Mimicry in certain Butterflies of New Guinea. !-.'> 



Ornytion (not ornythion), described as a Pieris, is not a 

 Huphina (as Butler and Fruhstorfer) ; but a Delias (as 

 Staudinger, von Mitis, and Grose Smith and Kirby). 



Persephone is not a Huphina (as Fruhstorfer); but a 

 Delias (as Staudinger). 



Dohertyi, Oberth., described as a Pieris. is not a Huphina 

 (as Butler and Fruhstorfer) ; but a Delias. The three last- 

 named forms are very probably conspecific. 



Dohertyi, Roths., is rightly assigned to Delias by its 

 deseriber, by Grose Smith and Kirby, and also by Butler. 



Ladas is not a Huphina (as Butler and Fruhstorfer); 

 but a Delias (as Grose Smith and Kirby). 



The confusion that has prevailed with regard to these 

 species affords a, good illustration of the way in which even 

 skilled entomologists may be misled as to affinity by 

 striking resemblances in colour and pattern. It is surely 

 not unreasonable to suppose that analogous mistakes may 

 be made by insectivorous enemies. 



To turn now to the main subject of this paper. It will 

 be observed that all the forms that have been mentioned 

 are inhabitants of New Guinea and adjacent islands; 

 also that, leaving Huphina euryxantha and the form of 

 Myites geoffroyi with a light hind-wing out of account, the 

 remainder are characterised by a uniform dark coloration 

 of the under surface of the hind-wing, in some cases relieved 

 by streaks, touches or lines of bright red. The butterflies 

 in question belong to three different genera; two of the 

 genera, viz. Delias and Huphina, being included in the 

 subfamily Pierinae, and the third, viz. Myites, in the sub- 

 family Nymphalinae. Of all these forms, Delias ornytion 

 may perhaps be regarded as the most characteristic. I 

 am not acquainted with the habits and postures of any of 

 the members of this assemblage ; but if D. ornytion behaves 

 like most other Pierines, its attitude Avhile feeding or 

 resting during the intervals of flight would show on the 

 underside a striking contrast between the dark hind-wing 

 and apex of fore-wing on the one hand, and the white 

 portion of the fore-wing on the other. The appearance of 

 the butterfly, already conspicuous and distinctive, would 

 be rendered still more so by the red costal streak and red 

 patches or submarginal line of the hind-wing. Huphina 

 abnormis under similar conditions would display the 



