56 P. E. S. WHALLEY 



similar to PL 5, fig. 18, and lack most of the fenestrations in the fore and hind wings, 

 which are so characteristic of the holotype. There is no difference between the 

 genitalia of these two forms and no differences can be seen from the data at present 

 available on the possibility of seasonal forms. Both forms have been caught in the 

 same month and in the same locality. This species is related to N. joccatia from the 

 mainland of Africa. It can be separated from this species in the male by the shape 

 of the basal process of the valve and in the female by the shape of the ostium. 

 N. clathrula is generally larger than N. joccatia and has sexual dimorphism of colour, 

 the male being grey-brown while the females are distinctly red-brown. 



Distribution. Map 26. Mauritius. 



Material examined. 



Holotype $, [Mauritius]: "Patrie inconnue, Strigl. clathrula Gn. Oberthur coll.", 

 BM slide no. 8408, in BMNH. 



Mauritius: i <$, Mt Corps de Garde (Cane), xi.1898, in MHNH; 1 <J, Curepipe 

 (Carie), v.1900; 1 $, Curepipe, 1600 ft (Tulloch), vii.1900-iii.1901; 1 $, Curepipe 

 (Carte), 18.vi.1902, in MNHN; 1 <$, 1 $, Curepipe (Carie), iii.1905, in MNHN; 1 <$, 

 1 $, Curepipe (Carie), v. 1906, in MNHN; 1 $, Curepipe (Carie), 21.1.1911, in MNHN; 

 1 $, Curepipe (Carie), 9.11.1912; z$, 1 $, Curepipe (Carie), x.1912, in MNHN; 1 $, 

 Curepipe (Carie), 18.ii.1913; 1 $, Curepipe (Carie), 9.111.1913; 1 <$, He Maurice, in 

 MNHN; 1 $, Macabe (Vinson), 28.1.1963, in MNHN. 



Neobanisia inoptata sp. n. 



(PL i, G; PL 51, figs 292-294) 



$. Wing, 9—10 mm. Vertex brown, frons slightly produced between eyes. Labial palps 

 slightly longer than diameter of eye, third segment more than 1/3 length of thorax. Thorax 

 reddish brown. Hind tibia with outer spur of distal pair slightly more than 1/2 length of inner; 

 proximal spurs longer than distal spurs. Fore wing, pattern as in PI. i, G, reddish brown with 

 dark terminal margin, grey-white fringe and narrow, red, subterminal fascia. Rest of wing 

 lightly marked with sinuous brown, transverse lines. Costal margin grey-brown. Frenulum 

 double. Radial veins from cell. R x approaches R 2 but does not join it. i? 3 and i? 4 separated 

 at base by 2 x distance of i? 4 from R b . Underside, subterminal brown mark and yellowish 

 mark over apex of cell, ground colour paler than upper side but more strongly reticulate. 

 Hind wing, colour and pattern as fore wing. Sc J i-R 1 and Rs approach closely but do not join. 

 Underside with reddish mauve tinge and more heavily marked than upperside. 



Genitalia $ (PI. 51, figs 292, 293, 294). Anal papillae short. Ostium sclerotized and spined. 

 Posterior margin of last segment forms part of cover over heavily sclerotized part of ostium. 

 Median spiny pad in centre of ostium with lightly sclerotized lateral arms. Anterior part of 

 last segment heavily spined, with two large spines laterally. Duct long and strongly convolute, 

 bursa with large sclerotized signum with more heavily sclerotized transverse bar on signum. 



$. Unknown. 



Discussion. The reddish brown colour with dark terminal margins and small 

 size readily separate this species from all other African Thyridids. The genitalia 

 and wing venation are similar to fuliginea, particularly in the presence in both species 

 of the two large spines on the last abdominal segment, the shape of that segment and 

 the shape of the signum. Although males of inoptata have not been found, the 



