sulpitia. 
epaphus. 
trayja. 
superba. 
biblis. 
464 DIDONIS. By Dr. A. Serrz. 
V. sulpitia Cr. (= symachia Godt., elissa Hbn.) (94 f, as sulpicia), although very variable in size, is con- 
siderably smaller than the preceding species, the median band is not green but white, the colouring of the upper 
surface somewhat recalling many Old World Pantoporia. Under surface predominantly whitish, traversed by 
dark-margined, rust-coloured bands. The band varies greatly in breadth, the oval and the subapical spot on 
the forewing in size; the small white spot in the end of the cell, which is always distinct beneath, sometimes 
shows through above much more than on our figure, but may also be entirely absent and the dull band between 
the white median band and the distal margin may be much more conspicuous and tinged with rust-yellow. 
The species is distributed over the whole northern part of South America and occurs scattered but not rarely 
westwards to South Peru. 
V. epaphus Latr. (= epaphia Godt.) (95 b). As large as steneles. Black-brown; distal half of the forewing 
red-brown, divided from the dark proximal half by a white band; hindwing with straight white half-band 
from before the apex to before the small tail. Very variable; the white band of the forewing may be narrower, 
broader or posteriorly widened. The band of the hindwing may terminate in a point between the median 
veins, but also at times bends round and reaches the inner margin as a thin streak. Here it sometimes ter- 
minates in a white subanal spot, but the latter may also be isolated or even absent. On the under surface the 
apical part of the forewing may be concolorous or traversed by a broad light band; this light band is sometimes 
split up into two by a dark longitudinal dividing line, but is also sometimes absent or replaced by irregular 
clouding. On the hindwing the narrow (proximal) white band is not invariably present, but may be absent 
or incomplete; also on the upper surface the pointed white band of the hindwing may be abbreviated or pos- 
teriorly broken up into spots. The species is distributed from Mexico southwards to Brazil and Peru, in many 
localities common, sometimes in only one form, sometimes several of the forms described above fly together. 
V. trayja Hbn. (95 b) is the southern representative of the preceding and scarcely specifically different. 
It flies in Central and Southern Brazil and is like epaphus except that the distal part of the forewing is not 
rust-brown but dull black-brown, like the rest of the wing. The species is rarer than the preceding, but quite as_ 
variable; in addition to the possible variations mentioned for epaphus there is frequently a whitish subcostal 
spot before the apex of the forewing and the under surface is often marked with ochreous before the distal 
margin of both wings or with red before the band of the hindwing. — Eggs spherical, white, with 9—11 sharp 
longitudinal ribs; they are laid singly on Acanthaceae. Adult larva velvety black with orange or light yellow 
spines, head black with 2 red horns. Pupa rather smooth, without projecting carinae, on the head, on the 
middle of the thorax and on the back of the first 2 or 3 segments of the abdomen with small, short points; 
dull light green, somewhat transparent. — The butterfly flies on clearings, at the edges of woods and on open 
places overgrown with bushes. 
V. superba Bates (= aphrodite Bélr.) (95b). Differing from the preceding chiefly in the shape of the 
wings. The distal margin of the forewing forms a tooth between the extremities of the radials, the hindwing 
is much more deeply dentate and the tooth in the middle of its distal margin is produced into a long spur. Co- 
louring and markings similar to those of trayja; the white band extraordinarily variable, sometimes twice as 
broad as usual. Apical part of the forewing sometimes spotted with bright orange. To give names to these aberra- 
tions is as unnecessary as itis unsafe, as for instance concerning the breadth of the bands, the red admixture, etc., 
nothing at all is said in the original diagnosis, and it cannot be decided whether the type belonged to the broad- 
banded, the unicolorous, or other form. Central America and Mexico. — This and the two preceding species 
have been separated from the true Victorina under the generic name Amphirene, principally on the ground 
of differences in the male genitalia. 
17. Genus: Didonis Hon. 
Black-brown butterflies with scarlet band on the hindwing, of medium size, body rather slender; head 
small, but the palpus in the 2 very long. Wings rounded, forewing entire-margined, distal margin of the 
hindwing undulate. Especially striking is the costal of the forewing, the basal part of which is strongly in- 
flated. The gg have a peculiar scent-organ, which I described and figured as long ago as 1889. There 
are 2 stellate, extensile hair-pencils at each side of the middle of the abdomen, which, however, are usually 
retracted and invisible. In spite of the quite different aspect of the species, Didonis corresponds to the 
Ergolis of the eastern hemisphere and has also like the latter a characteristic floating and swaying flight, 
as they glide along with the wings spread out flat and moving but little, much like a Liminitis or Neptis. 
7 forms have been distinguished, which are distributed from Mexico to Paraguay. 
D. biblis. Black-brown, with brilliant scarlet band at or before the distal margin of the hindwing. 
From Mexico through the whole of South America to Paraguay and South Brazil, on open places overgrown with 
brushwood, common throughout the year. — Egg white, oval, flattened at both poles, with fine white down, 
arranged like a rosette above. Adult larva grey-brown with light oblique streaks and small, thin green tuber- 
bles, on the 7th segment a light band. The spines moderately long, on the head two somewhat curved 
