XIII. On the African Species of the Genus Neptis Fab. By 
H. E.trrncuam, M.A., D.Sc., F.Z.S. 
PruatEes XX—XXV. 
[Read Oct. 5th, 1921. ] 
Tur Genus Neplis was founded by Fabricius in 1807. It 
includes many species of small or medium-sized butterflies 
usually characterised by white or yellow markings on a 
sepia black ground-colour. ‘Two species occur in Kurope. 
The genus extends over the 
whole of the African and Oriental 
fy a regions and into Australia. The 
SS hh . . . . 
| , wing neuration is as shown in 
6 Sene fo) % F 
s the accompanying diagram. Its 
(ais tage 
Heats arrangement is fairly constant, 
though there is -a certain insta- 
bility in the point of origin of 
the tenth nervule in the fore- 
wing, which may arise at or 
beyond the end of the discoidal 
cell. The fore-feet are of the 
usual Nymphalid character, and 
serve aS an easy method of 
distinguishing the sexes. The 
hind-feet have two simple claws, 
a well-developed pulvillus, and 
very rudimentary paronychia. 
The characteristic patterns and markings of Neptis are 
such that the species are unlikely to be confused with those 
of any other genus except Athyma. If the example be a 
male, it may be distinguished as Neplis from the fact that 
the hind-wing costal nervure (8) ends on the costa in Neptis, 
whilst in both male and female Athyma this nervure ends 
on the hind margin. If it be a female, Neplis may be 
distinguished by the precostal nervure, which is straight 
where it arises from the costal, whilst in Athyma it follows 
a continuous curve from its origin; also in Neptis the sub- 
costal nervures in the hind-wing arise much nearer to the 
costal than in Athyma. Further, in Athyma there is near the 
origin of the fore-wing median nervure a short spur on the 
inner marginal side. Such a spur is absent in Neptis. 
TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND, 1921.—PARTS Ill, IV. (JAN. 722) 
wo 
