GENERA OF AFRICAN LYCAENIDAE 



187 



C. wilsoni (Text-fig. 166) differs again : posterior margin of tegumen deeply 

 excavate on the median line, subunci fairly long, robust, bent, basally massive, 

 vinculum rather broad, with a tapering saccus, lower fultura with small divergent 

 branches ; valves oval with rounded apex, the upper process with very convex 

 dorsal margin, the lower process almost straight and bearing a fine sharp tooth at 

 three-fifths its length from base ; penis long and rather slender, slightly curved ; 

 its faintly expanded tip obliquely truncate. 



It is evident that in Cupidesthes there are patterns of male genitalia intermediate 

 between those that Bethune Baker considered typical of the genus (arescopa, thyrsis, 

 etc.) and those of the large genus Anthene. Again, it is to be noted that, if on the 

 one hand robusta, voltae, arescopa and wilsoni are large robust insects, on the other 

 hand other species, such as thyrsis, leonina, and iritmu have the stature and structure 

 of most species of Anthene. The " genus " Cupidesthes seems but feebly differen- 

 tiated and might well be reduced to the rank of a subgenus. 



The larva of C. wilsoni has been described by Jackson (1937, Trans. R. ent. Soc. 

 Lond. 86 : 220). It lives in ants' nests in hollow trees of Acacia abyssinica and 

 Entada abyssinica (Mimosaceae). 



List of Species of Cupidesthes 



Cupidesthes albida (Aurivillius), 1923, Ergebn. zte D. Zent. Afr. Exp. 1910-11, 

 1 : 1232. 

 *Cupidesthes arescopa arescopa Bethune Baker, 1910, fig. and fig. genitalia. 

 *Cupidesthes arescopa orientalis Stcmpffer, 1962 : 1169, fig. 



Cupidesthes brunneus (Smith & Kirby), see paludicola. 

 *Cupidesthes caerulea Jackson, 1965, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (13) 8 : 531, figs. 

 *Cupidesthes cuprifascia Joicey & Talbot, 1921, Bull. Hill Mux. Witley 1 : 95 {<$). 

 Fig. genitalia, Stempffer, 1950 Revue jr. Ent. 17 : 141. Fig. $, Stempffer 

 24 : 1 170. 



Fig. 166. Cupidesthes wilsoni Talbot, o* genitalia. 



