NEMEOBIDAE 
67 
EIBYTHEA 
Family NEMEOBIDAE. 
No measurements are given, as the figure in every case is that of a butterfly of average size. 
Two subfamilies occur in Australia, and each is represented by a single species only. The cliaraeters 
of the early life stages are given under the subfainilies, and are quoted, as we have not had personal 
experience of tliem. The forelegs are imperfect in the male, but functionally perfect in the female: the 
preeostal spur of hindwing is ]n'esent. 
Subfamily LIBYTHEINAE. 
Pagensteckcr, AFonographs Das TierrcicJi, 1901: Genera Inscctorum, 1902. 
Ovinr. Ampuliform, twice a.s high as wide, forming a short neck or stalk close to the apex: 
radiate, with strong anastomosing ribs (Doherty), liegularly elliptic, with sharply rounded prominent 
longitudinal ribs (Seudder). 
Larva. Cylindrical, smooth or with minute bristles: head small: strongly resembles the larvae of some 
of tlie Pierklae (Bingham). 
Pupa. Suspended by the tail: short, smooth, square, broad: not angulated (Bingham). 
liiAGO. Of moderate size: wings angulate and dentate. Forewing with vein la Avith a slender fork 
at base: cell closed. Hindwing Avith cell closed. Antennae short: eyes smooth: palpi A'ei*y long, stout, 
l>orreet, and closely apjproxiraate at base. 
Raxge. WorklAvide. A small group of species, all of a someAvhat similar appearance. 
Genus LIBYTHEA Fabricius. 
Illiger's Magazine, vi, 1897, p. 284 
Antennae less than half the length of costa, with clubs long, gradual and slender. Eyes smooth. 
Palpi more than onefourth the length of antennae. Eorewing with vein 10 from subcostal before end 
of cell; cell closed. Hindwing with vein 3 and vein 4 arising from the same point: cell closed and 
termen rounded. 
Type. Lihyfhea celtis Fussely, from S. Europe. 
78. Libythea geoffroyi Godart. (Timor). 
This sj!)ecies ranges from the Malay Peninsula to the Loyalty Islands: it is noAA’here abundant, and 
in Australia is an extreme rarity. AVe haA’e races from NeAV Guinea, Loyalty Is., Phillipines and the 
Moluccas. The sexes are always Avidely diA'ergent above, but very similar beneath. 
7Sa. L. geoffroyi nicevillei Olliff. Fig.(^j) 63. 
Proceedings Linnean Society N. S. Wales 1891, p. 28. 
cf. Above. ForeAA'ing shining lilac-blue Avitli coppery reflections: costa, apex and termen, broAvn. a 
series of Ihroa faint subapical spots, AA’hitish. Hindwing brown: base suffused lilac-blue: faint traces of 
a series of thi'eo jiostcellular spots, orange-broAvn. 
Bexeatit. ForeAving brown: dorsum paler: apex shining lilac dusted silA’erj’^ AAdiite and coA’ered Avith 
dark brown striae: cell dull orange Avith a spot in end, dull AA’hite: a subcostal spot at tAVotliirds, a 
pair of subterminal spots in areas *1 and 5, and a large discal spot in area 2. and extending into aiea 
3, white. HindAving shining lilac, coA’ered AA'ith dark broA\*n striae, and AAnth faint bauds and dustings 
of silvery AA’hite. 
9. Above. Foiwing brown: base and dorsum faintly orange-brown: a spot in end of cell, Avliite: a 
subcostal si)ot at twotliirds, a pair of subterminal spots in areas 4 and 5, and a large discal spot m 
area 2 and extending into area 3, Avhite. HindAving ])roAAm: base and dorsum suffused orange-biwn ; 
a faint band of three ]iostcelluiar spots, ornnge-broAvn. 
Bexeatii as in male. 
Log. Cape York. CooktoAvn. Daiuvin 1. . 
