220 L. de Niccville — List of the Batttrjlies of Ceylo?i. [No. 3, 



south of the Himalayas to Coyloii tlie race is constantly H. phryiie. 

 In Burma there is a very interesting suU-local-raoe (if it may be so 

 termed) which in both sexes on the underside of the forewing along 

 the costa and at the apex, and in the hindwing at the base, is streaked 

 with yellow, while the ground-colour remains white. It has not been 

 named. Absolute synomyms of H. phryne are P. coronis, P. evagete, 

 P. zetixippe, P. cassida, P. hira and H. pallida. It is quite out of the 

 question to allow two distinct species of this group of Hnphinn in 

 Ceylou as Dr. Moore has done. H. nerlsssa is very common in the 

 Island, though scarcer in some seasons than in others, and occurs at all 

 elevations. It is highly seasonally dimorphic, and the larva feeds on 

 Cnpparis. 



170. HOPHINA REMBA, MoorC. 



An uncommon insect in Ceylon and of speedy flight, consequently 

 is difficult to catch. It is found in the hill country between 2,000 and 

 4,000 feet, and is common at Pundaloya. It has been bred in South 

 India, where outside of Ceylon it is alone found, and feeds on capers as 

 usual. Dr. Butler records it from Mussoorie, whicli is certainly in- 

 correct. Its coloration and markings vary greatly in accordance with 

 the season, whether wet or dry. 



171. Nepheronia ceylanica, Felder. 



Oiiginally described from " Rambodde and Trincomali." Dr. Moore 

 in Lep. Cey. gives three species of Nepheronia as occurring in tlie 

 Island, N. cei/lonica (sic), Felder, N. fraterna, Moore, and N. spictUifera, 

 Moore. With the best will in the world we are unable to distinguish 

 between these three species. It is obviously somewhat variable, but 

 whether this variability is due to seasonal changes or to the elevation 

 of its breeding places we are uncertain. It is extremely common all 

 over the island and occuis in the low countiy as well as in the hills. It 

 iias a near ally in the South Indian N. pingasa, Moore. It has not been 

 bred, but the larva almost certainly will be found to feed on capers. 



Subfamily Papilioninj;. 



172. Troides DARSius, G-ray. 



Moore as Ornithoptera darsius. Common in the low country nearly 

 all the year round ; abundant also in the low hills, and occasionally seen 

 at the highest elevations. The female is somewhat variable with regard 

 to the amount of grey coloration on the veins of the forewing on the 

 uppcrside ; the male is very constant. T. darsius is peculiar to Ceylon. 

 The larva feeds on Aristolochia. 



