Publ. 9. III. 1914. 
CHARAXES. By H. Fruhstorfer. 
729 
bluish-green bands the middle one of which consists of isolated maculae, the proximal one being incomplete. 
Under surface distinguished by the dark brown basal region being sharply defined and advancing as far as to 
the end of the cel]. The yellowish-white median band extended as far as to the posterior margin, distally deco¬ 
rated by a compact undulate series of brown crescents. Terminal margin like in sempronius. $ similar to the 
(J, but larger. Rare in the collections. New Caledonia and Lifu in the Loyalty Islands. 
E. epigenes Godm. and Salv. becomes interesting by the unlikeness of the sexes, as is never noticed epigenes. 
in a similar way in the Eriboea, but only in Charaxes. $ above purple and with a blackish hue over it. Fore¬ 
wing with indistinct, yellowish submarginal and transcellular small streaks. Hindwing with a series of blue 
spots of the same appearance and distribution as in E. pyrrhus jupiter. Under surface reddish chestnut-brown. 
$ larger by more than half. Upper surface with a steep vertical whitish longitudinal band being repeated 
beneath, though softened down and darkened. Salomon Islands. Very rare. But few specimens discovered 
so far. 
E. aristophanes Fruhst. above similar to E. gamma Lathy, but with a more distinct yellow spot aristopha- 
in the cell of the forewing. Beneath differing from E. gamma by the absence of a blackish postdiscal band 
being replaced by partly indistinct reddish-brown crescents. $ above similar to E. epigenes Godm. and Salv. 
$, however, with more pronounced yellow submarginal spots of both wings. The yellow cellular spot and the 
two transcellular spots of the forewings more imposing than in the $ of epigenes. The median band of the hind- 
wings yellow only in its anterior part as far as to the posterior radial, then somewhat tapering with a peculiarly 
reddish hue. Under surface without the yellowish cellular spot of E. epigenes, which is replaced by a reddish- 
brown stripe. Hindwing with a yellow band on a grey ground being only noticeable as far as to the posterior 
radial. Presumably from the Salomon Islands, 2 <$$, 1 $ Coll. Fruhstorfee. I once bought these three speci¬ 
mens in Paris, among a series of Amboina-butterflies being intermixed with species from the Shortland Islands. 
aristophanes may one day turn out to be a local race of E. gamma the patria of which is likewise not exactly 
ascertained. Certainly it is an interesting form which undoubtedly differs from E. epigenes with respect to 
the species. $ similar to the of epigenes, $ considerably smaller than the $ of epigenes figured by Rothschild 
and Jordan. 
E. gamma Lathy, the smallest Eriboea. Above blackish-brown with a short narrow cream-coloured gamma. 
median band and some indistinct, diffuse submarginal spots. Under surface with bands of vandyke-brown 
and blackish colour and shades. Only two GS known, now in the British Museum. Patria probably New Cale¬ 
donia or the New Hebrides. 
E. caphontis Hew. (135 b), the only species of the genus with a reddish-brown double-row on the caphontis. 
upper surface of the hindwings. The under surface of the is dark chestnut brown, of the $ greyish-brown. 
The markings of the upper surface are repeated, except the greenish band of the hindwings, which, moreover, in 
the $ consists only of a thin line on the upper surface. Flying time according to Woodford in November, 
the rainy period, in the Fidji Islands. According to Rothschild and Jordan there are also dd with a yellow¬ 
ish median band being distinctly pronounced also on the under surface of the hindwings. 
2. Genus: Charaxes 0 . 
The species of Charaxes are distributed over the whole eastern tropics, though Africa is their proper 
home where more than two thirds of them occur and where they number among the most prominent characte¬ 
ristic butterflies of the country (cf. Vol. XIII, p. 124—140, t. 30—33). From here they expanded as far as to 
the Indo-Australian districts, and one species reaches also the southern confines of Europe. South America 
does not possess any genuine Charaxes, but near allies in Prepona and Agrias. The Indian species may be reduced 
to 3 or 4 forms which are rather different from the Africans in colours and markings. One of the most numerous 
is represented by the Polyxena- group, butterflies of a brown ground-colour, with or without lighter bands 
across the forewings, which are most nearly allied to Ch. varanes, according to Dr. Jordan. Ch. eurialus Cr. 
from Amboina and Ceram is remarkable for its size, its $ being even one of the largest Nymphalidae and stan¬ 
ding quite isolated with respect to the colouring of the wings. The eggs are, according to Doherty large, roun¬ 
dish, hard, less high than broad with dark ribs and lines at the apex. The longitudinal ribs are united by 
fine transverse lines and exhibit, even when seen only under a good magnifying-glass, small projecting dots. 
Larva and pupa resemble entirely those of the European jasius, the habits of the Indo-Malayan species being 
likewise the same as in jasius. We know that all the Charaxes are great fliers which, by the aid of the power¬ 
ful, vigorous wings, dart along with the greatest swiftness or encircle perpetually the crowns of their favourite 
trees. From time to time they rest on a projecting branch and obstinately return to their place just like their 
American allies Agrias and Prepona. One species, Ch. fabius, lives also in open districts, while the others are 
confined to the presence of woods, where the roads through them, being not too sunny and bordered by bushes, 
form the chief rendezvous of this genus. Wet pools during the hot hours of the day, animal and human excre¬ 
ments, also rotting fruit and chewed sugar-cane are likewise great attractions. Thus these royal butterflies 
are unfortunately most antiroyal in the choice of their food (Hagen). They are real necrophagous animals 
and very often the smell of their food is still on them even after their death, whereas on the other hand Zeuxi- 
IX 92 
