302 RHOPALOCERA MALAY AN A. 



Genus TEPJAS.* 



Tern,,, Swaiusou, Zool. Illustr. i. t. 22 (1820-21) ; Horsf. Cat. Lep. E. I. C. p. 13i (1829) ; Boisd. Spec. Gen. 

 i. p. G51 (183G) ; Doubl. Gen. Diuni. Lep. p. 70 (1847) ; Butl. Cist. Ent. vol. i. p. 44, n. 10 (1870) ; 

 Moore, Lep. CeyL vol. i. p. 118 (1881). 



Anterior wings subtriangular, apex generally more or less rounded, costal margin rounded and arched 

 at base, outer margin more or less oblique, inner margin sinuate. Costal uervure terminating on costa 

 a little beyond end of cell ; first subcostal nervule emitted at about one-fourth before end of cell, second very 

 near end of cell, third and fourth bifurcating about midway between end of cell and apex of wing, third and 

 fifth bifurcating beyond cell at about one-third the distance between end of cell and apex of wing ; upi)er 

 disco-cellular nervule shorter than the lower, which is concave, with its lower half directed outwardly ; 

 discoidal nervule emitted at the junction of the disco-cellulars ; cell broad and extending to about half the 

 length of wing ; upper median nervule somewhat convexly bent and emitted from end of cell, second with 

 its base about half the distance from that of first as from that of third. Posterior wings broadly subovate, 

 costal margin obliquely convex, outer margin rounded. Precostal nervure more or less atrophied ; costal 

 nervure arched and almost reaching apex of wing ; subcostal nervules bifurcating close to end of cell ; 

 disco-cellular and median nervules arranged much as in anterior wing. Body slender ; pronotum hairy ; 

 palpi short, scarcely extending beyond the head, second joint broadly compressed, third joint minute and 

 pointed ; legs slender ; antennae with a gradually formed apical club. 



This genus is almost universally distributed throughout the tropical and subtrojucal 

 portions of the world ; and this is easily understood when we reflect on the migratory habits 

 of so many observed species. In the East the species are, as a rule, of some shade of orange- 

 yellow, with black apical and marginal markings. In the Neotropical region many species 

 have the ground-colour white, instead of yellow, and this hue is also found in some African 

 and Oriental species. 



By the general consent of all who have worked at this genus, it is agreed that the 

 discrimination or separation of the species affords the greatest difficulty. This is owing to the 

 extreme variability of the species, and to the disinclination of some cabinet entomologists to 

 admit the same, or at least with the adequacy necessary to meet these difficulties. A good 

 example of this has been afforded by the treatment accorded to some Japanese specimens. 

 T. hccahe and T. mandariita are two so-called species, which, taken in their typical forms, would 

 scarcely leave a doubt as to their being thoroughly distinct and good species. In 1980 

 IMr. Butler published a paper in which he stated that, by the aid of 154 specimens received 

 from Nikko, he had "been able to arrange a ]jerfect gradational series of scarcely differing 

 forms, from the most heavily-bordered of the Japanese representative of T. hecahe to the palest 

 T. maiidarina, in which the border has practically disappeared." Mr. Butler, however, did not 

 conclude from this that T. hccahe and '1\ mundarina are but extreme forms of one species, but 

 suggested a theory of "hybridization," and described three of the series under new specific 

 names, t Subsequent to this paper Mr. H. Pryer, an entomologist with the advantage of 



- Mr. Kirby (Syn. Cat. Diurn. Lop. p. 441) has substituted Hlibner's earlier published name Eurema for this genus, 

 wliich seems strictly correct; but as tliere appears to be a cousension among lupidopterists to use the better known, 

 and generally accepted, name Tcrias, I have ibllowed that course here, wliich, though eminently reasonable and 

 conducive to 'the study of the butterflies, as against that of generic words, is still scarcely logical and in keeping with the 

 method pursued by myself elsewhere. 



I Trans. Ent. Soc. 188U, pp. 197— 2U0. 



