LYCAENOPSIS. By H. Fruhstorfer, 
85!) 
introduced, which were discovered by Dr. Martin. Dr. Piepers and Fruhstorfer, and above all the species 
deviating anatomically the farthest from the species formerly known accompanied by figures of their clasping- 
organs; but also quite a number of forms which Chapman enumerated yet as species, were cancelled as geo¬ 
graphical races. I fulfilled, however, Chapman’s desire that new species should only be denominated, in case 
the author be able to examine the genital organs *). 
Chapman tried to divide the genus into several subgenera, chiefly by reason of the existence or 
absence of the lateral uncus-hook, which Chapman calls ,,hooks“. But it turned out that in this way very 
close allies would be separated afar, and on the other hand entirely heterogeneous species combined. Chapman 
himself already states that, if we classify the shapes of the genital organs, we have no reason yet to presume 
to easily discover the affinity of the species thereupon. It seems, however, that, except the cardia- group, 
forms being closely allied in their colouring, are highly specialized in their organs. (For instance: the mem¬ 
bers of the L. ceyx- group.) I should, therefore, prefer not to divide the genus into subgenera nor try to judge 
the affinities of the single species by the genitals. We are able to ascertain that the characters of the genital 
organs are repeated in species being systematically distantly separated, and avc may even unhesitatingly speak 
of a convergency of the clasping-organs, as Ave also acknoAvledge convergent or mimetic species. Chapman 
emphasizes the great importance of the constancy of the dorsal processus. This proves also correct Avith nearly 
all the species he Avas able to examine in 1909. But by newly discovered species and races this vieAV has been 
disproved, and it even turned out that the formation of the tegumen of the Lycaenopsis, in contrast with 
allied genera ( Lampides , Thysonotis, Nacaduba), must be called extremely inconstant **). 
The most simple mark of distinction of the Lycaenopsis from allied genera is formed by the absence 
of real or false ocelli on the under surface of the hindwings, being replaced by plain black dots or puncti- 
form spots Avithout any iris and pupil. Anatomically Ave must, in contrast with the Nacaduba , Lampides, 
as Avell as most of the real Lycaenci, point out the absence of the scaphium, of lateral clasps. Only very feAv 
species united by Chapman in the genus Notarthrinus, possess the scaphium. Chapman himself has empha¬ 
sized the latter characteristic mark by saying: ,,In the Lycaenopsis A\ r e find a remarkable spezialization of 
these dorsal formations, being pronounced by the simplification or absence of one part. The mobile paramere 
or the hook of the other Lycaenids is absent “. Chapman goes still further by presuming that on account 
of the absence of the scaphium also the genera Castalius, Megisba, and Neopithecops might be joined to the 
Lycaenopsis ***). 
Structurally, the Lycaenopsis are closely allied to the genuine Lycaena, provided we take the extre¬ 
mely variable course of the first subcostal vein on the forewing into account. We are then able to distinguish 
tAA'o groups; 
A. The first subcostal vein running quite separately. ( Lycaena , Lycaenopsis , Chilades, Tarucus.) 
B. The first subcostal being partially fused with the costal or connected with it by a frenum. (Naca¬ 
duba, Lampides, Castalius, Everes, Thysonotis , Pithecops.) 
There are, however, transitions from A to B, in which the first subcostal already approaches the 
costal. ( Caiochrysops, Megisba, Lycaenesthes.) 
If we consider the general formation of the clasping-organs, we find that a considerable percentage 
of the Lycaenopsis approach the Lycaena semiargus and L. optilete in the contours of the valve. Some species 
(quadriplaga, idamis) are allied to the Lampides, others ( aristinus) to Nacaduba. In this way the Lycaenopsis 
are like an image of the analogous conditions in the genus Lampides, the species of which reciprocally exhibit 
relations to the Lycaenopsis and Nacaduba. 
Like the Thysonotis, Nacaduba, and Lampides, most of the Lycaenopsis exhibit androconia of the 
forewings of the '<$<$, the contours of which approximate those of the genera Lampides and Nacaduba, though 
Avithout attaining the remarkable variability of the Lampides- androconia. The greatest differences are exhibited 
in the wedge-shaped androconia of L. musina Sn. According to a letter of the late Professor L. G. Cour- 
*) I could even not confine myself to examinating only the new species, but for the sake of comparison I was 
obliged to examine also nearly all the species ascertained by Champjiak. Altogether 150 preparations were made, of Avhich 
30 belonged to the collective species L. cardia. Some forms of the cardia-gvoup offered such great difficulties, that I interrupted 
the study of the Lycaenopsis for several months, in order first to look round among all the allied genera. Thus I examined 
all the species of the Nacaduba, Lampides and Castalius, to which I had access. All these three genera fully divulged 
their mysteries, and not even in one case it remained doubtful whether their components were justified to be considered as 
species. 
**) I am even able to prove that the formation of the uncus varies Avithin a species, Avhich is to be seen from 
the figures in my monography mentioned above, where the continental race and the Sumatran race of the collective species 
Z. albocoeruleus Mr. seem to belong to distantly separated species. 
***) I cannot, however, agree Avith this opinion, for the Catalius as well as the Neopithecops form a peculiar 
group, of which particularly the latter is in no Avay morphologically connected with the Lycaenopsis. Champman himself 
also quite correctly observed that Pithecops exhibits again the hooks. Pithecops and Neopithecops, however, are generically 
not to be separated. As to the scaphium, it is consequently a secondary formation, by which we must not be tempted to utilize 
it as a generic foundamental character. 
