028 Genus Eretis Mabille

AFROTROPICAL BUTTERFLIES. MARK C. WILLIAMS. http://www.lepsocafrica.org/?p=publications&s=atb Updated 9 December 2020

Genus Eretis Mabille, 1891 Elves

Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 71 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Type-species: Eretis melania Mabille, by monotypy.

The genus Eretis belongs to the Family Hesperiidae Latreille, 1809; Subfamily Tagiadinae Burmeister, 1878; Tribe Celaenorrhinini Swinhoe, 1912. Other genera of the Tribe Celaenorrhini in the Afrotropical Region are Ortholexis, Katreus, Celaenorrhinus, Scopulifera, Bettonula, Apallaga, Sarangesa, Alenia and Triskelionia.

Eretis (Elves) is an Afrotropical genus of 12 species. Most closely related to the genus Sarangesa but are mostly smaller, and the forewings have an irregular outline (Larsen, 1991c). Some of the species can only be identified by reference to the genitalia (Evans, 1937; Larsen, 1991c). In the males of some species of Eretis there is a ventral hair fringe on the first abdominal segment (Larsen & Cock, 2011: 15).

*Eretis artorius Larsen & Cock, 2011 Ragged Elf

Eretis artorius Larsen & Cock, 2011. Tropical Lepidoptera Research 21 (1): 12 (12-16).

Top: Male holotype ex Kakamega Forest (left – upperside; right – underside) Below: Female paratype ex Kakamega Forest (left – upperside; right – underside) Images from a PDF of the original publication courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Kenya: Kakamega District, Kakamega Forest, D257 at Ikuywa Stream, 18 June 1991, photo 91.9.34, M.J.W. Cock (ex coll. T.B. Larsen). Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Etymology: The specific name is a latinized version of Arthur, Cock’s domestic cat (Larsen & Cock,

1 2011). Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Larsen pers comm, 2011), Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya. Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Ruwenzori (Larsen pers comm, 2011); North Kivu (Larsen pers comm, 2011); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Blue (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Impenetrable Forest (Larsen & Cock, 2011); Kigezi area (Larsen & Cock, 2011). Rwanda – Bugoie Forest (Larsen & Cock, 2011); Nyungwe Forest (Larsen & Cock, 2011). Kenya – Kakamega Forest at Ikuywa Stream (TL); Yala River [= Kakamega] (Larsen & Cock, 2011); Mau Forest (Larsen & Cock, 2011); Nandi Hills (Larsen & Cock, 2011). Habitat: Submontane rainforest (Larsen & Cock, 2011). Habits: It is a fairly common skipper, at least in Kakamega, that flies in somewhat open areas within or adjacent to forest. The flight is fast and usually low down and they often settle with flattened wings on the upper surface of green leaves. They freely come to nectar at small flowers (Larsen & Cock, 2011). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eretis buamba Evans, 1937 Polished Elf

Male of Eretis buamba. Kibale Forest, Uganda. October, 2014. Image courtesy Raimund Schutte.

Eretis buamba Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 39 (212 pp.).

Eretis buamba. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda. July 2009. ABRI Leg. ABRI-2019-2207. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Eretis buamba. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Kalinzu Forest, Uganda. June 1993. IB. PW. ABRI-2019-2208. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Uganda: “Bugoma Forest, Unyoro, 3,700 ft”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda (west). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Mt Blue (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Bugoma Forest (TL). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eretis camerona Evans, 1937 Cameroon Elf

Eretis camerona Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 38 (212 pp.).

Eretis camerona. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda. July 2009. ABRI Leg. ABRI-2019-2207. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons (Bitje)”. Distribution: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda (west). Recorded, in error, from Nigeria by Larsen, 1999 (CD of draft for Butterflies of West Africa) (Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Blue (Ducarme, 2018). Cameroon – Bitje (TL). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

3 *Eretis djaelaelae (Wallengren, 1857)# Marbled Elf

Perching males of the Marbled Elf (Eretis djaelaelae) Images courtesy Steve Woodhall.

Male Marbled Elf (Eretis djaelaelae) displaying scent brush on leg. Image courtesy Steve Woodhall.

Pterygospidea djaelaelae Wallengren, 1857. Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar. Stockholm annis 1838-1845. Collecta (n.s.) 2 (4): 54 (55 pp.). Nisoniades djaelaelae Wallengren. Trimen, 1866a. Pterygospidea djaelaelae Wallengren, 1857. Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Eretis djaelaelae Wallengren. Swanepoel, 1953a. Eretis djaelaelae (Wallengren, 1857). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Eretis djaelaelae (Wallengren, 1857). Pringle et al., 1994: 312.

Eretis djaelaelae. Male (Wingspan 33 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Lekgalameetse N.R., Limpopo Province, South Africa. 20 October 2012. M. Williams. Images M.C. Williams ex Williams Collection.

Type locality: [South Africa]: “Caffraria”. Holotype in the Swedish Natural History Museum (images available at www2.nrm.se/en/lep_nrm/d). Diagnosis: See Eretis umbra for differentiation.

4 Distribution: Tanzania (east-central), Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province – south-east), Swaziland. Recorded, in error, from Angola by Aurivillius (in Seitz, 1928). Specific localities: Tanzania – Image Mountain (Kielland, 1990d); Ruaha National Park (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Nyika N.P. (J. Timberlake, pers. comm., 2019). Zambia – Nyika (Heath et al., 2002). Limpopo Province – Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Mica (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Messina (Swanepoel, 1953); Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”). Mpumalanga – Komatipoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Sterkspruit Nature Reserve (Williams); Buffelspoort Nature Reserve (Williams); Kaapsehoop (male illustrated above). North West Province – Zeerust (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Margate (Swanepoel, 1953); Pietermaritzburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Greytown (Swanepoel, 1953); Estcourt (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); St Lucia Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Rwayi, South Coast (S. Woodhall, unpublished, 2009). Eastern Cape Province – Port Elizabeth (Swanepoel, 1953); Somerset East (Swanepoel, 1953); Fort Beaufort (Swanepoel, 1953); King William’s Town (Swanepoel, 1953); Queenstown (Swanepoel, 1953); Stormberg (Swanepoel, 1953); Cathcart (Swanepoel, 1953); Stutterheim (Swanepoel, 1953); Kei River (Swanepoel, 1953); East London (Dickson & Kroon, 1978). Western Cape Province – Plettenberg Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Mossel Bay (requires verification) (Pringle et al., 1994). Swaziland – Malolotja N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). Habitat: Savanna woodland; rarely grassland. In Tanzania it is found in woodland and open montane grassland, from 700 to 2 100 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: Adults fly close to the ground, with a skipping flight. They alight frequently, with expanded wings, on low plants or on the ground. Both sexes often visit flowers. Males occasionally mud-puddle or imbibe moisture from fresh cow-dung (Pringle et al., 1994). Males may establish territories, usually centred on a small bush. Flight period: All year but in cooler areas from August to May. Commonest from September to March (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 216; plate 6 [as Eretis djaelaelae djaelaelae; Horse Shoe Valley, East London, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. There is a possibility that this record may be that of the life history of Eretis umbra (Trimen)]. “Egg: Laid singly on a leaf or bud-cluster. Yellow when laid changing to red; 0,8 mm diameter over the ribs by 0,5 mm high. There are 14 to 16 upright ribs, only half of them reaching the micropyle, and some 10 cross-ribs, the lower not fully developed. Eggs hatch after 8 days. Shell is not eaten. Larva: 1st instar 1 to 2 mm in 19 days; 2nd instar 2 to 4 mm in 20 days; 3rd instar 4 to 6 mm in 19 days; 4th instar 6 to 10 mm in 22 days; 5th instar 10 to 16 or 17 mm in 65 days. The duration of instars varies with climatic conditions. Larva constructs a cache by binding leaves together and lives concealed in it, only emerging to feed. When this becomes too small for the larva another is made by it for furthr use. Moulting and pupation take place within the cache. Pupa: 11,5 mm ♂, 13,5 mm ♀. At first dull greenish-gray. After about 8 days thorax gradually turns brown, eyes become reddish and wing-cases whiten, while body becomes greener but is still pale. Emergence occurs after 10 or 11 days. Parasite: Apanteles species ex final larval instar. This species is multi-brooded.”

Larval food: Asystasia sp. (Acanthaceae) [Sevastopulo, 1975]. Asystasia schimperi T.Anderson (Acanthaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325]. Barleria fissiflora Bojer ex Nees (= Barleria setigera Rendle) (Acanthaceae) [Kielland, 1990d: 231]. Dyschoriste setigera (Pers.) Vollesen (= Chaetacanthus setiger (Pers.) Lindl. (syn. persoonii C.B. Cl.) (Acanthaceae) [Murray, 1959; South Africa]. Justicia protracta (Nees) T.Anderson (Acanthaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 71]. Justicia sp. (Acanthaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 183]. Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.) Sweet (Acanthaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 183].

*Eretis herewardi Riley, 1921 Rounded Elf

Eretis herewardi Riley, 1921. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1921: 255 (234-259). Eretis rotundimacula herewardi Riley, 1921. Evans, 1937. Eretis rotundimacula herewardi Riley, 1921. Pringle et al., 1994: 312. Eretis herewardi Riley, 1921. Ackery et al., 1995.

Eretis herewardi herewardi. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ntunibwa, Democratic Republic of Congo. April 2001. Hasson & Bouyer. ABRI-2019-2209. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: [Zambia]: “Solwezi”. Distribution: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique. According to Larsen & Cock, 2011 records for this species from Kenya refer to E. artorius. Habitat: Woodland (Kielland, 1990d); forest (Larsen, 1991c). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

Eretis herewardi herewardi Riley, 1921 Rounded Elf

Type locality: [Zambia]: “Solwezi”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique. Specific localities: Tanzania – Only a few specimens have been recorded from this country (Kielland, 1990d). Records include, Mikumi National Park (Kielland, 1990d); Kiboriani Mountain in Mpwapwa District (Kielland, 1990d); Udekwa near Nyumbenitu Mountain in the Uzungwa Range (Kielland, 1990d); Mpanda District (Kielland, 1990d); Wanzizi, Mpanda (male illustrated above). Zambia – Solwezi (TL); Kamapanda (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Mlengwe (Heath et al., 2002).

Eretis herewardi rotundimacula Evans, 1937 Angola Rounded Elf

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. Recorded, in error for the nominate subspecies, from Mozambique by Congdon et al., 2010. Specific localities: Angola – Benguela Province; Huambo Province; Huila Province; Malanje Province (Mendes et al., 2013).

rotundimacula Mabille & 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) Savanna Elf

Male Savanna Elf (Eretis lugens). Mpanga Forest, Uganda, 9 June 2017. Image courtesy Jeremy Dobson.

Pterygospidea lugens Rogenhofer, 1891. Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 6: 462 (455-466).

Eretis lugens. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Zika Forest, Uganda. 2 June 2015. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Eretis lugens. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Kibale Forest, Uganda. 22 October 2014. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Type locality: [Tanzania]: “Marangu” [SE of Kilimanjaro (Cock & Congdon, 2011b)]. Distribution: Senegal, Gambia (Jon Baker, pers. comm., May 2020), Guinea (north), Sierra Leone (north), Liberia, Ivory Coast (north), Ghana, Togo, Benin (south, west), Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan (south), Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya (west and central), Tanzania, Zambia (north-west). Specific localities: Senegal – Cap Vert (Larsen, 2005a); Niokolo-Koba (Larsen, 2005a). Gambia – Fajara, Basse (Jon Baker, pers. comm., May 2020). Guinea – Parc National du Haut Niger (Larsen, 2005a); Seredou (Larsen, 2005a). Liberia – Zorzor (Larsen, 2005a); Ganta (Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Nimba Mountains (M. Cock, vide Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Mole National Park (Larsen, 2005a); Nakpanduri (Larsen, 2005a). Togo – Kpalime (West, 1992). Benin – Noyau Central, Lama Forest (Fermon et al., 2001); Houeyogbe Forest (Coache & Rainon, 2016); see Coache et al., 2017. Nigeria – Kaduna area (Larsen, 2005a); Jos (Larsen, 2005a); Zaria (Larsen, 2005a); Obudu Town (Larsen, 2005a). Angola – Huila Province; Kwanza Norte Province; Kwanza Sul Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Democratic Republic of Congo – Marangu (TL); Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Blue (Ducarme, 2018). Ethiopia – Yebelo, Ghibe-Tolley (A. Gardiner; male illustrated above). Uganda – Mpanga Forest (Safian & Pyrcz, 2020). Kenya – Nairobi district (Larsen, 1991c) Tanzania – In most parts of the country except, perhaps, the drier central areas (Kielland, 1990d). Zambia – Kamapanda (Heath et al., 2002); Kabompo River (Heath et al., 2002). 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). Habits: Flies low down, settling on either the ground or on the leaves of low-growing vegetation (Larsen, 1991c). Adults are fond of flowers (Cock & Congdon, 2011b). Early stages:

Cock & Congdon, 2011b: 41 [ovum, larva & pupa]

Larval food: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson subsp. micrantha (Nees) Ensermu (Acanthaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325; as Asystasia coromandeliana Nees]. Asystasia mysurensis (Roth) T. Anderson (= Asystasia schimperi T.Anderson) (Acanthaceae) [Van

8 Someren, 1974: 325]. Barleria sp. (Acanthaceae) [Sevastopulo, 1975; Uganda]. Dyschoriste multicaulis (T. Anderson) Kuntze (Acanthaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2011b; Kenya]. Dyschoriste nagchana (Nees) Bennet (= Dyschoriste perrottetii (Nees) Kuntze) (Acanthaceae) [Vuattoux, 1999 (Ivory Coast); Cock & Congdon, 2011b (Kenya)]. Justicia leikipiensis S.Moore (Acanthaceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325].

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 Dusky Elf

Eretis melania Mabille, 1891. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 35: 71 (59-88, 106-121, 168-187). Eretis melania Mabille, 1891. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Eretis melania Mabille, 1891. Pringle et al., 1994: 312.

Eretis melania. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ikelenge, Zambia. 18 April 2002. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Eretis melania. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Copperbelt, Zambia. 17 April 2015. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: Gabon. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin (south, west), Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan (south), Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia (north), Mozambique, Zimbabwe (east), Nambia (north). Specific localities: Ghana – Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007). Benin – Houeyogbe Forest (Coache & Rainon, 2016); see Coache et al., 2017. Gabon – Ogove Valley (Holland, 1892); Lake Evaro (Vande weghe, 2010). Angola – Benguela Province; Huambo Province; Kwanza Sul Province; Malanje Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Mt 9 Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Blue (Ducarme, 2018). Kenya – Chyulu Hills (van Someren, 1939); Kitale (Larsen, 1991c); Mount Elgon (Larsen, 1991c); Nyangori (Larsen, 1991c); Kakamega (Larsen, 1991c); Katamayu (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – In most forested areas (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Mount Mulanje (Congdon et al., 2010); Zomba Mountain (Congdon et al., 2010); Nyika N.P. (J. Timberlake, pers. comm., 2019). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Kabompo River (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Kitwe (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Kawambwa (Heath et al., 2002); Lumangwe Falls (Heath et al., 2002); Kasama (Heath et al., 2002); Mbala (Heath et al., 2002); Makutu Mountains (Heath et al., 2002). Mozambique – Amatongas (Pringle et al., 1994); Vila Gouveia (Pringle et al., 1994); Buzi River (Pennington); Mount Gorongosa (Pringle et al., 1994); Xiluvo (Pringle et al., 1994); Dondo Forest (Pringle et al., 1994); Serra Rotanda, east of the Chimanimani Mountains (Pringle et al., 1994); Mount Namuli (Congdon et al., 2010); Mount Mabu (Congdon et al., 2010); Mt Yao [- 12.4432 36.5114] (Congdon & Bayliss, 2013). Zimbabwe – Vumba Mountains (Pringle et al., 1994); Mount Selinda (Pennington and Kroon; male illustrated above); Honde Gorge (Pringle et al., 1994); Nyanga (Pringle et al., 1994); Mutare (Pringle et al., 1994); Melsetter (Pringle et al., 1994); Marondera (Pringle et al., 1994); Buhwa in the Belingwe district (Pringle et al., 1994); Bikita (Pinhey). Namibia – Kombat (S. Braine). 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, 1990d). 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, vide 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 Eretis 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 Blue-scaled Elf

Eretis mitiana Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 39 (212 pp.).

Eretis mitiana. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Kakamega Forest, Kenya. 16 June 1996. 10 Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Eretis mitiana. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Bamboo Zone, Kigezi, Tanzania. December 2008. SCC. ABRI-2019-2206. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Uganda: “between Mitiana and Entebbe, 3,800 ft”. Diagnosis: Wings on upperside sprinkled with bluish scales (in Eretis melania these scales are greyish and in Eretis vaga they are whitish). Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (west). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo –Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Between Mitiana and Entebbe (TL). Kenya – Mount Elgon (Larsen, 1991c); Nandi Hills (Larsen, 1991c); Kakamega Forest (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Lukandamira in the Mahale Mountains, Kigoma (Kielland, 1990d). Habitat: Forest (Larsen, 1991c). In Tanzania it a rare and very local butterfly of highland forest, at altitudes of around 1 600 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: In both Kenya and Tanzania this is a scarce butterfly (Larsen, 1991c; Kielland, 1990d). Both sexes come to flowers and will rest on vegetation 1 to 2 metres off the ground (Cock & Congdon, 2011b). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eretis mixta Evans, 1937 Chestnut Elf

Eretis djaelaelae mixta Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 37 (212 pp.). Eretis mixta Evans, 1937. Evans, 1951 stat. rev.

Eretis mixta. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. 100 km south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 8 September 1997. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Eretis mixta. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. 100 km north of Ghibe-Tolley, Ethiopia. 30 September 1997. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: [Ethiopia]: “Abyssinia (Dire Daouna)”. Distribution: Sudan (south), Ethiopia. Specific localities: Ethiopia – Dire Daouna (TL). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eretis plistonicus (Plötz, 1879) Ghana Elf

Antigonus plistonicus Plötz, 1879. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 362 (353-364).

Eretis plistonicus. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Amedzofe, western Ghana. November 2009. SY & RV. ABRI-2019-2211. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Eretis plistonicus. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Kloto, western Togo. September 1996. SCC. ABRI-2019-2212. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

12 Type locality: Ghana: “Aburi”. Distribution: Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Ghana, Togo, Nigeria. Recorded, in error, from Senegal by Condamin (1969) (Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Guinea – Seredou (H. Warren-Gash, vide Larsen, 2005a); Ziama (Safian et al., 2020). Liberia – Wologizi (Safian et al., 2020). Ivory Coast – Yeale (H. Warren-Gash, vide Larsen, 2005a); Mount Tonkoui (H. Warren-Gash, vide Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Aburi (TL); Krokosua Hills (Larsen, 2005a); Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007); Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2009). Nigeria – Kabba (Larsen, 2005a); Okwangwo (Larsen, 2005a); Oban Hills (Larsen, 2005a). 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 Eretis lugens or Eretis melania. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Acanthaceae [Larsen, 2005a].

*Eretis umbra (Trimen, 1862)# Small Marbled Elf

Left: Resting male of the Small Marbled Elf ( Eretis umbra). Right – male showing pheromone-releasing tarsal brushes. Images courtesy Steve Woodhall

Nisoniades umbra Trimen, 1862. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 1: 289 (279-291). Eretis umbra Trimen. Swanepoel, 1953a. Eretis umbra (Trimen, 1862). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Eretis umbra (Trimen, 1862). Pringle et al., 1994: 312.

Eretis umbra umbra. Male (Wingspan 31 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa. 7 September 2003. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Eretis umbra umbra. Female (Wingspan 35 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Stoffberg, Mpumalanga, South Africa. 11 December 2004. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Type locality: [South Africa]: “Plettenberg Bay; King William’s Town; Butterworth, Kaffraria”. Holotype male in Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Similar to Eretis 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. 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 fast, 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 (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year but from August to May in colder areas (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Cock & Congdon, 2011b: 37 [larva & pupa; ssp. maculifera]

Larval food: Asystasia mysurensis (Roth) T. Anderson (= Asystasia schimperi T.Anderson) (Acanthaceae) [Kielland, 1990d: 232]. (Probably) Dyschoriste radicans Nees (Acanthaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2011b; Cotter’s Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya]. Dyschoriste setigera (Pers.) Vollesen (= Chaetacanthus setiger (Pers.) Lindl. (syn. persoonii C.B. Cl.)) (Acanthaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 184; for the nominate subspecies]. Justicia species (Acanthaceae) [Larsen, 1991c: 395]. Phaulopsis (Acanthaceae) [Larsen, 1991c: 395].

Eretis umbra umbra (Trimen, 1862)# Small Marbled Elf

Nisoniades umbra Trimen, 1862. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 1: 289 (279-291). Eretis umbra Trimen. Swanepoel, 1953a. Eretis umbra umbra (Trimen, 1862). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Eretis umbra umbra (Trimen, 1862). Pringle et al., 1994: 312.

Eretis umbra umbra. Male (Wingspan 31 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa. 7 September 2003. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Eretis umbra umbra. Female (Wingspan 35 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Stoffberg, Mpumalanga, South Africa. 11 December 2004. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Type locality: [South Africa]: “Plettenberg Bay; King William’s Town; Butterworth, Kaffraria”. Holotype male in Natural History Museum, London. 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. Recorded, in error for subspecies nox, from Mozambique by Congdon et al., 2010. Specific localities: Limpopo Province – Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve (Warren, 1990); Percy Fyfe Nature Reserve (Warren, 1990); Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”); Highlands Wilderness (Bode & Bode, unpublished checklist); Soetdoring Farm [-24.561 28.233] (A. Mayer, pers comm. 2015). North West Province – Utopia Resort (C. Dobson, 2006). Gauteng – Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens (J. Dobson, unpublished checklist, 2001). Eastern Cape Province – King William’s Town (Trimen, 1862); Butterworth (Trimen, 1862). Western Cape Province – Plettenberg Bay (TL); 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 Tanzania Small Marbled Elf

Eretis djaelaelae var. maculifera Mabille & Boullet, 1916. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 1916: 246 (243- 247). Eretis djaelaelae maculifera Mabille & Boullet, 1916. Evans, 1937. Eretis umbra maculifera Mabille & Boullet, 1916. Evans, 1951.

Type locality: “Afrique Orientale, région nord et région sud”. Distribution: Uganda (north-east), Kenya (central and west), Tanzania. Specific localities: Tanzania – Northern Highlands Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Wotta Forest in the Rubehos (Kielland, 1990d); Njombe Highlands (Kielland, 1990d); Ufipa Plateau (Kielland, 1990d); Ngara District (Kielland, 1990d).

punctigera Mabille & 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) Zambia Small Marbled Elf

Sarangesa nox Neave, 1910. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 70 (2-86). Eretis umbra nox (Neave, 1910). Evans, 1951. Eretis umbra nox Neave, 1910. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Eretis umbra nox Neave, 1910. Pringle et al., 1994: 312.

Eretis umbra nox. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Seke Dam, Zimbabwe. 8 March 1998. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Eretis umbra nox. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Chirundu-Cusaka escarpment, Zambia. 5 March 2008/ Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: [Zambia]: “Petauke, Luangwa valley”. Distribution: Malawi, Zambia (south; east), Mozambique, Zimbabwe. Specific localities: Malawi – Zomba Mountain (Congdon et al., 2010). Zambia – Petauke, Luangwa Valley (TL); Ngoma (Heath et al., 2002); Chisamba (Heath et al., 2002); Chalimbana (Heath et al., 2002); Luangwa Valley (Heath et al., 2002). Mozambique – Amatongas (Pringle et al., 1994); Inchope (Pringle et al., 1994); Garuso (male illustrated above); Mt Yao [-12.4432 36.5114] (Congdon & Bayliss, 2013). Zimbabwe – Trelawney (Pringle et al., 1994); Christon Bank (Pringle et al., 1994); Umvukwes (Pringle et al., 1994); Mutare (Pringle et al., 1994).

*Eretis vaga Evans, 1937 White-scaled Elf

Eretis vaga Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 39 (212 pp.).

Eretis vaga. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Nebobongo, Haut-Uele, DRC. 2 27 N, 27 37 E. 23 July 2016. T. Desloges. Images courtesy Thomas Desloges.

Eretis vaga. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Nebobongo, Haut-Uele, DRC. 2 27N, 27 37E. 21 July 2016. T. Desloges. Images courtesy Thomas Desloges.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons (Bitje, Ja River)”. Diagnosis: Close to Eretis 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: Nigeria (Evans, 1937), Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west), Zambia (Congdon & Collins, 1998; not in Heath et al., 2002). Nigeria is given in Larsen, 1991c but not in Larsen, 2005a. Specific localities: Cameroon – Bitje, Ja River (TL). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Mpanga Forest (Safian & Pyrcz, 2020). Kenya – Kakamega (Larsen, 1991c); Yala River (Larsen, 1991c); Ilala (Larsen, 1991c); South Kavirondo (Larsen, 1991c); Kitale (Larsen, 1991c); Nandi Hills (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Rumanyika Game Reserve, Karagwe District, 1 350 to 1 700 m (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Habitat: Grassy clearings and road verges in forest (Larsen, 1991c). Habits: A generally scarce butterfly (Larsen, 1991c). Specimens are encountered in forest clearings (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.