1892.] 65 



occurring in this district, and in the nests o£ the former I find the 

 large white Aphis only. On the main question, the origin of their 

 nests, I am convinced that they originate by the mode 1 have described. 

 How it applies to other genera in New Zealand I cannot at present 

 determine, or how it applies to the origin of the nests of other species 

 in other parts of the w^orld I must leave resident Hymenopterists to 

 determine ; doubtless m.any originate on some economic basis. 



Ashburton, N. Z. : 



October 3rd, 1891. 



NOTES ON THE SYNONYMY of SEVERAL WEST AFRICAN LYC^NIDM. 

 BY HAMILTON H. DEUCE, F.E.S. 



Several instances have lately come under my notice in which the 

 same species has been described under different names, and to prevent 

 further difficulties and errors, I have determined to note them without 

 further delay. 



Teriomima dispar, Kirby (Annals and Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 5, vol. xix, p. 

 367 [1887], and Rbop. Exot. Afr. Lye, iv, ff. 9—12 [1888]), and Liptena 

 Mnestra, Moschler, doubtless represent the same species. Mr. Kirby's description 

 was published in May, and Herr Moschler's (Beitrage Schmett. Groldk., p. 63) is 

 dated April of the same year, and consequently must take precedence. Mr. Kirby's 

 figure represents an insect with dark purple discs to both wings, although the de- 

 scription states it is "dark brown, fringes grey." Teriomima Melissa, ixdhx {Ent. 

 Mo. Mag., vol. XXV, p. 109, 1888), is closely allied, but in some lights the whole of 

 the upper surface is dark rich purple. 



Pseuderesia Zoraida, H. Gr. Smith and Kirby (Rhop. Exot. Afr. Lye, ix, ff. 9-12 

 [1890]), is a synonym of JAptena ruhrica, mihi (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xxv, p. 108, 

 1888). Some time ago we lent the type specimen to Mr. H. G-. Smith, with some 

 others, to figure, but it was returned, as he considered it the same as L. libentina, 

 Hew. Very shortly afterwards he describes and figures an exactly similar specimen 

 as P. Zoraida. I still think the species is better placed in Liptena. 



PseudaJetis tricolor, Staud. (Iris, \v, p. 143, pi. 1, f. 5, 1891), is the J of P. 

 Agrippina, mihi (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xxiv, p. 259, 1888), from which it differs in 

 the somewhat smaller size, smaller white spots, and the distinct dentate markings 

 on the costa. The Rev. W. J. Holland lias described another species (P. zebra) of 

 this genus in " Psyche " (p. 50, March, 1891) from the river Ogove, which is appa- 

 rently very close to, if not the same as, my P. Clymenus. 



Deudorix ohscurata, Trimen (P. Z. S., 1891, p. 84, pi. ix,f. 13), is identical with 

 D. carulea, mihi (Annals and Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 6, vol. iii, p. 28, January, 1890). 

 True Deudorix not occurring in Africa, and Virachola not being considered to have 

 characters for distinction, this species will, together with nearly all the forms in- 

 habiting that continent, find their place under Papain. 



