THYRIDIDAE OF AFRICA AND ITS ISLANDS 85 



The limits of this genus are not clear since they are based here primarily 

 on African and Madagascan species. The division into two subgenera was made 

 when the Madagascan species were examined (Whalley, 1967) but with the examina- 

 tion of all the African species this division is less distinct. There are seven des- 

 cribed species of the genus in Africa but several more, represented by a few damaged 

 specimens await description. The species in the genus are not all as closely allied 

 to one another as species in some other genera and an examination of the Indo- 

 Australian species of the genus may help to clear up the problem of the generic 

 limits. 



The generic description fits the African species and the presence of a signum is the 

 basis of the separation of the two subgenera. The concept of the genus Rhodoneura 

 could be enlarged to include the species at present in Tridesmodes, which I retain as a 

 monobasic genus near Rhodoneura. Tridesmodes seems to provide a link with 

 Epaena, whose species have similar wing venation but seem to have lost (? or not 

 had) the tarsal spines of Tridesmodes and Rhodoneura. 



Generic description. Labial palps 3-segmented. Eyes without interfacetal hairs. 

 Proboscis present. Fore tibia with epiphysis. Hind tibia with two pairs of spurs. Hind tarsi 

 each with pair of apical spines or single apical spine. Fore wing with or without some fusion 

 of radial veins. Uncus simple. Gnathus present. Bursa with or without signum. 



Key to the Subgenera of RHODONEURA 



1 Translucent white species with pinkish red suffusion, particularly on terminal margins. 



Signum in bursa usually spiny ..... ISOTHAUMA (p. 94) 



- Otherwise coloured. White areas, if present, in terminal position, never median or 



basal. No signum (except roseola, PI. 56, fig. 330) . RHODONEURA (p. 85) 



Subgenus RHODONEURA Guenee 



Rhodoneura Guenee; Whalley, 1967 : 19. 



Subgeneric description. Fore wings usually with radial veins from cell, sometimes 

 stalked. Bursa usually without signum. 



This subgenus contains six African species but a further species (undescribed) 

 is discussed on page 98. One new species of this subgenus from Madagascar is 

 described here which brings the total to six species of this subgenus in Madagascar. 



Biology. No information. 



Key to the African Species of RHODONEURA (RHODONEURA) 



1 Wing over 12 mm ........... 2 



- Wing under 12 mm ........... 3 



2 (1) Terminal and apical areas of fore wing white, median and basal areas without 

 white patches. ........ sordidula (p. 86) 



Terminal area of fore wing brown. Median and basal area with white patches 



lacunosa (p. 88) 



3 (1) Fore wing reddish brown with pinkish suffusion and brown transverse lines, 

 fairly uniformly coloured species ..... flavicilia (p. 90) 



- More patterned species with light areas on fore wing ..... 4 



