MIMETIC ASSOCIATIONS 



43 



describe a variety of this insect {bimacula, Plotz), in which the ground-colour of the upper- 

 side is vermiUon, and also certain examples of this or a closely allied form which is half as 

 large again as the specimens figured in their work, at the same time expressing the opinion 

 that this form is identical with the bimacula of Plotz above mentioned. Such a species 

 would undoubtedly bear a still closer resemblance to A. helcita. The specimen figured is 

 a West African example in my own collection. 



The sexes do not greatly differ in appearance. 



There are several African Lycaenidae having this type of colouring, which has probably 

 in the first instance arisen as a development in the direction of a general Acraeine appearance, 

 and then produced as in the present case the mimicry of A. helcita. The lately described 

 Telipna nyanza, Neave, is somewhat similarly coloured, though paler, and so more like the 

 yellow forms of Aletis. It was taken at Entebbe. 



PSEUDALETIS AGRIPPINA. 



H. H. Druce, Ent. Mo. Mag., p. 259 (1888). 

 Staudinger {tricolor), Iris, iv, p. 143, pi. i, f. 5 (1891). 

 Aurivillius, Rhop. Aeth., p. 311 (1898). 



Plate III, Fig. 14, 5. 



The very remarkable Lycaenid genus Pseudaletis was founded by Druce on this species. 

 In all the other species (except nigra, Holl., which is principally black) the ground-colour 

 is white or yellowish, but P. agrippina has developed a brick-red ground-colour which, 

 combined with the white-spotted black border, produces a very close resemblance to Aletis 

 helcita, as pointed out by the author in his original description. The two short black tails, 

 conspicuous enough in the cabinet, are probably invisible when the insect is flying or settled 

 with open wings. The species is found in Cameroon, and helcita is abundant in the 

 same region. P. agrippina is an exceedingly rare insect. My figure is from an example in 

 the British Museum, in which collection there are two specimens. The male was described 

 by the late Dr. Staudinger under the name tricolor. 



EUPTERA CROWLEYI. 



Kirby (Cymolhoe), An. N. H. (6), iii, p. 247 (1889). 



Smith and Kirby, Rhop. Exot. (Cymothoe), p. 2, pi. i, f. 5 (1890). 



Aurivillius, Rhop. Aeth., p. 216 {1898). 



Plate III, Fig. 15. 



This extremely rare butterfly was taken at Agowe in Dahomey and the male is not 

 certainly known. Dr. Jordan has shown me a male Eupiera of which he thinks E. crowleyt 

 is probably the female. In the absence of more extensive material it is not easy to determine 

 whether this species is influenced most by D. chrysippus or by a species of Aletis, in which 

 the ground-colour is yellow rather than red as in helcita. I have figured the butterfly in order 

 to draw attention to an exceedingly rare species in the hope that further information may 

 soon be obtained with regard to the development of a pattern which I am convinced is 

 mimetic in character. 



F2 



