LYCAENIDAE. By Dr. C. Auriyillius. 
297 
-1 
/W 
Publ. 2. I. 1914. 
8. Family: Lycaenidae. 
The Lycaenidae is the most extensive of the Ethiopian butterfly families and embraces more than 
600 species. They are small or at most medium-sized butterflies and only differ from the Lemoniids in having 
the male forelegs better developed. 
Thus the most important character of the Lycaenids is that almost without exception the forelegs 
of the d'p' are not aborted but have an unjointed tarsus, terminating in a simple hook. Only in very few 
forms is the tarsus jointed and, as in the $$, armed at the end with two claws. With regard to the neuration 
it is worthy of note that veins 10 and 11 of the forewing nearly always arise free or stalked together from the 
anterior margin of the cell and that the precostal vein of the hindwing is usually absent. Veins 7, 8 and 9 
of the forewing, if all present, always arise on a common stalk from the apex of the cell, vein 7 runs into the 
distal margin, vein 8 into the apex or the costal margin and vein 9 into the costal margin. When only 
two of these veins are present they run into the costal margin and hence we are justified in assuming that 
in this case vein 7 is wanting. Occasionally vein 9 is also absent and then vein 8 is quite simple and runs 
into the apex or the costal margin quite near the apex. 
As $ characters there are often mealy spots or hair-pencils. The dc? a ^ so frequently differ from the $$ 
in colour and markings. 
The larvae, as far as they are known, differ quite considerably from the rest of the butterfly larvae. 
They are short and thick, strongly convex with the ventral surface flat, thus becoming woodlouse-shaped. 
The head is small and can be completely retracted into the first segment of the body. It is known of many 
that they are sought for and protected by ants on account of a sweet secretion or pupate in ants’ nests. Others 
are remarkable for living not on leaves but on coccids. 
The pupae are often likewise short and rounded; they are either attached at the anal end only or usu¬ 
ally also fastened by a silken thread round the body. 
The eggs, so far as they are yet known, are more or less flattened, turban- or disc-shaped, and have 
a very strongly developed ribbing, which is formed of a network of connected ridges. In the angles where 
the ridges meet knobs are sometimes developed. The eggs have consequently an elegant and beautiful sculptu¬ 
ring. 
We divide the Ethiopian Lycaenids into two subfamilies, which way be distinguished by the follow¬ 
ing synopsis. 
Synopsis of the Subfamilies. 
A. Forewing nearly always with 12 veins, of which veins 7 and 9 arise from vein 8 behind the apex of 
the-cell. Rarely (as in Eresina and Iridana) vein 7 is wanting, so that only 11 veins are present ; in 
this case either vein 10 arises from the stalk of 8 and 9 or vein 8 is semicircularly curved before its 
end. Eyes naked. Hindwing always rounded without tail-appendages, anal lobes or hair-tufts. 
Lipteninae. 
B. Forewing nearly always with only 10 or 11 veins, vein 7 and sometimes also vein 9 being absent. Vein 
10 always free from the anterior margin of the cell. Rarely (in Aphnaeus, Phasis, Erikssonia and the Ao of 
some Jolaus species) 12 veins are present, in which case, however, the hindwing is tailed, lobed or angled. 
Lycaenini. 
1. Subfamily: Lipteninae. 
The characters of this very interesting subfamily have already been given in the synopsis. The early 
stages are unfortunately still almost entirely unknown. The only larvae and pupae known are those of Durba- 
nia and Hewitsonia; the reader is referred to the descriptions under these genera. It is very probable that the 
life-history of the larvae is peculiar and that many of them are the guests of ants, as has already been proved 
with regard to the larva of Euliphyra. 
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