464 DIDONIS. By Dr. A. Seitz. 



sulpiiia. V. sulpitia Cr. (= symachia Godt., elissa Hbn.) (94 f, as sulpicia), although very variable in size, is con- 



siderably smaller than the preceding species, the median band is not green but white, the colouring of the upper 

 surface somewhat recalhng many Old World Pantoporia. Under surface predominantly whitish, traversed by 

 dark-margined, rust-coloured bands. The band varies greatly m breadth, the oval and the subapical spot on 

 the foi'ewing in size; the small white spot in the end of the cell, which is always distinct beneath, sometimes 

 shows through above much more than on our figure, but may also be entirely absent and the dull band between 

 the white median band and the distal margin may be much more conspicuous and tinged with rust-yellow. 

 The species is distributed over the whole northern part of South America and occurs scattered but not rarely 

 westwards to South Peru. 



epaphus. V. epaphus iffir. ( = epaphia(?ofZ<.) (95 b). As \a,rge as steneles. Black-brown ; distal haK of the forewing 



red-brown, divided from the dark proximal half by a white band ; hindwing with straight white half-band 

 from before the apex to before the small tail. Very variable ; the white band of the forewing may be narrower, 

 broader or posteriorly widened. The band of the hindwing may terminate in a point between the median 

 veins, but also at times bends round and reaches the inner margin as a thin streak. Here it sometimes ter- 

 minates in a white subanal sjjot, but the latter may also be isolated or even absent. On the under surface the 

 apical part of the forewing may be concolorous or traversed by a broad light band ; this hght band is sometimes 

 split up into two by a dark longitudinal dividing hne, but is also sometimes absent or replaced by irregular 

 clouding. On the hindwing the narrow (proximal) white band is not invariably present, but may be absent 

 or incomplete; also on the upper surface the pointed wliite band of the hindwing may bo abbreviated or pos- 

 teriorly broken up into spots. The species is distributed from Mexico southwards to Brazil and Peru, in many 

 localities common, sometimes in only one form, sometimes several of the forms described above fly together. 



trayja. V. trayja Hhn. (95 b) is the southern representative of the preceding and scarcely specifically different. 



It flies in Central and Southern Brazil and is lUce epaphus except that the distal part of the forew ing is not 

 rust-brown but dull black-brown, hke the rest of the wing. The species is rarer than the preceding, but c|uite as 

 variable; in addition to the possible variations mentioned for epaphus there is frequently a whitish subcostal 

 spot before the apex of the forewing and the under surface is often marked with ochreous before tiie distal 

 margin of both wings or with red before the band of the hindwing. — Eggs spherical, white, with 9 — 11 sharp 

 longitudinal ribs ; they are laid singly on Acanthaceae. Adult larva velvety black with orange or light yellow 

 spines, head black with 2 red horns. Pupa rather smooth, without projecting carinae, on the head, on the 

 middle of the thorax and on the back of tlie first 2 or 3 segments of the abdomen with small, short points; 

 duU Ught green, somewhat transparent. — The butterfly fUes on clearings, at the edges of woods and on open 

 places overgrown with bushes. ■■'■'• i i*'*i|itJPi 



superba. V. superba Bates (= aphrodite Btlr.) (95 b). Differing from the preceding chiefly in the shape of the 



\\ings. Tlie distal margin of the forewing forms a tooth between the extremities of the radials, the hindwing 

 is much more deeply dentate and the tooth in the middle of its distal margin is produced into a long spur. Co- 

 louring and markings similar to those of trayja; the white band extraordinarily variable, sometimes twice as 

 broad as usual. Apical part of the forewing sometimes spotted with bright orange. To give names to these aberra- 

 tions is as unnecessary as it is unsafe, as for instance concerning the breadth of the bands, the red admixture, etc., 

 nothing at all is said in the original diagnosis, and it cannot be decided whether tlie type belonged to the broad- 

 banded, the unicolorous, or other form. Central America and Mexico. — This and the two preceding species 

 have been separated from the true Victorina under the generic name Amphirene, principally on the ground 

 of differences in the male genitaha. 



17. Genus: Diiloiiis Hbn. 



Black-brown butterfhes with scarlet band on the hindwing, of medium size, body rather slender; head 

 small, but the palpus in the ? very long. Wings rounded, forewing entire-margined, distal margin of the 

 hindwing undulate. Especially striking is the costal of the forewing, the basal part of Avhich is strongly in- 

 flated. The (J^ have a pecuhar scent-organ, which I described and figured as long ago as 1889. There 

 are 2 stellate, extensile hair-pencils at each side of the middle of the abdomen, which, however, are usually 

 retracted and invisible. In spite of the quite different aspect of the species, Didonis corresponds to the 

 Ergolis of the eastern hemisphere and has also hke the latter a characteristic floating and swaying flight, 

 as they ghde along with the wuigs spread out flat and moving but little, much like a Liminitis or Neptis. 

 7 forms have been distinguished, which are chstributed from Mexico to Paraguay. 

 biblis. D. biblis. Black-brown, with brilliant scarlet band at or before the distal margin of the lundwing. 



From Mexico through the whole of South America to Paraguay and Soutli Brazil, on open places overgrown \\ith 

 brushwood, common throughout the year. — Egg white, oval, flattened at both poles, with fme white down, 

 arranged hke a rosette above. Adult larva grey-brown with light oblique streaks and small, thin green tuber- 

 bles, on the 7th segment a hght band. The spines moderately long, on the head two somewhat curved 



