file2 - Afrotropical Butterflies

file2 - Afrotropical Butterflies Eretis herewardi Riley, 1921 Eretis herewardi Riley, 1921. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1921: 255 (234-259). Eretis herewardi herewardi. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 33mm. Wanzizi, Mpanda, Tanzania. 24/1/69. Kielland. (Henning collection - H10). Type locality: Zambia: “Solwezi”. Distribution: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique. Habitat: Woodland (Kielland, 1990d). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Eretis herewardi herewardi Riley, 1921 Eretis herewardi Riley, 1921. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1921: 255 (234-259). Eretis herewardi herewardi. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 33mm. Wanzizi, Mpanda, Tanzania. 24/1/69. Kielland. (Henning collection - H10). Type locality: Zambia: “Solwezi”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique. Specific localities: Tanzania – Only a few specimens have been recorded from this country (Kielland, 1990d). Records include, Mikumi National Park; Kiboriani Mountain in Mpwapwa District; Udekwa near Nyumbenitu Mountain in the Uzungwa Range; Mpanda District (Kielland, 1990d). Zambia: Solwezi (TL); Kamapanda; Mufulira; Mlengwe (Heath, et al., 2002). Eretis herewardi rotundimacula Evans, 1937 Eretis rotundimacula Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 38 ( 212 pp.). Type locality: Angola. Distribution: Angola. rotundimacula Mabille and Boullet, 1916 (as ab. of Eretis lugens). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 1916: 247 (243-247). [Angola]: “Zanzibar, Afrique Orientale anglaise”. [False locality.] Eretis lugens (Rogenhofer, 1891) Pterygospidea lugens Rogenhofer, 1891. Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 6: 462 (455-466). Eretis lugens. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 25mm. Yebelo, Ghibe- Tolley, Ethiopia. 11/ix/1997. AJ Gardiner. (Gardiner Collection). Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Marangu”. Distribution: Senegal, Guinea (north), Sierra Leone (north), Liberia, Ivory Coast (north), Ghana, Togo, Benin (Fermon et al., 2001), Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan (south), Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia (north-west). Specific localities: Senegal – Cap Vert (Larsen, 2005a); Niokolo-Koba (Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Parc National du Haut Niger (Larsen, 2005a); Seredou (Larsen, 2005a). Liberia – Zorzor (Larsen, 2005a); Ganta (Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Nimba Mountains (M. Cock teste Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Mole N.P. (Larsen, 2005a); Nakpanduri (Larsen, 2005a). Togo – Kpalime (West, 1992). Benin – Noyau Central, Lama Forest (Fermon et al., 2001). Nigeria – Kaduna area (Larsen, 2005a); Jos (Larsen, 2005a); Zaria (Larsen, 2005a); Obudu Town (Larsen, 2005a). Democratic Republic of Congo – Marangu (TL). Ethiopia – Yebelo, Ghibe-Tolley (A. Gardiner). Tanzania – In most parts of the country except, perhaps, the drier central areas (Kielland, 1990d). Zambia: Kamapanda; Kabompo River (Heath, et al., 2002). Common name: Savanna elf. Habitat: In West Africa in Sudan savanna and in open Guinea savanna (Larsen, 2005a). In Tanzania on forest margins, and in forest and dense woodland, from 800 to 2 400 m (Kielland, 1990d). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Barleria species (Acanthaceae) [Kielland, 1990: 231]. Asystasia schimperi Anders. (Acanthaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Asystasia coromandeliana (Acanthaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Justicia lukepiensis (Acanthaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Dyschoriste perrotetetti (Acanthaceae) [Vuattoux, 1999 (Ivory Coast)]. morosa Rogenhofer, 1891 (as sp. of Pterygospidea). Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 6: 463 (455-466). Democratic Republic of Congo: “Marangu”. Eretis melania Mabille, 1891 Eretis melania Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 71 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Eretis melania. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 27mm. Mt. Silinda, S. Rhodesia. 16.xii.50. K.M. Pennington. (Transvaal Museum - TM2774). Type locality: Gabon. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan (south), Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia (north), Mozambique, Zimbabwe (east), Nambia (north). Specific localities: Gabon – Ogove Valley (Holland, 1892). Tanzania – In most forested areas (Kielland, 1990). Zambia – Ikelenge; Mwinilunga; Kabompo River; Mufulira; Kiwe; Ndola; Kawambwa; Lumangwe Falls; Kasama; Mbala; Makutu Mountains (Heath, et al., 2002). Mozambique – Amatongas; Vila Gouveia; Buzi River (Pennington); Mount Gorongosa; Xiluvo; Dondo Forest; Serra Rotanda, east of the Chimanimani Mountains (Pringle, et al., 1994). Zimbabwe – Vumba Mountains (Pringle, et al., 1994); Mount Selinda (Pennington and Kroon); Honde Gorge; Nyanga; Mutare; Melsetter; Marondera; Buhwa in the Belingwe district; Bikita (Pinhey). Namibia – Kombat (S. Braine). Common name: Dusky elf; dusky skipper; common elf. Habitat: Woodland. In West Africa it is a skipper of Guinea savanna, with some propensity to colonize degraded areas in the forest zone (Larsen, 2005a). In Tanzania it frequents forest margins and forest, from 350 to 2 000 m (Kielland, 1990). Habits: Less common in West Africa than in East Africa (Larsen, 2005a). Specimens fly along the fringes of forest, often settling on the ground with the wings expanded. The flight pattern is darting, with a hither-and-thither motion (Pringle et al., 1994). Both sexes are fond of flowers (Larsen, 2005a). Males defend territories on open ground; contests are furious and protracted, the combatants flying close together, rarely more than half a metre above the ground (Larsen, 2005a). Flight period: Double-brooded, flying from July to September and again in March-April (Pringle et al., 1994). There are, however, records for all months of the year (Pinhey teste Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Note: There are some differences in the genitalia between Ghana and Cameroon populations of E. melania, which may or may not be significant (Larsen, 2005a). perpaupera Holland, 1892 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (6) 10: 288 (284-294). Gabon: “Valley of the Ogové”. Eretis mitiana Evans, 1937 Eretis mitiana Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 39 (212 pp.). Type locality: Uganda: “between Mitiana and Entebbe, 3,800 ft”. Distribution: Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (west). Specific localities: Tanzania – Lukandamira in the Mahale Mountains, Kigoma (Kielland, 1990d). Habitat: In Tanzania it a rare and very local butterfly of highland forest, at altitudes of around 1 600 m (Kielland, 1990d). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Eretis mixta Evans, 1937 Eretis djaelaelae mixta Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 37 (212 pp.). Type locality: Ethiopia: “Abyssinia (Dire Daouna)”. Distribution: Ethiopia, Sudan (south). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Eretis plistonicus (Plötz, 1879) Antigonus plistonicus Plötz, 1879. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 362 (353-364). Type locality: Ghana: “Aburi”. Distribution: Guinea, Ivory Coast (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Togo, Nigeria. Recorded, in error, from Senegal by Condamin (1969) (Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Guinea – Seredou (H. Warren-Gash teste Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Yeale (H. Warren-Gash teste Larsen, 2005a); Mount Tonkoui (H. Warren- Gash teste Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Aburi (TL); Krokosua Hills (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Kabba (Larsen, 2005a); Okwangwo (Larsen, 2005a); Oban Hills (Larsen, 2005a). Common name: Ghana elf. Habitat: Forest edges and secondary growth (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Fairly common in Ghana but not elsewhere (Larsen, 2005a). It tends to fly higher up than E. lugens or E. melania. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Acanthaceae [Larsen, 2005a]. Eretis umbra (Trimen, 1862) Nisoniades umbra Trimen, 1862. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 1: 289 (279-291). Type locality: South Africa: “Plettenberg Bay; King William?s Town; Butterworth, Kaffraria”. Holotype male in Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Similar to E. djaelaelae but lacks white forelegs; smaller; wings more rounded; hyaline spots smaller (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Swaziland. Common name: Small marbled elf. Habitat: Grassland and savanna (Pringle, et al., 1994). In Tanzania it occurs in highland open habitat, from 1 600 to 2 400 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: Adults have a skipping flight, close to the ground and settle on bare earth or low-growing plants with expanded wings. Feed from flowers or drink at damp places and fresh cow-dung. Males often establish territories in the vicinity of a shrub and perch on the ground or on low vegetation. Flight period: All year but from August to May in colder areas. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Asystasia schimperi (Acanthaceae) [Kielland, 1990d: 232]. Chaetacanthus setiger (Pers.) Lindl. (syn. persoonii C.B. Cl.) (Acanthaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 184; for the nominate subspecies]. Dyschoriste species (Acanthaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 73]. Justicia species (Acanthaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 73]. Phaulopsis species (Acanthaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 73]. Eretis umbra umbra (Trimen, 1862) Nisoniades umbra Trimen, 1862. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 1: 289 (279-291). Type locality: South Africa: “Plettenberg Bay; King William?s Town; Butterworth, Kaffraria”. Distribution: South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province – south-east, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland. Specific localities: Limpopo Province – Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”). Gauteng – Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens (J. Dobson, unpublished checklist, 2001). Western Cape Province – Great Brak River (Pringle, et al., 1994). norica Plötz, 1884 (as sp. of Nisoniades). Jahrbuch des Nassauischen Vereins für Naturkunde 37: 39 (1-55). [South Africa]: “Brasil, Cayenne”. [False locality.] Eretis umbra maculifera Mabille & Boullet, 1916 Eretis djaelaelae var. maculifera Mabille & Boullet, 1916. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 1916: 246 (243-247). Type locality: “Afrique Orientale, région nord et région sud”. Distribution: Uganda (north-east), Kenya (central and west), Tanzania. Specific localities: Tanzania – Northern Highlands Mountains; Wotta Forest in the Rubehos; Njombe Highlands; Ufipa Plateau; Ngara District (Kielland, 1990d). punctigera Mabille and Boullet, 1916 (as f. of Eretis djaelaelae). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 1916: 247 (243-247). “Afrique Orientale anglaise”. Eretis umbra nox (Neave, 1910) Sarangesa nox Neave, 1910. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 70 (2-86). Eretis umbra nox. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 31mm. Garuso, P. E. Africa. 12.5.1962. K.M. Pennington. (Transvaal Museum - TM2773). Type locality: Zambia: “Petauke, Luangwa valley”. Distribution: Malawi, Zambia (south; east), Mozambique, Zimbabwe. Specific localities: Zimbabwe – Trelawney; Christon Bank; Umvukwes; Mutare (Pringle, et al., 1994). Mozambique – Garuso; Amatongas; Inchope (Pringle, et al., 1994). Zambia – Ngoma; Chisamba; Chalimbana; Petauke (TL); Luangwa Valley (Heath, et al., 2002). Eretis vaga Evans, 1937 Eretis vaga Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 39 (212 pp.). Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons (Bitje, Ja River)”. Diagnosis: Close to E. melania from which it differs as follows: forewing transparent streak in space 2 shorter; spot in 3 tiny; subapical spots out of line and upper spot comparatively larger (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Distribution: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west), Zambia (Congdon & Collins, 1998; not in Heath et al., 2002). Specific localities: Tanzania – Rumanyika Game Reserve, Karagwe District, 1 350 to 1 700 m (Congdon and Collins, 1998). Habitat: Forest. Habits: Specimens are encountered in forest clearings (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Genus Sarangesa Moore, 1881 In Moore, [1880-2]. The lepidoptera of Ceylon 1: 176 (190 pp.) London. Type-species: Sarangesa albicilia Moore, by monotypy. [extralimital]. = Hyda Mabille, 1890. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 9: 183 (149-150, 155-156, 167-169, 183-184). Type-species: Hyda micacea Mabille, by monotypy. [Invalid; junior homonym of Hyda Walker, 1854.] = Sape Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 67 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Type-species: Sape lucidella Mabille, by subsequent designation (Watson, 1893. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1893: 48 (3-132). = Tabraca Holland, 1896. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1896: 10 (2-107). Type-species: Sarangesa aurimargo Holland, by monotypy. = Ulva Lindsey, 1925. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 18: 105 (75-106). [Replacement name for Hyda Mabille.] Sarangesa phidyle, dry season form. Photo courtesy Jeremy Dobson. A predominantly Afrotropical genus with 23 Afrotropical and two Oriental species. Sarangesa astrigera Butler, 1894 Sarangesa astrigera Butler, 1894. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1893: 669 (643-684). Sarangesa astrigera. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 26mm. Banket, S. R. 12/1/1952. J.L. Hart. (Transvaal Museum - TM2785). Type locality: Malawi: “Zomba”. Distribution: Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe (north). Specific localities: Zambia: Mwinilunga; Chingola; Mufilera; Kitwe; Ndola; Luanshya; Kalomo; Luongo River; Kasama; Luangwa Valley; Chipata (Heath, et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – near Trelawney; Lomagundi; Chinhoyi (Pringle, et al., 1994); a few km from Banket (Hart). Common name: White-speckled elfin. Habitat: Brachystegia woodlands. Habits: Flies weakly, often on the banks of streams, settling frequently on grass stems (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: All year, with distinct seasonal forms (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. neavei Riley, 1921 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1921: 252 (234-259). Zambia: “Yiafusa R., Lukanga Valley, N.W. Rhodesia”. Sarangesa aza Evans, 1951 Sarangesa aza Evans, 1951. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 4: 1269 (1268-1272). Type locality: Sudan: “Aza forest, Amadi District, S. Sudan”. Distribution: Sudan (south), Tanzania (north-west). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa bouvieri (Mabille, 1877) Pterygospidea bouvieri Mabille, 1877. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France 2: 239 (214-240). Type locality: Gabon; “Congo”. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Camerron, Gabon, Angola, Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west). Larsen (2005a) gives Zimbabwe but this is improbable. Specific localities: Ghana – Aburi (Ploetz, 1879). Tanzania – Minziro Forest (not uncommon) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Common name: Bouvier?s elfin. Habitat: Dry forest and successional habitats (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A somewhat localized skipper but usually common where found (Larsen, 2005a). Usually found flying along forest paths and on the borders of villages (Congdon & Collins, 1998; Larsen, 2005a). It flies close to the ground, often coming to flowers; males also defend territories from perches less than a metre above the ground (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Acanthaceae [Larsen, 2005a]. philotimus Plötz, 1879 (as sp. of Antigonus). Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 361 (353-364). Ghana: “Aburi”. Sarangesa brigida (Plötz, 1879) Antigonus brigida Plötz, 1879. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 361 (353-364). Type locality: Cameroon: “Victoria und Bonjonga (Cameroons-Geb.)”. Distribution: Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia. Common name: Brigid?s elfin. Habitat: Forest edges and clearings (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A rather scarce species with localized populations (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa brigida brigida (Plötz, 1879) Antigonus brigida Plötz, 1879. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 361 (353-364). Type locality: Cameroon: “Victoria und Bonjonga (Cameroons-Geb.)”. Distribution: Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon (west). Specific localities: Sierra Leone – Freetown (Belcastro, 1986); Bumbuna (Belcastro, 1986). Liberia – Zhletown (H. Warren-Gash teste Larsen, 2005a); Sapo (H. Warren-Gash teste Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Abidjan (Larsen, 2005a); Tiassale (Larsen, 2005a); Yeale (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Kakum (Larsen, 2005a); Bia (Larsen, 2005a); Aburi (Larsen, 2005a); Wli Falls (Larsen, 2005a); Likpe (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Lagos (Larsen, 2005a); Olokomeji (Larsen, 2005a); Ilaro (Larsen, 2005a); Abakaliki (Larsen, 2005a); Okwangwo (Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Victoria (TL); Bonjonga (Ploetz, 1879). Sarangesa brigida atra Evans, 1937 Sarangesa brigida atra Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 48 (212 pp.). Type locality: Uganda: “Mpanga Forest, Toro, 4,800 ft”. Distribution: Uganda (east), Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Uganda – Mpanga Forest (TL). Note: Larsen (2005a) believes that atra may be a distinct species. Sarangesa brigida sanaga Miller, 1964 Sarangesa brigida sanaga Miller, 1964. Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (A) 26: 642 (640- 647). Sarangesa brigida sanaga. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 30mm. Zambezi Bridge, Ikelenge, Zambia. 24 March, 1982. M.W. Gardiner. (Gardiner Collection). Type locality: Cameroon: “Sakbayeme, Sanaga River”. Distribution: Cameroon (except west), Gabon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan (south), Uganda (west), Zambia (north-west). Specific localities: Cameroon – Sakbayeme, Sanaga River (TL). Central African Republic – Njam Wjam (Ploetz, 1886). Zambia: Ikelenge, Mwinilunga; Chingola (Heath et al., 2002). brigidella Plötz, 1886 (as sp. of Antigonus). Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 47:111 (83-117). Central African Republic: “Njam Wjam”. aurimargo Holland, 1896 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1896: 10 (2-107). Gabon: “Gaboon”; Sierra Leone. Sarangesa gaerdesi Evans, 1949 Sarangesa gaerdesi Evans, 1949. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 2: 55 (54-56). Type locality: Namibia: “Abenab, northern South-West Africa”. Distribution: Namibia. Common name: Namibian elfin. Habitat: Dry savanna. Subspecies smithae was found in the dry river bed of the Swakop River in the Namib desert (Pringle, et al., 1994). Habits: Specimens are always found in the close vicinity of their larval host-plants. The wing colouration of each of the two subspecies is a remarkable match for the colour of the leaves of their respective host-plants. They fly rapidly and erratically around stands of the host-plant, usually settling on the leaves with opened wings. Both sexes feed from the small flowers of the host-plant (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: Possibly all year for the nominate subspecies but commonest in the midsummer months following the rains (Pringle, et al., 1994). Subspecies smithae has been recorded from August to October (Pringle, et al., 1994) and in late February (Swart, 2004). Early stages: Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 185 [as Sarangesa gaerdesi smithae; Swakop River (Namibia?)]. Pringle, et al., 1994: 314 [both subspecies]. Larval food: Petalidium engleranum (Schinz) C.B. Cl. (Acanthaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 185; as Petalidium latifolium (Schinz.) C.B. Cl.; (S. g. gaerdesi). Petalidium variabile (Engl.) C.B. Cl. (Acanthaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 185; (S. g. smithae). Sarangesa gaerdesi gaerdesi Evans, 1949 Sarangesa gaerdesi Evans, 1949. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 2: 55 (54-56). Type locality: Namibia: “Abenab, northern South-West Africa”. Distribution: Namibia (north and central). Specific localities: Namibia – between Abenab and Grootfontein (Gaerdes; TL); Otavi (Gaerdes); Ghaub Valley (Kroon); near Tsumeb (G. Henning); Halali in the Etosha National Park (Ficq). Sarangesa gaerdesi smithae Vári, 1976 Sarangesa gaerdesi smithae Vári, 1976. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 30: 122 (121-144). Type locality: Namibia: “South West Africa: Bloedkoppie, [about] 40 km east of Swakopmund, Namib Desert National Park”. Diagnosis: Differs from the nominate subspecies in its ochreous colouration and the presence of a central hyaline spot on the hindwing (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Namibia (south-central). Specific localities: Namibia – Bloedkoppie, 40 km east of Swakopmund (Bampton and Smith; TL). Known only from the type locality. Sarangesa haplopa Swinhoe, 1907 Sarangesa haplopa Swinhoe, 1907. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 20: 431 (430-436). Type locality: Uganda: “E. Ruwenzori, 7,000'”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (east), Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania, Malawi. Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa laelius (Mabille, 1877) Pterygospidea laelius Mabille, 1877. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France 2: 240 (214-240). Sarangesa laelius. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 33mm. Lunzua River, st4000', Zambia. 1 July 78. I. Bampton. (Henning collection - H12). Type locality: Gabon. Distribution: Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast (north), Ghana (north, central), Togo, Nigeria (north), Sudan (south), Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia (north), Zimbabwe. Specific localities: Zambia: Ikelenge; Mwinilunga; mid-Lunga River; Solwezi; Chingola; Mufulira; Ndola; Luangwa Valley; Chambeshi Valley; Mbala (Heath et al., 2002). Common name: Grey elfin. Habitat: Woodland. In West Africa it occurs in dry Guinea savanna (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Flies low down, with a skipping flight, often resting on the ground with the wings expanded. Both sexes are fond of flowers (Larsen, 2005a). On hot days they rest under cliff overhangs and bridges, or even on shaded walls (Gillies, 1962; Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. synestalmenus Karsch, 1893 (as sp. of ?). Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift 38: 263 (1-266). Togo: “Bismarckburg”. tristis Rebel, 1914 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 28: 269 (219-294). Tanzania: “Bukoba-Usumbura”. laelioides Riley, 1921 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1921: 253 (234-259). Zambia: “Solwezi”. coelius de Fleury, 1926 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 95: 155 (131-155). Guinea: “Dinguiraye”. [Nomen nudum] Sarangesa lucidella (Mabille, 1891) Sape lucidella Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 67 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Sarangesa lucidella lucidella. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 31mm. Bomponi, Vumba, S.R. 26:5:61. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2775). Type locality: Tanzania: “Zanzibar”. Distribution: Ethiopia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, to Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana. Common name: Lucidella elfin. Habitat: Dry woodland. Habits: Prefers the shady banks of dongas (culverts). It is easily disturbed but quickly settles again, in heavy shade (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: July to October and January to May. There are distinct seasonal forms (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa lucidella lucidella (Mabille, 1891) Sape lucidella Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 67 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Sarangesa lucidella lucidella. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 31mm. Bomponi, Vumba, S.R. 26:5:61. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2775). Type locality: Tanzania: “Zanzibar”. Distribution: Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, to Zambia (central; east), Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana. Specific localities: Zambia: Mufulira; Mpongwe; Mumbwa; Chisamba; Chalimbana; Mazabuka; Livingstone; Victoria Falls; Luangwa Valley (Heath, et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Hot Springs; Butler South; Vumba Mountains; Harare; Lomagundi (Pringle, et al., 1994); Victoria Falls (A. Kroon). Botswana - ?Kasane (Pinhey, vide Pringle, et al., 1994). ganyi Bethune-Baker, 1906 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 17: 109 (104-110). Uganda: “Patigo, in the Ganyi or Acholi country”. marmora Evans, 1937 (as f. of Sarangesa lucidella). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 43 (212 pp.). Zambia: “N.E. Rhodesia (Lower Luangwa River, 1,600 ft)”. Sarangesa lucidella helena Evans, 1947 Sarangesa lucidella helena Evans, 1947. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (11) 13: 644 (641-648). Type locality: Ethiopia: “Harar, Abyssinia”. Distribution: Ethiopia. Sarangesa lunula Druce, 1910 Sarangesa lunula Druce, 1910. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 375 (356-378). Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Upper Kasai district, Congo Free State”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo. Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa maculata (Mabille, 1891) Sape maculata Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 68 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Sarangesa maculata. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 27mm. Sinoia, S. Rhodesia. 27.vii.51. K.M. Pennington/J. Hart. (Transvaal Museum - TM2785). Type locality: Mozambique. Distribution: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe. Recorded, in error, from Sierra Leone by Belcastro (1986) and from Nigeria by Evans (1937) (Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Zambia: Ikelenge; Luongo RiverKawambwa; Lumangwe Falls (Heath, et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Sinoia (Pennington and Hart; specimen illustrated above). Habitat: Wooded savanna. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Asystasia gangetica (Acanthaceae) [Heath, et al., 2002: 5]. subalbicans Bethune-Baker, 1906 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 18: 342 (339-346). Kenya: “Kisumu district”. Sarangesa majorella (Mabille, 1891) Hyda majorella Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 107 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Type locality: Sierra Leone: “Loko”. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic. Specific localities: Guinea – Nimbas (Larsen, 2005a). Sierra Leone – Loko (TL). Ghana – Accra (Holland, 1893). Common name: Lesser blue-dusted elfin. Habitat: Forest, including small fragments (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Not as common as S. tertullianus (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. exprompta Holland, 1893 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Entomological News 5: 26 (26-31). Ghana: “Accra, West Africa”. Sarangesa maxima Neave, 1910 Sarangesa maxima Neave, 1910. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 70 (2-86). Sarangesa maxima. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 36mm. RiverLupoto, Zaire [D.R.C.]. 23/2/83. Th. Bouyer. (African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi). Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Lualaba river”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Katanga), Zambia. Specific localities: Zambia: Solwezi; Chililabombwe; Chisamba; Mansa District; upper Kalungwishi River (Heath, et al., 2002). Habitat: Brachystegia woodland. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. flava Riley, 1921 (as f. of Sarangesa maxima). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1921: 255 (234-259). Zambia: “Solwezi”. Sarangesa motozi (Wallengren, 1857) Pterygospidea motozi Wallengren, 1857. Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar. Stockholm annis 1838-1845. Collecta (n.s.) 2 (4): 53 (55 pp.). Sarangesa motozi. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 35mm. Umkomaas. 16.1.?14. A.J.T. Janse. (Transvaal Museum - TM2782). Type locality: South Africa: “Caffraria”. Diagnosis: The hyaline spot in the middle of the hindwing is diagnostic (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Ethiopia, to Zambia (central; east), Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana (north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province), Swaziland. Recorded, in error, from Togo by Karsch (1893), who mislabelled an illustration of S. majorella (Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Zambia – Livingstone; Mazabuka; Chalimbana; Chisamba; Kitwe; Ndola; Luongo River; Chibembe; Mbala (Heath, et al., 2002). Limpopo Province – Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”) (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg district (Swanepoel, 1953); Buffelspoort Nature Reserve (Williams). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Isipingo (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Tugela River (Swanepoel, 1953); St Lucia Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); Greytown (Swanepoel, 1953); Mooi River (Swanepoel, 1953); Estcourt (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Albany District (Trimen); Uitenhage (Swanepoel, 1953); Alicedale (Swanepoel, 1953); Port Alfred (Swanepoel, 1953); Fort Beaufort (Swanepoel, 1953); East London (Swanepoel, 1953); Kei River (Swanepoel, 1953); Bashee River (Swanepoel, 1953); Tsomo River (Swanepoel, 1953); Port St Johns (Swanepoel, 1953). Common name: Forest elfin. Habitat: Dense woodland and forest. Habits: Adults prefer shady places under trees but often venture into the sunlight. They are frequently encountered along forest roads and paths (Pringle, et al., 1994). Individuals form assemblies in dark places such as animal burrows. Wood (cited by Gifford, 1965) reported hundreds sheltering in a warthog burrow. Both sexes mud-puddle. Males establish territories in the shade of trees on the edge of forests and along paths or roads (Pringle, et al., 1994). The flight is low down, fast and erratic, and specimens perch on the ground, or stones, with expanded wings (Pringle, et al., 1994). Specimens may also rest on the underside of leaves (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: All year but less common in the cooler months. Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 220; plate 8 [as Sarangesa motozi; Port St Johns, Eastern Cape and Durban, KwaZulu-Natal]. Larval food: Barleria species (Acanthaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997]. Justicia flava (Acanthaceae) [Heath, et al., 2002: 5]. Justicia species (Acanthaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 76]. Peristrophe hensii (Lindau) C.B. Cl. (Acanthaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 185]. pato Trimen, 1862 (as sp. of Nisoniades). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 1: 404 (398-406). South Africa: “Pluto?s Vale, Fish River Bush”. ophthalmica Mabille, 1891 (as sp. of Sape). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 68 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Mozambique: “Baie Delagoa”. pertusa Mabille, 1891 (as sp. of Sape). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 68 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). South Africa: “Transvaal”. [This is the dry-season form of S. motozi.] helmi Karsch, 1896 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin 22: 373 (372-378). [Tanzania.] ophthalmicodes Strand, 1912 (as "ad. int." of Sarangesa ophthalmica). Archiv für Naturgeschichte 78 (A.1.): 80 (67-92). Tanzania: “Mkatta”. Sarangesa motozioides Holland, 1892 Sarangesa motozioides Holland, 1892. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (6) 10: 288 (284-294). Type locality: Gabon: “Valley of the Ogové”. Distribution: Gabon. Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa pandaensis Joicey & Talbot, 1921 Sarangesa pandaensis Joicey & Talbot, 1921. Bulletin of the Hill Museum, Witley 1: 101 (40-166). Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Panda River, Lufira Valley”. Distribution: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia. Habitat: Brachystegia woodland. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa pandaensis pandaensis Joicey & Talbot, 1921 Sarangesa pandaensis Joicey & Talbot, 1921. Bulletin of the Hill Museum, Witley 1: 101 (40-166). Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Panda River, Lufira Valley”. Distribution: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (south). lucia Evans, 1937 (as f. of Srangesa pandaensis). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 45 (212 pp.). Angola: “Caconda”. Sarangesa pandaensis deningi Evans, 1956 Sarangesa pandaensis deningi Evans, 1956. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 8: 882 (881-885). Sarangesa pandaensis deningi. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 30mm. Mudwiji Plains, Mwinilunga dist., Zambia. 15/xii/1983. A.J. Gardiner. (Gardiner Collection). Type locality: Zambia: “Manibonga District, N.W. Rhodesia”. Distribution: Zambia (north). Specific localities: Zambia: Mwinilunga district; 40 km east of Mwinilunga; Chililabombwe; Lumangwe Falls (Heath, et al., 2002). Sarangesa penningtoni Evans, 1951 Sarangesa penningtoni Evans, 1951. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 4: 1269 (1268-1272). Sarangesa penningtoni. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 29mm. Kundalila Falls, 4500', Zambia. 16.7.75. I. Bampton. (Henning collection - H15). Type locality: Zambia: “Kanna, N. Rhodsia (200 miles N. of Broken Hill [now Kabwe] on the Great North Road)”. Distribution: Zambia (north). Specific localities: Zambia: Kanna (TL); 48 km south of Ndola; Changwena Falls; Kanona; Mbala (Heath, et al., 2002); Kundalila Falls (Bampton). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa phidyle (Walker, 1870) Cyclopides phidyle Walker, 1870. Entomologist 5: 56 (48-57). Sarangesa phidyle. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 33mm. Mahalapye, Bechuanaland. 7.iv.1954. K.M. Pennington. (Transvaal Museum - TM2777). Type locality: Sudan: “Hor Tamanib”. Distribution: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea (north), Nigeria (north), Niger, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Saudi Arabia (south-west), Yemen, Oman, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province), Swaziland. Specific localities: Sudan – Hor Tamanib (TL). Zambia – Victoria Falls; Zambezi Valley; Luangwa Valley (Heath et al., 2002). Botswana – Mahalapye (Pennington). Limpopo Province – Throughout bushveld areas (Swanepoel, 1953); Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”). Mpumalanga – Throughout bushveld areas (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Throughout bushveld areas (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Throughout bushveld areas (Swanepoel, 1953); Buffelsdrif Conservancy (Williams). KwaZulu-Natal – Throughout bushveld areas (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Addo (Swanepoel, 1953); Coega (Swanepoel, 1953); Alicedale (Swanepoel, 1953); Grahamstown (Swanepoel, 1953); East London (Swanepoel, 1953); Bashee River (Swanepoel, 1953); Umtata (Swanepoel, 1953); Port St Johns (Swanepoel, 1953); Port Elizabeth (Pringle et al., 1994). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). Common name: Small elfin; orange elfin. Habitat: Savanna (bushveld). In West Africa it is a skipper of the Sudan savanna and the Sahel (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: This is a common little skipper in dry habitats througout the Afrotropical Region (Larsen, 2005a). Prefers wooded areas, especially along river courses. Settles with opened wings on the ground or on the surface of rocks. Adults have a rapid, darting flight, usually in the shade of trees (Pringle et al., 1994). Specimens often roost together in animal burrows (such as those of warthogs and aardvarks) or in the shade of rock overhangs or river-banks; up to twenty individuals are sometimes found together in such places. Adults feed avidly from flowers (e.g. Tridax (Larsen, 2005a)) and sometimes are found mud-puddling. Males establish territories in the shade of large trees, often resting on the ground in sunny patches. Flight period: All year but scarcer in winter. Early stages: Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 218; plate 7 [as Sarangesa phidyle; Alicedale, Eastern Cape]. Larval food: Barleria species (Acanthaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 75]. Peristrophe hensii (Lindau) C.B. Cl. (Acanthaceae) [Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 184]. besa Mabille, 1891 (as sp. of Achlyodes). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 66 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). No locality given. eliminata Holland, 1896 (as sp. of Sape). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1896: 9 (2-107). Ethiopia: “Abyssinie”; Somalia: “Somaliland”. deserticola Rebel, 1907 (as ssp. of Sarangesa eliminata). Denkschrift der Akademie der Wissenschaften. Wien. 71 (2): 37, 75 (31-130) [1931 republication]. Yemen: “Râs Fartak”. varia Evans, 1937 (as f. of Sarangesa phidyle). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 43 (212 pp.). Sudan: “W. Kordofan (Agageh Wells)”. Sarangesa princei Karsch, 1896 Sarangesa princei Karsch, 1896. Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin 22: 373 (372-378). Type locality: Tanzania: “Janke Janke”. Distribution: Kenya (east), Tanzania (north). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. tsava Bethune-Baker, 1906 (as sp. of Sarangesa). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 18: 341 (339-346). Kenya: “Tsavo River”. Sarangesa ruona Evans, 1937 Sarangesa ruona Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 45 (212 pp.). Type locality: Malawi: “Ruo Valley, Nyasaland”. Holotype male in the Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Similar to S. motozi but lacks hyaline cell-spot in middle of hindwing (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Tanzania (west - Kigoma), Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa (Limpopo Province, KwaZulu-Natal - a single record). Specific localities: Zimbabwe – Nyanyadzi River, between Mutare and Chipinga (Pennington); Mount Selinda (Pennington); Lesanth Ranch, 50 km north of Beit Bridge (Pringle, et al., 1994); Mutema Forest in the Save Valley (Gallagher and Chitty); Dichwe Forest (Paré). KwaZulu-Natal – Some kilometres north of Mhlosinga (E. Pringle). Common name: Ruona elfin. Habitat: Submontane and riverine forest. Also in savanna (Pringle, et al., 1994). Habits: Specimens tend to keep to the heavy shade of trees in dense bush (Pringle, et al., 1994). Males defend territories in the shade of trees, perching with expanded wings on low vegetation. They also often settle on the trunks of trees a metre or two above the ground, with the wings held flat (Pringle, et al., 1994). Aggregations of individuals can also be found in dark places such as holes in sand banks. Flight period: All year but commonest from September to May. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa seineri Strand, 1909 Sarangesa seineri Strand, 1909. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 75 (1.3.): 383 (367-386). Sarangesa seineri seineri. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 33mm. Que Que. 11.9.76. M. Villet. (Transvaal Museum - TM2779). Type locality: Zambia: “Old-Livingstone, Galleriewald des Sambesi”. Holotype female in Berlin Museum. Diagnosis: The white blaze on the antennae, below the club, is diagnostic (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Kenya, to Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, (Shaba), Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland. Common name: Dark elfin. Habitat: Wooded savanna (deciduous woodland). Habits: Often found in dry river beds or on the slopes of hills (Pringle, et al., 1994). Individuals often rest in the shade of rocks or in animal burrows. Both flowers and damp spots are visited (Pringle, et al., 1994). Males establish territories in the shade of large trees. The flight of territorial males is fast and close to the ground (Pringle, et al., 1994). They perch, with expanded wings, on the ground or on the underside of a leaf. Specimens also rest, with flattened wings, on the bark of tree trunks, when they are exceptionally well camouflaged (Williams, unpublished). Flight period: All year but less common in winter. Early stages: Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 78 [as Sarangesa seineri durbana; Makatini Flats, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa]. Egg white when laid, changing to pink; 0,8 mm diameter x 0,6 mm high; domed. First instar larva creamy white, becoming pale yellow; head black; growing from 1,5 mm to 5 mm in five days. Second instar pale yellow; changing to pale orange; head black; growing to 8 mm in six days. Third instar similar; growing to 12 mm in seven days. Fourth instar translucent green with darker dorsal line and thin white dorso-lateral and lateral lines; head shiny black with minute black papillae; growing to 18 mm in seven days. Fifth instar similar to fourth; growing to 25 mm in 12 days. Pupa 18 mm long; translucent whitish blue-green. Eggs are laid singly on a leaf of the foodplant, about one third of the way from the tip. Eclosion occurs in about 11 days. First to third instar larvae cut a long oval piece, about twice the length of the larva, from the edge of a leaf and fold it over on the underside of the leaf, securing it with silk strands. This is used as a shelter. Later instars fold the entire leaf over, securing the edges with short silk strands. Moults and pupation occur in the shelter. The larval stage lasts about 37 days. The pupa is unattached and the pupal period is about 14 days. Larval food: Peristrophe hensii (Acanthaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 78]. Sarangesa seineri seineri Strand, 1909 Sarangesa seineri Strand, 1909. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 75 (1.3.): 383 (367-386). Sarangesa seineri seineri. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 33mm. Que Que. 11.9.76. M. Villet. (Transvaal Museum - TM2779). Type locality: Zambia: “Old-Livingstone, Galleriewald des Sambesi”. Holotype female in Berlin Museum. Diagnosis: In ssp. durbana the underside of the hindwing is much browner than in the nominate subspecies (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Kenya, to Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, (Shaba), Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province – north, Gauteng). Specific localities: Zambia: Livingstone; Choma; Lusaka; Mpongwe; Miengwe; Luongo River; Mbala (Heath, et al., 2002). Botswana – Maun (D. and R. Plowes); Xaro (Pinhey); Four Rivers Camp (Pinhey); Kasane (Pinhey). Namibia – Etosha (Pringle, et al., 1994). Limpopo Province – Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Nylstroom (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Saltpan (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”) (Swanepoel, 1953); Tubex (Swanepoel, 1953). tanga Evans, 1937 (as ssp. of Srangesa seineri). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 44 (212 pp.). Democratic Republic of Congo: “West shore of Lake Tanganyika (Mpala)”. Sarangesa seineri durbana Evans, 1937 Sarangesa seineri durbana Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 44 (212 pp.). Type locality: South Africa: “Natal (Kaffraria)”. Holotype male in Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: In ssp. durbana the underside of the hindwing is much browner than in the nominate subspecies (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: South Africa (Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland. Specific localities: Mpumalanga – KwaZulu-Natal – Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); St Lucia Bay (Swanepoel, 1953). Sarangesa tertullianus (Fabricius, 1793) Hesperia tertullianus Fabricius, 1793. Entomologia Systematica emendata et aucta 3 (1): 341 (488pp.). Type locality: [West Africa]: “In Indiis”. [False locality.]. According to Zimsen (1964) the type is lost. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda (west - Bwamba). Specific localities: Liberia – Monrovia (Mabille, 1890). Cameroon – Alen (Strand, 1913); Korup (Larsen, 2005a). Common name: Blue-dusted elfin. Habitat: Forest edges and secondary growth near forests (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A somewhat scarce butterfly that is usually encountered basking on a leaf (Larsen, 2005a). Males come to flowers and bird-droppings and also mud-puddle. Females are rarely seen (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. grisea Hewitson, 1878 (as sp. of Pterygospidea). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (5) 1: 344 (340-348). Gabon: “Gaboon”. micacea Mabille, 1890 (as sp. of Hyda). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 9: 184 (149-150, 155-156, 167-169, 183-184). Liberia: “Marovia”. unipuncta Strand, 1913 (as ab. of Sarangesa (Hyda) micacea). Archiv für Naturgeschichte 78 (A.12.): 44 (30-84). Cameroon: “Alen”. Sarangesa thecla (Plötz, 1879) Antigonus thecla Plötz, 1879. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 361 (353-364). Type locality: Ghana: “Aburi”. Diagnosis: Similar to S. maculata but has a narrow (not quadrate) hyaline spot in space 2 (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania. Common name: Common elfin. Habitat: Dry semi-deciduous forest, including degraded habitat and forest fragments (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: This is probably the commonest member of the genus (Larsen, 2005a). Males perch on leaves on the edge of forests, in forest clearings, or on forest paths (Larsen, 2005a). Male contests are conducted at furious speed (Larsen, 2005a). Both sexes come readily to flowers and males are partial to bird-droppings (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa thecla thecla (Plötz, 1879) Antigonus thecla Plötz, 1879. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 361 (353-364). Type locality: Ghana: “Aburi”. Distribution: Guinea (west), Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (except east). Specific localities: Guinea – Fouta Djalon (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Aburi (TL). Nigeria – Oban Hills (Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Korup (Larsen, 2005a). semialba Mabille, 1891 (as sp. of Sape). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 67 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). “Afrique occidentale”. Sarangesa thecla mabira Evans, 1956 Sarangesa thecla mabira Evans, 1956. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 8: 882 (881-885). Type locality: Uganda: “Mabira forest”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (east), Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Uganda – Mabira Forest (TL). Tanzania – Minziro Forest (locally common) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Sarangesa tricerata (Mabille, 1891) Hyda tricerata Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 106 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Type locality: Sierra Leone. Distribution: Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania. Specific localities: Guinea – Labe in the Fouta Djalon (Larsen, 2005a); Nimbas (Larsen, 2005a). Sierra Leone – Freetown (Belcastro, 1986); Loma Mountains (Belcastro, 1986). Ivory Coast – Gagnoa (Larsen, 2005a); Yeale (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Kukurantumi (Larsen, 2005a); Bia (Larsen, 2005a); Aburi (Larsen, 2005a); Boabeng-Fiema (Larsen, 2005a). Togo – Kpalime (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Olokemeji (Hopkins, 1979). Common name: Tricerate elfin. Habitat: Apparently in drier forests (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: This is a rare skipper (Larsen, 2005a). A male was observed feeding on a bird dropping (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Sarangesa tricerata tricerata (Mabille, 1891) Hyda tricerata Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 106 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Type locality: Sierra Leone. Distribution: Gambia, Sierra Leone, to Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo Sarangesa tricerata compacta Evans, 1951 Sarangesa tricerata compacta Evans, 1951. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 4: 1269 (1268- 1272). Type locality: Tanzania: “Mikindani, Tanganyika”. Distribution: Tanzania (west). Known only from the type specimens. Specific localities: Tanzania – Mikindani (TL). Genus Caprona Wallengren, 1857 Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar. Stockholm annis 1838-1845. Collecta (n.s.) 2 (4): 51 (55 pp.). Type-species: Caprona pillaana Wallengren, by monotypy. = Stethotrix Mabille, 1890. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 9: 184 (149-150, 155-156, 167-169, 183-184). Type-species: Stethotrix heterogyna Mabille, by monotypy. Synonym based on extralimital type-species: Abaratha Moore. A genus of six species, three of which are Afrotropical and three of which are Oriental. Caprona adelica Karsch, 1892 Caprona adelica Karsch, 1892. Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin. 18: 241 (241-244). Type locality: Togo: “Forschungsstation Bismarckburg im Hinterlande von Togo”. Distribution: Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria (north), ?Sudan (south), ?Ethiopia, ?Uganda, Kenya (north-west), Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Malawi. Specific localities: Senegal – Kedegou (Larsen, 2005a); Mako (Larsen, 2005a). Burkina Faso – Bobo Diallassou (Larsen, 2005a); Dinderesso (Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Kankan (Larsen, 2005a); Fouta Djalon (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Kogyae N.P. (Larsen, 2005a). Togo – Bismarckburg (TL). Nigeria – Jos (Larsen, 2005a); Minna (Larsen, 2005a); Borgu (Larsen, 2005a); Lokoja (Larsen, 2005a). Common name: Western ragged skipper. Habitat: In West Africa it occurs in Guinea savanna (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A generally scarce skipper (Larsen, 2005a). They have been found feeding from the flowers of Tridax in Ghana (Larsen, 2005a). Males perch on bushes, about a metre off the ground and display their androconial hair-tufts; this also occurs when they are hilltopping (photo in Larsen, 1988 and 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Possibly Grewia species (Tiliaceae) [Larsen, 2005a]. Note: Larsen (2005a) believes that the disjunct populations in Malawi and Shaba (DRC) may repay study; possibly they represent an undescribed species or subspecies. kordofani Bethune-Baker, 1916 (as var. of Caprona adelica). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (8) 17: 380 (378-385). [Sudan?] Caprona cassualalla Bethune-Baker, 1911 Caprona cassualalla Bethune-Baker, 1911. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (8) 8: 506 (506-542). Type locality: Angola: “Cassualalla, N. Angola”. Type in the NHM, London. Diagnosis: See C. pillaana for differentiation. Distribution: Angola, Namibia (north). The distribution of this species and that of C. pillaana is discussed by Vári (1974). Recorded, erroneously, from Nigeria (Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Angola – Cassualalla (TL). Common name: Kavango skipper. Habitat: Very dry savanna. Habits: Similar to those of other species of the genus. Both sexes feed from the flowers of trees in spring (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: September to June (Pringle et al., 1994). Ficq, vide Pringle et al. (1994) has recorded seasonal forms of this species. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Grewia species (Tiliaceae) [Hobohm, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 186]. Caprona pillaana Wallengren, 1857 Caprona pillaana Wallengren, 1857. Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar. Stockholm annis 1838-1845. Collecta (n.s.) 2 (4): 51 (55 pp.). Caprona pillaana. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 37mm. Siluve, P. E. Africa. 3.5.1962. K.M. Pennington. (Transvaal Museum - TM2788). Type locality: South Africa: “Caffraria”. Type in Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Close to C. cassualalla but 1 – transverse row of transparent spots in forewing very irregularly shaped; 2 – outer pale line of median fascia on hindwing not continued into anal angle; 3 – a faint white line running from above the anal angle outside the median fascia towards the middle of the wing (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: Ghana (north-east), Nigeria (north-east), Djibouti, Ethiopia, to Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland (Duke et al., 1999), Yemen. Specific localities: Ghana – Nakpanduri (Maessen teste Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Shellem (Larsen, 2005a); ?near Zaria (Cornes, 1971); Obudu Town (P. Walwanda teste Larsen, 2005a). Zambia: Kasempa; Chingola; Mufulira; Chalimbana (Heath et al., 2002). Botswana – Boti-Sepopa (Pinhey); Maun (Pinhey); Kasane (Pinhey). Limpopo Province – Mica (Swanepoel, 1953); Tzaneen (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg district (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Zeerust (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Pinetown (Swanepoel, 1953); Stanger (Swanepoel, 1953); Greytown (Swanepoel, 1953); Pietermaritzburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Hluhluwe (Swanepoel, 1953); Umkomaas (Pringle, et al., 1994). Northern Cape Province – Kimberley (Swanepoel, 1953). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). Common name: Ragged Skipper. Habitat: Mainly dry savanna (bushveld) but also moist savanna and riverine forest. In West Africa it is mainly associated with Sudan savanna (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Very scarce in West Africa but commoner in East and southern Africa (Larsen, 2005a). The flight is quite rapid. Both flowers and damp spots on the banks of streams are visited. Males show strong hilltopping behaviour but they tend to select perches on trees a little below the summit (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year. The spring brood differs slightly in appearance from summer specimens (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: Paré, in Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 82. Final instar larva cylindrical; colour off-white and densely covered with half millimetre long setae; setae arise from small white tubercules giving larva a granulated appearance; each segment with a pair of very small black dots, one on each side of the dorsal mid-line. Head black and dorsally bi-lobed; densely covered by 2 mm long setae; setae on dorsum of lobes black, the rest white; an ill-defined band of grey setae bisecting head laterally, giving the appearance of a stripe across the face. Attains a length of 25 mm. Pupa 20 mm long; cylindrical; white and covered with a waxy powdery bloom. Eggs are laid singly on a leaf of the foodplant. Larvae live in shelters during the day, feeding only at night. The larval stage last about 42 days. Pupation occurs in the larval shelter, which consists of two leaves stitched together with silk. The pupa is secured by a y-shaped silk girdle and a cremaster attached to the upper leaf of the shelter. The two arms and the foot of the „y? are attached to the roof and floor of the shelter, respectively. Pupal period about 10 days. Larval food: Dombeya rotundifolia (Hochst.) Planch. (Sterculiaceae) [Platt (1921) cited by Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 186]. Grewia flava DC. (Tiliaceae) [Woodhall, in Pringle et al., 1994: 315]. Dombeya burgessiae (Sterculiaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 83]. Sterculia quinqueloba (Sterculiaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 83]. Grewia monticola (Tiliaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 83]. heterogyna Mabille, 1890 (as sp. of Stethotrix). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 9: 184 (149-150, 155-156, 167-169, 183-184). South Africa: “Natal”. Genus Netrobalane Mabille, 1903 In: Mabille, 1903-4. In: Wytsman, P.A.G. Genera Insectorum 17: 46, 76 (210pp.). Type-species: Caprona canopus Trimen, by monotypy. A monobasic Afrotropical genus. Netrobalane canopus (Trimen, 1864) Caprona canopus Trimen, 1864. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 2: 180 (175-180). Netrobalane canopus. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 36mm. Muden, Natal. 27.xii.29. K.M. Pennington. (Transvaal Museum - TM2787). Netrobalane canopus. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 39mm. Cintsa East, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa; 20-31 December, 2001; M.C. Williams (Williams Collection). Type locality: South Africa: “Kaffraria and Natal”. Holotype in Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Guinea (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), ?Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe (east), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province), Swaziland. Specific localities: Ghana – Akosombo (C. Belcastro teste Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Oshogbo (Birket-Smith teste Larsen, 2005a); Kagoro Forest (Larsen, 2005a); Gashaka-Gumpti N.P. (D. Knoop teste Larsen, 2005a). Zambia: Mufulira; Mwinilunga; Miengwe; Mpongwe; Chalimbana; Lusaka (Heath, et al., 2002). Limpopo Province – Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”) (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokeetsi (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Wyliespoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Zoutpansberg - Buzzard Mountain Retreat (Williams). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Buffelspoort Nature Reserve (Williams). KwaZulu-Natal – Umkomaas (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); Empangeni (Swanepoel, 1953); St Lucia Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Tugela River (Swanepoel, 1953), Muden (Pennington). Eastern Cape Province – Bashee River (Swanepoel, 1953); Port St Johns (Swanepoel, 1953); King William?s Town district (Mrs Bailie); East London (Clark). Common name: Buff-tipped skipper. Habitat: Moist savanna and forest. In West Africa this skipper is found mainly in Guinea savanna (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Scarce in West Africa but commoner in the east and south of its range (Larsen, 2005a). The flight is fluttering and not particularly rapid (Pringle et al., 1994). Both sexes often feed from flowers. Adults alight with opened wings on the upper surface of a leaf, but occasionally also on the under surface. Males defend territories from perches on twigs on a bush or low tree (Pringle et al., 1994). Bowker noted that in flight males make a clicking sound which Trimen (1887) thought may be a courtship signal. Males frequently show hilltopping behaviour (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year. Early stages: Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 222; plate 9 [as Netrobalane canopus; Durban, KwaZulu-Natal]. Larval food: Dombeya burgessiae (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 185; as D. calantha K. Schum.]. Dombeya cymosa Harv. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 185]. Grewia flavescens (Tiliaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 81]. Grewia occidentalis L. (Tiliaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 185]. Grewia similis K. Schaumann (Tiliaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Pavonia burchellii (DC.) R.A. Dyer (syn. patens (Andr.) Chiov.) (Malvaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 185; as Pavonia macrophylla E. Mey. ex Harv.]. orientalis Aurivillius, 1925 (as var. of Caprona canopus). Entomologisk Tidskrift 46: 211 (206-212). Kenya/Uganda: “Elgon”. Genus Leucochitonea Wallengren, 1857 Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar. Stockholm annis 1838-1845. Collecta (n.s.) 2 (4): 52 (55 pp.). Type-species: Leucochitonea levubu Wallengren, by subsequent designation (Wallengren, 1858. Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar. Stockholm 15: 82 (75-84).) A small Afrotropical genus of three species. Leucochitonea amneris (Rebel & Rogenhofer, 1894) Abantis amneris Rebel & Rogenhofer, 1894. In: Baumann, O., Durch Massailand zur Nilquelle. Reisen und Forschungen der Massai-Expedition des deutschen Antisklaverei-Komite in den Jahren 1891-1893: 338 (323-341). Type locality: Tanzania: “Kiwayasteppe und von Umbugwe”. Distribution: Tanzania (from Kilimanjaro, to Njombe and Tabora). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Leucochitonea hindei Druce, 1903 Leucochitonea hindei Druce, 1903. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 12: 636 (636-637). Type locality: Kenya: “Kitui, British East Africa (about 4000 feet)”. Distribution: Ethiopia, Kenya. Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Leucochitonea levubu Wallengren, 1857 Leucochitonea levubu Wallengren, 1857. Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar. Stockholm annis 1838-1845. Collecta (n.s.) 2 (4): 52 (55 pp.). Leucochitonea levubu. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 35mm. Melsetter Junction, S. Rhodesia. 6:3:63. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2790). Type locality: South Africa: “Caffraria”. Holotype in Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Malawi (south), Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe (west), Botswana, Namibia (north-east), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal – north, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland (Duke, et al., 1999). Specific localities: Zambia – Chavuma; Livingstone; Luangwa Valley (Heath, et al., 2002). Botswana – Tshabong (Pennington). Limpopo Province – Waterberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Nylstroom (Swanepoel, 1953); Naboomspruit (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus – Zaaiplaats (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Dendron (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Blouberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Legalameetse Nature Reserve (Williams, Dec. 2006). Mpumalanga – Lydenburg district (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Vryburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Potchefstroom (Swanepoel, 1953); Zeerust (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953); Buffelsdrif Conservency n.e. of Pretoria (Williams). Free State Province – KwaZulu-Natal – Northern Cape Province – Barkly West (Swanepoel, 1953). Common name: White cloaked skipper. Habitat: Dry savanna (bushveld). Habits: The flight appears to be leisurely and undulating but is, in fact, quite rapid. It is fond of flowers and occasionally mud-puddles (Pringle, et al., 1994). Males are avid hilltoppers, selecting a shrub or small tree on which to perch, but also establish territories on the flats. Males circle their territory rapidly before returning to their perch (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: September to April (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Grewia flava DC. (Tiliaceae) [Williams, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 315; Pienaars River, Limpopo Province]. lactea Plötz, 1885 (as sp. of Sapaea). Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 46: 36 (35-36). “Afrika”. defecta Aurivillius, 1925 in Seitz, 1908-25 (as f. of Abantis levebu [sic]). Die Gross- Schmetterlinge der Erde, Stuttgart (2) 13 Die Afrikanischen Tagfalter: 570 (614 pp.). No locality given. Genus Abantis Hopffer, 1855 Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Type-species: Abantis tettensis Hopffer, by monotypy. = Sapaea Plötz, 1879. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 177, 179 (175-180). Type-species: Leucochitonea bicolor Trimen, by original designation. = Abantiades Fairmaire, 1894. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 38: 395 (386-395). [Unnecessary replacement name for Abantis Hopffer.] A purely Afrotropical genus of 23 beautiful skippers, with a varied array of colourful wing patterns. Most species of „paradise skippers? are scarce or rare. Females are often very hard to find in comparison to the males. Some are forest species, whereas others are found in the African savannas. Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, 1901 Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, 1901. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1901: 34 (19-36). Abantis bismarcki arctomarginata Lathy, 1901. Ackery et al., 1995: 76. Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, 1901. Collins & Larsen, 1994: 1. Type locality: Malawi: “Zomba”. Diagnosis: Similar to A. bamptoni but hindwing more rounded; pale areas a purer white; hindwing black marginal band narrower (Congdon and Collins, 1998). Distribution: Tanzania, (south-central - Iringa), Malawi (Collins and Larsen, 1994). Specific localities: Tanzania – Near Mafinga, Iringa Region; Ndembera River, Iringa Region (single female) (Congdon and Collins, 1998). Common name: Tricoloured paradise skipper. Habitat: Habits: Males are known to show hilltopping behaviour (Congdon and Collins, 1998). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Uapaca kirkiana (Euphorbiaceae) [Congdon and Collins, 1998: 15]. Abantis bamptoni Collins & Larsen, 1994 Abantis bamptoni Collins & Larsen, 1994. Entomologists' Record and Journal of Variation 106 (1-2): 3 (1- 5). Abantis bamptoni. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 35mm. Bomponi, Vumba, S.R. 10:3:59. D.M. Cookson. (Henning collection - H17). Type locality: Zambia: “Solwezi, N. Zambia, placed as “ssp. neavei” in the synoptic collection arranged by W.H. Evans (The Natural History Museum, London).” Holotype in the NHM, London. Diagnosis: See A. arctomarginata for differentiating features. Distribution: Zimbabwe, Mozambique (near the Zimbabwe border), Tanzania (west), Zambia (north), Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba - Mpala) (Collins and Larsen, 1994: 3). Specific localities: Tanzania – Lubalisi Valley, Kigoma District (Kielland; single record); Sitebi Mountain, Mpanda District (Bampton; larvae); Usondo Plateau near Uvinza (larva) (Congdon and Collins, 1998). Zambia: Solwezi (TL); Ikelenge; Chingola; Mufulira; Kasama; Mpika (Heath, et al., 2002); Mt Swebi (Collins and Larsen, 1994). Mozambique – Moribane Forest (Carcasson; single record). Zimbabwe: Lomagundi Mine (O?Neil; single record); Chinhoyi (Lannin; single record); Bomponi; Witchwood Valley, Vumba (Barnes); Selukwe (Vissian); Butler South in the Chitora Hills (Pennington; single male); Bomponi Valley below the Vumba Mountains (the Cooksons); Mount Selinda; base and summit of the Chimanimani Mountains; northern suburbs of Harare (Mullin and Bampton). Common name: Bampton?s paradise skipper. Habitat: Deciduous woodland, especially Brachystegia woodland. Habits: Males do not hilltop (Heath, et al., 2002) but apparently select perches on the top of tall trees from which to defend territories (Pringle, et al., 1994). Vissian, vide Pringle, et al. (1994), noted specimens feeding on the flowers of Lantana and the Cooksons found them feeding from tall purple flowers between 12:00 and 14:00. Flight period: Presumably September to April (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Paré, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 316 [as A. arctomarginata]. Collins & Larsen, 1994: 4 Bred by J.I.W. Mullin and R. Paré (from material found near Harare). Larval food: Uapaca kirkiana Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) [Bampton and Mullin, 1988: 6; as A. arctomarginata] (Met. 1 (21): 6). Uapaca nitida Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) [Paré, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 316; as A. arctomarginata]. Uapaca sansibarica (Euphorbiaceae) [Mullin, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 316; as A. arctomarginata]. neavei Aurivillius, 1925 in Seitz, 1908-25 (as f. of Abantis bismarcki). Die Gross- Schmetterlinge der Erde, Stuttgart (2) 13 Die Afrikanischen Tagfalter: 569 (614 pp.). “Rhodesia”. [Regarded as a synonym of bamptoni by Collins & Larsen, 1994: 2.] Abantis bicolor (Trimen, 1864) Leucochitonea bicolor Trimen, 1864. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 2: 180 (175- 180). Type locality: South Africa: “Bashee River, Kaffraria”. Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province). Specific localities: KwaZulu-Natal – Umkomaas Hills (Swanepoel, 1953); Syndenham (Swanepoel, 1953); Pinetown (Swanepoel, 1953); Umlaas Waterworks, west of Durban (Dickson; single record); Illovo (Schoeman); Ngoye Forest (Pennington). Eastern Cape Province – Bashee River (Bowker; TL); East London (Clark); Port St Johns (Swanepoel, 1953). Common name: Bicoloured paradise skipper; hide-and-seek paradise skipper. Habitat: Coastal forest and dense bush on the east coast of South Africa. Habits: Both sexes feed from flowers, such as those of Scabious. Males are very territorial, establishing their perches on the twigs of trees two to three metres above the ground. These territories may be on hilltops or cliff edges or on the fringes of forest. The flight is rapid. When perched the wings are usually held open (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: Appears to have two main broods a year. The early summer brood is smaller than the autumn (April-May) brood (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis bismarcki Karsch, 1892 Abantis bismarcki Karsch, 1892. Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin. 18: 228 (228-229). Abantis bismarcki. Male upperside, Cameroon (x2.4). Photos ex Torben Larsen. Type locality: Togo: “Forschungstation Bismarckburg im Hinterlande von Togo”. Distribution: Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria (north), Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan (south), Uganda (drier parts), Kenya (west) (Collins & Larsen, 1994: 1). Specific localities: Guinea – Fouta Djalon (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Likpe (ABRI teste Larsen, 2005a). Togo – Bismarckburg (TL). Nigeria – Kaduna area (Larsen, 2005a). Common name: Bismarck?s paradise skipper. Habitat: Apparently the transition zone between dry forest and Guinea savanna (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A scarce skipper; usually males are found when hilltopping (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published [Collins & Larsen, 1994: 4]. Larval food: Nothing published [Collins & Larsen, 1994: 4]. Abantis contigua Evans, 1937 Abantis venosa contigua Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 55 (212 pp.). Abantis contigua. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 31mm. Cross Kopje, Umtali, S. R. 1.5.1965. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2797). Type locality: Uganda: “Mabira Forest, Chagwe 3,600 ft”. Distribution: Cameroon, Congo, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya (west), Zambia (north-west to Copperbelt). Specific localities: Zambia: Ikelenge; Mufulira (Heath, et al., 2002). Common name: Contiguous paradise skipper. Habitat: Deciduous woodland. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Note: Larsen (2005a) suggests that contigua Evans, 1937 may be the equatorial subspecies of the West African elegantula (Mabille, 1890). Abantis efulensis Holland, 1896 Abantis efulensis Holland, 1896. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1896: 21 (2-107). Type locality: Cameroon: “Efulen, Cameroons”. Distribution: Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda (south-west - Kigezi district). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis elegantula (Mabille, 1890) Sapaea elegantula Mabille, 1890. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 10: 32 (17-51). Type locality: Sierra Leone: “Sierra-Leona”. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon. Specific localities: Guinea – Fouta Djalon (M. Mei teste Larsen, 2005a); Parc ational du Haut Niger (M. Mei teste Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Atewa Range (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Kagoro Forest, south of Jos (Larsen, 2005a); Anambra Creek (Larsen, 2005a); Okwangwo (Larsen, 2005a). Common name: Elegant paradise skipper. Habitat: Forest, including forest-savanna mosaic (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A rare skipper (Larsen, 2005a). Males mudpuddle (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. maesseni Miller, 1971 (as sp. of Abantis). Bulletin of the Allyn Museum (2): 3 (17 pp.). Ghana: “Lipke”. Given as a valid species by Ackery et al. 1995. Considered to be the dry-saeson form of Abantis elegantula (Mabille, 1890) by Larsen, 2005a: 486). Abantis eltringhami Jordan, 1932 Abantis eltringhami Jordan, 1932. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London 6: 89 (89). Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons; Bitye, Ja River, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Cameroon. Known only from the holotype. Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis ja Druce, 1909 Abantis ja Druce, 1909. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909: 408 (406-413). Type locality: Cameroon: “Bitje, Ja River, Cameroons, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic. Specific localities: Ivory Coast – Danane (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Atewa Range (Maessen teste Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Bitje, Ja Rvier (TL). Common name: Djah paradise skipper. Habitat: Forest (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A very rare paradise skipper, possibly spending most of the time in the forest canopy (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis leucogaster (Mabille, 1890) Sapaea leucogaster Mabille, 1890. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 10: 32 (17-51). Type locality: Sierra Leone: “Sierra-Leone”. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania. Common name: Streaked paradise skipper. Habitat: Primary forest and well-developed secondary forest. Habits: A rare skipper that, at times, may be seen feeding from flowers. Most of the time individuals remain in the forest canopy (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis leucogaster leucogaster (Mabille, 1890) Sapaea leucogaster Mabille, 1890. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 10: 32 (17-51). Type locality: Sierra Leone: “Sierra-Leone”. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo. Specific localities: Guinea – Conakry area (Larsen, 2005a); Nimbas (Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Nimba area (Larsen, 2005a); Mount Peko (Larsen, 2005a); Mount Tonkoui (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Atewa Range (Larsen, 2005a); Tano Ofin (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Agege near Lagos (Larsen, 2005a); Cross River loop (Larsen, 2005a). Abantis leucogaster iruma Evans, 1951 Abantis leucogaster iruma Evans, 1951. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 4: 1270 (1268-1272). Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Irumu, Ituri Forest, Belgian Congo”. Diagnosis: Paler than the nominate subspecies (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (east), Uganda (west), Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Irumu, Ituri Forest (TL). Uganda – Sango Bay (Congdon and Collins, 1998). Tanzania – Kere Hill, in Minziro Forest (two females; very rare) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Note: Subspecies irumu may be a distinct species (Larsen, 2005a). Abantis lucretia Druce, 1909 Abantis lucretia Druce, 1909. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909: 409 (406-413). Abantis lucretia lucretia. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 33mm. Ebogo, nr Mbalmayo, C. Cameroon. May, 2000. (African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi). Type locality: Cameroon: “Bitje, Ja River, Cameroons, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Guinea (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Uganda. Common name: Lucretia?s paradise skipper. Habitat: Forest in good condition (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A rare skipper (Larsen, 2005a). Males have been seen defending territories from treetop perches between 11:00 and 12:00 (Larsen, 2005a). Males also mud-puddle (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis lucretia lucretia Druce, 1909 Abantis lucretia Druce, 1909. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909: 409 (406-413). Abantis lucretia lucretia. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 33mm. Ebogo, nr Mbalmayo, C. Cameroon. May, 2000. (African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi). Type locality: Cameroon: “Bitje, Ja River, Cameroons, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Guinea (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria (Cross River loop), Cameroon. Specific localities: Guinea – Fouta Djalon (Larsen, 2005a); Nimbas (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Atewa Range (Larsen, 2005a); Wli Falls (Banks teste Larsen, 2005a). Abantis lucretia etoumbiensis Miller, 1971 Abantis lucretia etoumbiensis Miller, 1971. Bulletin of the Allyn Museum (2): 15, 16 (17 pp.). Type locality: Congo: “French Congo; Etoumbi”. Distribution: Congo, ?Uganda (south-west). Specific localities: Congo – Etoumbi (TL). Abantis lucretia lofu Neave, 1910 Abantis lofu Neave, 1910. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 72 (2-86). Type locality: Zambia: “between the Lofu [Lufubu] river and Lake Tanganyika” and “east of Lake Bangweolo [Bangweulu]”. Holotype (male) in Hope Collection, Oxford. The allotype (female), collected “east of Lake Bangweolo” is, in fact, attributable to Abantis bamptoni Collins & Larsen (Heath et al., 2002: 7]. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Zambia (north). Specific localities: Zambia: Known only from the male holotype in Zambia (Heath, et al., 2002). Abantis meneliki Berger, 1979 Abantis meneliki Berger, 1979. Lambillionea 78: 67 (67-69). Type locality: Ethiopia: “Harrar”. Distribution: Ethiopia, Somalia (Djibouti). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis meru Evans, 1947 Abantis paradisea meru Evans, 1947. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (11) 13: 644 (641-648). Type locality: Kenya: “Meru”. Distribution: Kenya (highlands east of the Rift Valley). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Vernonia jugalis Oliv. and Hierman (Asteraceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Abantis nigeriana Butler, 1901 Abantis nigeriana Butler, 1901. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 8: 59 (57-60). Type locality: Nigeria: “Yelva Lake, Borgu”. Distribution: Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan (South), Gabon. Common name: Nigerian paradise skipper. Habitat: Mainly Guinea savanna and its northern fringes. Habits: Males are regular hilltoppers (Larsen, 2005a). Males are attracted to prawns laid out as bait, landing about a metre away and then making their way to the prawns in an erratic manner, with the wings held flat (N. & J. Baker teste Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis nigeriana nigeriana Butler, 1901 Abantis nigeriana Butler, 1901. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 8: 59 (57-60). Type locality: Nigeria: “Yelva Lake, Borgu”. Distribution: Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ghana, to Nigeria (north). Specific localities: Senegal – Basse Casamance (Larsen, 2005a); Niokolo-Koba (Larsen, 2005a). Burkina Faso – Satiri (Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Dingueraye (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Nakpanduri (Larsen, 2005a); Mount Afagiato (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Yelva Lake, Borgu (TL); Zaria (Larsen, 2005a); north of Enugu (Larsen, 2005a); the Adamawa (Larsen, 2005a); Kaduna area (N. & J. Baker teste Larsen, 2005a). Abantis nigeriana rougeoti Berger, 1959 Abantis nigeriana rougeoti Berger, 1959. Lambillionea 59: 93 (90-94). Type locality: Gabon: “Lastourville”. Distribution: Gabon. Known only from the holotype. Specific localities: Gabon – Lastourville (TL). Note: Probably not conspecific with nigeriana and is probably a distinct species (Larsen, 2005a). Abantis paradisea (Butler, 1870) Leucochitonea paradisea Butler, 1870. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1870: 499 (485-520). Abantis paradisea. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 38mm. Bomponi, Vumba, S. R. 11:5:59. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2795). Type locality: South Africa: “Port Natal”. Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Nigeria (north-east), Uganda, Kenya (central and north-west), Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Malawi, Zambia (central and north-east), Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (north-east), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland. Specific localities: Nigeria – Dahshen near Mubi in the Adamawa area (A. Jorgensen teste Larsen, 2005a; single species). Zambia – Chingola; Mufulira; Ndola; Mpongwe; Choma; Chisamba; Chalimbana; Mazabuka; Luangwa Valley; Mbala; 48 km south of Kasama (Heath et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Bomponi, Vumba (Larsen, 2005a). Botswana – Mohambo (Pinhey); Shakawe (Liversidge); Savuti Channel (Liversidge). Namibia – Mashari (Ball). Limpopo Province – Acornhoek (Swanepoel, 1953); Gravelotte (Swanepoel, 1953); Tzaneen (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokeetsi (Swanepoel, 1953); Molimo?s Location (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Dendron (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Nylstroom (Swanepoel, 1953); Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg district (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Margate (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Umkomaas (Swanepoel, 1953); Isipingo (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); Ngoye Forest (Swanepoel, 1953); Empangeni (Swanepoel, 1953); Hluhluwe (Swanepoel, 1953); Magut (Swanepoel, 1953). Common name: Common paradise skipper. Habitat: Moist savanna (bushveld). Also in coastal bush (Pringle et al., 1994). Habits: The flight is usually quite slow and skipping. Both flowers and muddy places are visited. Males are avid hilltoppers, selecting perches on the twigs of bushes or trees a few metres from the ground. They dart to and fro in their territories, often returning to rest on their chosen perch (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year but appears to be commonest from August to October (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 224; plate 10 [as Abantis paradisea; Umkomaas and Durban North, KwaZulu-Natal]. Larval food: Annona species (Annonaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. Bridelia cathartica Bertol. f. (Euphorbiaceae) [Pringle et al., 1994: 317]. Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) [Pringle et al., 1994: 317]. Cola natalensis Oliv. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 187]. Hibiscus spp. (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Hibiscus tiliaceus L. (Malvaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 187]. Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (Sapindaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 89]. Philenoptera violacea (syn. Lonchocarpus capassa) (Fabaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia Pax (Euphorbiaceae) [Pringle et al., 1994: 317]. Xeroderris stuhlmanni (Fabaceae) [Heath et al., 2002: 7]. Xylopia parviflora (Annonaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. namaquana Westwood, 1874 (as sp. of Hesperia [Oxynetra]). Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis or illustrations of new, rare, and interesting insects for the most part contained in the collection presented to the University of Oxford: 183 (205 pp.). Oxford. “Africa australior”. Abantis pseudonigeriana Usher, 1984 Abantis pseudonigeriana Usher, 1984. Systematic Entomology 9: 352 (351-356). Type locality: Nigeria: “Zaria, Samaru”. Distribution: Senegal (east), Guinea, Sierra Leone (north), Ghana (north), Nigeria. Specific localities: Senegal – Kedegou (Collins teste Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Fouta Djalon (H. Warren-Gash teste Larsen, 2005a); Parc National du Haut Niger (H. Warren-Gash teste Larsen, 2005a). Sierra Leone – Outamba N. P. (C. Belcastro teste Larsen, 2005a); Bendugu (C. Belcastro teste Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Yendi (Maessen teste Larsen, 2005a); Kaleo (Van Dinthen teste Larsen, 2005a); Mole N.P. (J. Ciha teste Larsen, 2005a); Kyabobo N.P. (P. Chambers teste Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Samaru, Zaria (TL). Common name: Beige paradise skipper. Habitat: Dry savanna (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Apparently a rare skipper, even more so than the closely-related A. nigeriana (Larsen, 2005a). Males have, on odd occasions, been found feeding on dead turtles and dead fish but they also come to flowers (Larsen, 2005a). Males also hilltop (Larsen, 2005a). Most specimens known are of the dry-season form, the wet-season form being known only from three specimens (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis rubra Holland, 1920 Abantis rubra Holland, 1920. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 43: 253 (109-369). Abantis rubra. Male upperside, Cameroon (x2.5). Photos ex Torben Larsen. Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Medje”. Distribution: Nigeria (Cross River loop), Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo. Specific localities: Nigeria – Ikom (B. Watulege teste Larsen, 2005a). Democratic Republic of Congo – Medje (TL). Common name: Russet paradise skipper. Habitat: Forest (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: An apparently rare skipper, possibly little seen because of its proclivity to remain in the forest canopy (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis tanobia Collins & Larsen, 2005 Abantis tanobia Collins & Larsen, 2005. In: Larsen, 2005. Butterflies of West Africa: 558. Abantis tanobia. Male (holotype), Ghana (x2.4). Left – upperside; right – underside. Photo ex Torben Larsen. Type locality: Ghana: “Tano Ofin”. Holotype (male) February, 2003 (R. Vorgas leg., coll. African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi). Described from four males; the female is unknown (Larsen, 2005a). Diagnosis: Most similar to A. ja, differing as follows: smaller; hyaline markings of forewing shorter; three subapical spots (usually four in A. ja); spot in space 2 better developed; spot in space 3 more distad; no paler ochreous submarginal shading on upperside of both wings; underside much darker (Larsen, 2005a). There are clear differences between the genitalia of the two species (Larsen, 2005a). Etymology: The name is derived by an amalgamation of the two locality names from which the type material originated (Tano Ofin and Bia) (Larsen, 2005a). Distribution: Ghana (west). Specific localities: Ghana – Tano Ofin (TL); Bia National Park (R. Vorgas). Common name: Ghana paradise skipper. Habitat: Forest? Flight period: Recorded in December, January and February (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis tettensis Hopffer, 1855 Abantis tettensis Hopffer, 1855. Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Abantis tettensis. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 35mm. Bazely Br, S. Rhodesia. 22:10:60. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2791). Type locality: Mozambique. Holotype in Berlin Museum. Distribution: Kenya (north and west), Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Malawi, Zambia (central), Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (north and central), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal – north, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland (Duke, et al., 1999). Specific localities: Kenya – Ortum; Suk; Tsavo; Makueni; Emali; Saboti Hill; Trans-Nzoia; Kacheliba; Suna; Ngong; Nairobi (Larsen, 1991). Zambia – Ndola; Luanshya; Mpongwe; Chisamba; Lusaka; Kafue (Heath, et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Beit Bridge (Pringle, et al., 1994); Mutare (Pringle, et al., 1994); Christon Bank (Pringle, et al., 1994). Botswana – Tshabong (Pennington). Namibia – Namutoni (Ficq); Tsumeb (Pringle, et al., 1994); Grootfontein (Pringle, et al., 1994). Limpopo Province – Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Naboomspruit (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Bandolierkop (Swanepoel, 1953); Dendron (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Wyliespoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Gundani. North West Province – Rustenburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Zeerust (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). Northern Cape Province – Griqualand West (Swanepoel, 1953); Vaal River (Swanepoel, 1953). Common name: Spotted velvet paradise skipper. Habitat: Moist and dry savanna (bushveld). Habits: A fast flying species. Both flowers, and damp spots along streams, are visited. Males hilltop, choosing perches mainly on the twigs of bushes and small trees. They perch with the wings held flat (Pringle, et al., 1994). When patrolling their territories the flight is relatively sedate. Flight period: November to April. Early stages: Paré, in Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997:85, 86. Larva greenish-white; similar to Caprona pillaana, but head-shield dark reddish. Pupa reddish brown with large forked snout-like appendage. The larva constructs a robust shelter and is long-lived (December to September). Appears to be univoltine. Pupation is in the shelter and the pupal period is 12-14 days. Larval food: Grewia flava DC. (Tiliaceae) [Williams, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 315; Pienaars River, Limpopo Province]. Grewia monticola (Tiliaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. Abantis venosa Trimen & Bowker, 1889 Abantis venosa Trimen & Bowker, 1889. South-African Butterflies: a monograph of the extra-tropical species 3 Papilionidae and Hesperidae: 339 (438 pp.). London. Abantis venosa. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 34mm. Umtali, S. Rhodesia. 2.9.52. H. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2797). Type locality: South Africa: “Eureka, near Barberton, Eastern Transvaal”. Holotype in Natural History Museum, London. Original description: “Exp. al., male 1 in. 6 lin. Male. Pale dull-grey, tinged with ochrey-yellow (especially hind-wing); neuration black throughout; a common linear black hind-marginal edging; fore-wing with a few transparent spots, of which two in middle are large. Fore-wing: two small whitish spots at base, one costal, the other (black bordered) at the origin of median nervure; about middle two large, inwardly sub-acuminate, outwardly excavate-truncate transparent spots, divided only by median nervure, - the upper one in discoidal cell near its extremity rather shorter longitudinally than the lower one, which is bounded inferiorly by first median nervule; immediately beyond these large spots, between second and third median nervules, a very much smaller transparent spot; on costa, between third subcostal and upper radial nervules, a tripartite transparent marking of moderate size; all these transparent markings more or less completely blackish-edged. Hind-wing: ochrey-yellow tinge stongest on costa, but diffused over entire area; linear black hind-marginal edging becoming greatly wider and diffuse on anal-angular prominence. Cilia short and blackish, but at anal angle of hind-wing long and ochrey-yellow. Under side: very much paler; hind-wing white, with a black hind-marginal border; neuration not black, except to a limited extent in hind-wing. Fore-wing: no blackish edging to transparent markings; basi-inner-marginal area tinged eith pale creamy-yellowish; a basal ochrey-yellow mark between median and submedian nervures; costal, submedian, and internal nervures, and nervules near hind-marginal border, black; border narrow and fuscous apically, but becoming broader and darker inferiorly, particularly on anal-angular prominence. Head and body much rubbed in the two specimens before me, but evidently black above with creamy-yellowish spots, and ochrey-red prothoracic collar metathoracic tufts and anal tuft; and beneath with pale ochrey-yellow palpi, propectus and legs, - side of thorax blackish spotted with white, and abdomen white edged with blackish.” Distribution: Kenya (coast), Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Malawi, Zambia (north), Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal - north), Swaziland. Specific localities: Zambia: Ikelenge; Mwinilunga; Kabompo River; Chingola; Mufulira; Ndola; Luongo River; Lumangwe Falls; Mbala; Kasama (Heath, et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Mutare (Cookson, 1952). Limpopo Province – Bushbuckridge (Swanepoel, 1953); Mica (Swanepoel, 1953); Gravelotte (Swanepoel, 1953); Ofcolaco (Swanepoel, 1953); Tzaneen (Swanepoel, 1953); Duiwelskloof (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokeetsi (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Molimo?s Location (Swanepoel, 1953); Daviesville (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus – Zaaiplaats (Swanepoel, 1953); Legalameetse Nature Reserve (Williams). Mpumalanga – White River (Swanepoel, 1953); Eureka Mine, Barberton (C. F. Palmer). KwaZulu-Natal – False Bay (Pringle, et al., 1994). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). Common name: Veined paradise skipper. Habitat: Moist savanna (bushveld). Habits: The flight is leisurely and skipping. Males show strong hilltopping behaviour, selecting perches on the twigs of low trees or on bushes. Territories may also be established on the slopes of hills or on flat ground. Both sexes feed from flowers (Pringle, et al., 1994) and males have been observed mud-puddling (Williams, unpublished). Flight period: All year. Apparently commonest in early spring (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Paré, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 317 [as Abantis venosa]. Larval food: Pterocarpus rotundifolius (Sond.) Druce (Fabaceae) [Paré, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 317]. Pterocarpus brenanii Barbosa and Torre (Fabaceae) [Paré, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 317]. umvulensis Sharpe, 1890 (as sp. of Leucochitonea). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (6) 6: 348 (346-350). Zimbabwe: “Umvuli River”. [This is the dry-season form of Abantis vanosa.] plerotica Karsch, 1896 (as sp. of Abantis). Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin 22: 374 (372-378). Tanzania: “Dar es Salam und Bagamoyo”. flava Evans, 1937 (as f. of Abantis venosa). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 54 (212 pp.). Malawi: “Nyasaland (Mlanje)”. fulva Evans, 1937 (as f. of Abantis venosa). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 54 (212 pp.). Zambia: “N.E. Rhodesia (Lofu River 4,000 ft)”. Abantis vidua Weymer, 1901 Abantis venosa var. vidua Weymer, 1901. Entomologische Zeitschrift. Frankfurt a.M 15: 66 (61-64, 65-67, 69-70). Abantis vidua. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 37mm. Livingstone, N. Rh. 17.iv.1942. Dr. W. Eichler. (Transvaal Museum - TM2797). Type locality: Angola: “Onschingue unweit des Kuito”. Distribution: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Zambia (north-west). Specific localities: Zambia: Mwinilunga District (Heath, et al., 2002); Livingstone (Eichler). Habitat: Deciduous woodland. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Abantis zambesiaca (Westwood, 1874) Hesperia (Oxynetra) zambesiaca Westwood, 1874. Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis or illustrations of new, rare, and interesting insects for the most part contained in the collection presented to the University of Oxford: 183 (205 pp.). Oxford. Abantis zambesiaca. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 35mm. Garuso, P. E. Africa. 12.5.1962. K.M. Pennington. (Transvaal Museum - TM2794). Type locality: “Zambesi”. Distribution: Tanzania (west and south), Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Zambia, Malawi, Nambia (Caprivi), Mozambique, Zimbabwe. Specific localities: Zambia: Mwinilunga; Kabompo River; Solwezi; the Copperbelt; Kapiri Mposhi; Chalimbana; Choma; Mkushi River; Kundalila Falls; 50 km south of Luwingu; Mporokoso; Kasama (Heath, et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Bindura (Paré). Namibia – Mashari (Ball); Caprivi (S. Braine). Common name: Zambezi paradise skipper. Habitat: Savanna, including Brachystegia woodland. Habits: Males are known to hilltop. Females are rarely seen and are usually found feeding from flowers (Pringle, et al., 1994). Males are often found mud-puddling (Ball, vide Pringle, et al., 1994; Heath, et al., 2002). Flight period: August to November and February to May (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Paré, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 316. Larval food: Pericopsis angolensis (Bak.) Van Meeuwen (Fabaceae) [Paré, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 316]. Swartzia madagascariensis Desv. (Fabaceae) [Mullin, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 316]. trimeni Butler, 1895 (as sp. of Sapaea). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1895: 264 (250-270). “Fwambo”. Genus Spialia Swinhoe, 1912 In Swinhoe, 1912-3. Lepidoptera Indica 10: 99 (364 pp.). London. Type-species: Hesperia galba Fabricius, by original designation [extralimital]. Name based on extralimital type-species: Powellia Tutt. [Invalid; junior homonym of Powellia Maskell.] A genus of small skippers with 20 Afrotropical species and a further eight Palaearctic and Oriental members. Spialia agylla (Trimen & Bowker, 1889) Pyrgus agylla Trimen & Bowker, 1889. South-African Butterflies: a monograph of the extra-tropical species 3 Papilionidae and Hesperidae: 286 (438 pp.). London. Type locality: South Africa: “Cape Colony; Eastern Districts, between Somerset East and Murraysberg, Murraysberg, Hope Town. Griqualand West; Kimberley, between Riet and Modder Rivers, Vaal River”. Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London. Original description: “Exp. al., 10-11.5 lin. Closely allied to P. Asterodia, Trim., but smaller, with the markings of a purer white, and the discal ones larger; hind-wing with basi-cellular spot distinct and well developed, and submarginal spots larger. Under side: Hind-wing and apex of fore-wing darker in ground-colour, less strongly tinged with ochreous-yellow; nervular interruptions of cilia conspicuously black, without admixture of ochreous yellow. Hind-wing: sub-basal and median white bands much more irregular and denticulate on both edges, and more sharply defined by darker fuscous edging in parts; - the opposite projections of these bands all but touch each other in two places, viz., at origin of subcostal and of median nervules respectively; submarginal white spots enlarged, and near anal angle sometimes partly confluent.” Diagnosis: Distinguished on the underside of the hindwing by the very irregular band, which at vein 2 almost reaches the basal spots. On the underside of the wings the cilia are conspicuously chequered (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho. Common name: Grassveld sandman. Habitat: The nominate subspecies is found in grassland and, to a lesser extent, in grassy areas in the Karoo and Kalahari. Subspecies bamptoni occurs in grassy areas of the succulent karoo in Little Namaqualand (Pringle, et al., 1994). Habits: The flight is fast and low down, with frequent rests on the ground or low bushes (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flowers are readily visited. Males do not hilltop but do defend territories from perches on the ground or on stones. Flight period: August to April for the nominate subspecies and from September to December for ssp. bamptoni (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 188 [as Spialia agylla bamptoni; Port Nolloth, Northern Cape]. Bampton, in Pringle, et al., 1994: 318 [as Spialia agylla bamptoni]. Larval food: Hermannia comosa (Sterculiaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. Hermannia species (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 188; (S. a. agylla)]. Hermannia species (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 188; (S. a. bamptoni)]. Pavonia burchellii (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 100]. Spialia agylla agylla (Trimen & Bowker, 1889) Pyrgus agylla Trimen & Bowker, 1889. South-African Butterflies: a monograph of the extra-tropical species 3 Papilionidae and Hesperidae: 286 (438 pp.). London. Type locality: South Africa: “Cape Colony; Eastern Districts, between Somerset East and Murraysberg, Murraysberg, Hope Town. Giqualand West; Kimberley, between Riet and Modder Rivers, Vaal River”. Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Botswana, South Africa (Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province, Northern Cape Province), Lesotho (west). Specific localities: Botswana – Ghanzi (Pringle, et al., 1994). Mpumalanga – Standerton (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Johannesburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Heidelberg (Swanepoel, 1953). Free State Province – Trompsburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Ladybrand (Swanepoel, 1953); Bloemfontein (Swanepoel, 1953); Boshof (Swanepoel, 1953); Kroonstad (Swanepoel, 1953); Frankfort (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Port Elizabeth (Swanepoel, 1953); Somerset East (Swanepoel, 1953); Cradock (Swanepoel, 1953); Klaarstroom (Swanepoel, 1953); Aberdeen (Swanepoel, 1953); Steynsburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Burgersdorp (Swanepoel, 1953). Western Cape Province – Murraysburg (Swanepoel, 1953). Northern Cape Province – Hopetown (Swanepoel, 1953); Noupoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Kimberley (Swanepoel, 1953); Hantamsberg (Pringle, et al., 1994). Lesotho – Maseru (Swanepoel, 1953); Leribe (Swanepoel, 1953). Spialia agylla bamptoni Vári, 1976 Spialia agylla bamptoni Vári, 1976. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 30: 123 (121-144). Type locality: South Africa: “Hondeklipbaai, Namaqualand Distr.”. Holotype (male) in the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. Diagnosis: Distinguished from the nominate subspecies by the much more prominent white spotting, particularly on the hindwing underside (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: South Africa (Western Cape Province (north), Northern Cape Province (west)). Specific localities: Northern Cape Province – Hondeklip Bay (Bampton; TL); Port Nolloth (Kaplan). Spialia asterodia (Trimen, 1864) Pyrgus asterodia Trimen, 1864. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 2: 178 (175-180). Type locality: South Africa: “Cape Colony”. Holotype in Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Median band on underside of hindwing irregularly edged and parallel to the series of basal spots (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Mozambique (south), Zimbabwe, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland, Lesotho. Specific localities: Limpopo Province – Haenertsburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Zoutpansberg (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Ermelo (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Graskop (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Potchefstroom (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Johannesburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). Free State Province – Rouxville (Swanepoel, 1953); Ladybrand (Swanepoel, 1953); Bethlehem (Swanepoel, 1953); Bloemfontein (Swanepoel, 1953); Kroonstad (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Loteni (Swanepoel, 1953); Balgowan (Swanepoel, 1953); Estcourt (Swanepoel, 1953); Ladysmith (Swanepoel, 1953); Vryheid (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Port Elizabeth (Swanepoel, 1953); Grahamstown (Swanepoel, 1953); Cathcart (Swanepoel, 1953); Dordrecht (Swanepoel, 1953); Burgersdorp (Swanepoel, 1953); Steynsburg (Swanepoel, 1953). Western Cape Province – Plettenberg Bay (Trimen); Cape Town (Swanepoel, 1953); Swellendam (Swanepoel, 1953); Robinson Pass (Van den Berg); Hermanus (Rossouw); Durbanville (Robertson). Lesotho – Maseru (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokhotlong (Swanepoel, 1953); Giant?s Castle (Swanepoel, 1953). Common name: Star sandman; asterodia sandman. Habitat: Grassland and, to a lesser extent, grassy areas in the fynbos, karoo and bushveld. In the Drakensberg it may be found at altitudes up to 3 000 m. (Pringle, et al., 1994). Habits: Very fond of flowers but seldom mud-puddles. Males establish territories in grassy areas and perch on the ground. Very occasionally they exhibit hilltopping behaviour. Flight period: August to March (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 230; plate 13 [as Spialia asterodia; Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape]. Larval food: Hermannia comosa (Sterculiaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. Hermannia diffusa L. f. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 188; as Hermannia pilosula Harv.]. Hermannia incana Cav. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 188; as Hermannia candicans Ait.]. Hibiscus species (Malvaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 188]. Pavonia burchellii (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 99]. Spialia colotes (Druce, 1875) Pyrgus colotes Druce, 1875. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1875: 416 (406-417). Type locality: Angola. Diagnosis: Median band of hindwing underside composed of separate spots; forewings pointed (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganada, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman. Common name: Bushveld sandman. Habitat: Dry and moist savanna (bushveld). Habits: Flies low down, often resting on low shrubs or the ground in the shade of trees. Both sexes are fond of flowers. Males do not hilltop, establishing territories anywhere but often in the vicinity of a thorn tree. They perch on low shrubs or on the ground. Flight period: December to May; commonest from January to April (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Hibiscus fuscus (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 103]. Spialia colotes colotes (Druce, 1875) Pyrgus colotes Druce, 1875. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1875: 416 (406-417). Type locality: Angola. Distribution: Angola. nora Plötz, 1884 (as sp. of Pyrgus). Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 45: p? (145-150). Angola: “Loanga”. Spialia colotes semiconfluens de Jong, 1978 Spialia colotes semiconfluens de Jong, 1978. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 121: 58 (23-146). Type locality: Somalia: “Bihendula”. Distribution: Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya (east), Uganda (north-east), Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman. Spialia colotes transvaaliae (Trimen & Bowker, 1889) Pyrgus transvaaliae Trimen & Bowker, 1889. South-African Butterflies: a monograph of the extra-tropical species 3 Papilionidae and Hesperidae: 286 (438 pp.). London. Spialia colotes transvaaliae. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 23mm. Letsitele, Transvaal. 7.iv.48. K.M. Pennington. (Transvaal Museum - TM2801). Type locality: South Africa: “Transvaal, Potchefstroom District”. Holotype (male) in Natural History Museum, London. Original description: “Exp. al., 11 lin. Allied to P. Vindex [= Spialia spio L.], Cram., and Dromus, Plötz. Male. Brownish-black, with very distinct, mostly rounded, white spots. Fore-wing: spots in disposition and relative size most like those of Dromus, but basi-cellular spots very narrow and longitudinally elongate, terminal cellular spot more quadrate, and costal spot of discal row narrower and more distinctly tripartite; spots of strongly-sinuated submarginal series very distinct (in one specimen larger than in the other) and of equal size throughout; no spot beneath basi-cellular one. Hind-wing: a distinct basi-cellular spot; median band resembling that of Diomus, Hopff., but not curved, more oblique, more macular (the crossing nervules forming strongly-marked interruptions); submarginal series of spots more complete than in any of the allied forms, there being a series of three (rather smaller than the rest) somewhat obliquely placed between first subcostal and third median nervules. Under side: hind-wing and costal and apical border of fore-wing glossy yellowish-brown; all spots very distinct; hind-wing with median band not so macular as on upper side, but continuous from costa to submedian nervure, and with a sub-basal curved series of four conspicuous spots. Fore-wing: an elongate small whitish spot immediately below discoidal cell near base (followed in one specimen by a second similar spot); four upper spots of submarginal series much larger and more elongated longitudinally than on upper side. Hind-wing: a white spot at base; first and second spots of sub-basal row rather large and pyriform, third spot very small, fourth spot narrow and elongate, adjoining greyish-white of inner-marginal fold; seven spots in median band (which is irregular in outline on both edges), the two lowest spots almost touching the fourth spot in sub-basal series; spots of irregular submarginal row considerably larger and more elongated than on upper side.” Distribution: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng), Swaziland. Specific localities: Zambia – A single specimen in the Livingstone Museum bearing an illegible locality on the label (Heath, et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Sabi Valley (Pringle, et al., 1994); Mount Selinda (Pringle, et al., 1994). Limpopo Province – Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Tubex (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Dendron (Swanepoel, 1953); Blouberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Leydsdorp (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Potchefstroom (TL); De Kroon (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Tswaing (Williams). Spialia confusa Evans, 1937 Spialia confusa Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 60 (212 pp.). Spialia confusa confusa. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 21mm. Siluve, P. E. A. 6;3:62. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2801). Type locality: Malawi: “Nyasaland”; Zambia: “N.E. Rhodesia”; Mozambique. Holotype (female) in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Swaziland. Common name: Confusing sandman. Habitat: Moist savanna (dense bush). Populations appear to be localised to discrete areas. Habits: The flight is fast and low down, but individuals settle frequently, on the ground, grass stems or shrubs. Flowers are often visited. Males establish territories in open places, frequently bare, sandy spots (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: All year (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Melhania spp. (Sterculiaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325; Sevastopulo, vide Pringle, et al., 1994: 319; for ssp. obscura]. Triumfetta species (Tiliaceae) [Sevastopulo, vide Pringle, et al., 1994: 319; for ssp. obscura]. Spialia confusa confusa Evans, 1937 Spialia confusa Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 60 (212 pp.). Spialia confusa confusa. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 21mm. Siluve, P. E. A. 6;3:62. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2801). Type locality: Malawi: “Nyasaland”; Zambia: “N.E. Rhodesia”; Mozambique. Holotype (female) in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Tanzania (central), Malawi, Zambia (north), Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal - north), Swaziland. Specific localities: Zambia: Petauke; upper Luangwa Valley (Heath, et al., 2002). Mozambique – Xiluvo (Pennington); Inhaminga (Pinhey). Zimbabwe – Sanyati Valley (Pinhey). Limpopo Province – Messina (single record). Mpumalanga – near Waterval-Onder (Owen-Johnston); Barberton. KwaZulu-Natal – between Hluhluwe and False Bay, about a kilometre and a half from the shore (Pennington); Makatini Flats (Pringle, et al., 1994); north of Mhlosinga (Schoeman and the Pringles). Swaziland – Singceni (Pennington; single male). confusa Higgins, 1924 (as var. of Hesperia transvaaliae). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1924: 90 (64-120). Malawi: “Nyasaland”. fasciata Higgins, 1924 (as var. of Hesperia transvaaliae). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1924: 90 (64-120). Malawi: “Nyasaland, British East Africa”. Spialia confusa obscura Evans, 1937 Spialia confusa obscura Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 60 (212 pp.). Type locality: Kenya: “British East Africa, Nairobi”. Distribution: Kenya (east and central), Tanzania (north-east). obscura Higgins, 1924 (as var. of Hesperia transvaaliae). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1924: 92 (64-120). Kenya: “British East Africa, Nairobi”. Spialia delagoae (Trimen, 1898) Pyrgus delagoae Trimen, 1898. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1898: 15 (1-16). Spialia delagoae. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 21mm. Lobatsi, Bechuanaland. 3.x.1951. K.M. Pennington. (Transvaal Museum - TM2798). Type locality: Mozambique: “Delagoa Bay”. Holotype in the South African Museum, Cape Town. Diagnosis: Easily recognized by the unbroken, straight, light band on the underside of the hindwing (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal - north, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland. Specific localities: Zambia: Solwezi (De Jong, 1978). Botswana – Lobatsi (Pennington). Limpopo Province – Zoutpansberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Dendron (Swanepoel, 1953); Bandolierkop (Swanepoel, 1953); Rita (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Chuniespoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Tubex (Swanepoel, 1953); Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Ohrigstad (Swanepoel, 1953); Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Estcourt (Swanepoel, 1953); Weenen (Swanepoel, 1953); Muden (Swanepoel, 1953); Middeldrift (Swanepoel, 1953); Kearsney (Swanepoel, 1953); Hluhluwe (Swanepoel, 1953). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). Common name: Delagoa sandman. Habitat: Moist and dry savanna (bushveld). Habits: The flight is quite fast, buzzing and close to the ground. Flowers and damp spots on the edges of streams are visited. Swanepoel (1953) records them drinking from fresh baboon faeces. Males establish territories in areas of short grass on the flats or just below the peaks of hills and ridges. They select perches on the ground or on stones. Flight period: All year in the north of its distribution but in South Africa commonest in August-September and February-March. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. * Spialia depauperata (Strand, 1911) Hesperia ferax var. depauperata Strand, 1911. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin 5: 304 (275-304). Type locality: Tanzania: “Msamwia”. Diagnosis: Very similar to S. diomus but can be distinguished on the upperside of both wings by the absence of basal cell spots; on the forewing upperside by the presence of only one outer median spot (as opposed to two) in area 1B; on the underside of the hindwing by the series of submarginal spots starting at the end of vein 7 (as opposed to the end of vein 8) and by the costal edge of the median band, which is extended further outwards (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (Swart, 2004), South Africa, Swaziland. Common name: Wandering sandman. Habitat: Dry savanna (bushveld), especially Acacia dominated vegetation (Pringle, et al., 1994). Habits: Flies low down in areas with short grass. Flowers and damp spots are both visited. Males do not hilltop and establish their territories in grassy areas usually perching on the ground (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: Mainly flies from August to April. In favourable seasons it may be found in any month of the year (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Melhania species (Sterculiaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 97]. Spialia depauperata depauperata (Strand, 1911) Hesperia ferax var. depauperata Strand, 1911. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin 5: 304 (275-304). Type locality: Tanzania: “Msamwia”. Distribution: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique. Specific localities: Zambia: Solwezi; Mpongwe; Kamapanda; Petauke (Heath, et al., 2002). rehfousi Oberthür, 1912 (as sp. of Syrichthus). Étude de Lépidoptérologie Comparée 6: 117 (47-120). Democratic Republic of Congo: “Région de M?pala, près du lac Tanganika”. Spialia depauperata australis de Jong, 1978 Spialia depauperata australis de Jong, 1978. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 121: 105 (23-146). Spialia depauperata australis. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 27mm. Helpmekaar, Munnik, Transvaal. 3:8:44. D.A. Swanepoel. (Transvaal Museum - TM2799). Type locality: South Africa: “Muden (Natal)”. Holotype in Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana (north and east), Namibia (Swart, 2004), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland. Specific localities: Namibia – Otavi (Swart, 2004). * Spialia diomus (Hopffer, 1855) Pyrgus diomus Hopffer, 1855. Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Type locality: Mozambique: “Mossambique”. Diagnosis: The light band on the hindwing underside is broad and curved (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Yemen. Common name: Common sandman; diomus grizzled skipper. Habitat: All habitats except forest. Predominantly in savanna. Habits: Flies rapidly, close to the ground. Both sexes are readily attracted to flowers (Pringle et al., 1994). Males are attracted to a variety of foul matter, including fresh cow pats, skins being cured in the sun, carcasses, and leopard scat (Larsen, 2005a). Males hilltop, selecting perches on bare ground, and vigourously defending their territories against intruders. They may defend such territories for most of the warmer hours of the day. Territories may also be established on the slopes and flats (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year in warm areas; August to April in colder climates. Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 234; plate 15 [as Spialia diomus ferax; Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape]. Larval food: Hermannia comosa Burch. ex DC. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189]. Hermannia cuneifolia Jacq. var. cuneifolia (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189; as Hermannia pallius Eckl. and Zeyh.]. Hermannia depressa (Sterculiaceae) [Woodhall, 2005]. Hermannia diffusa L. f. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189; as Hermannia pilosula Harv.]. Hermannia incana Cav. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kronn, 1978: 189; as Hermannia candicans Ait.]. Hibiscus aethiopicus L. (Malvaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189]. Pavonia burchellii (DC.) R.A. Dyer (syn. patens Andr.) (Malvaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189; as Pavonia macrophylla E. Mey. ex Harv.]. Sida species (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 113]. Triumfetta macrophylla Schum. (Tiliaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Triumfetta rhomboidea (Tiliaceae) [Larsen, 2005a]. Waltheria species (Sterculiaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 113]. Spialia diomus diomus (Hopffer, 1855) Pyrgus diomus Hopffer, 1855. Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Type locality: Mozambique: “Mossambique”. Distribution: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Yemen. machacoana Butler, 1899 (as sp. of Pyrgus). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1899: 426 (417-427). Kenya: “Machako?s”. Spialia diomus ferax (Wallengren, 1863) Syrichtus [sic] ferax Wallengren, 1863. Wiener Entomologische Monatschrift 7: 137 (137-151). Holotype (male) in the Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Stockholm. Spialia diomus ferax. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 24mm. Muden, Natal. 15.9.55. H. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2804). Type locality: [Namibia]: “in territorio fluminis Kuisip”. Distribution: Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland, Lesotho. Specific localities: Zambia: Solwezi; Ndola; Mansa; Shiwa Ngandu; Mbala (Heath, et al., 2002). Limpopo Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953); Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Zoutpansberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Letaba (Swanepoel, 1953); Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”). Mpumalanga – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Buffelspoort Nature Reserve (Williams). North West Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953); Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens (J. Dobson, unpublished checklist, 2001). Free State Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953); Estcourt (Swanepoel, 1953); Ladysmith (Swanepoel, 1953); Muden (Swanepoel, 1953); Tugela Estates (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). Western Cape Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). Northern Cape Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). abscondita Plötz, 1884 (as sp. of Pyrgus). Mitteilungen aus dem Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins von Neu-Vorpommen und Rügen in (Greifswald) Berlin 1884: 21 (1-24). “Africa”. lacreuzei Oberthür, 1912 (as sp. of Syrichthus). Étude de Lépidoptérologie Comparée 6: 117 (47-120). South Africa: “Zoutpansberg, Nord-Transvaal”. * Spialia doris (Walker, 1870) Nisoniades doris Walker, 1870. Entomologist 5: 56 (48-57). Type locality: Djibouti: “Tajora”. Distribution: Mauritania, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman. Extralimitally in Morocco, Egypt, Arabia, Iran and Pakistan. Common name: Desert grizzled skipper. Habitat: Semi-desert (eremic habitats) (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Convolvulus species (Convolvulaceae) [Larsen, 2005a]. Ipomoea species (Convolvulaceae) [Larsen, 2005a]. Spialia doris doris (Walker, 1870) Nisoniades doris Walker, 1870. Entomologist 5: 56 (48-57). Type locality: Djibouti: “Tajora”. Distribution: Sudan, Kenya (north), Somalia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman. Extralimital in Arabia, southern Iran and Pakistan. Specific localities: Djibouti – Tajora (TL). adenensis Butler, 1885 (as var. of Pyrgus evenidus). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1884: 493 (478-503). Yemen: “Aden”. Spialia doris daphne Evans, 1949 ?Spialia doris daphne Evans, 1949. ?Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 2: 54-56. Type locality: Distribution: Mauritania. Extralimitally in south-western Morocco. Specific localities: Mauritania – Akjoujt, 250 km N of Nouakchott (H. Warren-Gash teste Larsen, 2005a). Spialia doris amenophis (Reverdin, 1914) ? Hesperia amenophis Reverdin, 1914. Bulletin de la Société Lépidoptérologique de Genève 3: 55 (38-77). Type locality: Egypt: “Heliopolis, désert; Wedi Risled”. Distribution: Extralimital (Egypt – Nile Valley). * Spialia dromus (Plötz, 1884) Pyrgus dromus Plötz, 1884. Mitteilungen aus dem Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins von Neu-Vorpommen und Rügen in (Greifswald) Berlin 1884: 6 (1-24). Spialia dromus. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 25mm. Burmah Rd., Vumba, S. R. 6.3.58. H. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2803). Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo] “Congo”. The type(s) have apparently been lost. Diagnosis: The median band on the underside of the hindwing is characteristically curved (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone (north), Burkina Faso, Guinea (north), Ivory Coast (north), Ghana (north), Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province), Swaziland. Specific localities: Ghana – Accra Plains (Larsen, 2005a); Badagry Creek beaches near Lagos (Larsen, 2005a). Zambia: Ikelenge; Kabompo Gorge; Mufulira; Kitwe; Ndola; Chalimbana; Luangwa Valley; Luongo River; Kasama; Mbala (Heath, et al., 2002). Limpopo Province – Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Mica (Swanepoel, 1953); Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”) (Swanepoel, 1953); Tubex (Swanepoel, 1953); Woodbush (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Louis Trichardt (Swanepoel, 1953); Saltpan (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Chuniespoort (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Komatipoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Nelspruit (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg district (Swanepoel, 1953); Graskop (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Umkomaas (Swanepoel, 1953); Isipingo (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Pietermaritzburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Karkloof (Swanepoel, 1953); Greytown (Swanepoel, 1953); Ismont (Swanepoel, 1953); Amahlongwa (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); Hluhluwe (Swanepoel, 1953). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). Common name: Forest sandman; large grizzled skipper; dromus grizzled skipper. Habitat: Mainly forest (clearings and margins) and, to a lesser extent, moist savanna (bushveld). Occasionally in grassland (Gauteng) and dry thorn savanna (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal) (Pringle et al., 1994). Habits: A relatively common skipper. Adults fly close to the ground with a skipping pattern and regularly rest on low vegetation. Flowers and damp places are often visited. Males establish territories, which they defend by chasing off intruding butterflies. Males also occasionally show hilltopping behaviour (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year. Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 232; plate 14 [as Spialia dromus; Durban, KwaZulu- Natal]. Larval food: Melhania spp. (Sterculiaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. (Tiliaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189; Vuattoux, 1999 (Ivory Coast)]. Triumfetta tomentosa Boj. (Tiliaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189]. Waltheria americana (Sterculiaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. zaira Plötz, 1884 (as sp. of Pyrgus). Mitteilungen aus dem Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins von Neu-Vorpommen und Rügen in (Greifswald) Berlin 1884: 6 (1-24). “Congo”. melaleuca Oberthür, 1912 (as sp. of Syrichthus). Étude de Lépidoptérologie Comparée 6: 113 (47-120). Tanzania: “Kitanga, dans l?Afrique orientale allemande”. leucomelas Oberthür, 1912 (as sp. of Syrichthus). Étude de Lépidoptérologie Comparée 6: 118 (47-120). Democratic Republic of Congo: “M?pala; Lac Tanganika”. elongata Higgins, 1924 (as var. of Hesperia dromus). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1924: 95 (64-120). No locality given. meridionalis Higgins, 1924 (as var. of Hesperia dromus). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1924: 95 (64-120). Tanzania: “Zanzibar”. * Spialia kituina (Karsch, 1896) Hesperia kituina Karsch, 1896. Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin 22: 374 (372-378). Type locality: Kenya: “Sansibargebiete, von Kitui”. Distribution: Kenya (north-west, central, east). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Sida spp. (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. bettoni Butler, 1898 (as sp. of Pyrgus). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1898: 415 (395-444). Kenya: “Maunga Inkubwa”. * Spialia mafa (Trimen, 1870) Pyrgus mafa Trimen, 1870. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1870: 386 (341-390). Spialia mafa mafa. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 24mm. Argent, Delmas Distr., Tvl. 22.xii.1939. A.L. Capener. (Transvaal Museum - TM2806). Type locality: Lesotho: “Maseru; Koro-Koro”; South Africa: “Potchefstroom, Trans- Vaal”. Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Similar to S. spio, from which it can be distinguised by the absence of a spot at the base of the costa and by its smaller markings (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Saudi Arabia (south-west), Yemen, Oman. Common name: Mafa Sandman. Habitat: Grassland on the central plateau of southern Africa, and grassy areas in adjoining biomes (Karoo, fynbos and savanna). In the Western Cape Province it inhabits grassy places on coastal dunes. Habits: Occurs in localised colonies (Pringle, et al., 1994). It flies close to the ground, in short grass, and frequently visits flowers (Pringle, et al., 1994). Males do not hilltop but establish territories within the boundaries of the colony, using low plants, stones or the ground as perches. Flight period: All year in warmer areas; September to April in high-lying and colder areas. Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 238; plate 17 [as Spialia mafa mafa; Milnerton, Western Cape]. Larval food: Hermannia comosa (Sterculiaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. Hermannia depressa N.E. Br. (Sterculiaceae) [Henning, G., in Pringle, et al., 1994: 320]. Hermannia species (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189]. Hibiscus aethiopicus L. (Malvaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189]. Hibiscus macrantha (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Pavonia burchellii (Malvaceae) [Heath, et al., 2002: 8]. Pavonia species (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 106]. Sida cuneifolia Roxburgh (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Sida grewioides (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Sida rhombifolia L. (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Spialia mafa mafa (Trimen, 1870) Pyrgus mafa Trimen, 1870. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1870: 386 (341-390). Spialia mafa mafa. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 24mm. Argent, Delmas Distr., Tvl. 22.xii.1939. A.L. Capener. (Transvaal Museum - TM2806). Type locality: Lesotho: “Maseru; Koro-Koro”; South Africa: “Potchefstroom, Trans- Vaal”. Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (south), Malawi, Zambia (south and south-east), Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (central and north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland, Lesotho. Specific localities: Zambia – Livingstone (Heath, et al., 2002); Chilanga (Heath, et al., 2002); Chalimbana (Heath, et al., 2002); Luangwa Valley (Heath, et al., 2002); Chipata (Heath, et al., 2002). Namibia – Swakop River, in the Namib Desert (Bampton). Limpopo Province – Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Dendron (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Balfour (Swanepoel, 1953); Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Crocodile River (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Potchefstroom (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). Free State Province – Ladybrand (Swanepoel, 1953); Bloemfontein (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Howick (Swanepoel, 1953); Impenza (Swanepoel, 1953); Spitzkop (Swanepoel, 1953); Montello (Swanepoel, 1953); Bergville (Swanepoel, 1953); Estcourt (Swanepoel, 1953); Greytown (Swanepoel, 1953); Weenen (Swanepoel, 1953); Ladysmith (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Burgersdorp (Swanepoel, 1953). Western Cape Province – Mamre (Swanepoel, 1953); Tygerberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Malmesbury (Swanepoel, 1953); Durbanville (Swanepoel, 1953); Stellenbosch (Swanepoel, 1953). Northern Cape Province – Kimberley (Swanepoel, 1953); Twee Rivieren; Tampan; Olifantshoek; Hotazel; Griquatown (Pringle, et al., 1994); Wallekraal, near Hondeklip Bay (Pringle, et al., 1994). Lesotho – Maseru (Swanepoel, 1953); Koro Koro (Swanepoel, 1953) oberthuri Aurivillius, 1925 in Seitz, 1908-25 (as sp. of Hesperia). Die Gross- Schmetterlinge der Erde, Stuttgart (2) 13 Die Afrikanischen Tagfalter: 565 (614 pp.). South Africa: “Kimberley”. aurivillii Shepard, 1935 (as replacement name for Hesperia oberthuri Aurivillius). In: Strand, E., Lepidopterorum Catalogus 22 (69): 496 (273-560). „s-Gravenhage. Spialia mafa higginsi Evans, 1937 Spialia mafa higginsi Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 62 (212 pp.). Type locality: Kenya: “Mumias, 4,000 ft”. Distribution: Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia (south-west), Yemen, Oman. * Spialia mangana (Rebel, 1899) Hesperia (Pyrgus) mangana Rebel, 1899. Anzeiger der Akademie der Wissenschaften. Wien. 36: 360 (359- 361). Type locality: Yemen: “Râs Fártak (Arab. m.)”. Distribution: Yemen, Oman, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya (north). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. * Spialia nanus (Trimen & Bowker, 1889) Pyrgus nanus Trimen & Bowker, 1889. South-African Butterflies: a monograph of the extra-tropical species 3 Papilionidae and Hesperidae: 290 (438 pp.) London. Type locality: South Africa: “in the vicinity of [Cape Town], Vogel Vley, Namaqualand District, Robertson”. Holotype in Natural History Museum, London. Original description: “Exp. al., male 9.5-11.5 lin.; female 11 lin.-1 in. Nearly allied to P. Sataspes, Trim. Male. Brownish-black, with small white spots; spots in number and position almost as in Sataspes, but of a purer white and more sharply defined; hind-wing median band divided as in Sataspes, but not at all oblique. Under side: hind-wing: ground-colour much paler; base with a whitish tinge; both transverse bands whiter, and beginning on costal edge, - the sub-basal one not extending below subcostal nervure, - the median one outwardly dark-edged, biangulated (just above third and just upon first median nervules), and not oblique, its attenuated lower extremity joining white of inner-marginal fold at some distance before anal angle; an indistinct bisinuated submarginal series of white dots. Female. White spots and white of cilia purer, more conspicuous. Under side: all the markings more sharply defined.” Diagnosis: The identifying feature is the unbroken irregular central band on the underside of the hindwing (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Namibia (south), South Africa (North West Province – south, Free State Province, Eastern Cape Province - west, Western Cape Province, Northern Cape Province). Specific localities: Namibia – Aus (Ficq). Free State Province – Bloemfontein (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Uitenhage (Swanepoel, 1953); Cradock (Swanepoel, 1953); Cookhouse (Swanepoel, 1953); Graaff-Reinet (Swanepoel, 1953); Carlton (Swanepoel, 1953); Somerset East (Swanepoel, 1953); Steynsburg (Swanepoel, 1953). Western Cape Province – Cape Town (Swanepoel, 1953); Malmesbury (Swanepoel, 1953); Clanwilliam (Swanepoel, 1953); Klaver (Swanepoel, 1953); Vanrynsdorp (Swanepoel, 1953); Bitterfontein (Swanepoel, 1953); Paarl (Swanepoel, 1953); Worcester (Swanepoel, 1953); Matjesfontein (Swanepoel, 1953); Calitzdorp (Swanepoel, 1953); Beaufort West (Swanepoel, 1953). Northern Cape Province – Kamieskroon (Swanepoel, 1953); Springbok (Swanepoel, 1953); Colesberg (Swanepoel, 1953); De Aar (Swanepoel, 1953); Kimberley (Swanepoel, 1953); Carnarvon (Swanepoel, 1953); Prieska (Swanepoel, 1953); Kuruman (Cottrell). Common name: Dwarf Sandman. Habitat: Primarily karoo vegetation but extending into the fynbos of the Western Cape Province. Habits: The flight is rapid but close to the ground. Both sexes are fond of flowers. Males establish territories on the flats or slopes of mountains and perch on the ground or on stones (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: August to April, with peak emergences in September-October and March-April (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 226; plate 11 [as Spialia nanus; Addo Road, Eastern Cape]. Larval food: Hermannia comosa Burch. ex DC. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 187]. Hermannia cuneifolia Jacq. var. cuneifolia (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 187; as Hermannia pollens Eckl. and Zehy.]. Hermannia diffusa L. f. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 187; as Hermannia pilosula Harv.]. Hermannia incana Cav. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 187; as Hermannia candicans Ait.]. Hermannia pulverata Andr. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 187]. Hibiscus aethiopicus L. (Malvaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 187]. * Spialia paula (Higgins, 1924) Hesperia paula Higgins, 1924. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1924: 77 (64-120). Type locality: Zimbabwe: “Buluwayo, S. Rhodesia”; South Africa: “Transvaal”. Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Characterized on the hindwing underside by the central shiny white patch (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Zimbabwe, Botswana (east), South Africa (Limpopo Province, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, Northern Cape Province). Specific localities: Limpopo Province – Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Swartruggens (Swanepoel, 1953); Rustenburg (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Pretoria – Haakdoringboom (Williams). Free State Province – Parys; Viljoenskroon (the Terblanche?s). Northern Cape Province – Windsorton (G. Henning). Common name: Mite sandman. Habitat: Dry savanna (bushveld). Habits: Flies rapidly about grassy spots, usually on the slopes of hills. Both sexes feed from flowers. Males may show hilltopping behaviour, mostly below the actual summit. Territories are usually established on bare, gravel-covered ground. This is a scarce butterfly in South Africa and is only slightly more common in Zimbabwe. Flight period: August to April but adults are most plentiful from August to October (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. * Spialia ploetzi (Aurivillius, 1891) Hesperia ploetzi Aurivillius, 1891. Entomologisk Tidskrift 12: 227 (193-228). Type locality: Cameroon: “Camerun”. Diagnosis: Characterized in the hindwing underside by the discal band, which begins at mid costa and runs towards the distal margin at vein 2. In other species of Spialia the discal band runs towards the hind margin or anal angle (Congdon and Collins, 1998). Distribution: Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania. Common name: Forest grizzled skipper. Habitat: Forest, especially disturbed areas, rather than primary forest (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A fairly common species (Larsen, 2005a). Flies low down, settling on vegetation along forest paths (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Larsen (2005a) states that it tends to fly higher up than the savanna species of the genus. Males regularly mud-puddle (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Larsen, 1981. Larval food: Triumfetta species (Tiliaceae) [Larsen, 1981 (Lagos, Nigeria); Vuattoux, 1999 (Ivory Coast)]. Spialia ploetzi ploetzi (Aurivillius, 1891) Hesperia ploetzi Aurivillius, 1891. Entomologisk Tidskrift 12: 227 (193-228). Type locality: Cameroon: “Camerun”. Distribution: Cameroon (except west), Gabon, Congo, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Tanzania – Kikuru Forest (relatively common); Minziro Forest (Congdon and Collins, 1998). zebra Rebel, 1914 (as sp. of Hesperia). Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 28: 271 (219-294). Tanzania: “Randegebirgen im Nordwesten des Tanganyika- Sees”. [Invalid; junior secondary homonym of Spialia zebra (Butler), 1888 [Hesperiidae].] rebeli Higgins, 1924 (as replacement name for Hesperia zebra Rebel). Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1924: 101 (64-120). Spialia ploetzi occidentalis de Jong, 1977 Spialia ploetzi occidentalis de Jong, 1977. Entomologische Berichten 37: 43 (41-44). Type locality: Ghana. Distribution: Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon (west). Specific localities: Sierra Leone – Loma Mountains (Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Korup (Larsen, 2005a). * Spialia sataspes (Trimen, 1864) Pyrgus sataspes Trimen, 1864. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 2: 178 (175-180). Type locality: South Africa: “Cape Colony and British Kaffraria”. Holotype in Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Closely resembles S. delagoae, from which it may be distinguished on the hindwing underside by the absence of submarginal spots (Pringle, et al., 1994). Can also be confused with S. depauperata but on the underside of the hindwing the shape of the median band differs in the two species (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: South Africa (Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province, Northern Cape Province). Specific localities: Eastern Cape Province – Addo (Swanepoel, 1953); Coega (Swanepoel, 1953); Grahamstown district (Swanepoel, 1953); Bathurst (Swanepoel, 1953); Port Alfred (Swanepoel, 1953); Port Elizabeth (Pringle, et al., 1994); Adelaide district (Pringle, et al., 1994); Bedford district (Pringle, et al., 1994). Western Cape Province – Cape Town – Muizenberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Llandudno (Swanepoel, 1953); Lion?s Head (Swanepoel, 1953); Ladismith (Swanepoel, 1953); Knysna (Swanepoel, 1953); Plettenberg Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Cape Peninsula (Pringle, et al., 1994). Northern Cape Province – Common name: Boland sandman. Habitat: Grassy areas in fynbos vegetation. Mainly on the lower slopes of mountains but occasionally in flat country. In the Eastern Cape Province it penetrates karroid country (Pringle, et al., 1994). Habits: Both sexes are very fond of flowers. Males do not show hilltopping behaviour. They establish and defend territories on the slopes and use grass stems or low shrubs as perches. They are an alert and restless insect (Pringle, et al., 1994). Flight period: September to March (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 228 plate 12 [as Spialia sataspes; Signal Hill, Cape Town, Western Cape]. Larval food: Hermannia species (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 187]. Hibiscus aethiopicus L. (Malvaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 187]. Pavonia burchellii (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 96]. * Spialia secessus (Trimen, 1891) Pyrgus secessus Trimen, 1891. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1891: 102 (59-107). Spialia secessus. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 23mm. Inyanga, S. R. 16:10:61. D.M. Cookson. (Transvaal Museum - TM2802). Type locality: Angola: “Omrora”. Holotype (male) in the South African Museum, Cape Town. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Tanzania (west), Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe (north), Botswana (north-east), Namibia (north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal - north), Swaziland. Specific localities: Zambia: Ikelenge; Kafue Flats; Ndola; Mufulira; Mpongwe; Chalimbana; Luwingu; Mporokoso; Lufubu River (Heath, et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls; Nyanga (Pringle, et al., 1994). Limpopo Province – Haenertsburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik – Buffulsberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Helpmekaar (Swanepoel, 1953); Groenbult (Swanepoel, 1953); Wolkberg (Pringle, et al., 1994). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Graskop (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Lebombo Mountains (Pringle, et al., 1994). Common name: Wolkberg sandman. Habitat: Grassland, mainly at high altitudes. Habits: Flies low down, and not very fast, in short grass, with a zig-zagging flight pattern. Rests frequently on low vegetation or on the ground. Both sexes are readily attracted to flowers. Males hilltop during the midday hours on hot, sunny days and usually perch on the ground. Flight period: July to March in South Africa; throughout the year in the northern parts of its range. There are distinct seasonal forms (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. trimeni Aurivillius, 1925 in Seitz, 1908-25 (as f. of Hesperia secessa). Die Gross- Schmetterlinge der Erde, Stuttgart (2) 13 Die Afrikanischen Tagfalter: 564 (614 pp.). “Rhodesia”. [This is the wet-season form of Spialia secessus.] * Spialia spio (Linnaeus, 1764) thPapilio spio Linnaeus, 1767. Systema Naturae 1 (2) 12 edn: 533-1328 + [36] pp. Holmiae. [According to de Jong (1978)]. Papilio spio Linnaeus, 1764. Museum Ludovicae Ulricae Reginae: 338 (720 pp.). Holmiae. [According to the Carcasson Catalogue (1995]. Spialia spio. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 25mm. Pretoria. 16.2.06. (Transvaal Museum - TM2805). Type locality: South Africa: “Cap. b. spei”. The types have apparently been lost. [Lectotype designated by Honey and Scoble, 2001: 381.] Diagnosis: On the upperside of the wings there is an additional spot between the median and submarginal series along the inner margin. There is also a white spot at the base of the forewing costa (Pringle et al., 1994). See also S. mafa for differentiation from this species. Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland, Lesotho, Saudi Arabia (south-west), Yemen. Specific localities: Zambia: Mwinilunga; Kabompo River; Chingola; Mufulira; Ndola; Mpongwe; Chalimbana; Luangwa Valley; Luongo River; Mpika; Mbala; Nyika (Heath et al., 2002). Limpopo Province – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953); Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Zoutpansberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Haenertsburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); The Downs in Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”) (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Graskop (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Potchefstroom (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Krugersdorp (Swanepoel, 1953). Free State Province – Bloemfontein (Swanepoel, 1953); Ladybrand (Swanepoel, 1953); Kroonstad (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Umkomaas (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Hluhluwe (Swanepoel, 1953); Vryheid (Swanepoel, 1953); Greytown (Swanepoel, 1953); Estcourt (Swanepoel, 1953); Ladysmith (Swanepoel, 1953); Loteni (Swanepoel, 1953); Giant?s Castle (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Port Elizabeth (Swanepoel, 1953); Cookhouse (Swanepoel, 1953); Grahamstown (Swanepoel, 1953); King William?s Town (Swanepoel, 1953); East London (Swanepoel, 1953); Dordrecht (Swanepoel, 1953); Molteno (Swanepoel, 1953); Steynsburg (Swanepoel, 1953). Western Cape Province – Cape Town (Swanepoel, 1953); Worcester (Swanepoel, 1953); Oudtshoorn (Swanepoel, 1953); Knysna (Swanepoel, 1953). Northern Cape Province – Carnarvon (Swanepoel, 1953); Kimberley (Swanepoel, 1953). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). Common name: Mountain sandman; common grizzled skipper. Habitat: Occurs in a wide range of habitats, from clearings in forest to savanna woodland, thornveld and grassland. Absent from very dry (desert and semidesert) habitats (Pringle et al., 1994) and from clear-felled wetter forest (Larsen, 2005a). It seems to prefer the lower slopes of hills and valleys (Pringle et al., 1994). Habits: A very common skipper (Larsen, 2005a). Flies with a rapid, buzzing flight, close to the ground. Specimens rest and bask on low vegetation, or on the ground, with the wings held three-quarters open (Larsen, 2005a). Males will often return to a favoured perch (Pringle et al., 1994). Males hilltop during the warmer hours of the day but also establish territories on lower ground. Both flowers and muddy spots attract specimens. Flight period: All year, but scarce in cold climes in the winter months. Early stages: Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 236; plate 16 [as Spialia spio; Signal Hill and Lion's Head, Cape Town, Western Cape]. Larval food: Althaea species (Malvaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. Hermannia coccocarpa (Eckl. and Zeyh.) Kuntze (Sterculiaceae) [Pringle et al., 1994: 319]. Hermannia comosa Burch ex DC. (Sterculiaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 115]. Hermannia cuneifolia Jacq. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 189; as Hermannia pallius Eckl. and Zeyh.]. Hermannia diffusa L. f. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 189; as Hermannia pilosula Harv.]. Hermannia incana Cav. (Sterculiaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 189; as Hermannia candicans Ait.]. Hibiscus aethiopicus L. (Malvaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 189]. Hibiscus fuscus (Malvaceae) [Heath, et al., 2002: 8]. Hibiscus gossyphina (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Hibiscus pusillus Thunb. (Malvaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 189; as Hibiscus gossypinus sensu Harv. non Thunb. = Hermannia cus L.]. Lavatera arborea L. (Malvaceae) (exotic) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 115]. Pavonia burchellii (DC.) R.A. Dyer (syn. patens Andr.) (Malvaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 189; as Pavonia macrophylla E. Mey. ex Harv.]. Pavonia columella Cav. (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 115]. Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Sida cuneifolia Rox. (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Sida grewioides (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Sida schimperiana Hochst. (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Triumfetta species (Tiliaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 115]. Urena lobata (Malvaceae) [Larsen, 2005a]. Wissadula amplissima (Malvaceae) [Larsen, 2005a]. vindex Stoll, 1781 in Stoll, [1780-2] (as sp. of Papilio). Die Uitlandsche Kapellen voorkomende in de drie waerrelddeelen Asia, Africa en America 4 [part]: 122 (29-252). Amsteldam & Utrecht. South Africa: “Kaap de Goede Hoop”. * Spialia wrefordi Evans, 1951 Spialia wrefordi Evans, 1951. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 4: 1270 (1268-1272). Type locality: Uganda: “Kotido, Karamoja province”. Distribution: Uganda (north-east), Kenya (central, south-east). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. * Spialia zebra (Butler, 1888) Pyrgus zebra Butler, 1888. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (6) 1: 207 (132-151, 196-209). Type locality: India: “Campbellpore; Futch Khan?s bungalow, Kooteer, Chittar Pahar, 2000 to 3000 feet”. Distribution: India, Yemen, Oman, Ethiopia, Sudan (south), Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania (north-west). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Melhamia ovata Spreng (Sterculiaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Melhamia velutina Forssk. (Sterculiaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Spialia zebra bifida (Higgins, 1924) Hesperia bifida Higgins, 1924. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1924: 111 (64-120). Type locality: Kenya: “Nairobi, Mombasa, British East Africa”; Uganda. Distribution: Yemen, Oman, Ethiopia, Sudan (south), Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania (north). Specific localities: Tanzania – Moshi (Cordeiro, 1995). Genus Carcharodus Hübner, 1819 In Hübner, [1816-[1826]. Verzeichniss bekannter Schmettlinge: 110 (432 + 72 pp.). Augsburg. Type-species: Papilio alceae Esper, by subsequent designation (Opinion 181, 1947. Opinions and Declarations Rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 2: 589-612.). = Spilothyrus Duponchel, 1835 in Godart, 1832-5. Supplément à l’Histoire Naturelle des Lépidoptères ou Papillons de France 1 Diurnes: 415 (440 pp.). Paris. Type-species: Papilio alceae Esper, by subsequent designation (Opinion 181, 1947. Opinions and Declarations Rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 2: 589-612.). Synonyms based on extralimital type-species: Reverdinus Ragusa, Lavatheria Verity. A Palaearctic genus of eight species. A subspecies of one of these enters the southern Arabian Peninsula. * Carcharodus alceae (Esper, 1780) Papilio alceae Esper, 1780 in Esper, 1776-[1830]. Die Schmetterlinge in Abbildungen nach dur Natur mit Beschreibungen 1 Europäische Gattungen [Tagschmetterlinge]: 4 (388 + 190 + 120 + 48 pp.). Erlangen. Type locality: ? Distribution: Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East, Iraq, Iran, Afghanisatn, Baluchistan, India (north). Habitat: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Euphorbiaceae [Benyamini, 2005]. Carcharodus alceae wissmanni Warnecke, 1934 Carcharodus swinhoei wissmanni Warnecke, 1934. Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft 24: 20 (19-20). Type locality: Yemen: “Wadi Hadramaut”. Distribution: Yemen. Genus Gomalia Moore, 1879 Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1879: 144 (136-144). Type-species: Gomalia albofasciata Moore, by monotypy [extralimital]. = Tavetana Picard, 1949. Revue Française d’Entomologie 16: 148 (147-152). Type-species: Tavetana jeanneli Picard, by original designation. A monobasic genus; the single species has subspecies which are extralimital. * Gomalia elma (Trimen, 1862) Pyrgus elma Trimen, 1862. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 1: 288 (279-291). Gomalia elma elma. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 25mm. Durban, Nat. H. Millar. (Transvaal Museum - TM2807). Type locality: South Africa: “Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay- King William?s Town- Cape of Good Hope”. Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Arabia. Extralimital in The Dead Sea valley in Israel and Jordan as subspecies levana Benyamini 1990 and in India as subspecies albofasciata Moore, 1879. Common name: Green-marbled sandman; green-marbled skipper; Mallow skipper. Habitat: Dry forest, and both moist and dry savanna. Small colonies tend to occur in association with stands of the host-plant (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Generally uncommon and local, but widespread (Pringle et al., 1994; Larsen, 2005a). Flies rapidly and low down, frequently settling, with the wings held flat, on low-growing vegetation (Pringle, et al., 1994). It is often seen feeding from flowers or mud-puddling. When resting at night the wings are folded back and the abdomen is curved upwards and forwards over the thorax. This curious resting posture is well illustrated in Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 116. A similar resting posture is adopted by the European skipper Erynnis tages (Gooden, 1971, Butterflies: 107). Males establish territories in clearings and along paths in the bush. They often use several perching spots within the territory that they are defending. Flight period: All year in warmer areas and from August to April in colder parts. Early stages: Mansell Weale, in Trimen & Bowker, 1889: 294 [as Pyrgus Elma Trimen]. “Pupa. Clothed with a minute pubescence; reddish-brown, with greenish-brown abdomen. Back of thorax slightly protuberant; two minute dark projections on base of wing-covers. Enveloped in leaf of Abutilon Sonneratianum, and attached by anal segment.” – J.P. Mansell Weale, in epist., 1877.” Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 240; plate 18 [as Gomalia elma; Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape]. Benjamini, 1989. Larval food: [Note: Mansell Weale noted that the larva pupated on Abutilon (its larval food) but was apparently unaware that this was, in fact, the larval food-plant]. [Trimen & Bowker, 1889: 294]. Abutilon grandiflorum G. Don. (Malvaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189; as Abutilon indicum sensu Mast. non Sweet]. Abutilon grantii (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 117]. Abutilon guineense (Schum.) Bak. (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Abutilon holstii (Malvaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Abutilon intermedium (Malvaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou and Woodhall, 1997: 117]. Abutilon sonneratianum (Cav.) Sweet (Malvaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189]. Croton zambezicus (Euphorbiaceae) [Vuattoux, 1999 (Ivory Coast); seems improbable]. Sida cordifolia (Malvaceae) [Vuattoux, 1999 (Ivory Coast)]. Sida species (Malvaceae) [Mrs Barber, in Trimen & Bowker, 1889: 294; oviposition only]. Wissadula amplissima (Malvaceae) [Vuattoux, 1999 (Ivory Coast)]. Gomalia elma elma (Trimen, 1862) Pyrgus elma Trimen, 1862. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 1: 288 (279-291). Gomalia elma elma. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 25mm. Durban, Nat. H. Millar. (Transvaal Museum - TM2807). Type locality: South Africa: “Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay- King William?s Town- Cape of Good Hope”. Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province), Swaziland, Saudi Arabia (south-west), Yemen, Oman. Specific localities: Senegal – Richard-Toll (Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Nimba (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Accra (Larsen, 2005a); Cape Coast (Larsen, 2005a). Benin - Cotonou (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Lagos (Larsen, 2005a). Zambia: Solwezi; Chililabombwe; Mpongwe; Luangwa Valley (Heath, et al., 2002). Namibia – Mashari; Brandberg; north of Aus (Pringle, et al., 1994). Limpopo Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953); Legalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”). Mpumalanga – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953); Kgaswane Mountain Reserve (Williams). Gauteng – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). Free State Province – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Throughout (Swanepoel, 1953). Eastern Cape Province – Port Elizabeth (Swanepoel, 1953); Uitenhage (Swanepoel, 1953); Zuurberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Port Alfred (Swanepoel, 1953); King William?s Town (Swanepoel, 1953); Bashee River (Swanepoel, 1953); Queenstown (Swanepoel, 1953); Burgersdorp (Swanepoel, 1953); Graaff-Reinet (Pringle, et al., 1994). Western Cape Province – Robertson (Trimen); Swellendam (Swanepoel, 1953); Bonnievale (Swanepoel, 1953); Calitzdorp (Swanepoel, 1953); Mossel Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Knysna (Swanepoel, 1953); Plettenberg Bay (Swanepoel, 1953). Northern Cape Province – De Aar (Swanepoel, 1953); Kimberley (Swanepoel, 1953); Onseepkans (Pringle, et al., 1994). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). jeanneli Picard, 1949 (as sp. of Tavetana). Revue Française d’Entomologie 16: 149 (147-152). Kenya: “Taveta, Afrique Orientale Anglaise”. Genus Alenia Evans, 1935 In Carpenter, 1935. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 83: 409 (313-447). Type-species: Pyrgus sandaster Trimen, by original designation. An Afrotropical genus of two species confined to the Karoo of South Africa. * Alenia namaqua Vári, 1974 Alenia namaqua Vári, 1974. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 29: 13 (9-24). Type locality: South Africa: “Springbok, 12 km south”. Holotype (male) in the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. Diagnosis: Distinguished from the closely related A. sandaster, on the hindwing underside by the strong white irroration (absent in sandaster) (Pringle, et al., 1994). Distribution: Namibia – south, South Africa (Western Cape Province (north-west), Northern Cape Province (west)). Specific localities: Namibia – Aus; Tiras Mountains (D. and R. Plowes); Diamond Area (Swart, 2004). Northern Cape Province – Pofadder (Swanepoel, 1953); Soebatsfontein (Swanepoel, 1953); Springbok (Swanepoel, 1953); Augrabies (Swanepoel, 1953); Kamieskroon (Swanepoel, 1953). Common name: Namaqua dancer; Namaqua sandman. Habitat: Succulent Karoo in Little Namaqualand (Northern Cape Province) and southern Namibia. Habits: Very similar to those of its sister species, Alenia sandaster (see below) Flight period: August to December are the main months recorded but it may be on the wing all year (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Blepharis species (Acanthaceae) [Pringle, et al., 1994: 320]. Blepharis capensis (Acanthaceae) [Woodhall, 2005a]. * Alenia sandaster (Trimen, 1868) Pyrgus sandaster Trimen, 1868. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1868: 92 (69-96). Type locality: South Africa: “near Murraysburg”. Holotype (female) in the Natural History Museum, Cape Town. Distribution: South Africa (Eastern Cape Province (west), Western Cape Province (north-east), Northern Cape Province). Specific localities: Eastern Cape Province – Port Elizabeth (Swanepoel, 1953); Uitenhage (Swanepoel, 1953); Coerney (Swanepoel, 1953); Addo (Swanepoel, 1953); Grahamstown (Swanepoel, 1953); Glenconner (Swanepoel, 1953); Fish River (Swanepoel, 1953); Fort Brown (Pringle, et al., 1994). Western Cape Province – Calitzdorp (Swanepoel, 1953); Oudtshoorn (Swanepoel, 1953); Kandelaars (Swanepoel, 1953); Murraysburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Beaufort West (Pringle, et al., 1994). Northern Cape Province – Fraserburg (Pringle, et al., 1994); Upington (E. Pringle; single male). Common name: Karoo dancer; Karoo sandman. Habitat: Inhabits a large part of the Karoo, in the three Cape Provinces of South Africa. Habits: Colonies are found in dry, stony places where the host-plants grow (Pringle, et al., 1994). Both sexes feed from flowers, and are especially fond of those of the succulent mesembryanthemums (Pringle, et al., 1994). Specimens have a rapid, buzzing flight, low down and rest on the ground or on stones. Males establish territories near the host-plants or in dry river beds and gullies. Flight period: August to January. There are a few records for February (Pringle, et al., 1994). Early stages: Clark, in Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 242; plate 19 [as Alenia sandaster; Addo and Uitenhage, both Eastern Cape]. Larval food: Blepharis capensis (L. f.) Pers. (Acanthaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189]. Barleria species (Acanthaceae) [Dickson and Kroon, 1978: 189].