124 MECIL\NITIS. By B. Haensch. 



Ihrra. The small M. thera FIdr. has also a similar pattern, but approximates more nearly to mnasias Hew. (:33 d). 



mnufiias. thera is the same size as mnasias and has the same markings with the addition of a large white subapical spot 



on the forewing and small white marginal dots. It has further a yellow longitudinal band on the hindwing like 



ethra. The typical specimens of mnasias from the Amazons have white marginal dots and 2 larger, yellow spots 



in the end of the cell and before the oblique band. In the example figured from British Guiana these spots are 



tecta. absent and the marginal spots are yellow. I consequently call this local form tecta form. nov. 



equicola. M. equicola Cr. is very similar to the figured Meclianitis equicoloides (33 e). The black spots at the end 



of the cell of the forewing and at the distal margin form a band and before this is placed a yellow oblique band. 

 The black spot between the median veins in the disc is absent. On tlie hindwing the median band and the 

 very broad distal margin are confluent at the inner angle. 



iliac. M. idae FIcIr. (38 c) is an entirely isolated species from Colombia and Ecuador. The yellow apical 



spots are as in mneme, on the other hand the yellow oblique band is abbreviated and towards the base widened. 

 The hindwing is conspicuous by the absence of the longitudinal band and by the very broad dark distal margin. 

 On the under surface both wings have small white distal-marginal dots. The example figured is from Colombia; 

 the specimens from Ecuador differ in the smaller size and narrower distal margin of the hindwing, which is 

 sharply defined proximally. Ceratiniu pJiUefaera and Helico7iius clara have similar markings to idae. 



sr 



paratiju 



M. paraiya Beah. (33 c). Between the j-ellow subapical and median band are placed 2 spots in the 

 black apical half of the forewing and in the cell two black spots. The hindwing has dark distal margin and a 

 macular band. This common species occurs in (Guiana and on the Amazons as well as in Central and South 

 egina. Brazil; it is very similar to Mecltanitis 7nacrinus and also to Heliconius metapJiorus. — In the allied egina Cr. the 

 median spots of the band of the hindwing are merged with the distal margin into a large spot. In the forewing 

 there is a third yellow spot between the two median ones. This form flies especially in Guiana and on the 

 Middle Amazon. 



messaiis. M. messatis Hew. (33d) foi'ms with the two following varieties a small separate group which closely 



resembles Heliconius ismenius. Particularly striking are the numerous white spots on the forewing. The median 



band of the forewing is only developed in the apical half, messatis occurs in Colombia, whilst the nearly allied 



pardUclis. parallelis Btlr. flies in Panama. The latter has a complete longitudinal band on the hindwing. — dodona Hpffr., 



dodonu. fi-om Bolivia, has on the forewing besides the marginal dots yellow instead of white spots. The hindmargin of 



the forewing is black, the band of the hindwing comi:)lete. 



12. Genus: Meclianitis F. 



The differences between this genus and the often very similar Melinaca have already been given under 

 the latter. The species are smaller throughout, have long, narrow wings and shorter antennae. In colour 

 and markings the Lycorea-habitus jiredominates. 



This genus has a very wide range; species occur almost everywhere from California to Argentina; many 

 forms, especially in the primeval forests of the plains, occur at times in such enormous numbers as are otherwise 

 attained onl}- by certain colourless Ithomiids. At such times the bushes at particular places are literally 

 covered with them. Mechanitis also produces every possible variety of colouring. Most forms vary so much 

 that one can arrange an almost uninterrupted series of transitions between all the varieties. Many specimens 

 are indeed difficult to place with a definite species, and hybridisation apparently occasionally takes place 

 between nearly allied forms. 



polijwnia. M. polyttltlia L. (33 e). Typical examples of this very variable species, with small subapical spot and 



large yellow median band on the forewing, occur especially in Guiana and on the Lower Amazon. The two 

 black spots at the end of the cell are mostly confluent. The median band of the hindwing is broad and dentate. 

 — chimborazona Bates is a local form from the western slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, with very broad 

 yellow median band at the costal margin of the forewing, which is suddenly narrowed into a streak behind 

 the cell. The J(^ have in the hindwing a very broad black median band; in the $$, however, this is only 



casahrunm. present at the apex. — casabranca Hsch. is the local form from Central and South Brazil, which is easy to 

 recognise by the characteristic yellow longitudinal band in the hindwing. Moreover the yellow subapical spot 

 in the forewing is absent and the double spot at the vwA of the cell is widened at the costal margin. The median 



caucaensis. band of the hindwing is narrow. — I designate as caucaensis form. nor. the form from the Cauca Valley in 

 Colombia. This is distinguished by dark brown-red ground-colour, large yellow band-spot and small black 

 spots at the end of the cell of the forewing. The black spot in the cell is produced into a point. The broad 

 median band of the hindwing in the ^ is almost edentate. 



equicoloides. M. equicoloides Godm. d- Salv. (33 e). This and the following foiiii differ from all the others in the 



larger size and more powerful build. But tlie marking is similar to that of doryssus. Very striking are 2 

 black, iselated spots at the costal margin of the hindwing. Whilst the form p^j/iVo^ok/cs from the Upper Amazon 



chimbora- 

 zona. 



