62 P. E. S. WHALLEY 



From B. m. elaralis, B. tibiale can be separated by the pattern, the shape of the median 

 basal process of the valve, the juxta lobes and the shape of the patch of spines on 

 each side of the gnathus. B. tibiale is more distinct from B. m. elaralis than elaralis 

 is from the South American subspecies B. m. myrsusalis. It seems that the small 

 islands in the Seychelles have produced two distinct endemic species {tibiale, 

 apicale) closely allied to B. myrsusalis, which is otherwise a remarkably constant 

 species over several continents. B. tibiale occurs on two islands in the Seychelles 

 group, including the same island as B. apicale. This fact is the one reason for 

 considering them as distinct species rather than as subspecies of B. myrsusalis. 



Distribution. Map 28. Seychelles. 



Material examined. 



LECTOTYPE here designated, labelled Seychelles: Marie Anne {Percy Sladen 

 Trust Expd.), BM slide no. 8431, in BMNH. 



Paralectotype. Seychelles: i <$, Silhouette, 1908, in DZUC. 



Banisia apicale (Fryer) comb. n. 



(PI. 6, fig. 21; PL 29, fig. 156; Text-fig. 5) 



Rhodoneura apicale Fryer, 1912 : 21. 

 Rhodoneura apicale Fryer; Gaede, 1929 : 492. 

 Rhodoneura apicale Fryer; Legrand, 1965 : 88. 



<$. Wing, 13 mm. Vertex brown. Antennae shortly ciliate. Labial palps long, nearly 

 2X diameter of eye, third segment 1/3 length of second. Frons rounded, protruding slightly 

 between eyes. Thorax brown. Hind tibia with scale-tuft, two pairs of spurs (Text-fig. 5). 

 Fore wing, pattern as in PI. 6, fig. 21, grey with black spots and small round translucent spot 

 immediately posterior to cell in fore wing. Radial veins from cell. Underside, as upperside, 

 paler. Hind wing, colour as fore wing, pattern similar but without translucent area. 



Genitalia <$ (PI. 29, fig. 156). Uncus bifid. Gnathus weakly sclerotized, no spiny patch 

 near apex. Socii well developed. Juxta with short spiny lateral lobes. Median basal process 

 of valve downcurved with few teeth. Aedeagus with sclerotized plate forming cornutus. 



$. Unknown. 



Discussion. Although I have examined only one specimen, I feel that the 

 differences between this and tibiale and the fact that they apparently occur in the 

 same locality are sufficient to indicate specific status for them. B. apicale 

 can be separated from B. m. elaralis by the greyer colour and by the lack of spines 

 at the apex of the gnathus. This species is even more distinct from B. m. elaralis 

 than elaralis is from tibiale. Both tibiale and apicale are probably derived from 

 isolated populations of B. myrsusalis and this differentiation has taken place on the 

 Seychelles Islands in spite of the remarkable constancy of B. myrsusalis over the 

 rest of its range. 



Distribution. Map 28. Seychelles. 



Material examined. 



Holotype <§, Seychelles: Silhouette (Percy Sladen Trust Expedition), BM slide 

 no. 9844, in BMNH. 



