimicry 

 in which day-flying moths play a part. The con- 

 spicuous Geometer Aletis helcita is an abundant form, 

 and with its strong red colour and black wing margins 

 broken by white it is a striking object in the preserved 

 state. Among the forms which bear a close resemblance 

 to it are the NymphaUne Euphaedra ruspina, and the 

 Lycaenid Telipna sanguinea^. 



1 Coloured figures of these and of the other African species referred 

 to may be found in Eltringham's work on African Mimetic Butterflies. 



