Publ. 27. VI. 1924. 
CATOCHRYSOPS. By Dr. A. Seitz. 
921 
the upper surface of a more intense blue and the hindwing with more distinct, small, black submarginal spots 
at the anal part of the distal margin. Fringes remarkably broad, purely white. Under surface similar to that 
of palmyra from the Moluccas, but almost entirely black with remarkably large, purely white marginal spots 
on both wings and distinctly prominent white transverse markings; on both wings distinct.and more purely 
white marginal spots. The honey-coloured halo surrounding the subanal eyespot is smaller. Island of Obi. 
23. Genus: Catochrysops Bsd. 
This genus is composed of few, very widely distributed species, 2 of which reach to the palearctic region 
(in the North West Himalaya), for which reason the genus has been dealt with in Vol. I, p. 292. Like the prece¬ 
ding genus, it is also contested with respect to the anatomically provable marks, since neither the veins of the 
wings nor the contours or larval shape exhibit such distinct differences that a precise diagnose of the genus 
might be maintained. As in the preceding and following genera we must regard it to be a genus of lepi- 
doptera, which only begins to separate from its closest allies. But its retention facilitates the survey the 
more since the exterior already characterized in the name scarcely leaves any doubt whether a Lycaenid 
belongs into this group or not. — To the same reason is also due the distributiveness of the few species into 
a — we may say, indefinite number of subordinate forms. Local, seasonal and sexual polymorphism supply 
such a great number of well distinguishable but still frequently transitory, separate forms, that there is much 
room yet left for their denominations. The reason, why no form has as yet been established with a separate name 
for every little island, is that the group has not yet been studied thoroughly (particularly anatomically), as 
for instance the Lampides, and besides that the species exhibit an enormous power of wing. Although the 
Catochrysops often settle down and, in search for their food or for mating purposes, do not move much more 
swiftly than for instance a Lycaena icarus, yet they are able to fly at an extraordinary speed, and the CC which 
in their search of the $ § fly at a moderate speed from one branch to another, may be swarming for hours 
(especially between 10 and 12 a. m.) without resting for a moment. This enables them much more to fly from 
one island to another than is the case with the Lampides , and the development of local forms is impossible on 
account of the perpetual immigration of members of typical species from the patria. The greater power of 
wing also enables the geographical distribution much more than in the Lampides. Beside the palearctic region 
which they only touch at its south-eastern frontier, the Catochrysops also penetrate yet into the Ethiopian 
region and even produce there exceedingly large and beautiful species (peculiaris, asteris, negus etc. comp. 
Vol. XIII, t. 73) forming the Lycaenid group predominant by its striking exterior and great number of speci¬ 
mens. Of course they have also an extraordinary range in the Indian region itself, extending from the palearctic 
southern frontier to remote South Sea Islands and Australia. 
In the habitus they scarcely deviate from the preceding genus; the <§£ exhibit a mostly unmarked, 
lilac or azure upper surface, the $2 have a broad black margin in which there is a row of eyespots on the 
hindwing. Close at the largest of these eyespots there is at the margin of the hindwing a small, fine tail mostly 
about 2 mm long. The under surface, however, is quite differently marked than in Lampides ; the numerous, 
mostly parallel white transverse markings in the latter are here replaced by somewhat Thecla- like transverse 
stripes often composed of small punctiform streaks and bordered with light, and the hindwing usually shows 
3 rather conspicuous dots or small eyespots: 2 near the base and a third below the middle of the costal margin. 
The Catochrysops are mostly very common at their habitats. At the flying time many dozens of qq 
may be seen at the swarming-places, searching the tips of the branches for the $$ in a very restless flight. The 
$$ themselves rest with their wings half opened, like e. g, the palearctic Lycaena baton, and their head down¬ 
wards, more on herbs and low bushes than on flowers, and are therefore less easy to capture, although they 
are lazier on the wing and more easily taken than the <$<$. One species ( cnejus ) has already proved to be noxious 
to the bean-crop. At the places where the Catochrysops are common, also a cross-copula could be observed, 
as for instance by W. H. Iroine between C. strabo and cnejus. 
C. strabo F. (153 k) is easily recognizable by the marking beneath differing from that of cnejus by strabo. 
the transverse bands of the forewings being a little more remote from the margin, more distinctly developed, 
the punctiform spots forming them more closely together, whereby they appear to be more combined into 
a dark transverse line in front and behind bordered with light. Of the small eyespots on the hindwing beneath 
mostly only the two below the costal margin are well recognizable, whereas in cnejus there is generally in the 
abdominal area another distinct eyespot, often still more punctiform shades. In typical CS the blue colour 
above shows a lilac tinge, though by no means the almost purple violet tint of cnejus-<$. — In ab. lithargyria iitkargyria 
Mr. occurring among typical specimens almost everywhere, particularly in tropical India, the colour of the 
d above is nearly sky-blue without the lilac tinge. -—• kandarpa Horsf. (153 k) occurring more to the south-east kandarpa. 
of the range is much larger and likewise deep blue. -—- asoka Roll, occurs to the north west of the range, but asoka. 
IX 
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