African Species of the Genus Acraea. 223' 



Every gradation of intermediate between these two forms 

 of $ may be found. An intermediate was figured by 

 Drury (/. c.) and named A. cyiith.ius. The larva is figured 

 by Aurivillius (/. c.) and thus described : — 



Bluish white above with two narrow dark dorsal lines and a 

 broad black longitudinal line on each side between the dorsal 

 and upper lateral spines. The spines of segments 1-3 and 

 11-13 are quite black, the remainder only more or less blackish 

 towards the point. 



Large numbers of this species have lately been bred by 

 Mr. W. A. Lamborn near Lagos, and the specimens 

 together with examples of the larvae and pupae are now 

 in the Oxford Museum. 



The larvae are dimorphic. That corresponding to 

 Aurivillius' description, is, at Lagos, comparatively rare, 

 the commoner form being darker in colour and having 

 darker markings. From notes supplied by Mr. Lamborn 

 I am able to furnish the following description of the paler 

 form of larva in its various stages. 



A company of larvae found on August 10, 1911, consisted of 

 individuals of an average length of 1 "4 cm. The ground-colour, 

 legs, and underside were bluish white. The spines of the first 

 segment black, those of the second sometimes only partly black. 

 Spines of last two segments black, the remainder white. These 

 larvae moulted about two days later, after which the average 

 length was 2 cm. The ground-colour remained the same but 

 longitudinal whitish stripes appeared, the legs and underside 

 being of the same colour. The first and last two rows of spines 

 were black, the third row whitish with black apices, the re- 

 mainder whitish with black hairs. About the 17th, moulting 

 again took place, after which the average length was 2*6 cm. 

 The principal change from this stage to pupation was an increase 

 in depth of the ground-colour, which became bluish green. 

 When fully grown the larvae had an average length of 3*2 cm., 

 and by the 21st many were suspended for pupation. 



The darker form of larva, PL VI, f. 12, has a bluish white 

 ground-colour, two dorsal blackish bands, bordered on the lower 

 side with yellowish, and a yellowish subspiracular band. The 

 sublateral spines, and those of the six central segments are 

 whitish with black hairs. The lower part of head is black and 

 the upper part brownish. Legs yellowish. 



I am of opinion that the imagines do not present any 

 marked differences corresponding to the two forms of larvae. 



