554 
HEPIALUS; HEPIALISCUS. By M. Gaede. 
keniae. 
tanganyi- 
ClIS. 
antarciicus. 
aurifaber. 
Ihermodes. 
ptiloscelis. 
tessellaius. 
region. Thus the centre of the range of the Hepialidae is as little to he sought for in Africa as in the palaearctic 
faunistic region containing still fewer Hepialidae. We can therefore neither expect any genera in Africa, which 
are exclusively confined to the Ethiopian district. The only form, Leto venus (80 e), exhibits a habitus deviating 
more from the other Hepialidae. 
Moreover, the African Hepialidae do not give us the impression of insects belonging to the most 
primordial forms of the family. They are mostly of medium size with almost Cossid-like antennae. The 
magnificent green colouring of the Australian Charagia is not exhibited in any African form known hitherto. 
Most of the species are known from the south. The “Bushvelt“ provides a few species, whilst hardly any 
Hepialidae have come from the luxuriant region of the West African rainy forest and from the 1. of Madagascar 
which otherwise abounds in animals. — We do not yet know any particulars about the habits of African 
Hepialidae ; the larva is known of only one species. 
All the genera are without a proboscis, with stunted palpi, spurless tibiae. The latter are mostly strongly 
haired, so that it is difficult to ascertain whether a tibial plate is present or not. The antennae of but one genus 
are remarkably pectinate and of a normal length, otherwise relatively short. In both the wings veins 9 + 10 
are always stalked. The larva of but one species has hitherto been described. From the tropical districts 
relatively few species are known; they probably live there in the mountains. By far most of the species occur 
in South Africa. 
1. Genus: ITepialiis F. 
Antennae shorter than the thorax, filiform. [In both wings veins 9 + 10 on a long stalk, 7 and 8 
separated. Type: humuli L. from Europe. 
H. keniae Holl. (80 b). Thorax dark red-brown, abdomen and wings somewhat lighter. Forewing 
at the costal margin spotted dark. In the cell and at its end one oblong silvery white ring each, filled with 
wood-brown. A series of small white rings behind them, and a series before the distal margin. The ring at the 
cell-end is more or less fused with the next of the series of rings, forming a long white sj)ot. Below the cell 
traces of irregular light rings. 40—60 mm. East Africa. 
H. tanganyicus Rbl. (80 b). Very similar. The spot at the cell-end more pointedly triangular. The 
series of rings then following in keniae is absent here. In the submarginal row the two rings above and below 
vein 5 are almost invariably vertical, whereby the line is bent. Fringe traversed lighter, which is apparently 
not the case in keniae. Costal margin of hindwing with more distinct dark spots than in keniae. 40—60 mm. 
Tanganyica District, East Africa. 
H. antarcticus Wllgr. Wings greyish-brown, at the margins more yellow, with 2 spots in the cell in a 
similar position as in the preceding species. These spots and a series before the distal margin golden brown. 
South Africa. 
H. aurifaber Fldr. (80 e) may be the same species, which however is not to be noticed from Wallen- 
gren’s (prior) description. Ground-colour red-brown, at the costal margin reddish-yellow with dark spots. 
Distal margin and inner margin with a violet reflection. 55 mm. Cape Colony. 
? H. thermcdes Msyr. Wings short. Antennae flattened. Fore wing light ochreous brown, with an 
irregular w r hite streak at the median vein as far as its centre. An indistinct row of dark spots inside partly 
bordered with white, from the apex to behind the centre of the inner margin. Hindwing dark brown. <$ 30 mm. 
Transvaal. 
? H. ptiloscelis Meyr. Thorax and wings thinly scaled, abdomen at the base densely long-haired. 
Antennae flattened. Forewing elongate, distal margin curved, oblique. Forewing dark brown, hindwing 
ochreous grey, fringes of both wings with light tips. Thorax dark brown, abdomen lighter. 22 mm. 
Cape Colony. 
2. Genus: Hepialiscus Hmps. 
Antennae shorter than thorax, filiform. In both wings veins 8 + 9 + 10 stalked. Legs with short 
hair. Type: nepalensis Wkr. from India. 
H. tessellaius H.-Schdff. Brown with a slight violet reflection. At the costal margin of the forewing 
more distinctly spotted light reddish-yellow, below it as far as the inner margin the band-like spots are more 
indistinct. Hindwing reddish-brown, somewhat hyaline (? rubbed off). From the typical nepalensis it differs 
