160 THALEROPIS; SASAKIA. By H. Stichel. 



4. Genus: Tlialeropis Sfi/r. 



In habitus similar to the preceding genus, but smaller. Eyes hairy. Palpi long, densely scaled and 

 hairy, projecting above the head. Antennae long, about half the lengtii of the forewing, somewhat incrassate 

 at the apex. Forewing shaped as in Apatura, distal margin obtusely angulate below the apex; subcostal 

 5-branched, only 1 branch proximally to the apex of the cell closed. Hindwing triangular, costal margin 

 rounded, anal angle produced, precostal forked, cell closed. — Larva smooth, limaciform, with horns on tlie 

 head and a forked tail. — Only one species in the Palaearctic Region. 



tonia. T. ionia £<>. (= Apatura ammonia H.-Schdff.) (56a). Upperside reddish ochreous, with black markings 



and white subapical spots. Underside with yellowish and whitish tints, on the forewing the markings of the 

 upperside partly feebly indicated, partly replaced by black spots; hindwing with a brown transverse band in 

 the centre. $ somewhat larger, wings broader, ground-colour paler, otherwise like the ^. In April, May, and 

 again from the end of July until September, very common, even in the streets of the villages. Larva green, 

 with a very large head, whose horns terminate in two processes curving backwards, and which is black in the 

 young larva. 1 1 is found in July and again in the autumn on the Nettle-tree (Celtis) between leaves spun together. 

 Pupa similar to that of Apatura, but the head -case obtuse. — Northern Asia Minor, Taurus, Kurdistan, 

 Armenia. The butterfly resembles on the wing Polijgonia egea, which flies at the same time. 



5. Grenus: Sa^akia Moore. 



Strongly built large butterflies, the cj of the nymotypical species with magnificent blue gloss on the 

 wings. Eyes large, naked; palpi densely covered with scales and hairs, somewhat projecting above the head; 

 antennae strong, about half the length of the forewing, somewhat thickening at tlie apex. Forewing a riglit- 

 angled triangle, with pointed apex; subcostal 5-branched, 2 branches from the cell, or the 2. exactly from the 

 upper angle; anterior discocellular absent, cell open. Hindwing almost ovate, with the costal margin somewhat 

 flattened, the apex rounded, the anal angle distinct, precostal forked, cell open. — Pupa of the nymotypical 

 species thick and clumsy, of the Apatura-iype, from which it may be justified to conclude that also the larva 

 has a corresponding structure. Lively sun-loving butterflies whose flight and habits as far as known strongly 

 recall the European Apaturids. 



The species which belong here have hitherto been placed in Euripus. But as the forms of that genus 

 are quite different in facies as well as in morphology and life-history (larva with hairy warts), the generic 

 separation proposed by F. Moore is here adopted. 



charonda. S. charonda Hlw. (old). (^ with vivid blue gloss, only the apical area .of the forewing and the distal area 



of the hindwing being black. Underside of the hindwing greenish, with a red anal spot and indistinct whitish 

 spots. $ considerably larger, occurring in two forms: the commoner one dull black-brown, witliout vestige 

 of gloss, with yellowish spots; the second form slightly shot witli blue, the spots being mostly white; this form 



splendens. may be called f . splendens Siich. The ^ of this species is a bold warrior, whose habits have been described by Pryer 

 as follows; ,,It is quite fearless and has a favourite stand, often on the summit of a tall tree, from which it 

 sallies forth and attacks any passing bird or insect, not returning to its perch till it has chased the intruder 

 away. Almost the only way to obtain it is to find an oak or chestnut which has been attacked by boring 

 larvae, the fomenting sap from their burrows being very attractive to it. Each individual generally has its 

 favourite tree to which it descends to suck tlie flowing sap, fighting the other insects which also crowd such 

 attractive spots. On such a tree it may often be seen in company with 2 or 3 enormous Hornets and a crowd of 

 the Satyrid Lethe sicelis, stag and other beetles, which it buffets with its wings until its imperial claims are acknow- 

 ledged. If capture be missed the first time, patience is needed, as it will in the course of an hour or so surely 

 return". The pupaislarge and clumsy, of a beautiful green colour. Although Pryer often got eggs, and obtained 

 from them young larvae, he never succeeded in discovering the food-plant. Time of appearance: July. Japan: 

 coreana. Yokohama, Yamata, Kaga, etc. — coreana Leech (52a) is a but slightly different form, which has the spots 

 of the upperside, especially on the hindwing, somewhat enlarged and bears on the hindwing beneath prominent 

 brown markings. This forms occurs in woods, remains in the crowns of trees as the preceding, and is difficult 

 to catch. Corea; Central China (Chang- Yang); West China (Mupin), July. 



funebris. S. funebris Leech (52a) is of the same size, but differs very much in the black colour of the wings. Fore- 



wing with a red spot at the base somewhat dusted with blackish; outer half of botii wings between the veins 

 with long whitish streaks, which are connected in pairs in arc -shape on the forewing and are more 

 prominent on the underside. A very rare species, whose $ is unknown; from West China : Omei-shan, Tatongkiao, 

 genestieri. Tientsuen , in July. — genestieri Oberth. , from Lutsekiang, differs from the nymotypical form in the inter- 

 nervular streaks of the hindwing above and below being united in pairs so as to form arcs, as on the forewing, 

 and being purer white. The red basal spot of the forewing is brigiiter and also purer in tint. 



