GENERA OF AFRICAN LYCAENIDAE 



213 



the other hand he admits that the " virgae excitatae " take the place of the furca of 

 other species of Lampidinae. I cannot agree with this interpretation. I have for a 

 long time studied the geographical distribution of Tarticus in the Ethiopian region 

 and dissected very numerous male genitalia of species of this genus. Not content 

 with single whole mounts, in side view, I have dissected out the parts and cut through 

 the top of the tectorius to extract the penis. I have come to the conclusion that the 

 tectorius is not an independent structure, not a second vinculum, but simply a 

 prolongation of the lower process of the valves, as there is no suture between the 

 two structures. In other African Lampidinae one comes across a similar fusion of 

 the distal portions of the arms of the lower fultura, or at least a curtain-like expan- 

 sion of its arms. In my opinion the virgae excitatae do not correspond to the 

 furca ; they are simply extensions of the valves originating at different levels 

 according to the species, and furthermore they are not found in all species of 

 Tarucus. In theophrastus the virgae excitatae (Text-fig. 186) arise from the upper 

 process, in species of the rosacea group (mediterraneae Bethune Baker) they are fused 

 to the lower process. The valves of some Ethiopian species of Castalius (e.g. 

 melaena Trimen) also have sclerites comparable to the virgae excitatae of Tarucus. 

 To illustrate my contention I have drawn in the accompanying diagram (Text-fig. 

 186) with solid lines the lower process of the valves, the tectorius (cut open at its 

 apex) and the virgae excitatae, and have indicated the general outline of the valves 

 by dotted lines. I believe that my interpretation of these structures in the genitalia 

 of Tarucus is more tenable than that of Bethune Baker. 



In accordance with his genitalia studies, Bethune Baker divided the species of 

 Tarucus into four groups and he figured the male genitalia of all the species known 

 in 1918, except those of thespis Linnaeus. As I have since illustrated the genitalia 

 of all the species that I have described, figures are here given only of those species 

 not yet illustrated. 



1 86 



Figs 185-186. Tarucus theophrastus (Fabricius) $ genitalia. 185, Kantara ; 



186, W. Darfur. 



