THYRIDIDAE OF AFRICA AND ITS ISLANDS 161 



of meriani. The differences between the two species are mainly in the more obscure 

 fore wing pattern of meriani where the apical marks are indistinct on the upper side. 

 The undersides are similar but the specimen of meriani is a darker brown than 

 parvula. Both species have black scales in the cell and have iridescent scales under 

 the fore wing. Until more specimens of meriani are available the relationship 

 between this and parvula is not clear. 



Distribution. Map 66. Seychelles. 



Material examined. 



Holotype^, Seychelles: Mahe (Merian), in ZMB. 



Sijua neolatizona sp. n. 



(PI. 20, fig. 106; PI. 44, fig. 249; PI. 65, figs 416, 417) 



o*. Wing, 10*5-1 1-5 mm. Vertex white, frons brown, flattened between eyes. Labial 

 palps with third segment 1/2 length of second, upturned, reaching vertex. Thorax white. 

 Hind tibia with outer spur of distal pair 1/2 length of inner spur. Inner spur of distal pair 

 shorter than 1st hind tarsal segment. Proximal pair with inner spur longer and more slender 

 than corresponding distal spur. Fore wing, pattern as in PI. 20, fig. 106, white with yellowish 

 markings, some black in median area. Apical white area with black spots between veins, 

 bordered by darker curved line. Costal margin yellow at base. Underside with more promi- 

 nent pattern. Line of iridescent scales under fore wing in subcostal position. Hind wing, 

 white, prominent median fascia of black and yellow spots. Terminal and subterminal area 

 with yellowish and white patches. Subterminal line double row of black spots. Sc+R 1 and 

 Rs approach closely but not joining. 



Genitalia $ (PI. 44, fig. 249). Apex of median basal process with sclerotized point. Vesica 

 with small spines. 



$. Wing, ii'5-i2'5 mm. Colour and pattern as male. 



Genitalia $ (PI. 65, figs 416, 417). Duct of bursa covered with small sclerotized plate-like 

 spines. Bursa minutely spinose, no signum. 



Discussion. The pattern of this species varies considerably, some specimens are 

 more heavily patterned than others and the amount of yellow on the terminal and 

 subterminal areas varies considerably. The hind wing has a similar pattern to 

 latizonalis Hampson to which this species is closely allied. It can be distinguished 

 externally from latizonalis by the colour of the fore wing (white in neolatizona ; pale 

 brown in latizonalis). In the male genitalia the shape of the median basal process 

 is distinctive. In latizonalis the process is broad and rounded, in neolatizona it is 

 more angular and saggitate. The manica of the aedeagus is spiny in latizonalis 

 but smooth in neolatizona. Both species have spines round the ostium but the duct 

 of latizonalis is broader and shorter than neolatizona. 



Distribution. Map 68. Liberia; Ivory Coast; Cameroon; Democratic Republic 

 of the Congo; Uganda; Kenya. 



Material examined. 



Holotype $, Cameroon: Bitje, Ja River, 2000 ft, dry season [Bates), BM slide no. 

 9951, in BMNH. 



Paratypes. Liberia: i $, Nimba, Grassfield, ii.1968 [Forbes-Watson); Ivory 

 Coast: i <$, Bingerville, 1915 [Melon); Cameroon: i <$, data as type; 1 $, Bitje, 



