EUPTEROTIDAE; 
STRIPHNOPTERYX; T1SSANGA. 
By M. Gaede. 
293 
11. Family: Eupterotidae. 
The African Eupterotidae, the number of which (so far about 170 species are known) is almost exactly 
the same as that of the Indo-Australian ones, are, as we have stated in Volume X, p. 417, a family not very 
easy to define, partly with an exterior similar to Lasiocampidae, but partly also more like Arctiidae or 
certain Lymantriidae. In the size and exterior they are very much like the insects dealt with in the Indian 
part, but they are frequently much larger. The variability of the African forms is also very great, for which 
reason of many species quite a number of forme have been established, which often differ exceedingly from 
the specific type. 
The little which is known of the biology of the African representatives is confined to the approximate 
resemblance of two larvae known to the palearctic Arctia caja. Further particulars are mentioned in the two 
respective species. 
Most of the forms dealt with here are large or very large, resembling the Lasiocampidae, only few forms 
exhibit a weakly body, so that they look like Geometridae. In the broad forewing vein 5 rises from the centre 
of the cross-vein or above it. Vein 10 is absent or very short and rises then behind vein 8 from vein 9. Vein 
11 is free or forms a bar between veins 9 and 12. In the hindwing vein 5 mostly rises from the centre 
of the cross-vein, rarely below it. Vein 8 rises separately, but it is mostly connected with the cell by a bar. 
In both wings the cell is usually short and broad. In the partly similar Notodontidae and Bombycidae vein 
10 of the forewing invariably rises nearer to the base than here. Frenidum mostly present in the <+ whilst 
in the $ if is feeble or absent. On the forewing 1 inner-marginal vein, on the hindwing 2. According to 
Atjbivillius we divide the Eupterotidae into 2 subordinate families: Striphnopteryginae and Janinae. 
1. Subordinate Family : Striphnopteryginae. 
In the hindwing the distance of the base of veins 4—5 much longer, mostly three times as long as 
the distance of veins 5—6. On the forewing the distance of veins 4—5 is also considerably larger than between 
veins 6 and 5. Proboscis always absent in this group. 
1. Genus: Strlplmopteryx Wllgr. 
Palpi porrect, projecting somewhat beyond the frons. Antennae longer than the cell in the fore wing, 
in the <$ strongly pectinate, in the $ hardly less. Hind tibiae with 2 spurs. Forewing very broad. Vein 3 far 
before the cell-angle, vein 5 near the upper cell-angle, 6 free and separated from veins 7 + 8 + 9. 10 absent, 
11 free. In the hindwing veins 3—5 are similarly arranged, 6 and 7 slightly separated, vein 8 very near to 
the centre of the cell, not connected with it by a bar. Frenulum in the E feebly present. 
S. edulis Bsd. (42 a). Ground-colour brown. The inner line double, black, notched, filled with light*, 
from y 3 of the inner margin vertically in front, at the anterior edge of the cell inwards to 1 , of the costal 
margin. The distal line in uniform bows from 3 / 4 of the costal margin to % of the inner margin. In the median 
area a narrow white and brown band which is, particularly in the E> often interrupted in the lower cell- 
angle. Before and behind it some parallel black lines, before the distal margin a black lunular line. On the 
hindwing a broad blackish basal band, before it greyish-white. The distal line and the lunular line of the forewing 
is continued here. In the median area dark undulate lines. 90—105 mm. Cape Colony. Natal. Transvaal. 
2. Genus: Tissanga List. 
Palpi somewhat shorter. Antennae of $ with remarkably shorter pectinations. Middle tibiae short 
and swollen, at the end with two claws. Hind tibiae with 4 spurs. Shape of wings and neuration as in Striphno- 
pteryx, but in the hindwing vein 8 is almost straight and close at the base connected with the cell by a fine bar. 
edul 
