558 PREPONA. By H. Fruhstokfeb. 



P. licomedes exhibits above 3 tra use el hilar blue spots and a relativelj^ light, bright-glossy, com- 

 pact blue region resembling rather P. pheridames (112 a). We have to record only two areal forms; specimens 

 licomcdcti. of the Andine region differ only by the increased brown spotting of the under surface. — licomedes Cr. (Ill d), 

 fu'st described from Sinnnam, but occurring in the whole Amazon district. Michael writes about it« habits: 

 ,,The licomedes fly very swiftly and skilfully, but like to rest often on especially conspicuous trunks of trees, 

 always with their heads downwards. As soon as any other butterfly dares to approach them, they dash at 

 it, pursuing it in the most pertinaceous way, whereupon they use to retm'n to then- former place and, in 

 case it is already occupied by another butterfly, they chase away the intruder. In Itaituba I saw every day, 

 at an especially adapted place, a specimen of 'pheridamas in a damaged condition. I caught it and, after 

 having marked its wizigs, I let it fly away again, and then I observed this animal for two months day by 

 day, and also repeatedly caught it again in order to ascertain whether it was the right one. Finally, one day, 

 I missed it, after having at last been flying off already in such a condition that it would have been difficult 

 scynis. to ascertain the species." — scyrus svbsp. nov. denominates the race from the chain of the Andes, being of 

 a more conspicuous habitus and beneath more richly decorated in brown and more prominently marked, with 

 the type from Peru, where scyrus is not rare near Pozzuzo. There are also specimens lying before me fi'om the 

 Bolivian lowlands and Fassl took congruent specimens on_ the Upper Rio Negro in 800 m; appendage of the 

 uncus of a most conspicuous shape, with a frontal indenture, generally resembling a minute vexil. Valve distally 

 very much tajaering, similarly to that of P. demophon. 



P, chromus, a species peculiar of the Andine region, going only over to Venezuela in the west. It is 

 the only species with entirely black upper suiface of the forewings. The chain of ocelli on the hindwings is 

 very variable, and the size of the ochre-yellow rings seems to increase from north to south so that Bolivian 

 specimens are decorated the most profusely on the upjDer surface. Larva discovered by Fasssl and described 

 cMliarrlics. in the diagnosis of the genus. — chiliarches suhsp. nov. excels Colombian specimens in size. The blue area of 

 the hindwings is somewhat lighter, decidedly narrower and longer. The eye-spots of the hindwings almost 

 without a diaphanous ochreous periphery. The distal part of the under surface of both the wings jjreponderantly 

 grey instead of brown, the median band with its silvery gloss and the greyish-white dusting on the hindwings 



chroiiins. and the whitish-grey clouding on the forewings more extensive. Venezuela. — chromus Guer. (= hcrcules 

 Dhl.) from Colombia has the smallest blue discal spot on the upper surface of tlie hindwings and the lightest 

 grey basal zone of the under surface. Both the wings resemble beneath P. synchroma (114 a) the most. The 

 very rare $ has two forms: the one similar a ^ without the blue fragmentary bands of the forewings and 



ochracca. tlie intensely ochre-yellow ringleted ocelli of the hindwings; and fa. ochracea Fassl with accumulations of 

 light brown scales beginning in the anal angle of the forewings and advancing about as far as to the wing- 

 centre. It was found in the Canon del Tolima (Central Cordilleras, about 1700 m). Male specimens from Ecuador 

 xfiMi-rhus. are larger than the Colombian ones and already form a transition to xenarchus suhsqy. nov. with the nomen- 

 clutaral type from Pozzuzo (Peru). Forewing more jjointed, hindAving likewise longer than in chromus. The 

 l)lue discal spot anally more extensive. Under surface with less markings and colours. Basal zone of a lighter 

 grey, distal half isreponderantly greenish -grey, without prominent brown clouds. Instead of a broad brown 

 fujisli. median band only a greenish stripe. — fassli Bob. (112 a as chromus), the Bolivian Iccal form, beneath some- 

 what more variegated than xenarchus, approaching more the Ecuador form. The white median band of the 

 hindwings, like in xenarchus, confined upon a fragment, reaching but the subcostal. Valve more slender than 

 in P. chalciope. Uncus characteristic by two unciform appendages curved downwards. 



P. priene resembles P. chromus above, the forewings, however, exhibit again the usual magnifi- 

 cent band, but no blue subapical spots. Wings narrower than in chrotmis, apex of the forewings not prominent. 

 Under surface, according to the locality, with or without whitish or yellowish parts in the distal area of both 

 pricnr. the wings. — priene Hew. resembles above synchroma (114 a) from which it differs by a darker under surface. 

 The submarginal band being distinct in synchroma is hardly indicated. Of the ocelli on the hindwings cnly 

 .■^yiichroimi. the two anal ones are blue-pupilled. Colombia, very rare, only 1 (J in the Coll. Fruhstorfee. — synchroma 

 Stgr. (114 a) is said to originate from Blumenau in Santa Catharina, but the form has not been found there 

 anymore since 30 years. I, therefore, presume that the locality has been mistaken, and should much rather 

 consider the Andine region to be its habitat. The direction of the variation corresponds exactly to that of P. 

 chromus xenarchus, so that P. synchroma has presumably come from Peru and may be expected again trom 

 there. This supposition is supported by the presence of a (^ from Huancabamba (Peru) in the Coll. Fassl having 

 the blue reflection of the forewings already indicated in its beginnings or rudiments. 



Section P r e p o n a B.<id. Scent-tuft of the hindwings yellow. 



P. pylene is an interesting, most variable species, greatly inclined to forming local races, of Central 

 and Southern Brazil. Its scent-tufts do not always stay jet-black, but occasionally they are coloured in grey, 

 reddish and sometimes almost yellowish, by which it forms a transition from the P. demophon-gvoup to the 



