DODONA. By H. Fruhstorfer. 
/ / o 
2. Genus: ]>o«lona Hew. 
The most closely allied to the genus Zemeros from which it differs structurally by the posterior disco- 
cellular which is, contrary to the genera Nemeobius and Zemeros, strongly indented concave and, therefore, 
terminates distal to the median bifurcation. The subcostal veins of the forewing stand more remote. Cell more 
slender than in Zemeros, forming an acute angle on the hindwing. Precostal very long as in Zemeros, the costal 
vein remote from the radial stem with which it runs parallel as far as the rising of the precostal. Early stages 
known only of one species. Larva on Moesa, Gramineae, and alpine bamboo, emerald green with blue dorsal 
lines. Head brown. Pupa almost like that of the genus Abisara, though naked. Head with two obtuse protu¬ 
berances. Tail-end pointed. Clasping-organs approximating those of Zemeros, valve, however, uniformly broad, 
trough-shaped. Penis-tube short, surrounded by a skinny mantle. Imago generally rare, inhabiting exclusively 
mountainous districts, nowheres occurring below 1000 nr above sea-level, but observed as far as up to 3000 m. 
They are predominantly forest-animals, but one species is reported to occur on grassy slopes of mountains. 
Several species seem to have only a spring-generation. Of other species the 9? hibernate. They fly swiftly, 
though only for short distances. Like the Abisara, they like to jump at short intervals from one plant to the 
other. Sexes, as a rule, monomorphous, $ somewhat larger and paler than the Only one species is 
greatly dimorphous; of one species from Borneo we know a ^-like form as well as a heteromorphous form. 
The centre of its range is the Himalaya and its spurs. From Szetchuan only the most common Indian species 
have become hitherto known in local forms, Burma has some peculiar species with vicarious types in Hainan 
and Macromalayana. From Tonkin no Dodona is known as yet, from Annam a magnificent areal form is 
mentioned here for the first time. In Java I chanced to discover the genus in two species as a novelty for 
this island, later on a third one was yet found. From Sumatra only one species, from Borneo two species have 
been ascertained. We may be sure to expect further discoveries from there. In South India and in Ceylon 
Dodona are just as absent as Zemeros, but the Philippines have a Dodona- species, whereas Zemeros is absent 
also in this group of islands. 
D. dipoea, the most unpretending species of the genus, is divided into two areal forms. — nostia nostia. 
(139 e) from the West Himalaya occurs particularly often near Masuri where it was observed up to 7000 feet. 
As its flying time, the warm months from May to September are mentioned. — dipoea Hew. (139 d) was dipoea. 
described by its author according to a specimen from Darjeeling, whereas the model for our figure originates 
from Bhutan. The specimens are considerably larger than nostia from the West Himalaya and Cashmir, the 
spotting of the upper surface is reddish-yellow instead of white. Under surface more variegated, with silvery 
white small stripes, instead of the greyish-yellow ones of nostia. According to Niceville common in Sikkim; 
during the months of April till December, and where there are yet woods, occurring from about 1500to 3000 m. 
Doherty found specimens in the Naga Hills at an elevation of 6000 ft. 
D. dracon Nicev. replaces perhaps D. dipoea in Burma. There is only one specimen known which dracon. 
is reported to be still smaller than dipoea. The ground-colour of the upper surface is lighter with an ochreous 
admixture, the spots, however, of a pure white without reddish shades. Under surface with a black anal spot 
being parted by a red-yellow line. Northern Shan States, flying time March. 
D. durga has a peculiar range. Being extremely common in the West Himalaya, it was not ascer¬ 
tained on Indian soil further to the east than Nepal, but then it suddenly occurs again most frequently in West 
China. There are three local races to be registered: durga Roll. (139 e) having been discussed already in Vol. I, durga. 
p. 254 is found on pastures and grassy slopes, being a butterfly loving the sun, at altitudes from 800 to 2500 m. 
Judging from an empty pupal tegument, the pupa resembles that of Zemeros flegyas, though the casing is some¬ 
what higher and the anal point further protracted. •— sirtica Moore (Vol. I, p. 254, t. 89 d) lies before me from sinica. 
Siau-Lu and Mupin. From May till July at elevations of 5 to 10 000 ft. — rubula subsp. nov. was recently sent rubula. 
to me as originating from the Province of Kweitchou. Habitus approximating durga from which — and from 
sinica — it differs by predominant black colouring especially on the upper surface of the hindwings, being 
followed by a reduction of the intensely red-yellow spots. The under surface is likewise considerably darker 
and the two small submarginal stripes are hardly half as broad as in sinica from the Upper Szetchuan. 
D. eugenes Bates extends as far as into West China like durga, but it is distributed in the whole eugenes. 
range of the Himalaya as far as Assam. Larva emerald-green with two blue lines across the back, on Grami- 
naceae and alpine bamboo. Pupa convex with a larger abdominal part than the pupae of Zemeros. Imago 
ascending as far as 3000 m. The $ is known to hibernate and to appear then again in early spring. Three local 
forms: eugenes Bates, upper surface similar to dipoea, though with predominantly whitish spots. Under sur¬ 
face easily recognizable by very broad, lustrous silvery-white longitudinal stripes. From Murree to Nepal. - 
