286 Mr. Gr. T. Bethune-Baker on 



The female of this insect is unrecognizable on the upper- 

 side from the $ of the oroetes, except that in the present 

 species the brilliant blue extends over the upper margin 

 of the cell, whilst in Hewitson's species it does not. 

 Under-side, like the male, except that the pattern is 

 generally more distinct and isolated. In the cell of the 

 primaries are two large vermilion red spots edged on each 

 side with pale metallic bluish, and with traces of red 

 further along the cell. 



This species seems to be the commonest of all the genus 

 with the exception possibly of c/enoveva. It has been 

 recorded from all the Australian States except Tasmania. 

 I am again indebted to that careful observer, F. P. Dodd, 

 for information as to the life history. He finds the larvae in 

 the same localities as oroetes always among or near ants ; 

 when full fed they are grey or greyish-brown, and are 

 duller in colour than the other species he has taken ; the 

 pupse emit similar sounds, and like the preceding insect 

 " tick " more slowly than genoveva. These sounds are not 

 continued for any length of time, but a gentle touch or 

 a shake will generally set them going again, and when 

 one specimen begins others in the vicinity as a rule follow 

 its example. Mr. Dodd tells me that each of the three 

 caterpillars of this genus that he is acquainted with feed 

 at night only. 



Ogyris hewitsoni-meridionalis, sub spec. nov. 



$ . Both wings with the hlue decidedly deeper and less silvery in 

 tone. Under-side altogether darker, the cell markings larger and the 

 white edgings tinged with hlue. Secondaries browner, with none 

 of the strong contrasts that are so conspicuous in heivitsoni ; the 

 spots are browner and not so broken up as in Waterhouse's type 

 race. 



9 . Both wings with the blue of a lilac lustre, not silvery. 

 Under-side similar to the type form. 



Expanse $ 40-41, $ 42 mm. 



The Southern form from Victoria is very decidedly less 

 brilliant than Waterhouse's species, it is also much smaller. 

 I have it from several localities, and as Mr. Waterhouse 

 says that these differences are constant, it seems to be 

 advisable to name the local race. 



