THYRIDIDAE OF AFRICA AND ITS ISLANDS 175 



the male (broad valve, lack of complete gnathus) and of the female (slightly folded 

 anal papillae) suggest that this genus may have some affinities with Chrysotypus but 

 otherwise no close affinities can be suggested at present. This monotypic genus is 

 restricted to the mainland of Africa, from 20 ° south to 10 ° north latitude. It 

 does not extend into South Africa and at present only a single specimen (type of 

 misalis) is recorded from West Africa. 



Generic description. Proboscis present. Labial palps 3-segmented. Fore wing with 

 R i +R i . Fore tibia with epiphysis. Hind tibia with two pairs of spurs. Tarsi without 

 spines. Male with broad valve. Gnathus incomplete, lateral arms (brachia) not meeting in 

 mid-line. Female without signum in bursa. 



Biology. No information. 



Lelymena misalis Karsch comb. rev. 

 (PI. 2, L; PI. 45, fig. 259; PI. 67, figs 432, 433) 



Lelymena misalis Karsch, 1900 : 251. 



Rhodoneura palealides Hampson, 1906 : 120. (Synonymised by Gaede, 1917: 359). 



Rhodoneura palealides Hampson; Dalle Torre, 1914 : 30. 



Rhodoneura misalis (Karsch) Gaede, 1917 : 360. 



Rhodoneura palealides Hampson; Gaede, 191 7 : 360. 



Rhodoneura misalis (Karsch); Gaede, 1929 : 492. 



Rhodoneura misalis (Karsch); Whalley, 1964a : 125. 



<J. Wing, 19-23-5 mm. Vertex and frons bright yellow. Antennae black, slightly serrate, 

 covered with minute hairs. Labial palps 1-1 J X diameter of eye, upturned, almost reaching 

 vertex. Third segment more than 1/2 length of second segment, almost completely black, 

 1st and 2nd segments yellow. Thorax lemon-yellow. Fore and mid tibia and tarsi black. 

 Hind tibia with spurs short, less than 1/2 length of 1st tarsal segment. Spurs pale yellow with 

 black outer spur of hind tibia slightly more than 1/2 length of inner spur. Fore wing, pattern 

 as in PI. 2, L, pale yellow with black veins and margins. i? 4 and R & stalked or free. \A and 

 2 A fuse a short distance from origin to form single vein to wing margin. Underside, very pale 

 lemon-yellow, wing veins not as clearly demarcated as on upper side. Hind wing, Sc+R^ 

 and Rs free. Veins less clearly lined with black than fore wing. 



Genitalia $ (PI. 45, fig. 259). Uncus simple. Gnathus lightly sclerotized on mid-line, 

 two lateral sclerotized processes, one on each side of middle. Transtilla broad, covered with 

 spines. Juxta, simple two lateral lobes. Valve simple, basal process ending in small peg-like 

 tooth. Aedeagus without cornuti. 



?. Wing, 25-27 mm. Labial palps 2 X diameter of eye. Colour and pattern as in male. 



Genitalia $ (PI. 67, figs 432, 433). Anal papillae short. Area round ostium strongly con- 

 voluted. Bursa without signum. 



Discussion. This species is unlike any other species of Thyridid in colour and 

 pattern. The wing venation of this species is variable. The fusion of R 4 and R$ 

 does not occur in all specimens, small, extra veins appear, even partial cross-veins 

 and short extra branches of lA and 2A are common. In one specimen R t and R 2 

 have a short, common stalk on one side only; 2 A is absent in some specimens. No 

 clear indication of the relationship of this striking species can be given. Some aspects 

 of its morphology suggest it might be near species of the genus Chrysotypus. 



Distribution. Map 10. Togo; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Uganda; 

 Tanzania; Kenya; Ethiopia; Zambia; Rhodesia; Angola; South Africa. 



