THYRIDIDAE OF AFRICA AND ITS ISLANDS 9 



(a) one pair of spines at the distal end of each tarsal segment and (b) rows of spines 

 on each tarsal segment. Some variations from these two groupings occurred, a few 

 species had spines on the last hind tarsal segment only, while others had some extra 

 spines on one or two segments, occasionally only one spine was present on each 

 tarsal segment. The spines, particularly the apical pair, cannot always be seen 

 through the scales on the legs. In all cases where the spines could not be seen 

 through the scales, preparations of the legs were made to check if the spines were 

 concealed. An interesting character which was not studied in detail was the 

 shape of the claw at the end of each leg. The differences in the shape of this claw 

 may be specific (C . parobifera) or generic (Striglina). In one species (C . parobifera) 

 each claw was bifid (PI. 68, fig. 446), in all others the claws were single on either side 

 of the pulvillus. The bifid tarsal claw is common in many butterfly families but 

 has so far only been found in this one species of Thyrididae. 



Wings. The wing pattern of most species of Thyrididae is a reticulate one, 

 modified in various ways. Rarely this pattern is completely absent (L. misalis) 

 or highly modified (E. radiata). Species in many genera have patches of iridescent 

 scales under the fore wing (e. g. Cumbaya, Kuja) or have translucent areas (e. g. 

 Dysodia, Banisia). Strong sexual dimorphism of pattern has been found only in 

 N. betousalis. Generally colour variation was fairly limited in the specimens ex- 



Fig. 7. Wing venation. 7. Epaena trijuncta (Warren). 



