GENERA OF AFRICAN LYCAFXIDAE 25 



As one can ascertain by comparing all these figures, the male genitalia of the 

 species of Ornipholidotos show an extraordinary diversity. Nevertheless they 

 present good generic characters in the constant shape of the penis, the absence of 

 true valves articulated on the vinculum, the presence of articulated processes on the 

 tergite-sternite suture and the general asymmetry. The female genitalia of the 

 species of Ornipholidotoros are also asymmetrical. In 0. peucetia (Text-fig. 17, 

 abdomen figured flattened dorso-ventrally), for example, notice that the ostium 

 bursae, instead of being situated below the ostium oviductus, is twisted to the left 

 through an angle of about 45 degrees and is visible to the naked eye as a small 

 chitinous trumpet-shaped excrescence on the side of the abdomen. 



There are two hypotheses to account for the external resemblance coupled with the 

 diversity in the structure of the genitalia in the species of Ornipholidotos. Either we 

 can suppose lines of descent from widely different ancestors, when the similarity in 

 external characters would be due to convergent evolution similar to that which 

 resulted in mimicry ; or we can suppose a single line of descent giving rise to species 

 whose external characters have remained pretty well constant, whilst the genitalia 

 have evolved in a disorderly, anarchical manner, tending to produce species which are 

 very diverse and sometimes unstable, as in 0. overlaeti, in which species the dissection 

 of over 50 males produced no two specimens the genitalia of which were rigorously 

 identical, the variations in the shape of the uncus being sometimes quite considerable. 

 Nevertheless this individual variation remains within such limits that one has no 

 cause to doubt their specific identity. It is this observation which inclines me to 

 accept the second hypothesis. 



The caterpillar of 0. muhata (?) has been described by T. H. E. Jackson (1937, 

 Trans. R. ent. Soc. Lond. 86 : 206). It feeds on lichens and resembles a Lepisma, 

 being broadly rounded anteriorly and ending in a sharp point posteriorly. Each 

 segment bears 3-4 black spines. The head is protected by a collar. Its green, grey 

 and black colour blends with that of the lichen. 



List of Species of Ornipholidotos 



* Ornipholidotos bakotae Stempffer, 1962 : 1137, fig. and fig. genitalia. 



* Ornipholidotos bitjeensis Stempffer, 1957, Bull. Inst.fr. Afr. noire 19 : 209, fig. 



genitalia. 

 *Ornipholidotos camerunensis Stempffer, 1964 : 1227, fig. 

 *Ornipholidotos congoensis Stempffer, 1964 : 1228, fig. 



Ornipholidotos emarginata (Hawker Smith), 1933, Stylops 2 : 4. 

 *Ornipholidotos gabonensis Stempffer, 1947, Revue Zool. Bot. afr. 40 : 169, fig. 



and fig. genitalia. 

 *Ornipholidotos jacksoni Stempffer, 1961 : n, fig. and fig. genitalia. 



* Ornipholidotos katangae Stempffer, 1947, Revue Zool. Bot. afr. 40 : 170, figs. 

 *Ornipholidotos kirbyi Aurivillius, 1895. Fig. Smith & Kirby, Rhop. exot. 2 (as 



muhata). Fig. genitalia, Stempffer, 1947, Revue Zool. Bot. afr. 40 : 169. 



