3" 



H. STEMPFFER 



Wing venation (Text-fig. 237). Fore wing cell short and not reaching the middle of the wing ; 

 vein 7 arising from 6, 8 and 9 from 7. Hind wing cell short, not reaching the middle of the wing ; 

 7 arising from 6. 



Male genitalia (Text-fig. 21). Uncus composed of two large hemispherical lobes which are 

 hollow and distinctly asymmetrical, fused together at the base for a very short distance, each 

 lobe bearing anteriorly a very long, tapered, horn-shaped process ; no subunci ; tegumen re- 

 duced to a narrow strip ; vinculum narrow. Lower fultura welded to a fold at the base of the 

 valves and closely sheathing the base of the penis ; valves oblong, with the upper process bear- 

 ing two strong apical teeth, the lower process semi-membranous. Penis of a peculiar shape, the 

 massive base widely open proximally for the passage of the ductus, the distal half a long, slender, 

 slightly curved point at right-angles to the base ; there are some pubescence on the uncus, many 

 long hairs on the lower process of the valves and a few short hairs on the upper process. 



The male genitalia of all the species of Mimacraea that I have been able to examine 

 are extremely similar and of the darwinii type ; as specific characters one can only 

 point to slight modifications in the form of the apex of the valves. 



The species of Mimacraea have a very characteristic facies, which enables one to 

 distinguish them at once from related genera ; they resemble, often in an almost 

 startling manner, certain species of Acraeinae of the genera Acraea and Bematistes. 

 Since the Acraeinae are not attacked by insectivorous predators, because of their 

 nauseating smell, Mimacraea is often quoted as an example of Batesian mimicry. 

 As in the case of most mimetic species, the colours and patterns in Mimacraea are 

 very variable individually. It seems to me probable that some forms, described as 

 species, are in fact really subspecies or even individual forms. 



The early stages of M. marshalli dohertyi Rothschild have been observed by van 

 Someren [see Poulton, 1924, Trans, ent. Soc. Lond. 1924 : 152). The larva is clothed 

 in small barbed spicules and very long fine hair which spreads laterally and gives it 

 the appearance of a moth larva ; it feeds on lichens and is nocturnal. The larva 

 of M . krausei Dewitz has been briefly described by T. H. E. Jackson (1937, Trans. R. 

 ent. Soc. Lond. 86 : 207). It is similar to that of M. dohertyi but much darker brown 

 and of the same habits. 



List of Species of Mimacraea 



Mimacraea angustata Schultze, 1923, Ergebn. 2te D. Zent. Afr. Exp. 1910-n, 

 1 : 1163. 

 *Mimacraea apicalis Smith & Kirby, 1890. 

 *Mimacraea charmian charmian Smith & Kirby, 1890. 



Mimacraea charmian ertli Talbot, 1924, Entomologist 57 : 38. 



Mimacraea costleyi H. H. Druce, 1912. 



* Mimacraea darwinii Butler, 1872. (darwinia emend.). 

 Mimacraea eltringhami eltringhami H. H. Druce, 1912. 



Mimacraea eltringhami burgeoni Hawker Smith, 1928, Revue Zool. Bot. afr. 

 16 : 214. 



* Mimacraea flavefasciata Schultze, 1912. 

 Mimacraea fuh aria Aurivillius, 1895. 

 Mimacraea gelinia (Oberthur), 1893. 



