MARCH 2020 EDITION:

ABN 2020 - 2 AFRICAN (NEWS FROM JANUARY AND FEBRUARY) THE LEPIDOPTERISTS’ SOCIETY OF AFRICA NEWS

LATEST NEWS

Welcome to March’s newsletter!

The Pioneer Caper White ( aurota) migration, at least on the Highveld, was the most spectacular example of this phenomenon for many years, possibly the largest since the great butterfly migration of 1966.

Millions of were seen flying (in a largely north-easterly direction) in the area - and also further north apparently. The spectacle has captured the public’s imagination and LepSoc Africa have fielded an unprecedented number of media interviews during the last couple of months! Our thanks to for the great marketing opportunity…

A few that are usually fairly scarce in the Johannesburg area joined the parade and I’ve seldom seen so many Lemon Belenois aurota (female) Brits, North West Traveller (Teracolus subfasciatus) or Zebra White (Pinacopteryx (Lourens Erasmus) eriphia eriphia) locally.

Corrections

Steve Collins noted that, in the section of January’s newsletter I had incorrectly captioned a pleione bebra (male) as Charaxes paphianus subpallida.

Also, Steve Woodhall pointed out that the photographs of Chrysoritis penningtoni, by Raimund Schutte and myself, were in fact Chrysoritis turneri amatola (to be fair, they were flying with C. penningtoni…)

Tom Desloges pointed out that on page 58, the Angolan Eurema is Eurema senegalensis. In addition he was dubious about the Nepheronia argia on p. 65 which he thinks may be Belenois solilucis.

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Highveld Butterfly Club Braai

The Highveld Butterfly Club (HBC) – the , Free State and North West branch of LepSoc Africa – hosted its annual year-starting braai on Sunday 26 January. As usual, the braai was hosted at the Magaliesburg farm of Hermann and Louisa Staude.

We had a really good turn-out – about 30 people – including a few new members and potential new members. Special guests included David Agassiz, who happened to be staying with Hermann at the time.

I counted 30 butterfly species in the adjacent veld (Abundance Index 3.9 – Average), which was pretty good, although there were a couple of conspicuous absentees, such as the Marsh Sylph ( meninx); I haven’t seen this butterfly at all this season.

The Braai Bennie Coetzer, Graham Henning, Dave Caroline Erasmus, Steven Ball, Lourens and Hanna Edge Erasmus

Cacyreus marshalli Cigaritis mozambica Afrogegenes letterstedti Magaliesburg Magaliesburg Magaliesburg (Jeremy Dobson) (Lourens Erasmus) (Jeremy Dobson)

LepSoc Africa – Budget for 2020

Peter Ward, LepSoc Africa’s Treasurer, is preparing a list of items for our 2020 financial budget. I’ve requested R15 000 for barcoding samples for the Project; does anyone else have any suggestions?

Please forward them to me ([email protected]) or Peter ([email protected]).

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HBC meeting with Hermann Hacker

The Highveld Butterfly Club (HBC) were treated to a talk by internationally renowned Noctuidae expert, Hermann Hacker - Hermann was visiting SA in the company of Hermann Staude.

Hermann (Hacker that is) gave an interesting presentation, outlining the history of climate and vegetation change within the African continent and some associated relationships regarding the evolution of Hermann Hacker being presented with the Torben Larsen Memorial Tankard at a HBC meeting on 13 African . Feb

At November’s LepSoc Africa Conference in Knysna, Hermann had been awarded the Torben Larsen memorial tankard, for “Moths of Africa – Volume 1”, which is considered to be one of the most important publications in the field of African Lepidoptera for several years.

A new Thestor

A new species of Thestor, Thestor coetzeri, has been described in Metamorphosis, by Ernest Pringle and Alan Heath.

The butterfly (which has been provisionally named the Inky Skolly by the Coetzers), was found in the Cederberg by Andre Coetzer at Middelbergpas, Citrusdal, Western Cape on 17 December 2017. It resembles the Boland Skolly (Thestor protumnus protumnus), but has been separated on the basis of its darker appearance and differences in the male genitalia.

This species is named after Bennie and André Coetzer, in recognition of their substantial contribution to the study of Lepidoptera in . Note: according to Wikipedia, Cederberg is the generally accepted spelling for this region, which combines the English (Cedarberg) and Afrikaans (Sederberg) variants.

New Field Guide (Steve Woodhall)

Fully revised, the new edition of Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa features all of South Africa’s 671 butterfly species. This popular guide includes newly described species and subspecies, and the most recent taxonomic changes based on DNA studies.

As in the first edition, the photography is exceptional and 70% of the images in the book are new. Images show male and female forms (where they differ) and upper- and undersides (where possible).

The species accounts have been comprehensively updated and expanded, covering identification, habits, flight periods, broods, typical habitat, distribution and larval food sources. A helpful introductory section with over 100 images, including 55 early stages images, discusses butterfly biology, , classification, anatomy and behaviour. The book sells for R400.

Butterflies of South Africa

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Neptis (Ian Richardson)

An electronic copy of the Neptis paper, by LepSoc Africa member Dr Ian Richardson, may be viewed on the LepSoc Africa website. To order a hard copy, go to PUBLICATIONS / SHOP and select your preferred postage option. The price is R300 for South African members.

lepsocafrica.org

The paper, which will be printed as a stand-alone Metamorphosis supplement (Metamorphosis Volume 30 Part 2), is titled “Revision of the Neptis Fabricius, 1807 (Lepidoptera, ) in the Afrotropical Region: Currently described taxa”.

Ian revises the Afrotropical Neptis, based on comparison of barcodes, facies and genitalia. The paper covers the currently described taxa and further publications are envisaged to describe new species revealed by barcoding.

Mylothris (Haydon Warren-Gash)

A paper, by LepSoc Africa member, Haydon Warren-Gash and co-authored by Kwaku Aduse- Poku, Leidys Murillo-Ramos and Niklas Wahlberg has been published in Nota Lepidopterologica.

The paper titled, Systematics and evolution of the African butterfly genus Mylothris (Lepidoptera, ), deals with the evolutionary history of the Afrotropical butterfly genus Mylothris. Based on six gene regions, it divides the genus into five species groups.

Mylothris

Cameroonian Wildlife (Michel Libert)

Jean-Louis Amiet, recipient of the Ivan Bampton Perpetual Teapot at November’s LSA Conference, requested Michel Libert to convey the following message:

Jean-Louis has completed three works devoted to Cameroonian wildlife:

• The first book is a synthesis of his publications on the early stages of the Cameroonian Limenitidines, a synthesis which leads him to propose a phylogeny of this group. • The other two books concern the Amphibians of , a quite different field which may also interest some of you or naturalists around you. The iconography of the three books is exceptional. Refer to the attached document (in French) for more information and for details of how you may purchase any of the books. Cameroonian Wildlife books by Jean-Louis Ameit

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Karoo BioGaps - Project completed (Domitilla Claudia Raimondo)

Dave Edge forwarded me a message from SANBI’s Domitilla Raimondo, leader of the BioGaps Project, which is reproduced below:

The Project Management Team is pleased to announce that all the final reporting for the Karoo BioGaps Project has been completed. The reports have been uploaded to the NRF system, and a full folder of all project documents, reports and materials will be delivered to the FBIP team in . If you would like to see the final NRF report and its annexures, they are temporarily on Carol’s GoogleDrive: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LcqXSGnzlQqfjQ- DspkkIjORcYS7fFC7 and you are welcome to request the WORD versions from Carol.

Thank you all so much for your dedication, time and energy over the last four years. We feel that this project has been an amazing success, despite the likelihood of shale gas exploration diminishing. The achievements from this project have been numerous – and I paste the “Achievements” section of the NRF report here below as a summary. I am particularly proud of us reaching all the targets that we had set for the project, and for the exciting additional achievements such as newly described species and range extensions. I am also very pleased to let you know that all data for species of conservation concern have been included in South Africa’s decision support portal – the new “EIA Screening Tool”, which is now a mandatory tool for practitioners to use when undertaking environmental impact assessments.

Please do pass on our thanks to your field assistants, herbarium/museum assistants, students, interns and colleagues who assisted with the project – every contribution, no matter how small, has helped make this project a resounding success.

Thank you to the small Project Management Team who kept the project on track, with an especially big thanks to Carol Poole – who provided ongoing attention to the detail of ensuring this project was well managed.

Thank you to the FBIP team and SANBI senior managers who were always available for advice when needed.

Achievements section of the final report to the NRF:

• Human Capacity Development (see Annexure I); 5 student projects and 1 postdoc funded by project. 4 co-funded students. ~6 Digitisers; 2 Georeferencers. Field assistants (~15-20). • Field work (Annexure D). Previously misidentified species and new species described for the first time through this project: 2 scorpion species; new plant Bulbine gralliformis; numerous new species of trapdoor spiders; 3 new ground nematodes (roundworms); taxonomic revision and new descriptions of several freshwater fish; 1 new Fusarium species; potentially several new grasshopper species; a new reptile species. • 300 Red List assessments (target ca. 300). A detailed list of all species assessed and links to the assessments is Annexure F • 1000 species pages compiled to describe Karoo species (target: ca 1000). A full list with links is Annexure F • 864 compliant DNA barcodes (target: Add 1 340 (CO1) & 300 plant barcodes to IBOL). 1634 samples/specimens were submitted to the labs for barcoding. Of those, 1157 sequences were generated, and the remaining 477 sequences failed. Of the sequences on BOLD, 864 meet all the data standards required to be fully compliant barcodes. Annexure E • At least 13 scientific papers are published, 4 are under review and approximately another 18 are in progress (target: 15). Annexure J

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• The species occupancy models and species distribution maps. Estimated species richness for eight taxonomic groups (plants, birds, butterflies, grasshoppers, large mammals, small mammals, reptiles, scorpions) using occupancy models. Annexure G • Support to Decision Makers: All data for species of conservation concern have been included in South Africa’s decision support portal https://screening.environment.gov.za/. Detailed species EIA guidelines have been drafted and go out for public comment in April 2020. Example of the new guidance on how to deal with species of conservation concern developed as part of this work is shown in Annex H. • A total of 165 964 new records were mobilised and 66 569 records georeferenced bringing the complete number to 232 533 records available for publishing. (Target: 200 000 new species occurrence records mobilised) over-achieved through (Annexure C): o Imaging of museum and herbarium specimens by employed digitisers based at Bews Herbarium, Ditsong Museum, Selmar Schonland Herbarium, and shared between Bolus and Compton herbaria. o Transcribing of imaged specimens occurred through the digitisers who were employed and though Citizen Scientists voluntarily using the SANBI platform ‘Transcribe’. A digitiser also visited the American Museum of Natural History in New York to transcribe a collection of South African scorpion specimens. A transcriber was specifically employed to transcribe hard-to-read-labels. o Two full-time georeferencers were employed on the project, with some assistance from interns and a volunteer. 66 569 were georeferenced. o The integration of photographic observation records from citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist and the Virtual Museum projects hosted by the University of has proven a successful addition to the project. These records were incredibly valuable both in the modelling of habitat of species in the Karoo as well as for conducting accurate Red List threat assessments. • The long-term monitoring sites will be chosen by SAEON as they aim to initiate detailed surveys at BioGaps sites. Using the adjacent study sites at Tierberg-LTER and Wolwekraal Nature Reserve as starting point, SAEON aims to initially select an additional 4 sites (later augmented by another 5 sites for a total of 9) for intensive monitoring across the study area. Annexure L.

SANBI appreciates all your contributions to this project and look forward to working with you all on future projects.

I’ve attached a link below to LepSoc Africa’s report “Karoo BioGaps project – butterfly survey results and their interpretation”, by Dave Edge and Silvia Mecenero, which can be viewed on the LepSoc Africa website. The article is included in Metamorphosis Vol 30 – Part 1, which may be purchased online for R145.

Karoo Biogaps

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Danaus chrysippus paper (Steve Collins)

A new paper on the Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) by a team of researchers, including LepSoc Africa members Steve Collins, Simon Martin and Oskar Brattström has been published in PLOS Biology.

The paper, titled “Whole-chromosome hitchhiking driven by a male-killing endosymbiont”, discusses how a male-killing bacteria is transmitted by females during mating; the bacteria appears to kill all male offspring – the butterflies in the region rely on male migrants for reproduction.

The Nairobi area in is a zone where all four subspecies of Danaus chrysippus come into contact with each other. The bacteria seems to ensure the survival of a particular colour gene, Danaus chrysippus dorippus one that is passed from mother to daughter, yet causes the Zanzibar, daughter to resemble her father. (Jeremy Dobson)

Danaus chrysippus

It’s 2020 for LepiMAP (Les Underhill)

In spite of the gloom and doom promoted at the last LepSoc Africa AGM, LepiMAP, along with the rest of the Virtual Museum, is alive and well. The Virtual Museum is now a project of the FitzPatrick Institute, and Professor Peter Ryan, the Director, has asked me to keep promoting the VM.

In anticipation of the University of Cape Town formally shutting down the ADU, the ADU’s Facebook page is being rebranded as the Citizen Science Department of a new NPC (Non Profit Company, a technical legal term). The NPC is called the Biodiversity and Development Institute (www.theBDI.org), the BDI for short. The BDI has several departments, of which citizen science is only one.

The BDI’s citizen science focus will be as much on the “citizen” as on the “science”. This was very much in evidence at the First BDI Citizen Science Conference, held at the Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve, just north of Hanover in the Northern Cape. You can read a report of the conference in the BDI’s February newsletter (http://thebdi.org/2020/02/29/bdinsight-february-2020/). The Second BDI Citizen Science Conference is pencilled in for the weekend 26–28 February 2021, with everyone welcome from the Wednesday before to the Wednesday after. There is also demand for an in between event, which is the 1.5th BDI Citizen Science Conference, with the weekend 14–16 August as core. Anyone interested in attending these events can contact me at [email protected].

The number of LepiMAP records submitted in the first two months of 2020 was 8,174. That is already 26% of the total for 2019, which was 31,494, which was in turn the first time above 30,000. The red line on the graph is for 2020, and January and February were decisively above the same months last year. The total number of records submitted to LepiMAP via the VM website since 2010 is now 206,000, of which 72,000 are moths. The total size of the LepiMAP database, including SABCA records, is 540,000. This is one of the largest databases of its kind in the world.

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The OdonataMAP part of the Virtual Museum is partly supported by a grant from the JRS. Some of the developments needed for that contract are broadly applicable to other sections of the VM. In particular, we have developed a species distribution modelling algorithm which is likely to prove superior to any existing model. What puts it into a class of its own is the fact that it makes use of all the data, not just the data for the species being modelled.

We’ve tried the algorithm out on a few species of butterflies. The first map is the traditional presence-absence map for the Brown-veined White. What it seems to show is that there are more records in the north east of South Africa than elsewhere. The second plot is the distribution, as suggested by the current version of the new algorithm. The dark shade shows the “inner core” of the range, the intermediate shade the “outer core” and the light shade the “periphery”. One third of the range is in each category. This new distribution map considers that the core of the range is mainly in the Karoo, and that the north east consists of periphery. The algorithm is detecting that, although there are not many butterfly records in LepiMAP for the Karoo, a substantial proportion of them are Brown-veined Whites. In comparison, although there are lots of records of Brown-veined Whites in the north east, they are a tiny proportion of the total number of butterfly records for this region. In a nutshell, this is why the map produced by the new algorithm is so different from the (misleading) presence-absence map.

A selection of these maps for butterflies and for moths will soon be hosted on the BDI website.

Belenois aurota maps (Les Underhill)

Les forwarded me the following maps, produced from LepiMAP data, which clearly indicate the distribution patterns of the Pioneer Caper White / Brown-veined White.

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Return of the African Clouded Yellow (Colias electo electo) to Pretoria (Mark Williams)

At dusk on Friday January 31, 2020 I was walking our dog on the grounds of the Agricultural Research Council between Rietondale and Queenswood in Pretoria. Walking through the grassy veld I disturbed a fresh female African Clouded Yellow that was roosting in the grass for the night. It has been many years since I last saw this species in the Pretoria district. It used to be exceedingly common, at times, in the lucerne (Medicago sativa) fields around Onderstepoort, just north of Pretoria. Smallholders often regarded the larvae to be a minor pest. Then, about 15 years ago, they became progressively scarcer over a few years and finally disappeared entirely. I did not make notes so the timelines here are a bit sketchy.

On Sunday, two days later, I drove to Onderstepoort to see whether they had in fact really returned or that the female I had seen two days before was just a unique dispersing individual. I found a lucerne field coming into flower and was delighted to see dozens of males zig-zagging at high speed over the crop. Ovipositing females were also observed. The species was also present in a less mature field some kilometres away, although in lesser numbers.

While it is gratifying to see the butterfly in Pretoria again it is something of a mystery as to what caused their disappearance for at least a decade, as well as their sudden return now.

Lepidoptera survey of the Cele area (Mark Liptrot)

Mark Liptrot was invited to visit the Cele district in February. Although very hot, he identified 30 species on Inwabi Mountain and 35 species on Tafelkop. I’ve attached links (below) to his photographic records and checklists. Cele - Checklist Acraea violarum violarum Cele region, KZN Cele - Report Mark Liptrot

The Global Museum

Dave Edge forwarded me a paper titled “The Global Museum: natural history collections and the future of evolutionary science and public education” by Freek T. Bakker and others. The article notes that recent technological innovations have made museum collections more important than ever before. The Global Museum

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Sorting the Russets - an engineer’s solution (Jeremy Dobson)

It sometimes seems to me that no taxonomist worth his salt is going to use a short, simple word if a long, complicated one will work perfectly well. Frequently, when reading scientific papers, my eyes glaze over after a few sentences and I give up, half way through, feeling rather stupid.

The Aloeides Project will be different! Morphology, ecological studies and genitalia comparisons are so last year. I’d like to suggest that - for the preliminary stages at least - we proceed using an entirely non-subjective, mathematical approach. We will sort the Russets into “species” and into preliminary “species-groups”, using nothing more than comparison of some relatively short DNA sequences. The intention is not to ignore existing Aloeides taxonomy, but to have a fresh look at it, using tools that were not available in the past. The worst that can happen is that we crash and burn and that someone else has to pick up the pieces. We will at least have collected some valuable data, which will be of assistance to anyone studying this genus in future.

We won’t fail, but it is however, quite possible that we’ll need to call in the heavy artillery at some stage. To produce a phylogeny acceptable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal like Metamorphosis, it’s likely that we will need to make use of additional resources, such as nuclear DNA analysis. While some fairly opaque and complicated scientific papers may ultimately result from this research, I will endeavour to maintain an up to date commentary of progress in this newsletter, using language that hopefully everyone can understand.

Before we go any further, it’s necessary (at least for those of you who, like me, may have missed a couple of biology classes at school), to run through some of the basic principles involved. We all know that living things are built out of cells. Within the nucleus of each cell lie the famous DNA double-helix “ladders”. Placed end to end, these ladders may contain billions of “rungs”, which are in turn made up of pairs of nucleotides, constructed using only four different chemical molecules, known by the abbreviations A, T, C and G. The pairs of molecules making up each rung of the DNA ladder periodically split and recombine with new molecules. An “A” clips to a “T” and a “C” only pairs with a “G”. Occasionally, there is a copying error (an “A” clips to a “C” for example). This “error” will become permanent, as the DNA replication machinery doesn’t make too many mistakes. The miscreant “C” will in future clip with a “G” and the ladder will have changed forever. This may have catastrophic consequences for the organism involved, or it may not. In some instances it may even bestow a small benefit: this is, in a very simplified sense, explains the random, chemical processes involved in evolution. The evolutionary driver, of course, is natural selection, which is anything but random.

If we take a complete “ladder” from the nucleus of an Aloeides cell and list, in order, the associated molecule-abbreviations from one side, we would have a huge string of letters that look a bit like a computer program except that, instead of combinations of “0” and “1” we would have an assortment of A, T, C and G: this is the genome and it is effectively a blueprint for how to build a butterfly (perhaps, how to build a Wolkberg Russet). Various sections of this design-manual - the genes - contain specific instructions like “provide a small black spot, here”. I’d be very interested to compare the genes involved in, say, genitalia formation, as, for me this would be much simpler (and less subjective) than messing around with a microscope.

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Unfortunately, according to Jonathan Colville, our knowledge of the butterfly genome is not yet sufficiently advanced for us to isolate these sections of the ladder. But watch this space. In the meantime, I’m happy to leave the really complicated stuff (analysis and evaluation of millions of nuclear DNA base-pairs) to Jonathan, Prof Rauri Bowie and the BED team. Fortunately for us, within the Aloeides cells, but outside of the nucleus, are little blobs called mitochondria (see the illustration below). Mitochondria, which generate the energy necessary for the cell to function, are relics of bacteria that were enveloped by cells almost 1.5 billion years ago. Mitochondria also contain DNA, although relatively short strands (containing a few thousand base pairs), which, unlike nuclear DNA, form a ring. Mitochondria arose only once in evolution and their gradual transition over time can be used as a biological clock. Mutations accumulate at a more or less steady rate, so the number of mutations separating two species is correlated to time – the more mutations the longer they have been separated.

A specific, controlled section of this Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) string - 658 characters long - is known as a C01 Barcode (CO1 stands for Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I, if that helps). This particular section was chosen, by some very clever people, for its significant variation and, as a result, it is a great tool for purposes of species-comparison. The mtDNA of Aloeides samples of a given species, from a specific locality is essentially identical. I’m confident that, once the Aloeides Project database has built up an adequate number of records, for a given barcode I will be able to identify not only the species, but the locality from which the butterfly came from.

That’s the easy bit. Now all we need to do is agree on what Aloeides we’ve got in Africa…

As noted in January’s newsletter, I acquired barcodes for 22 Aloeides taxa from BOLD (University of Guelph, Canada). At the same time, I received barcodes from some related genera in the subfamily, such as Tylopaedia, Argyraspodes and Trimenia. With Hermann Staude’s assistance, I’ve managed to access barcodes for a further 14 Aloeides from BOLD and from Genbank. In total - in terms of species - I’ve got 31 Aloeides barcodes out of the current taxonomic list of 57 (54%).

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The basis of my proposed (preliminary) analysis is as follows:

1. The various barcodes are compared with one another. To do this, I first use a nifty program, designed by Andre Coetzer, which creates spaces between each character in the DNA string. Then, using the “Text to Columns” button in MS Excel, the string is rearranged such that each character occupies a cell of its own. Adjacent characters within pairs of strings are then compared using a logical “If” test, to return a “0” if the characters are the same, or a “1” if they are different.

2. We then simply add up the “1”s to obtain the number of character differences and divide by 658 to obtain a percentage. Sometimes a barcode may be short of the full complement of 658 characters. In these instances, I align the two fields (easy enough, as more than 90% of the character sets are identical), trim the longer barcode and divide the resulting number by the reduced number of characters.

3. Once all the various percentage-differences have been calculated, they can be put in a comparison-grid (refer to the next two pages, or click on the link at the bottom of this page). I’ve used conditional formatting to colour the figures as follows: Differences of less than 3.5% (Green) Between 3.5% and 7% (Black) Greater than 7% (Red)

To use the table, select a species from the right hand column and scroll from right to left to compare the genetic differences between your selection and the species listed at the top of the table. Once you reach the black cell on the diagonal (which would contain “0” as you are comparing two identical samples), you track up on the vertical axis and compare your selection with the species listed in the right hand column. Unfortunately, the table is too big to fit on a single page, so I’ve split it in two, which will make using it very difficult in this newsletter. To help you, I’ve attached a link to a complete, A3 sized version (below).

I believe the table is a really valuable tool for comparing Aloeides and it will be vital in the evaluation of large quantities of data once we get more and more records.

Aloeides Grid - Jan 2020

Since I wrote this, Ian Richardson has introduced me to the wonderful world of Pair-wise Differences (PWD) and the Kimura two parameter correction (K2P). While these two methods involve some fairly hectic mathematics, they don’t – with the Aloeides at least – change the proposed grouping or relationships contained in this article in any way. I’m very pleased to announce that Ian has agreed to be a co-author of the ensuing Aloeides phylogeny paper.

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422 457 396 450 456 453 418 407 455 435 402 403 406 397 400 416 412 395 420 409 399 448 458 454 446 452

Aloeides almeida almeida Aloeides aranda Aloeides arida Aloeides bamptoni Aloeides barklyi Aloeides barklyi Aloeides caledoni Aloeides carolynnae Aloeides carolynnae conradsi Aloeides talboti damarensis Aloeides damarensis damarensis Aloeides damarensis damarensis Aloeides damarensis dentatis Aloeides maseruna depicta Aloeides dicksoni Aloeides dryas Aloeides henningi Aloeides henningi Aloeides henningi Aloeides juana Aloeides kaplani Aloeides lutescens Aloeides margaretae Aloeides monticola Aloeides nollothi Aloeides

6.14% 6.08% 6.23% 6.53% 6.38% 6.55% 6.69% 6.08% 6.14% 6.84% 6.81% 6.84% 7.60% 6.23% 6.99% 6.38% 3.04% 2.89% 3.04% 6.84% 7.14% 6.53% 6.23% 7.45% 6.84% 1.37% 7.45% 7.75% 8.05% 8.42% 7.75% 7.45% 7.89% 8.66% 8.82% 8.66% 8.36% 7.60% 8.36% 7.75% 5.93% 5.78% 5.62% 7.90% 8.21% 7.90% 7.60% 8.51% 7.90%

7.45% 7.90% 8.36% 8.74% 8.05% 8.21% 7.72% 8.81% 8.98% 8.81% 8.66% 7.75% 8.66% 8.05% 6.08% 6.23% 6.08% 8.21% 8.51% 8.21% 7.75% 8.81% 8.21%

4.41% 4.26% 4.52% 3.95% 4.10% 8.07% 8.36% 8.51% 8.36% 4.26% 4.26% 3.95% 3.34% 6.38% 6.38% 6.53% 4.56% 4.71% 3.95% 4.56% 5.02% 3.80% 4.26% 4.52% 2.74% 2.13% 8.60% 9.12% 9.29% 9.12% 3.80% 1.06% 3.50% 2.89% 6.84% 6.53% 6.69% 3.19% 3.80% 3.04% 1.22% 4.10% 3.34%

0.47% 3.95% 4.26% 9.12% 8.36% 8.51% 8.36% 4.56% 4.10% 4.26% 3.65% 6.38% 6.84% 6.99% 4.26% 4.10% 3.65% 4.41% 4.26% 4.10% 4.52% 4.52% 9.76% 8.74% 8.74% 8.74% 5.15% 4.37% 4.52% 3.90% 6.71% 7.18% 7.33% 4.84% 4.68% 4.21% 4.68% 4.84% 4.68%

2.58% 8.60% 8.51% 8.67% 8.51% 1.82% 2.43% 2.13% 1.82% 6.84% 6.69% 6.84% 1.52% 1.82% 1.22% 2.43% 2.13% 1.37% 8.95% 8.81% 8.98% 8.81% 3.04% 1.67% 2.74% 2.13% 6.08% 5.78% 5.93% 2.74% 3.04% 2.28% 1.98% 3.34% 2.58%

7.72% 7.72% 7.72% 8.60% 8.42% 8.42% 7.72% 6.14% 5.96% 6.14% 8.60% 8.77% 8.60% 8.07% 9.12% 8.07% 0.00% 0.30% 9.57% 8.51% 8.97% 8.36% 6.53% 6.99% 6.69% 8.51% 8.81% 8.36% 8.81% 8.97% 8.81%

0.31% 9.75% 8.67% 9.13% 8.51% 6.66% 7.12% 6.81% 8.67% 8.98% 8.51% 8.98% 9.13% 8.98%

9.57% 8.51% 8.97% 8.36% 6.53% 6.99% 6.69% 8.51% 8.81% 8.36% 8.81% 8.97% 8.81% 3.19% 1.82% 1.52% 7.14% 7.29% 7.45% 2.13% 1.82% 1.82% 3.50% 2.13% 1.06%

2.89% 2.28% 6.53% 6.23% 6.38% 2.89% 2.89% 2.43% 0.76% 3.19% 2.74% 0.61% 6.84% 6.99% 7.14% 2.43% 2.13% 2.13% 3.19% 2.43% 1.37% KEY TO COLOUR CODING: 6.23% 6.38% 6.53% 2.13% 1.82% 1.82% 2.58% 2.13% 1.06% 1.52% 1.22% 6.38% 6.38% 6.08% 6.53% 6.69% 6.69% <= 3.5% GREEN 0.61% 6.53% 6.84% 6.23% 6.23% 7.14% 6.84%

6.38% 6.69% 6.08% 6.38% 6.99% 6.99% Closely related species, 1.82% 0.61% 2.89% 2.13% 1.67% same species and subspecies 1.52% 3.50% 0.30% 1.67% 2.74% 1.82% 1.37% 3.80% 3.04% > 3.5% BLACK <= 7.0% 1.98%

Different species within the Aloeides genus, not particularly closely related

RED > 7.0%

Significant genetic differences; possible justification for subgenera in future taxonomic review

TABLE INDICATING PERCENTAGE DIFFERENCES IN CO1 BARCODES BETWEEN 48 ALOEIDES SAMPLES (34 TAXA)

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411 440 438 436 442 444 451 461 408 459 413 415 398 404 410 460 414 419 401 405 421 417

Aloeides nubilus nubilus Aloeides pallida Aloeides jonathani pallida Aloeides lilversidgei pallida Aloeides littoralis elandsberg* Aloeides pallida Aloeides pallida penningtoni Aloeides pierus Aloeides pierus Aloeides simplex Aloeides simplex Aloeides susanae Aloeides swanepoeli Aloeides taikosama Aloeides taikosama Aloeides thyra thyra Aloeides thyra thyra Aloeides thyra thyra Aloeides titei Aloeides titei Aloeides trimeni Aloeides trimeni trimeni Aloeides trimeni

5.78% 7.75% 7.29% 7.14% 6.84% 7.29% 6.84% 4.41% 4.26% 6.69% 6.69% 0.91% 4.95% 6.19% 4.49% 7.29% 7.02% 6.84% 6.99% 7.29% 3.68% 3.72% Aloeides almeida 422

7.14% 8.81% 8.36% 8.21% 7.90% 8.36% 7.60% 6.38% 6.38% 8.05% 8.05% 5.62% 7.28% 7.90% 7.08% 8.45% 8.21% 9.08% 7.75% 8.05% 6.28% 6.60% Aloeides aranda 457

7.60% 9.12% 8.66% 8.51% 8.21% 8.66% 7.90% 6.69% 6.69% 8.36% 8.36% 6.08% 7.43% 7.45% 6.91% 8.77% 8.77% 8.51% 8.05% 8.36% 6.43% 6.77% Aloeides aranda 396

3.95% 5.32% 4.86% 4.41% 4.41% 4.56% 3.95% 6.23% 6.23% 3.65% 3.65% 5.78% 7.59% 7.29% 6.74% 4.94% 4.71% 5.51% 3.80% 4.10% 6.58% 6.77% Aloeides arida 450

1.98% 4.41% 3.95% 3.50% 3.19% 3.65% 3.19% 6.69% 6.69% 3.19% 3.19% 6.08% 8.20% 8.05% 7.43% 3.83% 3.65% 4.38% 3.04% 3.50% 7.35% 7.61% Aloeides bamptoni 456

4.26% 4.71% 4.26% 4.10% 4.10% 4.26% 3.80% 6.38% 6.38% 3.95% 3.95% 6.23% 8.05% 7.60% 7.25% 4.63% 4.41% 5.19% 3.95% 4.26% 7.04% 7.28% Aloeides barklyi 453 4.52% 5.30% 4.84% 4.68% 4.68% 4.84% 4.37% 6.71% 6.71% 4.21% 4.21% 6.40% 8.58% 7.96% 7.25% 4.78% 4.99% 5.35% 4.52% 4.84% 7.39% 7.28% Aloeides barklyi 418

2.13% 2.43% 1.98% 1.82% 1.37% 1.67% 1.37% 6.69% 6.69% 1.82% 1.82% 6.23% 7.89% 7.75% 7.25% 2.07% 1.98% 2.76% 1.22% 1.52% 7.20% 7.28% Aloeides caledoni 407 1.37% 3.65% 3.19% 2.74% 2.74% 2.89% 3.04% 6.53% 6.53% 2.43% 2.43% 5.62% 7.89% 8.05% 7.08% 3.03% 2.89% 3.57% 2.89% 3.04% 7.20% 7.45% Aloeides carolynnae carolynnae 455

8.42% 9.30% 8.95% 8.77% 8.77% 8.95% 8.42% 5.96% 5.79% 7.89% 7.89% 5.96% 5.20% 5.44% 3.89% 9.09% 8.77% 9.45% 8.60% 8.60% 4.74% 5.00% Aloeides conradsi talboti 435

8.66% 9.12% 8.97% 8.81% 8.36% 8.97% 8.66% 5.78% 6.08% 8.66% 8.66% 6.99% 5.42% 6.38% 6.22% 8.93% 8.66% 9.40% 8.81% 8.97% 4.90% 5.41% Aloeides damarensis damarensis 402

8.82% 9.29% 9.13% 8.98% 8.51% 9.13% 8.82% 5.88% 6.19% 8.82% 8.82% 8.82% 5.42% 6.50% 6.22% 8.93% 8.67% 9.40% 8.98% 9.13% 4.90% 5.41% Aloeides damarensis damarensis 403

8.66% 9.12% 8.97% 8.81% 8.36% 8.97% 8.66% 5.78% 6.08% 8.66% 8.66% 6.99% 5.42% 6.38% 6.22% 8.93% 8.66% 9.40% 8.81% 8.97% 4.90% 5.41% Aloeides damarensis damarensis 406

2.89% 2.43% 1.98% 1.82% 2.28% 1.67% 1.37% 7.60% 7.60% 1.52% 1.52% 6.84% 8.36% 8.05% 7.25% 2.39% 2.28% 3.08% 1.22% 1.22% 8.27% 8.29% maseruna 397

1.98% 3.50% 3.04% 2.58% 2.89% 2.74% 2.89% 6.23% 6.23% 2.58% 2.58% 5.78% 7.59% 7.90% 7.25% 3.19% 3.04% 3.73% 2.74% 2.89% 7.04% 7.28% Aloeides depicta 400

2.58% 2.74% 2.28% 2.13% 2.58% 1.98% 1.98% 6.99% 6.99% 0.61% 0.61% 6.53% 8.05% 7.60% 7.08% 2.71% 2.58% 3.40% 1.82% 1.82% 7.66% 8.12% Aloeides dicksoni 416 1.98% 2.43% 1.98% 1.52% 2.28% 1.67% 1.67% 6.38% 6.38% 0.30% 0.30% 5.93% 7.43% 7.14% 6.39% 2.39% 2.28% 3.08% 1.52% 1.52% 7.04% 7.45% Aloeides dryas 412 5.78% 6.99% 6.53% 6.38% 6.38% 6.53% 6.38% 4.71% 4.56% 6.53% 6.53% 3.19% 4.80% 6.08% 5.01% 6.38% 6.08% 6.81% 6.53% 6.84% 3.52% 3.89% Aloeides henningi 395

5.47% 7.45% 6.99% 6.84% 6.53% 6.99% 6.84% 4.56% 4.41% 6.69% 6.69% 3.04% 5.26% 6.53% 5.01% 6.86% 6.53% 7.29% 6.99% 6.99% 3.83% 3.72% Aloeides henningi 420

5.62% 7.29% 6.84% 6.69% 6.38% 6.84% 6.69% 4.71% 4.56% 6.84% 6.84% 3.19% 4.95% 6.53% 5.18% 6.70% 6.38% 7.13% 6.84% 6.84% 3.68% 3.89% Aloeides henningi 409 2.28% 2.43% 1.98% 1.82% 0.15% 1.67% 1.98% 7.29% 7.29% 2.13% 2.13% 6.38% 7.59% 7.90% 7.08% 0.80% 0.76% 1.46% 1.82% 2.13% 7.35% 7.61% Aloeides juana 399

2.89% 0.61% 0.15% 0.30% 1.98% 0.15% 1.67% 7.14% 7.14% 1.82% 1.82% 6.69% 7.89% 8.21% 7.43% 2.07% 1.98% 2.76% 1.82% 1.82% 7.66% 7.95% Aloeides kaplani 448 2.13% 2.13% 1.67% 1.52% 0.46% 1.37% 1.67% 6.69% 6.69% 1.82% 1.82% 6.08% 7.12% 7.75% 6.91% 0.80% 0.76% 1.46% 1.52% 1.82% 6.89% 7.11% Aloeides lutescens 458 1.82% 4.10% 3.65% 3.19% 2.89% 3.34% 2.89% 6.69% 6.69% 2.89% 2.89% 5.78% 7.89% 7.90% 7.25% 3.51% 3.34% 4.05% 2.74% 3.19% 7.04% 7.45% Aloeides margaretae 454 3.19% 0.91% 0.46% 0.61% 2.28% 0.46% 1.98% 7.29% 7.29% 2.13% 2.13% 6.99% 8.20% 8.51% 7.77% 2.39% 2.28% 3.08% 2.13% 2.13% 7.96% 8.29% Aloeides monticola 446

2.43% 2.28% 1.82% 1.67% 1.82% 1.52% 1.52% 6.84% 6.84% 1.06% 1.06% 6.08% 7.59% 7.29% 6.39% 1.59% 1.52% 2.27% 1.37% 1.37% 7.50% 7.78% Aloeides nollothi 452 3.50% 3.04% 2.58% 2.28% 2.74% 2.58% 6.53% 6.53% 2.28% 2.28% 5.32% 7.59% 7.45% 6.39% 2.87% 2.74% 3.57% 2.43% 2.89% 6.89% 7.28% Aloeides nubilus 411

0.46% 0.91% 2.58% 0.76% 2.28% 7.75% 7.75% 2.43% 2.43% 7.29% 8.51% 8.81% 8.12% 2.71% 2.58% 3.40% 2.43% 2.43% 8.27% 8.63% Aloeides pallida jonathani 440 0.46% 2.13% 0.30% 1.82% 7.29% 7.29% 1.98% 1.98% 6.84% 8.05% 8.36% 7.60% 2.23% 2.13% 2.92% 1.98% 1.98% 7.81% 8.12% Aloeides pallida lilversidgei 438 1.98% 0.15% 1.98% 7.14% 7.14% 1.82% 1.82% 6.69% 7.89% 8.21% 7.43% 2.07% 1.98% 2.76% 1.82% 1.82% 7.66% 7.95% Aloeides pallida littoralis 436

1.82% 1.82% 7.14% 7.14% 2.28% 2.28% 6.38% 7.43% 8.05% 7.25% 0.96% 0.91% 1.62% 1.67% 2.28% 7.20% 7.45% Aloeides elandsberg* 442 1.82% 7.29% 7.29% 1.67% 1.67% 6.84% 8.05% 8.36% 7.60% 1.91% 1.82% 2.59% 1.67% 1.67% 7.81% 8.12% Aloeides pallida pallida 444

6.84% 6.84% 1.67% 1.67% 6.08% 7.43% 7.75% 6.91% 2.55% 2.43% 3.24% 0.15% 0.76% 7.20% 7.45% Aloeides penningtoni 451 0.46% 6.69% 6.69% 4.10% 4.64% 6.53% 4.84% 7.34% 7.14% 7.78% 6.99% 7.29% 3.52% 3.55% Aloeides pierus 461

6.69% 6.69% 3.95% 4.64% 6.53% 4.84% 7.34% 7.14% 7.78% 6.99% 7.29% 3.37% 3.38% Aloeides pierus 408 0.00% 6.23% 7.74% 7.45% 6.56% 2.39% 2.28% 3.08% 1.52% 1.52% 7.35% 7.61% Aloeides simplex 459

6.23% 7.74% 7.45% 6.56% 2.39% 2.28% 3.08% 1.52% 1.52% 7.35% 7.61% Aloeides simplex 413

5.26% 6.08% 4.15% 6.54% 6.38% 6.81% 6.23% 6.53% 3.68% 3.72% Aloeides susanae 415 5.73% 4.32% 7.66% 7.59% 8.10% 7.59% 8.05% 2.96% 3.05% Aloeides swanepoeli 398

1.73% 8.45% 8.05% 8.91% 7.90% 7.75% 4.44% 4.91% Aloeides taikosama 404 7.08% 7.08% 7.60% 7.08% 7.25% 3.28% 3.11% Aloeides taikosama 410

0.00% 0.64% 2.39% 2.39% 7.56% 7.46% Aloeides thyra thyra 460

0.00% 2.28% 2.39% 7.56% 7.46% Aloeides thyra thyra 414

3.08% 3.08% 8.01% 7.93% Aloeides thyra thyra 419

0.61% 7.35% 7.61% Aloeides titei 401 7.81% 7.95% Aloeides titei 405

0.68% Aloeides trimeni trimeni 421 Aloeides trimeni trimeni 417

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What difference in mtDNA is sufficient to distinguish between species? The way I see it, diverging butterfly populations will reach a point – an event horizon if you like – at which stage hybridization will no longer be possible, or at least, will be very unlikely.

There doesn’t seem to be a consistent answer – in terms of mtDNA - as to what this difference should be and the appropriate number may vary from genus to genus.

“Phylogenetic systematics of and associated genera” (Nazari et al, 2011), indicates that 4% is a significant difference in Colotis and 2% possibly sits in the realm of subspecies. I’d argue that 4% is a very significant difference in Aloeides and that an appropriate “event horizon” is less than half of this. Aloeides dryas Elandshoogte, A good starting point is to check samples of clearly different species that occur at the same locality. I don’t have too many examples of this yet; the best I can find is Aloeides dryas and Aloeides nubilus, which fly together at Elandshoogte, Mpumalanga. The mtDNA difference between these two species is 1.98%. There is no indication of any cross-breeding and I don’t believe anyone would seriously suggest that they represent anything other than two different species.

The question is, how much closer would their barcodes have to be, in order for them to be considered sympatric populations, capable of interbreeding and producing viable offspring? I’d rather err on the side of caution here: from a butterfly Aloeides nubilus conservation perspective, it’s far better to conserve populations Elandshoogte, Mpumalanga on the basis that they may be special, than to do the reverse and to discover, too late, that you have – perhaps avoidably - lost a butterfly forever.

As an engineering solution, I suggest that we apply a factor of safety of 1.5 to the Elandshoogte figure and use the resulting percentage difference of 1.32 as representing the “event horizon”. Let’s make 1.5% the splitting point for species, but allow a further 0.75% leeway for subspecies in cases where geographically separated - but superficially similar - taxa exist.

Admittedly the above figures are, partly, an attempt to accommodate existing taxonomy, but I believe they represent a reasonable starting point for the Aloeides.

Ian Richardson has pointed out the absence of a link between mtDNA barcode differences (which reflect the duration of separation between populations) and evolution of nuclear DNA which ultimately governs speciation. With a genus such as Aloeides however, which appears to be rapidly radiating and evolving, it seems reasonable to assume that there will be some relationship between nuclear DNA evolution and the time available for this evolution to take place: this at least forms the basis for the initial phase of this study.

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In terms of the principal Aloeides species groups, with respect to underside appearance, they seem to come in three flavours: “Patterned” (Aloeides dentatis for example), “Plain” (A. almeida) and “Speckled” (A. trimeni). An increment of 3.5% appears to separate these three groups rather neatly.

PATTERNED PLAIN SPECKLED

Aloeides rossouwi Aloeides henningi Aloeides swanepoeli (Dindela, ) (Glenharvie, Gauteng) (Wolkberg, Limpopo)

As a result, I propose the following bracketing criteria:

Subspecies: mtDNA differences exceeding 0.75%, but less than 1.5%.

Species: differences of less than 1.5%. There may be some fairly tough decisions to make in the 0.75% to 1.5% range - this is where most of the contentious mtDNA comparisons seem to occur.

Species groups (possible subgenera): differences in excess of 3.5%.

We will now be able to calculate how close various Russets are to each other, but in order to construct a family tree we also need to have some kind of time frame - which species are descended from which?

To achieve this I’ve compared the differences in mtDNA with a common ancestor: Tylopaedia sardonyx. I’ve based the assumption that Tylopaedia is ancestral to Aloeides on a paper from Boyle et al “Phylogeny of the Aphnaeinae”, and also from the brief phylogeny that BOLD produced for me, when they sequenced my Aloeides samples. Tylopaedia sardonyx sardonyx Fortunately, I’ve got a barcode for Tylopaedia sardonyx sardonyx and have listed the percentage differences, in order, below:

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COMPARISON OF ALOEIDES WITH TYLOPAEDIA SARDONYX SARDONYX 442 Aloeides pallida pallida 9.13% REF TAXA % 399 Aloeides juana 8.98% 435 Aloeides conradsi talboti 12.43% 401 Aloeides titei 8.98% 402 Aloeides damarensis damarensis 12.13% 405 Aloeides titei 8.98% 403 Aloeides damarensis damarensis 12.13% 450 Aloeides arida 8.82% 406 Aloeides damarensis damarensis 11.81% 451 Aloeides penningtoni 8.82% 398 Aloeides swanepoeli 11.50% 456 Aloeides bamptoni 8.82% 404 Aloeides taikosama 11.50% 407 Aloeides caledoni 8.66% 396 Aloeides aranda 11.34% 438 Aloeides pallida lilversidgei 8.66% 421 Aloeides trimeni trimeni 11.17% 444 Aloeides pallida pallida 8.66% 457 Aloeides aranda 11.02% 446 Aloeides monticola 8.66% 417 Aloeides trimeni trimeni 10.79% 453 Aloeides barklyi 8.66% 395 Aloeides henningi 10.39% 458 Aloeides lutescens 8.66% 420 Aloeides henningi 10.39% 400 Aloeides depicta 8.50% 410 Aloeides taikosama 10.36% 418 Aloeides barklyi 8.50% 409 Aloeides henningi 10.24% 436 Aloeides pallida littoralis 8.50% 408 Aloeides pierus 10.08% 448 Aloeides kaplani 8.50% 461 Aloeides pierus 10.08% 454 Aloeides margaretae 8.50% 460 Aloeides thyra thyra 10.05% 416 Aloeides dicksoni 8.45% 422 Aloeides almeida 9.76% 452 Aloeides nollothi 8.35% 415 Aloeides susanae 9.57% 413 Aloeides simplex 8.19% 414 Aloeides thyra thyra 9.25% 459 Aloeides simplex 8.19% 397 Aloeides dentatis maseruna 9.13% 411 Aloeides nubilus 7.87% 419 Aloeides thyra thyra 9.13% 412 Aloeides dryas 7.87% 440 Aloeides pallida jonathani 9.13%

It seems a reasonable assumption, to me, that the smaller the number in the table, the more closely related the Aloeides will be to T. sardonyx and vice versa. Hence Aloeides dryas is the most ancient of the Aloeides (at least the most ancient of the species that have been sequenced to date) and the genus has radiated from an ancestor of this taxon. At the other extreme, Aloeides conradsi is the most recent and highly evolved member of the genus.

Aloeides aranda, A. arida, A. damarensis, A.barklyi and A. conradsi have no close relatives (species with barcodes of similarity less than 3.5%). I believe that they all represent evolutionary dead-ends, based on the fact that you are twice as likely to have close relatives if you have ancestors and descendants.

From the above, I’ve produced a preliminary family tree, including some suggested species groups (Figure 1 on the last page). The species groups are named after the median representative of the group (the “average” member), rather than the ancestral taxon. The titles of the groups may change as new – and possibly more suitable – species are added to the database. Theoretically, a species group could exhibit mtDNA differences of 7% as they will lie within 3.5% of the species after which the group is named.

Some general comments (and a few preliminary observations):

1. There appears to be an evolutionary trend from patterned undersides (A. dryas), to plain undersides (A. henningi) and finally to speckled undersides (A. damarensis, A. barklyi). All the green-shoots of the tree that I’ve constructed have speckled undersides, with the exception of A. aranda - which I guess is a bit speckled.

2. In general, the more recently evolved species (A. aranda for example), have wider distributions than their ancestors, such as A. caledoni. The Almeida and Trimeni group representatives are somewhere in between.

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3. A few members of the “patterned” group exhibit hill-topping tendencies (Aloeides thyra, A. dryas and A. oreas for example). This probably reflects their relative closeness to Tylopaedia sardonyx. Hill-topping seems to have been abandoned as a mate-location strategy in the more evolved “plain” and “speckled” groups, although “lekking” (territorial behaviour by males, within relatively small “male-showgrounds”) is practiced by some species, such as A. barklyi.

4. On a barcode-comparison level, I can’t see much justification for splitting A. titei and A. penningtoni (it will be interesting to see how A. rossouwi fares in the Aloeides Project calculation, once a barcode has been obtained). Conversely, there are probably several different taxa currently called A. henningi and A. taikosama…

5. Aloeides suzanae from the Northern Drakensberg, is probably a subspecies of A. almeida. It’s possible that A. suzanae from the KZN Midlands is also very close to A. almeida, but I haven’t received the barcodes yet (they have been submitted to BED).

6. I’ve got a barcode for A. pallida pallida from Elandsberg, (Ladismith, Western Cape) which seems to be much closer to A. caledoni (from Molteno Pass) than A. pallida pallida from Lootsberg Pass (the type locality for this taxon – Steynsburg – is 100 km from Lootsberg). I’ve called the Elandsberg butterfly “A. elandsberg” for the purposes of this exercise. If we want to split the Pallidas into subspecies, there doesn’t seem much sense in excluding A. kaplani and A. monticola, which fall comfortably within the Pallida envelope. A. pallida jonathani is the most “unusual” of the Pallidas for which I’ve received barcodes to date. Unfortunately, the BOLD data is mixed up: they have A. p. jonathani from Baviaansberg and A. p. liversidgei from Kammanassie. I’ve got a recent specimen of A. p. jonathani so I can check this.

7. In all instances where I’ve got barcodes from the same localities, the sequences are either identical, or vary by two base-pairs or less (0.3%). To keep the Aloeides comparison grid to a manageable size, I may start excluding duplications of species with relatively similar barcodes (obviously the data won’t be discarded). In terms of a Haplotype - a model genetic representative - I will use the sample that occurs geographically closest to the type locality of the species concerned.

8. The “patterned” Russets (Caledoni group), form by far the largest box and contain 23 of the 34 taxa for which I’ve got barcodes (67%). It also seems to be by far the most complicated group – this is where the heavy artillery may be necessary. Most of the results make some sort of sense to me, apart from a few obvious problems in the Caledoni group, A. simplex and A. dicksoni for example. I’m fairly sure of the A. simplex barcode, as I got a second sample from Genbank which was identical to mine from Witsand. I’d like to recheck A. dicksoni.

My initial feeling is that mtDNA works brilliantly as a broad-brush, but that additional resources – extensive nuclear DNA evaluation and traditional taxonomic studies may be necessary to paint the more intricate parts of the picture.

Anyway, this is an exciting journey that we’ve embarked on and I fully intend to keep you fully posted in the months ahead!

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The immediate objectives are as follows:

1. We need to obtain - at least – barcodes for a further 20 taxa before we can submit the initial scientific paper to Metamorphosis. My initial, minimum specification was 60 taxa (80% of the current Aloeides list of 75). I’m hopeful that BED will provide, perhaps 5 further barcodes; refer to the list – in January’s newsletter - of taxa for which I both don’t have barcodes and samples haven’t been submitted to BED. Next season, I intend to systematically track down as many of these missing pieces of the puzzle as possible.

2. I’ve attached a link to the report, generated by the Aloeides Project database, which covers the samples for which I’ve acquired C01 barcodes and have photographs and locality information – all these specimens are contained in the Aloeides Project reference collection, which is stored at my place. Almost all the barcodes that I’ve acquired from Genbank (or BOLD, other than for the ATLEP Project) have no photographs and contain locality data such as “” and no coordinates. Ideally, I’d like to replace all these samples. Please go through the data sheets and get back to me with any comments: your identification of the specimens contained in the Aloeides Project database is central to this LepSoc Africa initiative. You will find the Aloeides Project reference number at the top right corner of the pages. Photographs are to scale; if printed at A4 size the images will have double the wingspan of the specimen (the wingspan is also indicated beneath the title at the top of the page). If the project is successful – as I’m sure it will be – there are many more genera awaiting a similar approach…

3. Subsequent to the initial Aloeides phylogeny paper – and perhaps, associated taxonomic revisions – we will continue to collect and sequence Aloeides samples; the ultimate objective is to obtain genetic material of all Aloeides from all localities. The Aloeides Project is, I believe, is a great example of a “never to be completed” undertaking!

Report - Jan 2020

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)

)

A. conradsi

A. damarensis

Conradsi Group Conradsi

Damarensis Group Damarensis

(Within 3.5% of

(Within 3.5% of

Aloeides Aloeides conradsi conradsi

Aloeides damarensis Aloeides damarensis damarensis

)

)

)

)

)

)

A. trimeni

A. aranda

A. trimeni trimeni

A. taikosama

A. swanepoeli

A. pierus

Aranda Group Aranda

Trimeni Group Trimeni

(Within 3.5% of

(Within 3.5% of

Aloeides Aloeides trimeni trimeni

Aloeides Aloeides taikosama

Aloeides swanepoeli Aloeides swanepoeli

Aloeides Aloeides pierus

(Within 1.5% of

Trimeni subgroup Trimeni

(Within 1.5% of

Taikosama subgroup Taikosama

(Within 1.5% of

Swanepoeli subgroup Swanepoeli

(Within 1.5% of

Pierus subgroup

Aloeides Aloeides aranda

Aloeides

)

)

)

)

)

A. arida

A. barklyi

A. almeida

A. henningi

A. almeida

Arida Group Arida

species species groups Figure1 Preliminary

Barklyi Group

Almeida Almeida Group

(Within 3.5% of

(Within 3.5% of

(Within 3.5% of

Aloeides henningi Aloeides henningi

Aloeides Aloeides susanae

Aloeides almeida Aloeides almeida

Aloeides arida Aloeides arida

(Within 1.5% of

Henningi subgroup Henningi

(Within 1.5% of

Almeida Almeida subgroup

Aloeides Aloeides barklyi

)

)

)

" from

)

)

)

)

)

A. caledoni

A. thyra

A. simplex

A. p. lilversidgei

A. nubilus

A. dryas

A. depicta

A. caledoni

Caledoni Group Caledoni

Aloeides pallida pallida Aloeides pallida

(Within 3.5% of

Aloeides thyra thyra Aloeides thyra

Aloeides Aloeides lutescens

Aloeides juana Aloeides juana

Aloeides Aloeides dicksoni

Aloeides Aloeides simplex

Aloeides pallida pallida Aloeides pallida

Aloeides pallida littoralisAloeides pallida

Aloeides pallida lilversidgei Aloeides pallida

Aloeides pallida jonathani Aloeides pallida

Aloeides Aloeides monticola

Aloeides Aloeides kaplani

Aloeides carolynnae carolynnae Aloeides carolynnae

Aloeides Aloeides nubilus

Aloeides Aloeides titei

Aloeides Aloeides penningtoni

Aloeides Aloeides nollothi

Aloeides dryas Aloeides dryas

Aloeides Aloeides dentatis maseruna

Aloeides Aloeides margaretae

Aloeides Aloeides depicta

Aloeides Aloeides bamptoni

Aloeides Aloeides elandsberg*

Aloeides caledoni Aloeides caledoni

* * "

Elandsberg, Ladismith,Elandsberg, W Cape

(Within 1.5% of

Thyra subgroup Thyra

(Within 1.5% of

Simplex subgroup

(Within 1.5% of

Pallida Pallida subgroup

(Within 1.5% of

Nubilus subgroup Nubilus

(Within 1.5% of

Dryas Dryas subgroup

(Within 1.5% of

Depicta Depicta subgroup

(Within 1.5% of Caledoni subgroup Caledoni

20

Updated classification of the Afrotropical Hesperiidae (Mark Williams)

Below is the classification for the African hesperiids at the beginning of 2020. Recent changes are highlighted in yellow.

Relevant literature:

CONG. Q, ZHANG, J., SHEN, J. & GRISHIN, N.V. 2019. Fifty new genera of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera). Insecta Mundi 0731: 1-56.

LI, W., CONG, Q., SHEN, J., ZHANG, J., HALLWACHS, W., JANZEN, D.H. & GRISHIN, N.V. 2019. Genomes of butterflies reveal extensive convergence of wing patterns. www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1821304116. SI Appendix to "Genomes of skipper butterflies reveal extensive convergence of wing patterns" by Wenlin Li, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Jing Zhang, Winnie Hallwachs, Daniel H. Janzen and Nick V. Grishin. www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1821304116.

FAMILY HESPERIIDAE Latreille, 1809

There are 622 species in 94 genera in the Afrotropical Region.

Subfamily Evans, 1937. Afrotropical genera: Coeliades, Takliades, Pyrrhiades, Pyrrhochalcia.

Subfamily Tagiadinae Mabille, 1878.

Tribe Celaenorrhinini Swinhoe, 1912. Afrotropical genera: Ortholexis, Katreus, Celaenorrhinus, Scopulifera, Bettonula, Apallaga, Eretis, Sarangesa, Alenia, Triskelionia.

Tribe Tagiadini Mabille, 1878. Afrotropical genera: Eagris, Procampta, Calleagris, Kobelana, Tagiades, Netrobalane, Caprona, Leucochitonea, Abantis.

Subfamily Pyrginae Burmeister, 1878

Tribe Carcharodini Verity, 1940. Afrotropical genera: Gomalia, Carcharodus, Spialia.

Subfamily Heteropterinae Aurivillius, [1925].

Tribe Heteropterini Aurivillius, 1925. Afrotropical genera: Metisella, Hovala, Willema.

Subfamily Hesperiinae Latreille, 1809 Tribe Aeromachini Tutt, 1906. Afrotropical genus: Ampittia.

Tribe Ceratrichiini Grishin, 2019. Afrotropical genera: Ceratrichia, Ceratricula, Argemma, Meza, Herila, Pardaleodes, Ankola.

Tribe Astictopterini Swinhoe, 1912. Afrotropical genus: Astictopterus, Nervia, Isoteinon, Dotta, Lissia, Xanthonymus.

Tribe Gretnini Grishin, 2019. Afrotropical genus: Gretna.

21

Tribe Hesperiini Latreille, 1809. Afrotropical genera: Tsitana, Lepella, Arnetta, Prosopalpus, Kedestes, Fulda, Gorgyra, Gyrogra, Teniorhinus, Flandria, Hollandus, Xanthodisca, Acada, Rhabdomantis, Osmodes, , Osphantes, Acleros, Paracleros, Semalea, Hypoleucis, Paronymus, Andronymus, Malaza, Perrotia, Ploetzia, Moltena, Chondrolepis, Zophopetes, Gamia, Artitropa, Mopala, Pteroteinon, Leona, , Monza, Melphina, Melphinyet, Noctulana, Fresna, Platylesches.

Tribe Erionotini Distant, 1886. Afrotropical genus: Erionota.

Tribe Baorini Doherty, 1886. Afrotropical genera: Brusa, Zenonia, Gegenes, Afrogegenes, Parnara, Borbo, Larsenia, Pelopidas.

Species moved to new genera:

Coeliades ramanatek to Takliades Grishin, 2019. Metisella willemi to WillemaGrishin, 2019. Metisella tsadicus to Willema Grishin, 2019. Metisella angolana to Willema Grishin, 2019. Metisella kumbona to Willema Grishin, 2019. Metisella carsoni to Willema Grishin, 2019. Metisella formosus to Willema Grishin, 2019. Metisella perexcellens to Willema Grishin, 2019. Ceratrichia argyrosticta to Argemma Grishin, 2019. Ceratrichia aurea to Argemma Grishin, 2019. Ceratrichia maesseni to Argemma Grishin, 2019. Ceratrichia mabirensis to Argemma Grishin, 2019. Ceratrichia bonga to Argemma Grishin, 2019. Kedestes nerva to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes mohozutza to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes protensa to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes chaca to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes heathi to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes ekouyi to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes michaeli to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes monostichus to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes nancy to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Kedestes pinheyi to Nervia Grishin, 2019. Astictopterus abjecta to Isoteinon C. and R. Felder, 1862. Astictopterus stellata to Dotta Grishin, 2019. Kedestes callicles to Dotta Grishin, 2019. Leona lissa to Lissia Grishin, 2019. Leona leuhderi to Lissia Grishin, 2019. Paronymus xanthioides to Xanthonymus Grishin, 2019. Xanthodisca astrape to Xanthonymus Grishin, 2019.

22

A new locality record for Acraea trimeni Katharina Reddig, of Swakopmund, , recently found Kalahari Acraea (Acraea trimeni) at the Erongo Mountains, Namibia. This is about 160 km northwest of Windhoek, as a crow flies. According to Afrotropical Butterflies, other Namibian records for this butterfly include Rehoboth (which is the Type locality), Eros Mountains near Windhoek and Tsumeb. Acraea trimeni Erongo, Namibia (Katharina Reddig) Locusts in Kenya (Steve Collins)

Steve Collins reports that the Pioneer Caper White (Belenois aurota) migration was also evident in Kenya, although perhaps not to the same degree as further south. More alarmingly, Desert Locusts (Schistocerca gregaria), which have not been seen in significant numbers in Kenya since the 1950’s, are present and are eating everything - including

Belenois aurota. Desert Locust Nairobi, Kenya According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United (Steve Collins) Nations (FAO), the situation is a concern: “The current Desert Locust situation represents an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the Horn of Africa. This will be further exacerbated by new breeding that has commenced, which will cause more locust infestations. In Kenya, immature swarms continue to arrive in the northeast and move throughout northern and central areas, having invaded 13 counties to date. Some swarms have started to lay eggs that will hatch in early February and new swarms could start to form by early April in northern counties. Although a few swarms have reached the Rift Valley, they are likely to remain in northern areas. Aerial and ground control operations are in progress but need upscaling. Further movements are expected in Turkana and central counties”.

Confused Charaxes (Steve Collins)

Steve forwarded me this amazing photo of a mating pair of Charaxes, which would not be that unusual except that the female is White-barred Charaxes (Charaxes brutus) and the male is Green-veined Charaxes (Charaxes candiope). Mating Charaxes brutus and Charaxes candiope This is not the first time that Steve has encountered this Nairobi, Kenya behaviour: he reared eggs from the female, but they resulted in (Steve Collins) normal Charaxes brutus, which probably means that she had mated – with her own species – beforehand.

23

Caper White capers As noted on Page 1, the Belenois aurota migration of January and February this year appears to have been the largest in more than 50 years. This butterfly has been commonly known as the Brown-veined White in South Africa, however throughout much of its range – India and Pakistan for example – the butterfly is called the Pioneer or Caper White. Torben Larsen refers to it as Caper White in Butterflies of West Africa and Steve Woodhall uses Pioneer Caper White in the recently published second edition of his field guide. This is the current “placeholder” in the English naming project (refer to Page 50). To standardize LepSoc Africa’s response to the media flurry and to correct a few misconceptions, we circulated a “Question and Answer” sheet, which is copied below: 1/. What are the white butterflies that are we seeing? Most of the butterflies being seen in Johannesburg and surrounding areas at the moment are Pioneer Caper Whites (Belenois aurota). This butterfly is also known as the Brown-veined White in South Africa, but the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa (LepSoc Africa) is currently trying to standardise the English names of all butterflies found in Africa. Belenois aurota occurs in southern Asia as far east as India and the Himalayas, in southern Arabia and throughout most of sub- Saharan Africa. 2/. Where do the butterflies come from and where are they heading and why? The phenomena we are seeing at present is not a true migration (the butterflies will not return), but is a dispersal phenomenon. Butterflies are largely flying from the drier southwestern areas to the wetter northeast areas. All the butterflies are flying in a generally north-easterly direction. The core population of Belenois aurota in South Africa is the Kalahari region, where the larvae feed on Shepherd’s trees (). The current “migration” – at least in the Johannesburg area – appears to be the largest since 1966. 3/. How long will the migration last? The dispersal is due to a population explosion and will probably last for a few weeks. 4/. Is climate-change responsible? Climate is definitely a factor, although we don’t think there is adequate data to suggest that climate change is responsible for the current wave of Pioneer Caper Whites / Brown-veined Whites. The triggers are twofold: a) Successive years of drought leading to drastic reductions of the predators that feed on Belenois aurota, primarily the eggs, and caterpillars. These predators may be viruses, parasitic wasps (parasitoids), robber-flies, spiders, birds etc. Usually as much as 99% of butterfly early-stages are eaten! b) Good rainfall, as we’ve experienced recently, leads to favourable conditions and a population explosion of Belenois aurota and a subsequent “migration”. 5/. How far do the butterflies fly and how often do they need to feed? Do they sleep or lay eggs on this journey? We don’t really know how far individual butterflies fly in South Africa, but it seems likely that those that are high-flying and caught in favourable winds, can travel in excess of 1000 km. Those bobbing along near the ground (and feeding in Johannesburg gardens along the way), probably

24 have a range of a few hundred kilometres - they will sleep at night, on a plant or grass stem. Note that not all the butterflies that we are seeing come from the Kalahari; local Pioneer Caper Whites / Brown-veined Whites will be emerging and joining in the “migration”. Female Belenois aurota will lay eggs on suitable larval food plants (members of the Caper family) during their journey. 6/. Is it known how many butterflies form part of this annual migration? We don’t have accurate numbers and this will vary from year to year, but we estimate that the number of butterflies currently on the wing extends into the billions. 7/. What are the biggest threats to the butterflies during this migration? There are few significant threats to adult Pioneer Caper Whites / Brown-veined Whites, as we believe they are distasteful to birds and are generally left alone. A few will be caught by robber- flies, or trapped in spider webs (or killed by spiders while they are sleeping) and several will be killed by cars and trucks! Steve Collins recalls, several years ago in Kenya, his father having to clear the car radiator-grill of dead butterflies, to prevent the engine overheating… 8/. Do other species migrate? Generally Pioneer Caper Whites / Brown-veined Whites are the biggest contributors to the “migration”, but other species also disperse. One of these is the African Migrant (Catopsilia florella), which we believe migrates for similar reasons – occasionally, numbers of Catopsilia florella exceed those of Belenois aurota. A few species of moth also “migrate” in large numbers, but this generally occurs at night and at high altitude, so is not often reported. It is even less well understood than the Belenois aurota migration! For interest, LepSoc Africa are trying to introduce “Butterflies” as a general term for all Lepidoptera; “Moths”, which is used for a diverse range of Lepidoptera outside of the Papilionoidea superfamily, will fall away. 9/. Misconceptions • A recent news article stated that the butterfly-migration originates on the West Coast and that they are flying to . As noted above, in South Africa the start of the dispersal-relay is the Kalahari and, while it’s not impossible that one or two adults may reach Madagascar, this is definitely not their intended destination. • Despite conflicting reports, Belenois aurota caterpillars feed only on plants of the Caper family; they are not an agricultural pest and will do no damage to suburban gardens; their caterpillars are not army worms or lily borers, nor will they cause African Horse Sickness. 10/. Further research One of our LepSoc Africa members, Reinier Terblanche, is currently busy with research on Belenois aurota. One of the amazing things that he’s discovered is that butterflies are genetically pre-programmed to disperse; individuals coded for dispersal have different coloured pupae.

Justin Bode posted the above list on the #ImStaying Facebook page and received, in just over 24 hours, 878 “likes”, 133 “comments” and 305 “shares”; a far larger response than we would usually get. Justin considers that this might be a good forum, in future, for highlighting the plight of our threatened butterfly species.

25

Butterfly Migrants (Reinier Terblanche)

More than 660 butterfly species are found in South Africa. At Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in the Northern Cape in an area with average annual rainfall below 400 mm, there are more than 75 butterfly species and counting! For perspective the total number of regularly recorded butterfly species in the entire UK is 56 and in New Zealand the total number of indigenous butterfly species is about 25. This does not make us in South Africa better, but this says we live in a special place in the vast African landscape. Many people across the globe also care about our very unique indigenous wildlife.

Belenois aurota Catopsilia florella Acraea neobule Reinier Terblanche Reinier Terblanche Reinier Terblanche

There are a number of butterfly migrations or butterfly dispersal events in South Africa. The major participants of the main migration (the Kgalagadi Butterfly Migration) which also crosses Gauteng are Belenois aurota (Brown-veined White/ Pioneer Caper White) and as the season progresses, Catopsilia forella (African Migrant). There are also other co-travellers Belenois aurota, Catopsilia florella, Acraea neobule, Teracolus subfasciatus and Colotis evenina (refer to the photos)! A research project has been Acraea neobule started some years ago and following the data of this year's Reinier Terblanche great migration the results will be published with the idea to expand the project/ collaborate because there are so many unanswered questions!

Recent media releases about butterflies featured in many papers and on SABC and eNCA; like never before; we are most grateful. Most of all it is the public interest that will keep the conservation of this special part of our indigenous heritage alive.

For more information see LepiMAP, ADU UCT, SANBI, Tswalu Colotis evenina Foundation, UNISA ABEERU, the field guide and app of Steve Reinier Terblanche Woodhall.

See the work done by each of our Universities/ Museums; too many to name all here. See the Guidelines for Standardised Global Butterfly Monitoring, if you want to start counting some butterflies (can be downloaded easily)!

26

The One-pip Policeman (Jeremy Dobson)

But officer, I swear I saw Pyrrhiades anchises anchises just north of Johannesburg…

Fortunately, I managed to take a photograph. On 12 February, Colleen and I went for a walk at Hennops River hiking trail, about 20 km southwest of Pretoria. I found this One-pip Policeman feeding on the exotic weed Zinnia peruviana.

Pyrrhiades anchises anchises Hennops River, Gauteng I believe this is not only a new record for Gauteng, but also for the Highveld region.

Butterflies of the Cape Verde Islands

Two new butterfly books have been published: The Ecology, Biogeography and Speciation of the Butterflies of Cabo Verde and The ecology, biogeography and speciation of the butterflies of the Azores, both by Mark Payne. Each book costs £85.

Before you rush out and buy your copies, I’ve attached rather scathing reviews by Peter Russell and John Tennent respectively. John is a member of LepSoc Africa and has published an article in Metamorphosis “Additional notes on butterflies of the Cape Verde Islands”. Metamorphosis Volume 30 Part 1: 3 – 13

In conjunction with Peter Russel, John also published “Some phenotypic variation in Leptotes pirithous on the Cape Verde Islands, in a wider geographical context (Lepidoptera: )” Metamorphosis Volume 30 Part 1: 33 - 42

Butterflies of Cabo Verde - Review by Peter Russell Butterflies of the Azores - Review by John Tennent

Barberton Butterflies (Jeremy Dobson)

Over the weekend of 15 and 16 Feb, I visited Dietmar and Claudia Ley at their home in Nelspruit, accompanied by Martin Lunderstedt.

One of the objectives of our visit was to show Mpumalanga Park’s Malcolm Bain the locality at Mountainlands (Malcolm is the, recently appointed, COREL custodian for the Barberton Russet). Although we weren’t expecting to see the butterfly - it has only previously been recorded from October and November - we wanted to familiarize Jeremy Dobson, Martin Lunderstedt, Malcolm Bain and Dietmar Ley at Malcolm with the site. Mountainlands

27

Malcolm may turn out to be the most successful custodian in the history of COREL; on his debut, we found the Barberton Russet flying in fair numbers and significantly extended its known distribution range and flight-period. Dietmar has found isolated specimens of Aloeides barbarae at Mountainlands over the years and had identified a strong colony 5 km south of the “Pimple”. During our visit, Martin located another colony, a further 2 km south. As if finding A. barbarae wasn’t enough, we also saw the Barberton Giant Cupid (Lepidochysops swanepoeli), flying on a hill 6 km south of the “traditional” site. This species also appears to have more than one brood per season. In addition to Mountainlands, we visited Elandshoogte and Shiyalongubu during our trip. All the usual forest butterflies were flying, but generally, in low numbers. An exception was Bush Kite (Papilio euphranor), which seems to be having a good season. I’m sure I don’t need to mention that there was no sign of the Northern Golden Flash (Chrysoritis phosphor borealis)... All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable weekend: many thanks to Dietmar and Claudia for their hospitality.

Acraea violarum violarum Aloeides titei Aloeides barbarae Mountainlands, Mpumalanga Mountainlands, Mpumalanga Mountainlands, Mpumalanga

Papilio euphranor Papilio ophidicephalus transvaalensis Papilio echerioides echerioides Shiyalongubu, Mpumalanga Elandshoogte, Mpumalanga Elandshoogte, Mpumalanga

Cigaritis mozambica Cymothoe alcimeda transvaalica octavia sesamus Mountainlands, Mpumalanga Shiyalongubu, Mpumalanga Mountainlands, Mpumalanga

28

Unusual LepiMAP records (Fanie Rautenbach)

Fanie has unearthed some interesting recent records from LepiMAP.

Two-pip Policeman () Black-based Acraea (Acraea natalica)

Fanie is also monitoring records of Pioneer Caper White (Belenois aurota), to see whether we can establish the principal dispersal routes taken by this butterfly. Dave Edge recorded that numbers of Belenois aurota in Knysna, peaked on Friday 7 Feb; he estimated about 1 000 - 2 000 individuals per hour moving across the Brenton peninsula south eastwards on a 6 km front. A few were flying northwards or other directions, possibly having already reached the sea and turned round. There was a reluctance to fly across a body of water such as the Knysna lagoon, and large numbers could be seen congregating on flowers along the lagoon's edge. Fanie took a video of butterflies in the Bellville area, that seemed to be flying from south to north. I don’t have an explanation for this, unless the butterflies are turning around once they reach the sea, as recorded by Dave Edge in Knysna.

29

Armenia Conference (Dubi Benyamini)

Please refer to the links for Registration and a call for Abstracts for the first international Congress of the Near East Butterflies, which will be held in Yerevan, Armenia - between 15-18 of June. This small country has some 275 butterflies; mid-June is their spring time.

Armenia Conference - Registration Armenia - Abstracts

Gauteng

Gauteng experienced good rains in February; I don’t know whether rainfall was significantly above average, but it was certainly higher than for most recent years; refer to the photo on the right (taken from Facebook), which shows the Witpoortjie waterfall at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in full spate.

As a result, we have seen more butterflies than we’ve seen for many years. I’ve attached a few photos from Lourens Erasmus taken from the Muldersdrift area.

Acraea anemosa Coeliades pisistratus Cupidopsis jobates jobates Muldersdrift, Gauteng Muldersdrift, Gauteng Muldersdrift, Gauteng (Lourens Erasmus) (Lourens Erasmus) (Lourens Erasmus)

30

Butterflies of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve (Mark Liptrot)

For the last few years, Steve Woodhall and Mark have compiled a list of butterfly sightings in and immediately around the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. The confirmed list now stands at an impressive 180 species, 8 of which were logged in 2019 (on average, Mark saw a ‘new’ species every 7th visit to the Reserve). Depending on the weather conditions and time of year, on a 3-hour walk you can expect to see up to 60 species. Mark hopes to maintain regular visits to KKNR in 2020, with the aim of expanding the list further.

5 years ago, the list stood at 134 species.

The LepSoc Africa publicity team

Due to the recent public interest in the Pioneer Caper White (Belenois aurota) migration, LepSoc Africa have faced an unprecedented number of queries from the media. I have been interviewed by two radio stations; submitted a report to the Saturday Star and have been interviewed by China Global TV - CGTN Africa. Steve Woodhall has been heavily involved with media queries, as has Reinier Terblanche.

Reinier Terblanche on SABC News Steve Woodhall being interviewed on eNCA

Jeremy Dobson, at his home in …and the LSA Running Club Johannesburg with the China TV team Jeremy Dobson, Hanna and Dave Edge and Reinier Terblanche. We decided to burn off some excess alcohol, the morning after a LepSoc Africa council meeting

31

New paper on Epitola (Michel Libert) Michel Libert has recently published a new paper on the Epitolini; refer to the flyer below:

32

Storage of Lepidoptera collections (Jeremy Dobson)

A reminder that we need to find a storage facility for Lepidoptera specimens. I have had a couple of discussions with potential sponsors and I’m confident that we will be able to commence with this project fairly soon, although details of the development still need to be resolved. An architect and a quantity surveyor are currently - at risk – developing the scheme a bit further:

1. The minimum requirement is approximately 500 m2 of industrial storage space (enough to contain about 1 million specimens and twice this with racking), with an office component for deliveries and sorting and a study and toilet. We would need to appoint a permanent manager / curator, whose job description would include looking after the specimens, sorting and cataloguing the collection and coordinating visits by researchers. 2. The ultimate goal would be the construction of a national Butterfly Centre. The ABRI collection could possibly be purchased and with this and other collections, we would hold the largest and most comprehensive collection of African Lepidoptera anywhere in the world. In addition to the storage component (say 1 500 m2), the Centre could have a public display area, a bookshop, a photographic gallery and possibly a butterfly flight-house and a restaurant.

Permits

LepSoc Africa members can now apply, online, to be included on provincial research-permits. Details as follow:

• Log on to the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa website www.lepsocafrica.org • Go to ‘Members Only’ and then click on ’Permits’ • Please read the relevant information and then click on ‘Apply for a permit’ • Complete the form and tick the Acknowledgement boxes. Without ticking these boxes you will not be able to submit the form • Submit the form • The system acknowledges that the application has been received and will be attended to (you will receive a message “Your application has been received and will be attended to”) • An email is sent to the Permits Administrator (PA) advising him/her of the new application • By the end of May each year the member must submit his/her observations to the PA

NOTE: Western Cape permits must be applied for individually, as described elsewhere on the website.

Permits have been acquired for KZN and Northern Cape; Mpumalanga and Limpopo are expected shortly.

33

Fourth Afrotropical Lepidoptera Workshop

Planning is well underway for the next expedition, which will be held in in November 2020. Positive feedback has been received from the Gabon Conservation Authorities and I’m hopeful that written assurances regarding the granting of research permits will be received soon.

All available places for the Workshop have already been taken, but if you are interested in the expedition and haven’t yet submitted an entry form, please do so: it is likely that one or two people currently on the list won’t be able to make it. Entries will be treated on a first come – first served basis.

Costs will have been finalized and research permits acquired before deposits are called for in May.

LepSoc Africa Transcribing Project

The members of LepSoc Africa hold a considerable amount of original letters, notes and other memorabilia, related to African Lepidoptera and African lepidopterists.

At the suggestion of Silvia Kirkman, I’d like to initiate a formal scanning and archiving project, to preserve these unique documents. We hope to scan and, using specialized software, transcribe handwritten notes into editable text. The work will be fully cross-referenced and, once complete, should become a very interesting and valuable resource. There may be a publishing opportunity in future.

I appeal for a volunteer to assist with this undertaking: assume at this stage that there will be no salary, although full recognition will be awarded and all costs will be borne by LSA. Although not essential, it would probably assist if applicants are reasonably familiar with the scientific names of South African butterflies.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Butterfly Evening

The next Butterfly Evening will be held at Ruimsig Country Club, Roodepoort on Thursday 12 March at 19h00. Please RSVP to Hermann Staude ([email protected]) or André Coetzer ([email protected]).

Hermann’s “meet the family” program has been concluded; we are going to have a couple of refresher courses.

The cost is R150 per person, which includes dinner.

Butterfly Evenings are held at Ruimsig Country Club, Roodepoort, on the 2nd Thursday of every 2nd month – please diarize!

Venda Field Trip (André Coetzer) Highveld Butterfly Club chairman, André Coetzer, is planning a trip to the Soutpansberg in April. André is looking at the weekends of 4 – 6 April or 25 - 27 April. He wants to target Mphaphuli Cycad Reserve and other good localities in this area. Mphaphuli is one of the few spots in South Africa where you can find over one hundred species of butterfly in a single day, and the reserve is home to about 220 species. André is planning to stay at Copa Copa lodge, just outside the Punda Maria gate of the Kruger National Park. Last time he stayed there, it was about R350 per person, per night, but things might have changed. Unfortunately André is going to be busy in the next month or so, so won’t be able to organise everybody's accommodation and payments, etc. If you are interested in joining, please let him know and he will keep you in the loop. [email protected]

35

BOOKS

Butterflies of Cameroon – (early stages)

Jean-Louis Amiet has produced a new book – in French – on the early stages of butterflies of the Limenitidinae subfamily (Cymothoe, Euphaedra, Pseudacraea etc). The book is expensive (€95 plus postage), but according to Steve Collins, it is superb.

des papillons du Cameroun

LepSoc Africa Book Stock

LepSoc Africa holds a considerable stock of Metamorphosis journals and also books, such as The Emperor Moths of Namibia by Rolf Oberprieler and The Butterflies of by A. Heath, M. Newport and D. Hancock. The above books are on sale for R150 and R175 respectively. Please order using the LSA Website (http://lepsocafrica.org/) as follows:

From the Home page, select the Publications tab at the top of the page. Select Shop near the top-right of this page. Select what you wish to purchase from the numerous books and back-issues of Metamorphosis contained on this page. Select the Cart and Checkout tab at the top of the page. Once you are happy press Go to Checkout, select the delivery method that you require and Place Order!

Biodiversity of

Biodiversity of Angola by Brian Huntley, Vladimir Russo, Fernanda Lages and Nuno Ferrand, can be purchased from Amazon for $59.99.

The book features a chapter on Lepidoptera by Luís Mendes, A. Bivar-de-Sousa and Mark Williams. The section includes an up to date checklist of the 792 species of Papilionoidea currently recorded from this country.

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Acraeinae of Uganda

Acraeinae of Uganda, by Dominique Bernaud, Jean-Pierre Lequeux and Mathias Ziraye may be obtained from NHBS for £93.99.

Acraeinae of Uganda

Moths of Africa (Hermann Hacker)

In February 2019 the first volume of the book-series Moths of Africa was released. The book is a review of the African Boletobiinae and includes descriptions of 4 genera, 266 species and 7 subspecies new to science.

Compiled, primarily, by Hermann Hacker, the book includes input from Ralf Fiebig and Dirk Stadie, whom many of you will remember from last year’s Madagascar Workshop.

It isn’t cheap (€162), but according to Hermann Staude, this book is one of the most important works on African Lepidoptera to be produced in recent years.

Moths of Africa

Dragonfly Book

LepSoc Africa members, Michèle and Warwick Tarboton, have produced an updated edition of their book Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa.

Why not keep an eye out for these amazing while you are in the field? This book is the perfect reference. Among other outlets, the book may be ordered online from Macro for R248. Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa

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COLLECTORS CORNER

If you are looking for cabinets, someone I can recommend is Brendan McErlaine (082 446 5136).

Olivier Houe (082 455 3356 or [email protected]) can be contacted for trays, traps, pins or other entomological supplies.

David Horne has requested a spot in “Collectors Corner”. David’s business, “Mad Hornet Entomological Supplies”, carry a range of entomological equipment; David is interested to hear about what items are required by collectors and breeders, in order that he may procure supplies at reasonable prices and ensure ready availability.

Mad HorneT Entomological Supplies (A product of Horne Technologies CC) www.madhornet.co.za [email protected] 076 563 2084

Barry Mee has a collection, containing just over one thousand specimens that he wishes to sell. The collection contains some nice Zimbabwean species, such as Marshall’s Mimic Acraea (Mimacraea marshalli) and all specimens are labelled. Barry also has a box of dried, unset specimens, if anyone is interested. Please contact Barry at [email protected] if you require any further information.

Linda and Barry Mee at their home in Boksburg

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FEATURES

English names for Afrotropical Butterflies (Jeremy Dobson)

There still appears to be some confusion regarding the objectives, method and program of the English naming project. I presented a summary (below) at January’s LepSoc Africa Council meeting, which, while it may not have been unanimously endorsed, didn’t receive any significant objections either.

Anyone may propose a name, but in order to be a judge on the review panel, you must first submit proposed names for a minimum of ten “Placeholders”, which must include all representatives of one or more genera (refer to Method and Program – Phase 2, below):

OBJECTIVES

1. To create a single, comprehensive and consistent list of English names for Afrotropical Papilionoidea; this list will be published in Metamorphosis, once it has been completed (this will only be in about 8-years’ time, unless I receive significant assistance). Afrotropical Butterflies includes most currently recognized English names, although these extend only to species level. More than 50% of African butterflies - in excess of 3 000 taxa) do not currently have English names. 2. To create names that, where possible, assist recognition of butterflies among non-experts - in other words, the vast majority of butterfly enthusiasts! 3. It should be possible to insert the completed list seamlessly into a world-list of English butterfly names (we are merely writing the African chapter): the names need to take cognizance of butterfly names used elsewhere in the world.

GUIDELINES

1. If at all possible, names should assist with identification. Keys could include colour, pattern, size, shape, distribution, flight characteristics or behaviour. 2. In line with the above, authors names or the name of the discoverer (which are recognised in the scientific name in any case), should be avoided, if at all possible. Annotation such as “Common” or the names of towns or cities should be used with discretion. Remember, that the names apply to the entire Afrotropical region; “Northern” is unlikely to be an apt name for a South African taxa, unless as a distinction between northern and southern subspecies. 3. Names may not exceed 40 characters in length, including spaces or punctuation. Although not essential, by default, names should follow the structure of the scientific taxonomy: a name for the genus or group, a name for the species and, where applicable, a moniker to distinguish subspecies. Soutpansberg Emperor Swallowtail (Papilio ophidicephalus entabeni) for example.

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METHOD AND PROGRAM

Phase 1 – Compilation of Placeholder list 1. An initial checklist of “placeholders” will be compiled. This includes the latest, published English names (including, for SA taxa, those in Steve Woodhall’s new book), plus the suggested names that have been previously listed in ABN - the highlighted genera in the tables below. 2. Everyone is welcome to compile lists of placeholder names, but please don’t re-do the names that have been listed already – that step relates to the review process (see Phase 2 below). For consistency, entries must include names for each representative of an African genus. 3. I have committed to “publishing” a full list of species within six genera in each edition of ABN. Names have been proposed for 30 genera so far, which means we have 291 still to go; about eight years at the current rate.

Phase 2 – Review, revision and finalization of the list 1. Once we have a full list of “placeholders” and alternative proposals, the review, approval or revision of names can commence. While we are unlikely to achieve consensus in all instances, the process will be as democratic as possible. Placeholder names should be changed if a) they are incorrect, misleading or do not follow the guidelines, or b) by replacement, by an alternative proposal, by a simple majority of votes by the accredited “Judges”; in the event of a tie, the existing Placeholder will remain. 2. While this review process can commence at any time (subject to the individual reviewer’s qualification for the role – see below), it should probably only be concluded once all the names within a family - or at the very least, within a subfamily - have been completed. 3. Membership of the review panel is open to anyone, but in order to have a voice in the review process, you must first undertake an “entrance exam”. To qualify as a reviewer, you must create a minimum of 10 “placeholder” names for the English naming project, which should include all representatives of one, or more genera. SA English names, or other names already on the placeholder list, do not qualify as “placeholders”, although they will be listed as “Alternatives” under your name. The idea is that reviewers may be more inclined to treat the process with some sensitivity if there are a few of their own suggestions in the mix. Also, of course, it demonstrates a commitment to the project and will help speed up the ultimate outcome.

We will try and “finalize” six genera every two months (one genus from each column in the table, below); this will take another eight years, but if possible – and if I get assistance from enough people – I’m sure we can wrap this up much sooner. The highlighted genera have been processed already (green in this newsletter and yellow in previous editions):

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GENUS GENUS NAME COUNT GENUS GENUS NAME COUNT Charaxes Charaxes 459 Sarangesa Elfin 28 Euphaedra Forester 345 Celaenorrhinus Dark Sprite 27 Acraea Acraea 202 Eagris Flat 27 Iolaus Sapphire 174 Platylesches Hopper 27 Bebearia Small Forester 167 Ceratrichia Forest Sylph 26 Lepidochrysops Giant Cupid 158 Ypthima Three-ring 26 Papilio Swallowtail 157 Afriodinia Judy 25 Cymothoe Glider 153 Precis Commodore 25 Telchinia Telchinia 153 Sevenia Tree Nymph 25 Bicyclus Bush Brown 127 Hypolimnas Diadem 24 Mylothris Dotted Border 124 Mimeresia Harlequin 24 Anthene Hairtail 107 Pseudathyma False Sergeant 24 Neptis Sailor 104 Appias Albatross White 23 Euriphene Nymph 101 Falcuna Marble 23 Liptena Liptena 99 Gorgyra Leaf Sitter 23 Colotis Tip 94 Brakefieldia Patroller 22 Apallaga Yellow Sprite 87 Dixeia Small White 22 Pentila Spotted Buff 81 Iridana Sapphire Gem 22 Aloeides Russet 75 Capys Protea 21 Ornipholidotos Glasswing 75 Neocoenyra Round Ringlet 21 Heteropsis Low-eye 70 Borbo Swift 20 Chrysoritis Opal 69 Cerautola Angled Flash 20 Graphium Swordtail 66 Cupidesthes Light Hairtail 20 Amauris Friar 65 Eresina Tree Buff 20 Belenois Caper White 65 Geritola Light Flash 20 Pilodeudorix Blue Playboy 65 Pseudonympha Brown 20 Neurellipes Zebra Hairtail 64 Tetrarhanis On-off 20 Cephetola Dark Flash 55 Aphysoneura Bamboo Ringlet 19 Stempfferia Plain Flash 52 Stugeta Marbled Sapphire 19 Aslauga Purple 51 Eicochrysops Ash Blue 18 Pseudacraea False Acraea 51 Eresiomera Pearly 18 Cigaritis Silverline 47 Euryphura Commander 18 Aphnaeus Highflier 44 Harpendyreus Mountain Blue 18 Euptera Euptera 41 Thermoniphas Chalk Blue 18 Telipna Telipna 39 Chloroselas Gem 17 Lachnocnema Woolly Legs 38 Coeliades Policeman 17 Strabena High-eye 37 Hewitsonia Tiger Flash 17 Metisella Sylph 36 Paradeudorix Fairy Playboy 17 Deudorix Playboy 35 Artitropa Night Fighter 16 Hypolycaena Fairy Hairstreak 35 Leptotes Zebra Blue 16 Micropentila Dots 34 Tuxentius Pie 16 Thestor Skolly 34 Andronymus Large Dart 15 Alaena Zulu 33 Eretis Elf 15 Kedestes Ranger 32 Osmodes White-spots 15 Uranothauma Heart 32 Eurema Grass Yellow 14 Smoky Blue 31 Leona Large Recluse 14 Junonia Pansy 31 Leptosia Wood White 14 Pseudaletis Fantasy 31 Tarucus Pierrot 14 Abantis Paradise Skipper 30 Leptomyrina Black-eye 13 Spialia Sandman 29 Meza Three-spot Missile 13 Triclema Small Hairtail 29 Nepheronia Vagrant 13 Scarlet 28 Perrotia Bamboo Dart 13 Baliochila Mottled Buff 28 Stygionympha Hillside Brown 13 Mimacraea Acraea Mimic 28 Gretna Twilight Skipper 12

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GENUS GENUS NAME COUNT GENUS GENUS NAME COUNT Hypophytala Banded Flash 12 Pontia Dappled White 6 Myrina Fig-tree Blue 12 Pyrrhiades Policeman 6 Orachrysops Cupid 12 Tagiades Clouded Flat 6 Vanessa Admiral 12 Torynesis Veined Widow 6 Caenides Recluse 11 Tsitana Sylph 6 Chilades Jewel Blue 11 Aterica Glade Nymph 5 Trimenia Silver-spotted Copper 11 Byblia Joker 5 Acleros Dart 10 Danaus Tiger 5 Cacyreus Bronze 10 Euchloe Green-striped White 5 Eurytela Piper 10 Euploea Crow 5 Palla Palla 10 Evena Large Pathfinder 5 Pteroteinon Red-eye 10 Gnophodes Evening Brown 5 Astictopterus Dark Sylph 9 Hovala Malagasy Yellow Sylph 5 Azanus Babul Blue 9 Libythea Snout 5 Chondrolepis Snow-horned Skipper 9 Melphinyet Forest Swift 5 Colias Clouded Yellow 9 Physcaeneura Webbed Ringlet 5 Cooksonia Tiger Mimic 9 Pinacopteryx Zebra White 5 Deloneura Large Buff 9 Pseudopontia Ghost 5 Issoria Fritillary 9 Semalea Silky Skipper 5 Lipaphnaeus Silver Speckle 9 Spalgis Harvester 5 Oboronia Ginger Blue 9 Tirumala Monarch 5 Oxylides False Head 9 Actizera Rayed Blue 4 Scopulifera Orange Sprite 9 Ampittia Ranger 4 Citrinophila Lemon Buff 8 Apaturopsis Empress 4 Durbania Rocksitter 8 Argyrocheila Fairy Buff 4 Euliphyra Witch 8 Cassionympha Dull Brown 4 Fulda Malagasy Hopper 8 Cnodontes Plain Buff 4 Neita Large Ringlet 8 Coenyropsis Lined Ringlet 4 Pardaleodes Pathfinder 8 Cupidopsis Meadow Blue 4 Protogoniomorpha Mother-of-Pearl 8 Dapidodigma Virgin 4 Tarsocera Spring Widow 8 Durbaniella Rocksitter 4 Teriomima Yellow Buff 8 Epitola Pointed Flash 4 Antanartia Admiral 7 Erikssonia Acraea Copper 4 Ariadne Castor 7 Etesiolaus Green Sapphire 4 Calleagris Milky Flat 7 Euthecta Small Buff 4 Dingana Widow 7 Gegenes Dodger 4 Hemiolaus Hairstreak 7 Hewitola Pointed Flash 4 Larinopoda Pierid Buff 7 Hypomyrina Orange Playboy 4 Salamis Mother-of-Pearl 7 Megalopalpus Harvester 4 Serradinga Speckled Widow 7 Monza Grass Skipper 4 Syrmoptera False Head 7 Neptidopsis False Sailer 4 Teracolus Tip 7 Obania Obania 4 Torbenia Glasswing 7 Ortholexis Scarce Sprite 4 Zophopetes Palm Night-fighter 7 Paralethe Bush Beauty 4 Dira Autumn Widow 6 Parasiomera Harlequin 4 Epitolina Dull Flash 6 Parnara Watchman 4 Fresna Acraea Hopper 6 Parosmodes Orange 4 Hypoleucis Costus Skipper 6 Pseuderesia Harlequin 4 Lycaena Copper 6 Saribia Judy 4 Melphina Forest Swift 6 Teniorhinus Small Fox 4 Paracleros Dusky Dart 6 Toxochitona Fluttering Buff 4 Paronymus Large Dart 6 Vanessula Lady’s Maid 4 Phalanta Leopard 6 Zeritis Checkered Gem 4 Phasis Arrowhead 6 Afrogegenes Dodger 3

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GENUS GENUS NAME COUNT GENUS GENUS NAME COUNT Arnetta Malagasy Sylph 3 Ptelina Bordered Buff 2 Caprona Ragged Skipper 3 Pyrrhochalcia Policeman 2 Ceratricula Forest Sylph 3 Rhabdomantis Large Fox 2 Coenyra Shadefly 3 Takliades Policeman 2 Crudaria Grey 3 Triskelionia Tricerate Elfin 2 Cyrestis Map 3 Zizeeria Grass Blue 2 Eresinopsides Mottled Tree Buff 3 Aeropetes Mountain Pride 1 Flandria Forest Sylph 3 Afrodryas Autumn-leaf Vagrant 1 Gamia Grand Skipper 3 Ankola Red Disc 1 Hallelesis Cream Ringlet 3 Argynnis Fritillary 1 Harma Angled Glider 3 Argyraspodes Silver-spotted Copper 1 Kakumia Ant Buff 3 Batelusia Zebra Flash 1 Kallimoides African Leaf 3 Calopieris Desert Beauty 1 Larsenia Swift 3 Carcharodus Sandman 1 Leucochitonea White-cloaked Skipper 3 Catochrysops Shiny Blue 1 Malaza Malagasy Sylph 3 Cesa Gem 1 Melanitis Evening Brown 3 Congdonia Plain Buff 1 Melitaea False Fritillary 3 Cyclyrius Island Blue 1 Mesoxantha Drury’s Delight 3 Durbaniopsis Rocksitter 1 Monile Jewelled Hairtail 3 Erionota Banana Skipper 1 Phytala Forest Flash 3 Euryphaedra Forester 1 Pieris Cabbage White 3 Gideona Pointed Tip 1 Prosopalpus Dwarf Skipper 3 Gomalia Green-marbled Sandman 1 Pseudonacaduba Lineblue 3 Gyrogra Leaf Sitter 1 Teratoneura Isabella 3 Hamanumida -fowl 1 Tylopaedia King Copper 3 Herila Speckled Orange 1 Xanthodisca Yellow Disc 3 Hipparchia Grayling 1 Zenonia Spotted Hopper 3 Katreus Giant Sprite 1 Zintha Pierrot 3 Kumothales Congo Nymph 1 Acada Axehead 2 Lampides Pea Blue 1 Aethiopana Acraea Flash 2 Lepella Central Sylph 1 Alenia Speckled Sandman 2 Mallika Jackson’s Leaf 1 Bettonula Brown Sprite 2 Mashunoides Marsh Ringlet 1 Brephidium Pygmy Blue 2 Moltena Strelitzia Night-fighter 1 Brusa Marbled Swift 2 Mopala Grass Skipper 1 Catacroptera Pirate 2 Neoepitola Congo Flash 1 Catopsilia Migrant 2 Netrobalane Buff-tipped Skipper 1 Cynandra Brilliant Nymph 2 Noctulana Brown Forest Swift 1 Elymnias Palmfly 2 Oraidium Dwarf Blue 1 Eronia Vine-leaf Vagrant 2 Pardopsis Polka Dot 1 Euryphurana Noble Commander 2 Pharmacophagus Swallowtail 1 Harmilla Elegant Forester 2 Ploetzia Hopper 1 Hollandus Pathfinder 2 Powellana Congo Flash 1 Kobelana Dark Flat 2 Pseudargynnis Leopard Nymph 1 Lachnoptera Leopard 2 Pseudoneaveia Congo Flash 1 Lasiommata Wall Brown 2 Smerina Leopard 1 Mashuna Marsh Ringlet 2 Tumerepedes Nigerian Buff 1 Melampias Boland Brown 2 Vansomerenia Gem 1 Neaveia Pierine Blue 2 Xanthodisca Palm Night-fighter 1 Osphantes Lobed Skipper 2 Ypthimomorpha Five-ring 1 Paternympha Small Ringlet 2 Zizina Clover Blue 1 Pelopidas Branded Swift 2 Zizula Gaika Blue 1 Procampta Elf 2 6429 Pseudoneptis False Sailor 2

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The six genera – all Satyrinae - for which proposed English names have been listed for this edition of the newsletter are: Bicyclus (127 taxa), Brakefieldia (22 taxa), Dingana (7 taxa), Gnophodes (5 taxa), Hallelesis (3 taxa) and Ypthimomorpha (single taxon):

ENGLISH NAME FULL SCIENTIFIC NAME AUTHOR Western White-tipped Bush Brown Bicyclus abnormis (Dudgeon, 1909) Mitumba Bush Brown Bicyclus albocincta (Rebel, 1914) Fawn Eyed Bush Brown Bicyclus alboplaga (Rebel, 1914) Amber Bush Brown Bicyclus amieti Libert, 1996 Anal-patch Bush Brown Bicyclus analis Libert, 1996 Startled Bush Brown Bicyclus angulosa angulosa (Butler, 1868) Southern Startled Bush Brown Bicyclus angulosa selousi (Trimen, 1895) Red-ringed Bush Brown Bicyclus anisops (Karsch, 1892) Squinting Bush Brown Bicyclus anynana anynana (Butler, 1879) Copperbelt Squinting Bush Brown Bicyclus anynana centralis Condamin, 1968 Socotra Squinting Bush Brown Bicyclus anynana socotrana (Butler, 1881) Small Marbled Bush Brown Bicyclus auricruda auricruda (Butler, 1868) Eastern Small Marbled Bush Brown Bicyclus auricruda fulgida Fox, 1963 Ruwenzori Bush Brown Bicyclus aurivillii aurivillii (Butler, 1896) Southern Ruwenzori Bush Brown Bicyclus aurivillii kivuensis (Joicey & Talbot, 1924) Pointed Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus bergeri Condamin, 1965 Forest Bush Brown Bicyclus brakefieldi Brattstrom, 2012 Kalinzu Bush Brown Bicyclus brunnea Jackson, 1951 Small Black Bush Brown Bicyclus buea (Strand, 1912) Chirinda Bush Brown Bicyclus campina campina (Aurivillius, 1901) Northern Chirinda Bush Brown Bicyclus campina carcassoni Condamin, 1963 Tanzania Chirinda Bush Brown Bicyclus campina ocelligera (Strand, 1910) Hill Bush Brown Bicyclus campus (Karsch, 1893) Koupe Bush Brown Bicyclus choveti Libert, 1996 Large Marbled Bush Brown Bicyclus collinsi Aduse-Poku, 2016 Ebony Bush Brown Bicyclus condamini van Son, 1963 Yellow-patch Bush Brown Bicyclus cooksoni (Druce, 1905) Yellow-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus cottrelli (van Son, 1952) Tanzania Bush Brown Bicyclus danckelmani (Rogenhofer, 1891) Western Scalloped Bush Brown Bicyclus dekeyseri (Condamin, 1958) Scalloped Bush Brown Bicyclus dentata (Sharpe, 1898) Western Light Bush Brown Bicyclus dorothea concolor (Cramer, [1779]) Light Bush Brown Bicyclus dorothea dorothea Condamin & Fox, 1964 Scalloped Ebony Bush Brown Bicyclus dubia (Aurivillius, 1893) Lowland Bush Brown Bicyclus elishiae (Brattstrom, 2015) Grizzled Bush Brown Bicyclus ena (Hewitson, 1877) Common Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus ephorus Weymer, 1892 Small Stately Bush Brown Bicyclus evadne (Cramer, [1779]) Bioko Bush Brown Bicyclus feae (Aurivillius, 1910) Funereal Bush Brown Bicyclus funebris (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) Golo Bush Brown Bicyclus golo (Aurivillius, 1893) Angled Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus graueri graueri (Rebel, 1914)

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Gabon Angled Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus graueri kota Vande weghe, 2009 Irangi Bush Brown Bicyclus heathi (Brattstrom, 2015) Bright Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus hewitsoni (Doumet, 1861) Bitje Bush Brown Bicyclus howarthi Condamin, 1963 Makala Bush Brown Bicyclus hyperanthus (Bethune-Baker, 1908) Lowland Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus iccius (Hewitson, [1865]) Dark Eyed Bush Brown Bicyclus ignobilis (Butler, 1870) Velvet Bush Brown Bicyclus istaris (Plötz, 1880) Lined Bush Brown Bicyclus italus (Hewitson, [1865]) Ivindo Bush Brown Bicyclus ivindo Vande weghe, 2007 Mamfe Bush Brown Bicyclus jacksoni Condamin, 1961 Meadow Bush Brown Bicyclus jefferyi Fox, 1963 White-patched Marbled Bush Brown Bicyclus kenia (Rogenhofer, 1891) Striated Bush Brown Bicyclus kiellandi Condamin, 1986 Mukinbungu Bush Brown Bicyclus lamani (Aurivillius, 1900) Yellow-eyed Bush Brown Bicyclus larseni Vande weghe, 2009 Cameroon Brown-spot Bush Brown Bicyclus madetes carola d’Abrera, 1980 Brown-spot Bush Brown Bicyclus madetes madetes (Hewitson, 1874) Light Eyed Bush Brown Bicyclus maesseni Condamin, 1971 Ebogo Bush Brown Bicyclus makomensis (Strand, 1913) Black Bush Brown Bicyclus martius (Fabricius, 1793) Kwidgwi Light-bordered Bush Brown Bicyclus matuta idjwiensis Condamin, 1965 Light-bordered Bush Brown Bicyclus matuta matuta (Karsch, 1894) White-line Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus medontias (Hewitson, 1873) Puce Bush Brown Bicyclus mesogena mesogena (Karsch, 1894) Southern Puce Bush Brown Bicyclus mesogena ugandae (Riley, 1926) Shade Bush Brown Bicyclus mesogenina (Grünberg, 1911) Lesser Rock Bush Brown Bicyclus milyas (Hewitson, [1864]) Large Light-tipped Bush Brown Bicyclus mollitia (Karsch, 1895) Sandy Bush Brown Bicyclus moyses Condamin & Fox, 1964 Swamp Bush Brown Bicyclus nachtetis Condamin, 1965 Kivu Bush Brown Bicyclus neustetteri (Rebel, 1914) Small Eyed Bush Brown Bicyclus nobilis (Aurivillius, 1893) Ologbo Bush Brown Bicyclus ottossoni Brattstrom, 2015 Large Wavy Bush Brown Bicyclus pareensis Collins & Kielland, 2008 Pale Rock Bush Brown Bicyclus pavonis (Butler, 1876) Dark Plain Bush Brown Bicyclus persimilis (Joicey & Talbot, 1921) Cinnamon Bush Brown Bicyclus procora (Karsch, 1893) Calabar Bush Brown Bicyclus rhacotis (Hewitson, [1866]) Large Eyed Bush Brown Bicyclus rileyi Condamin, 1961 Black-haired Bush Brown Bicyclus safitza aethiops (Rothschild & Jordan, 1905) Black-haired Bush Brown Bicyclus safitza safitza (Westwood, [1850]) Uganda Tailed Bush Brown Bicyclus sambulos cyaneus Condamin, 1961 Tailed Bush Brown Bicyclus sambulos sambulos (Hewitson, [1877]) Western Tailed Bush Brown Bicyclus sambulos unicolor Condamin, 1971 Small Angled Bush Brown Bicyclus sanaos (Hewitson, [1866]) Dark Vulgar Bush Brown Bicyclus sandace (Hewitson, [1877]) Nimba Bush Brown Bicyclus sangmelinae Condamin, 1963 Cameroon White-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus saussurei camerunia (Strand, 1914) White-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus saussurei saussurei (Dewitz, 1879) 45

Sciathic Bush Brown Bicyclus sciathis (Hewitson, [1866]) Wavy Blue-lined Bush Brown Bicyclus sealeae Collins & Larsen, 2008 Pale Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus sebetus (Hewitson, 1877) Mille Bush Brown Bicyclus sigiussidorum (Brattstrom, 2015) Kungwe Bush Brown Bicyclus similis Condamin, 1963 Usambara Spotted-bordered Bush Brown Bicyclus simulacris septentrionalis Kielland, 1990 Spotted-bordered Bush Brown Bicyclus simulacris simulacris Kielland, 1990 Kwidgwi Plain Bush Brown Bicyclus smithi eurypterus Condamin, 1965 Bioko Plain Bush Brown Bicyclus smithi fernandina (Schultze, 1914) Plain Bush Brown Bicyclus smithi smithi (Aurivillius, [1899]) Congo Large Velvet Bush Brown Bicyclus sophrosyne overlaeti Condamin, 1965 Large Velvet Bush Brown Bicyclus sophrosyne sophrosyne (Plötz, 1880) Minziro Bush Brown Bicyclus subtilisurae (Brattstrom, 2015) Congo Suffused Bush Brown Bicyclus suffusa ituriensis Condamin, 1970 Suffused Bush Brown Bicyclus suffusa suffusa (Riley, 1921) Cameroon Blue-banded Bush Brown Bicyclus sweadneri Fox, 1963 White-tipped Bush Brown Bicyclus sylvicolus Condamin, 1965 Grey Bush Brown Bicyclus taenias (Hewitson, [1877]) Beige Bush Brown Bicyclus tanzanicus Condamin, 1986 Central Bush Brown Bicyclus technatis (Hewitson, [1877]) Tufted Bush Brown Bicyclus trilophus (Rebel, 1914) Uniform Bush Brown Bicyclus uniformis (Bethune-Baker, 1908) Mafwemiro Mountain Bush Brown Bicyclus uzungwensis granti Kielland, 1990 Mountain Bush Brown Bicyclus uzungwensis uzungwensis Kielland, 1990 Gabon Bush Brown Bicyclus vandeweghei Brattstrom, 2015 Cream-bordered Bush Brown Bicyclus vansoni Condamin, 1965 Vulgar Bush Brown Bicyclus vulgaris (Butler, 1868) Waka Bush Brown Bicyclus wakaensis Vande weghe, 2009 Western Stately Bush Brown Bicyclus xeneas occidentalis Condamin, 1965 Stately Bush Brown Bicyclus xeneas xeneas (Hewitson, [1866]) Large Stately Bush Brown Bicyclus xeneoides Condamin, 1961 Western Lined Bush Brown Bicyclus zinebi (Butler, 1869) Angola Patroller Brakefieldia angolensis (Kielland, 1994) Beige Patroller Brakefieldia centralis (Aurivillius, 1903) Patroller Brakefieldia decira (Plötz, 1880) Yellow Patroller Brakefieldia eliasis (Hewitson, [1866]) Western Patroller Brakefieldia elisi elisi (Karsch, 1893) Uluguru Western Patroller Brakefieldia elisi uluguru (Kielland, 1990) Makala Patroller Brakefieldia nigrescens nigrescens (Bethune-Baker, 1908) Gabon Makala Patroller Brakefieldia nigrescens striata (Libert, 2006) Buff Patroller Brakefieldia ochracea (Lathy, 1906) Eastern Amber Patroller Brakefieldia peitho gigas (Libert, 2006) Amber Patroller Brakefieldia peitho peitho (Plötz, 1880) Congo Amber Patroller Brakefieldia peitho reducta (Libert, 2006) Cameroon Marsh Patroller Brakefieldia perspicua camerounica (Kielland, 1994) Marsh Patroller Brakefieldia perspicua perspicua (Trimen, 1873) Congo Plain Patroller Brakefieldia phaea ignota (Libert, 2006) Plain Patroller Brakefieldia phaea phaea (Karsch, 1894) Pale Patroller Brakefieldia simonsii (Butler, 1877) Morogoro Patroller Brakefieldia tanzanica (Kielland, 1994) 46

Pale Yellow-eyed Patroller Brakefieldia ubenica mahale (Kielland, 1994) Yellow-eyed Patroller Brakefieldia ubenica ubenica (Thurau, 1903) Dark Yellow-eyed Patroller Brakefieldia ubenica ugandica (Kielland, 1994) Notched Yellow-eyed Patroller Brakefieldia ubenica uzungwa (Kielland, 1994) Wakkerstroom Widow Dingana alaedeus Henning & Henning, 1984 Red-banded Widow Dingana alticola Henning & Henning, 1984 Narrow-banded Widow Dingana angusta Henning & Henning, 1984 Wolkberg Widow Dingana clara (van Son, 1940) Midlands Widow Dingana dingana (Trimen, 1873) Stoffberg Widow Dingana fraterna Henning & Henning, 1996 Krantzberg Widow Dingana jerinae Henning & Henning, 1996 Yellow-banded Evening Brown Gnophodes betsimena betsimena (Boisduval, 1833) Southern Yellow-banded Evening Brown Gnophodes betsimena diversa (Butler, 1880) Western Yellow-banded Evening Brown Gnophodes betsimena parmeno Doubleday, [1849] Dusky Evening Brown Gnophodes chelys (Fabricius, 1793) Congo Evening Brown Gnophodes grogani Sharpe, 1901 Eastern Cream Ringlet Hallelesis asochis asochis (Hewitson, [1866]) Congo Eastern Cream Ringlet Hallelesis asochis congoensis (Joicey & Talbot, 1921) Western Cream Ringlet Hallelesis halyma (Fabricius, 1793) Oval-eyed Five-ring Ypthimomorpha itonia (Hewitson, 1865)

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Butterfly Index (Jeremy Dobson and Fanie Rautenbach)

The Butterfly Index is tracking trends of butterfly abundance in South Africa, post January 2018; the results to-date are summarized in the graph below:

2018 to 2020

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

IDEAL 2018 2019 2020

Last month was the best February we’ve had so far, presumably a result of the good rainfall that we’ve experienced recently in large parts of the country.

For the Butterfly Index, I require the number of species seen at a single locality in a single day. If your survey is Biome Factor superficial (less than 1-hour in duration), or based on Lowveld Savanna or Forest (L.S.) 100% observations from a suburban garden or farm, please let Highveld Savanna (H.S.) 70% me know and I’ll multiply the number obtained by 1.5. Highveld Grassland (H.G.) 50% Steve Woodhall’s Butterfly App is a great way of saving Arid Savanna (A.S.) 35% butterfly checklists. It will soon be possible to export Karoo (K) 25% these lists directly to Lepibase; data submission will be a Fynbos (F) 25% key requirement of the new permitting system, outlined Afromontane Forest (A.F.) 50% under LATEST NEWS. Biome – Correction Factors

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NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED FROM A SINGLE LOCALITY IN A SINGLE DAY ABUNDANCE BIOME INDEX Lowveld Highveld Highveld Arid Savanna Karoo (K) Fynbos (F) Afromontane Savanna or Savanna Grassland (A.S) Forest (A.F.) Forest (L.S.) (H.S) (H.G.)

5 Excellent >80 >56 >40 >28 >20 >20 >40

4 Good 52 to 80 37 to 56 26 to 40 19 to 28 13 to 20 13 to 20 26 to 40

3 Average 29 to 51 20 to 36 15 to 25 10 to 18 8 to 12 8 to 12 15 to 25

2 Poor 11 to 28 8 to 19 6 to 14 4 to 9 3 to 7 3 to 7 6 to 14

1 Very Poor ≤10 ≤7 ≤5 ≤3 ≤2 ≤2 ≤5

0 No Data

For information, the Abundance Index (Ax) is calculated using the following formula, where n represents the species-count from a site and F is the percentage factor from the Biome table: Ax = 1+ (n / (10 * F)) 1/1.5

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Methodology

1/. Each Province receives a monthly rating between, which will be more than 1 (Very Poor) and is unlikely to exceed 5 (Excellent). Lesotho and Swaziland are included as Provinces.

2/. The rating is based on the highest recorded individual monthly species-count within the province under consideration. The numbers are based on representatives of the Papilionoidea superfamily (traditional butterflies).

3/. In instances where data is acquired from several biomes within a single Province, the highest rating will be used.

Annual prizes will be awarded to the most active provincial representatives!

Objectives

1/. To monitor long term trends in butterfly abundance throughout South Africa 2/. To compare seasonal and annual abundance indexes 3/. To compare current butterfly-counts with historical benchmarks

Data – January and February:

2020 PROVINCE JAN FEB Index Score Locality Biome Observer Index Score Locality Biome Observer Gauteng 5.3 44 Krugersdorp H.G. Andrew Meyer 3.9 35 Hennops River H.S. Jeremy Dobson KwaZulu-Natal 4.5 66 Kranzkloof L.S. Mark Liptrot 4.1 54 Kranzkloof L.S. Mark Liptrot Limpopo 3.5 40 Hoedspruit L.S. Johan Greyling 5.1 58 Thabazimbi H.S. Jeremy Dobson Mpumalanga 4.6 47 Loding H.S. Jeremy Dobson 4 53 Mountainlands L.S. Jeremy Dobson Western Cape 0 0 Eastern Cape 0 0 Northern Cape 0 0 Southern Cape 0 0 North West 0 3.7 31 Utopia H.S. Jeremy Dobson Free State 0 0 Lesotho 0 0 Swaziland 0 0

Summarized Butterfly Index Data – 2020:

2020 - SUMMARY PROVINCE Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Gauteng 5.3 3.9 KwaZulu-Natal 4.5 4.1 Limpopo 3.5 5.1 Mpumalanga 4.6 4 Western Cape 0 0 Eastern Cape 0 0 Northern Cape 0 0 Southern Cape 0 0 North West 0 3.7 Free State 0 0 Lesotho 0 0 Swaziland 0 0 50

CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH

LepiMAP (Megan Loftie-Eaton)

LepiMAP is helping to build up-to-date distribution maps for the butterflies and moths of Africa. These maps are critically important for conservation management and priority setting. Without good distribution maps, species conservation is largely guesswork. You can make your photography count for conservation by uploading your photos into the Virtual Museum

Some of you might have noticed the ADU page sharing more and more posts from and about the BDI. The ADU will be incorporated into the BDI, but don't worry, all Virtual Museum projects will carry on as normal and continue to expand and grow!) We strongly believe that citizen science plays a crucial role in successful wildlife and habitat conservation, research and management. Who are we?

The Biodiversity and Development Institute (BDI) - http://thebdi.org/ - is a non-profit company designed to foster research and community action in the fields of biodiversity conservation and social development. The Biodiversity and Development Institute is composed of three departments which operate under six independent models that have overlapping missions. The Citizen Science Department seeks to connect people with conservation- and development-related research projects and seeks to help orchestrate that research, disseminate the results, and support community action. The Research Consulting Department seeks to promote rigorous research in conservation and development by providing technical and logistical support to the existing research community. The Research Training Department seeks to train and build the capacity of research professionals across several rungs of the research ladder, including under-graduate students, post-graduate students, field assistants, and early-career scientists.

The Citizen Science Department of the Biodiversity and Development Institute seeks to link citizens who have an existing interest in biodiversity and development research with opportunities where they can volunteer on and contribute to long-term research projects. In the process of training and assisting students, providing immersive opportunities for informal researchers, and collaborating with local communities, the Biodiversity and Development Institute’s mission is to transform all stakeholders into citizen scientists.

Please upload all your photos of butterflies (and moths) to the LepiMAP section of the Virtual Museum. This is a long-term database, and there are long term patterns of range-changes emerging - http://vmus.adu.org.za/

Les Underhill forwarded news of the 1st Citizen Science Conference, held at Gariep Nature reserve on 13 – 14 February and details of the upcoming BioBash, scheduled for Wednesday 15 to Wednesday 22 April 2020, on a farm 60 km north of Carnarvon :

First BDI Citizen Science Conference, Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve, Hanover

Carnarvon BioBash

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Butterfly Evolutionary Diversity (BED) (Jonathan Colville)

The Butterfly Evolutionary Diversity project (BED) is a three-year research enterprise led by SANBI. The BED project seeks to map patterns of evolutionary diversity for butterflies across South African landscapes. It aims, through collecting DNA samples of all South African butterfly species, to identify areas not only of high butterfly species richness and conservation concern, but also areas of high evolutionary importance. LepSoc Africa will be the main collecting agency for this project, which will also provide the phylogenetic analyses to enable us to resolve a number of taxonomic issues.

Everyone can assist with this project: for further information, go to http://www.lepsoc.org.za/projects/butterfly-evolutionary-diversity/

Caterpillar Rearing Group (CRG) (Hermann Staude)

Anybody wishing to join, please refer to the LepSoc Africa website for details (http://www.lepsoc.org.za/) or visit the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/caterpillarrg/).

COREL

We are busy restructuring COREL (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Lepidoptera).

There is a lot of work to do in this vital undertaking; if you would like to assist in any capacity, please contact me at [email protected]

A link to the latest COREL guidelines is attached below:

COREL - Structure and guidelines

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Aloeides Project (Jeremy Dobson)

I am very pleased to announce that Dr Ian Richardson (author of the recently published Neptis paper – Metamorphosis Vol 30 – Part 2) and Prof Rauri Bowie (University of California, Berkeley) have agreed to become co-authors on the forthcoming Aloeides phylogeny paper, which will be published shortly after we achieve the minimum target for the project: 60 species-barcodes out of a total of 75 taxa (80%). A note that, on the advice of Ernest Pringle, record number 400 in the Aloeides Project database has been revised from Aloeides depicta to Aloeides vansoni; this is reflected in the tables below, but not in the “Sorting the Russets” article under LATEST NEWS. With luck, we may be able to acquire sufficient “missing” barcodes once all material from this season has been processed. The following list indicates the samples that I’ve captured on the Aloeides Project database (note there may have been a few samples submitted to BED without my knowledge and there also appear to be a few BED samples that have been sent in, but are not on Jonathan Colville’s list – possibly, sequences could not be obtained from these samples):

TAXON COUNT TAXON COUNT COLLECTOR COUNT Aloeides damarensis damarensis 38 Aloeides plowesi 4 Jeremy Dobson 161 Aloeides trimeni trimeni 36 Aloeides thyra orientis 4 Alan Gardiner 76 Aloeides henningi 33 Aloeides griseus 4 Peter Ward 49 Aloeides pierus 26 Aloeides damarensis mashona 3 André Coetzer 29 Aloeides aranda 20 Aloeides mbuluensis 3 Mark Williams 23 Aloeides dryas 18 Aloeides vansoni 3 Christopher Dobson 19 Aloeides swanepoeli 16 krooni 3 Alf Curle 14 Aloeides taikosama 15 Aloeides monticola 3 Peter Webb 13 Aloeides macmasteri 15 Aloeides nollothi 3 GENBANK 12 Aloeides titei 15 Aloeides stevensoni 3 Harald Selb 10 Aloeides penningtoni 15 Aloeides quickelbergei 3 Andrew Morton 9 Aloeides oreas 15 Aloeides pallida liversidgei 2 Dave Edge 9 Aloeides dicksoni 10 Aloeides kaplani 2 Andrew Mayer 7 Aloeides dentatis dentatis 9 Aloeides apicalis 2 Reinier Terblanche 5 Aloeides depicta 7 Aloeides trimeni southeyae 2 Steve Woodhall 5 Aloeides maluti 7 Aloeides molomo handmani 2 Graham Henning 4 Aloeides barklyi 7 Aloeides rileyi 2 Hayden Warren-Gash 4 Aloeides susanae 7 Aloeides barbarae 1 Ray Jones 4 Aloeides thyra thyra 7 Aloeides caffrariae 1 Johan Greyling 2 Aloeides juana 7 Aloeides conradsi conradsi 1 Etienne Terblanche 2 Aloeides pallida littoralis 6 Aloeides egerides 1 Alan Sinclair 1 Aloeides bamptoni 6 Aloeides lutescens 1 458 Aloeides rossouwi 6 Aloeides pallida grandis 1 Aloeides simplex 6 458 Aloeides carolynnae carolynnae 6 Aloeides arida 6 Aloeides molomo molomo 6 Aloeides almeida 5 Aloeides dentatis maseruna 5 Aloeides gowani 5 Aloeides caledoni 5 Aloeides margaretae 5 Aloeides pallida pallida 5 Aloeides pallida jonathani 5 Aloeides nubilus 4

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I have acquired barcodes for 34 taxa from samples submitted to MISSING BOLD (University of Guelph, Canada) and from records that I’ve Aloeides angolensis managed to access through Genbank. Aloeides apicalis I’m hoping to get barcodes from a further 18 taxa from BED and Aloeides argenteus seven species for which I’ve got relatively recent material and will Aloeides braueri forward to BOLD shortly. If all goes well, we will be able to acquire Aloeides carolynnae aurata 59 barcodes by the end of this season – so we are pretty much on Aloeides conradsi angoniensis target! Aloeides conradsi jacksoni Aloeides conradsi talboti In reality, we won’t achieve a 100% success rate with the sequencing and one or two samples will invariably go missing; Aloeides molomo coalescens please look out for Russets while you are in the field! Aloeides molomo kiellandi Aloeides molomo mumbuensis Aloeides mullini

Aloeides namibiensis Aloeides pringlei Aloeides tearei

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BARCODES ACQUIRED BED AVAILABLE MATERIAL Aloeides almeida Aloeides clarki Aloeides barbarae Aloeides aranda Aloeides damarensis mashona Aloeides caffrariae Aloeides arida Aloeides dentatis dentatis Aloeides egerides Aloeides bamptoni Aloeides depicta Aloeides griseus Aloeides barklyi Aloeides gowani Aloeides molomo handmani Aloeides caledoni Aloeides macmasteri Aloeides plowesi Aloeides carolynnae carolynnae Aloeides maluti Aloeides trimeni southeyae Aloeides conradsi conradsi Aloeides mbuluensis Aloeides damarensis damarensis Aloeides molomo krooni Aloeides dentatis maseruna Aloeides molomo molomo Aloeides dicksoni Aloeides oreas Aloeides dryas Aloeides pallida grandis Aloeides henningi Aloeides pallida juno Aloeides juana Aloeides quickelbergei Aloeides kaplani Aloeides rileyi Aloeides lutescens Aloeides rossouwi Aloeides margaretae Aloeides stevensoni Aloeides monticola Aloeides thyra orientis Aloeides nollothi Aloeides nubilus Aloeides pallida jonathani Aloeides pallida littoralis Aloeides pallida liversidgei Aloeides pallida pallida Aloeides penningtoni

Aloeides pierus Aloeides simplex Aloeides susanae Aloeides swanepoeli Aloeides taikosama Aloeides thyra thyra Aloeides titei Aloeides trimeni trimeni Aloeides vansoni

Note that while I’d like to concentrate on the sixteen “missing” taxa, the Aloeides Project aims to acquire samples of all Aloeides from all localities!

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Aloeides Gallery (2019 – 2020 Season)

Aloeides taikosama Aloeides damarensis mashona Aloeides henningi Laurentia Farm, Gauteng Bateleur, Limpopo Glenharvie, Gauteng Jeremy Dobson Jeremy Dobson Jeremy Dobson

Aloeides molomo molomo Aloeides aranda Aloeides nubilus Kalbosfontein, Gauteng Ruimsig, Gauteng Elandshoogte, Mpumalanga Jeremy Dobson Jeremy Dobson Jeremy Dobson

Aloeides dryas Aloeides griseus Elandshoogte, Mpumalanga Nyika, Aloeides caffrariae Jeremy Dobson Jeremy Dobson Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Lynette Knott Rudman

Aloeides quickelbergei (?) Aloeides mbuluensis Aloeides pallida jonathani Kammanassie, W Cape Tsomo, Eastern Cape Kammanassie, W Cape Raimund Schutte Raimund Schutte Jeremy Dobson

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PUBLICATIONS

Metamorphosis

Dave Edge is the Editor of Metamorphosis; Silvia Kirkman is the Sub Editor responsible for production.

Metamorphosis Volume 30 Part 1 (2019) contains 72 pages and includes 4 Editorial pages and 12 articles and notes published on the Metamorphosis website during calendar year 2019. The price – for South African members – is R145 excluding postage. To save money, both on printing and postage, copies of Metamorphosis for overseas members (including Africa) will be printed in the UK. The price will be advised shortly.

Metamorphosis Volume 30 Part 2 (the Neptis paper by Dr Ian Richardson) (153 pages) will be printed on a similar basis. The cost, for South African members, is R300 excluding postage.

Please order hard copies using the online shop (https://lepsocafrica.org/), or contact Dave at [email protected] or Silvia at [email protected].

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New articles in Metamorphosis:

Volume 31 Part 1

• Unique genitalic structure in a West African lycaenid butterfly, Liptena seyboui Warren- Gash & Larsen, 2003 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, , Liptenini). Sáfián, S and Lorenc-Brudecka, J

• New information on the genus Luffia Tutt, 1899 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) from the Canary Islands with description of a new species Luffia kirsteni n. sp. from Fuerteventura. Knud Larsen

Volume 30 Part 1

• Karoo BioGaps project – butterfly survey results and their interpretation. David A. Edge and Silvia Mecenero

• A new species of Thestor Hübner, [1819] (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Miletinae) from the Clanwilliam region of the Western Cape, South Africa. Ernest L. Pringle and Alan Heath

Volume 30 Part 2

• Revision of the genus Neptis Fabricius, 1807 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) in the Afrotropical Region: Currently described taxa Ian D. Richardson

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REGIONAL ROUNDUP

Gauteng

Martin Lunderstedt reports that White-barred Telchinia (Telchinia encedon encedon) were swarming in the Hartbeespoort area in early January. This is usually a fairly scarce butterfly in Gauteng. According to Steve Woodhall, it is one of the most difficult Techinias to breed.

Telchinia encedon encedon Hartbeespoort, Gauteng (Martin Lunderstedt) André Coetzer photographed this Superb False Tiger (Heraclia superba) in his garden in Fairlands. Raimund Schutte has found this species in the Magaliesberg, but it isn’t common in Johannesburg.

Heraclia superba Fairlands, Gauteng (André Coetzer)

I visited the hills above Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in January and recorded 34 species (Abundance Index 4.6 – Good). Two species of Ranger, Fulvous Ranger (Nervia mohozutza) and Magaliesberg Ranger (Nervia nerva nerva) were flying together. Note the new scientific names of these species (refer to Updated classification of the Afrotropical Hesperiidae under LATEST NEWS)

Nervia nerva nerva Nervia mohozutza Aloeides taikosama World’s View, Gauteng World’s View, Gauteng World’s View, Gauteng

A visit to the Bronkhorstpruit area produced very little, apart from a few Ketsi Giant Cupid (Lepidochrysops ketsi ketsi).

Pontia helice helice Lepidochrysops ketsi ketsi Bronkhorstspuit, Gauteng Bapsfontein, Gauteng

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A visit to Hennops River – apart from yielding One-pip Policemen (refer to LATEST NEWS) - produced 35 species: Abundance Index 3.9 (Average).

Cephonodes hylas Precis archesia archesia Neptis saclava marpessa Hennops River, Gauteng Hennops River, Gauteng Hennops River, Gauteng

Catacroptera cloanthe cloanthe Charaxes jahlusa rex Spialia colotes transvaaliae Hennops River, Gauteng Hennops River, Gauteng Hennops River, Gauteng

Mpumalanga

Mark Williams, Martin Lunderstedt and I visited Loding on 4 Jan. We recorded 47 species (Abundance Index 4.6 - Good).

Although there were loads of butterflies, we didn’t see anything too special, a fairly common trend in recent years, unfortunately.

Leucochitonea levubu Colotis ione Acraea axina Loding, Mpumalanga Loding, Mpumalanga Loding, Mpumalanga

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During the course of a further visit to Loding on 6 Feb we found 48 species including Pale Ranger (Dotta callicles), Ashen Smoky Blue (Euchrysops subpallida) and Orange Lined Ringlet (Coenyropsis natalii natalii).

Chilades trochylus Euchrysops subpallida Coenyropsis natalii natalii Loding, Mpumalanga Loding, Mpumalanga Loding, Mpumalanga

Axiocerses amanga amanga Stugeta bowkeri tearei Azanus jesous Loding, Mpumalanga Loding, Mpumalanga Loding, Mpumalanga

Chris Dobson and I visited Balfour and Greylingstad on 17 Jan.

No sign of any Orachrysops, but there were a few Golden Opal (Chrysoritis aureus) and Basuto Skolly (Thestor basuta basuta). Also, a couple of Grassveld Sandman (Spialia agylla agylla), which is the first time I’ve found this butterfly in Mpumalanga.

35 species, Abundance Index 4.6 (Good).

Catacroptera cloanthe cloanthe Chrysoritis aureus Thestor basuta basuta Greylingstad, Mpumalanga Greylingstad, Mpumalanga Greylingstad, Mpumalanga

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KZN

Mark Liptrot recorded Charaxes wakefieldi from Skyline Nature Reserve near Uvongo, which, as far as I know, is the southernmost record for this butterfly. Chris Dobson thought he saw one whilst swimming near Port Edward, but I can’t confirm this record.

Steve Woodhall has, as usual, been taking loads of great butterfly pictures: I’ve include a few below:

Belenois creona severina Byblia anvatara acheloia Kedestes macomo Kenneth Stainbank, KZN Kenneth Stainbank, KZN Kirk Falls, KZN (Steve Woodhall) (Steve Woodhall) (Steve Woodhall)

Parnara monasi Metisella metis metis Belenois thysa thysa Mt Edgecombe, KZN Krantzkloof, KZN Kirk Falls, KZN (Steve Woodhall) (Steve Woodhall) (Steve Woodhall)

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Free State

Rick Nuttal reported seeing thousands of Pioneer Caper Whites (Belenois aurota) moving in a north-easterly direction on the outskirts of Bloemfontein, in late January. He spent an hour between 14h30 and 15h30 looking at huge numbers of butterflies moving through a section of sky, from a few metres to hundreds of metres above him. The butterflies were too numerous and moving too fast to even hazard a guess at numbers. There were also many hundreds flying closer to the ground, with many gathering to feed at patches of flowers and flowering Buffalo Belenois aurota Thorn (Ziziphus mucronata). Bloemfontein, Free State (Rick Nuttal)

Limpopo

Andrew Mayer visited his farm, Soetdoring, in the Waterberg in February. Despite some cloudy weather, Andrew saw loads of butterflies, including the Dark Elfin (Sarangesa seineri seineri)

In mid-February, Mark Williams and I visited Thabazimbi. After good recent rains, this area is looking much more like its old self: loads of butterflies – we recorded 58 species (Abundance Index 5.1 – Excellent), including specials such as Veined Skipper (Abantis venosa); Mark saw a One-pip Policeman (Pyrrhiades anchises anchises). Sarangesa seineri seineri Waterberg, Limpopo (Andrew Mayer) Club-tailed Charaxes (Charaxes zoolina) were swarming and it was particularly pleasing to see grass-feeders, like Pale Ranger (Dotta callicles) and Netted Sylph (Willema willemi) flying in good numbers – these species have taken a real beating in recent years.

Note the new scientific names of these last two species (refer to Updated classification of the Afrotropical Hesperiidae under LATEST NEWS)

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Physcaeneura panda Brakefieldia perspicua perspicua Charaxes zoolina Thabazimbi, Limpopo Thabazimbi, Limpopo Thabazimbi, Limpopo

Willema willemi Abantis venosa Dotta callicles Thabazimbi, Limpopo Thabazimbi, Limpopo Thabazimbi, Limpopo

North West A visit to Utopia Nature Resort in February yielded 33 species; Abundance Index 3.8 (Average). After an absence of several years, a few Orange Telchinia (Telchinia anacreon) were seen flying among Cliffortia linearifolia bushes along the banks of the Tonquani River. There were also quite a few Morant's Orange ( morantii).

Hypolycaena philippus philippus Parosmodes morantii morantii Telchinia rahira rahira Utopia, North West Utopia, North West Utopia, North West

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OTHER BUTTERFLIES

Johan Heyns has a large collection of photographs, which we will include as a regular feature in this newsletter.

More from the Eribidae family; these belong to the Arctiinae subfamily:

Amyna axis Autoba admota Eublemma anachoresis Johan Heyns Johan Heyns Johan Heyns

Eublemma flaviceps Eublemma baccalix Eublemma ecthaemata Johan Heyns Johan Heyns Johan Heyns

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AFRICA DESK

Uganda

I’ve attached some recent photos from Rogers Muhwezi:

Euphaedra ruspina ruspina Euptera elabontas elabontas Leptosia nupta pseudonupta Rogers Muhwezi Rogers Muhwezi Rogers Muhwezi (Mpanga, Uganda) (Mpanga, Uganda) (Mpanga, Uganda)

Telchinia amicitiae Charaxes zelica zelica Charaxes eurinome eurinome Eric Bashil Rogers Muhwezi Rogers Muhwezi (Bwindi, Uganda) (Mpanga, Uganda) (Mpanga, Uganda)

Madagascar

Sudheer Kommana has been posting butterfly photos from Madagascar on Facebook. I’ve attached a few examples below:

Celaenorrhinus humbloti Graphium endochus Heteropsis fraterna Sudheer Kommana Sudheer Kommana Sudheer Kommana

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LEPSOC AFRICA COUNCIL Elected Executive Councillors and LSA Directors: • Jeremy Dobson (Chairman) • Justin Bode (Secretary) • Peter Ward (Treasurer)

Co-opted Councillors

• Dave Edge (Editor of Metamorphosis) • Reinier Terblanche (Conservation, Research and Permits)

Branch Chairmen

• Andre Coetzer (Highveld – Gauteng, North West and Free State) • Kevin Cockburn (KwaZulu-Natal) • Andrew Morton (Western Cape) • Ernest Pringle (Eastern Cape) • Dave Edge (Southern Cape) • Vaughan Jessnitz (Limpopo) • Michael Ochse (Germany)

The price of Metamorphosis Volume 30 (2019) – Part 1 is R145 for SA members, excluding postage. Part 2 will cost R300. Various postage options, with different pricing, are available.

Annual subscription fee Metamorphosis printed copy Annual subscriptions, plus printed copy (Until 31 Dec 2020) (Volume 30:1 2019) of Metamorphosis Category South Africa Inter- South Africa Inter- South Africa Inter- Africa national Africa national Africa national

Sponsor* R1 200.00 R1 200.00 R1 400.00 Included Included Included R1 200 R1 200 R1 400 Ordinary R 290.00 R 290.00 R 360.00 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA Pensioner (over 60 R 220.00 R 220.00 R 270.00 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA years)

Student (under 23 R 150.00 R 150.00 R 200.00 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA years)

Family Membership** R 450.00 R - R - TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA Family (Pensioners) R 350.00 R - R - TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

*Sponsor members are entitled to a free copy of Metamorphosis, but not supplementary, stand- alone publications, such as the CRG results or the SALCA assessments.

**Family Membership is available to married couples or life partners, plus dependent children under the age of 18.

MEMBERSHIP OF LEPSOC AFRICA IS FREE TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 16

Subscriptions are due on 01 January each year; to renew your membership, click on the following link: LepSoc Africa subscriptions

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FOCUS ON…

Vaughan Jessnitz, LepSoc Africa’s Limpopo branch chairman is featured this month

I was born and raised in the bush. Both my parents were involved in Nature Conservation, and so I have been an eager nature enthusiast from a very young age. My passion for Lepidoptery started in the late 90's / early 2000’s, when we moved to the Northern Cape and my father managed Witsand Nature Reserve where I used to explore every dune and hill of this odd barren landscape, and was influenced by many a specialist that would visit the reserve learning from them and the experiences they shared with me. During this time I met the likes of Reinier Terblanche, Ernest Pringle, Owen Garvie and Steven Henning among many other incredible Lepidopterists coming through to search for the elusive Anthene lindae. My fate was sealed on my first official outing with Reinier up the Langberg, where I caught my first prize - a fresh Acraea trimeni female, the only one of the day! Reinier helped to pin it perfectly and my collection went from zero to one. Reinier's enthusiasm rubbed off and I got a copy of Ivor Migdoll's butterflies of South Africa and my first (pretty impressive) net (literally an old pan "splatter screen" with the gauze removed and a ridiculously long net attached to the frame boasting a 4 inch handle). Little did I know then, that the bug had well and truly bitten. From that day on I spent every available day hunting around the reserve for butterflies. On one of my December school holidays, Reinier came down, we crammed into his Uno and set off west on an unforgettable road trip (with way too little sleep), which was a huge amount of fun and a proper crash course in hunting down the rarities in possibly some of the harshest environments South Africa has to offer. From then on my nets improved (chiefly thanks to my mother's sewing skills), and my collection grew! On one of Ernest's many visits we went back to Langberg, and I spotted what to me looked like a Brephidium metophis on the top of the trees, and on describing this to Ernest received my very first blasting from a fellow lepidopterist: "YOU TWIT" I remember his red sun-baked face spitting, "THAT WAS LINDAE!!!", and on that day we rediscovered the mystical Anthene lindae that everyone was hunting all those years! I then spent many years studying, catching, photographing and videoing that wonderful species and learning it's ways. In the thick of it all I won a prize at the South African Young Scientist Awards, and headed to Pretoria to present my project on using butterflies as biological indicators (way before that topic was considered cool)! As the twit I was, I carted my whole collection along, housing some crazy butterflies I had found in the Northern Cape (Acraea zetes f menippe was one of them for example!!) but en-route the shell of my cabinet rattled loose, and all the glass draws broke smashing a fine collection into a dust made of scales (and heartbreak). On the positive side, I won the Best Young Scientist Award (with the help of LepSoc Africa and Martin Krüger who gave me a few drawers to at least have something to add to my presentation)! I found myself going to Sweden as an honoured young scientist and was a guest at the 2002 Nobel Award ceremonies. On my return life had changed for me, I also left the nest after school to go to Stellenbosch. There I got my first taste of Thestors, Lepidochrysops, and other wonders that I had missed out on back home!

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In Stellenbosch I also started studying and collecting fruit-chafer beetles and other orders and slowly my collection started to look like something again. This is the point in the tale where I learned a hard lesson about conservation authorities too. I got caught collecting some Chrysoritis at Paternoster without a Western Cape permit, and the authorities took me to the cleaners for it! They confiscated my whole collection, all my paperwork with past research, notes, everything collection related was taken. I learned afterwards they had just before busted a group of people poaching Stag Beetles, so they were overly sensitive about ANYONE swinging a net, even for common butterflies without permits, and it put me off collecting completely. In fact I left butterflies and lepidoptery altogether! Luckily, soon afterwards I got my first DSLR camera. Within the first few days the old passion had returned because now I could "collect" without needing to jump through hoops and beg for permits from people not interested in helping. My photographic butterfly collection grew steadily, and eventually I started collecting specimens a little bit too, but for me, to this day, the photo gets first priority over a specimen! I started my adult career wondering how I could combine this work and pleasure, and soon realized that to continue "playing in the bush" every day, the easiest option was to become a field guide, which I did. An avid birder, and good at tracking lions, paired a great "feeling" for operating in the wilderness (I credit my upbringing in the bush for this) I had found my niche, and soon became rather good at it. Moving through the ranks and eventually becoming a field guide trainer and assessor. I kept myself busy in my free time with various entomology projects, and found the perfect balance between tourism and science. During this time I also had the opportunity of chasing birds and butterflies all over the country and finally settled in 2016 at Bushwise Campus as a field guide trainer, my home is now 30-min away from Lekgalameetse, a magical place Reinier and Owen Garvie used to tell me about when we were suffering mild heatstroke in the dry and dusty Kalahari! Now my current stomping ground. Soon enough I became involved with LepSoc Africa's COREL program, and in 2019 I became custodian for the Limpopo endangered and threatened species, and started up the LepSoc Africa Limpopo branch. My future goal is simple: to get as many people from all walks of life, to focus not only on the big 5, but also on the small 5000!

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PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MONTH

Please forward any photographs that you would like to display in this Newsletter, with your identification and the month that the photograph was taken, to [email protected]. There will be a Photograph of the Month (two in each episode); the season runs from August to July and the annual winner is announced in September’s edition. The decision, by the editor, is final and will be based on photographic merit, but may be swayed by donations to the Society. Entries for January

Precis octavia sesamus Aterica rabena Hovala dispar Sudheer Kommana Sudheer Kommana Wayne Johnson (Madagascar) (Madagascar) (Eshowe, KZN)

Aloeides aranda Colotis regina Teracolus subfasciatus Steve Woodhall Jeremy Dobson Jeremy Dobson (Inchanga, KZN) (Loding, Mpumalanga) (WSBG, Gauteng)

JANUARY

Another first time winner…

Andrew Mayer took this great picture of the Fulvous Ranger (Nervia mohozutza) at World’s View, Krugersdorp in January. Refer to LATEST NEWS for the revised name.

There are very few localities where this species can be found in Gauteng.

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Entries for February

Belenois helcida Acraea hova Acraea leucographa leucographa Sudheer Kommana Sudheer Kommana Rogers Muhwewzi (Madagascar) (Madagascar) (Mpanga, Uganda)

Junonia natalica natalica Precis octavia sesamus Apallaga mokeezi separata Steve Woodhall Sithembiso Blessing Mojoka Martin Lunderstedt Kenneth Stainbank, KZN (KwaZulu-Natal) (Elandshoogte, Mpumalanga)

FEBRUARY

February’s winner is Katharina Reddig, with this photo of Namib Red Acraea (Acraea hypoleuca).

Katharina, a keen naturalist and photographer from Swakopmund, Namibia, took this picture at Trekkopje, which lies about 80 km east of Swakopmund.

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TRAWLING THE ARCHIVES…

SPRINGTIME IN 1993 (OR, BEERS, MUD PUDDLES AND BUTTERFLY-EATING DOGS)

By Steve Woodhall

You are standing on a peak in Monomatapa, a red and green tapestry of Msasa trees thousands of feet below you. You are gazing across the vast shield of Africa towards the west. The sun is hot but the air is like champagne, a cool breeze rippling the long grass and making the myriad flowers nod their heads. Little fluffy clouds waft over your head, none of them seeming to obscure the sun; the sky is deep azure. Suddenly a golden, glittering green flash appears before you; and then another, and another, whirling and chasing up the gully towards you. Your net follows them up the hill, sweeping from behind. With a broad smile of satisfaction, you put another male Lepidochrysops ruthica into a packet - Nyanga weaves its magic again.

Many lepidopterists have waxed lyrical about green butterflies and about mountains. Swanepoel told us about Ken Pennington's raptures over a Euryphene achlys caught at Ngoye in Zululand - "Boy, see for yourself the bronzy green gloss of an achlys flying down a stream or along a glade, and you'll die happy!" John Joannou, writing in Metamorphosis Vol. 1 No. 25, about a collecting trip to the mountains of Barberton, was moved to think of "The Sound of Music". Well I have caught a few achlys now and I was with John on that Barberton trip. In my humble opinion ruthica at World's View, Nyanga, combines and surpasses both these experiences, but then again I am a well-known high-altitude lycaenid freak. Nyanga was but one highlight of a safari that was born during the conference this year. I heard one of our Zimbabwean members complaining that us 'Souf Effricans' are always threatening to come to their hunting grounds and catch some real butterflies, but we never do.

So Jan Coetzee and I loaded up the trusty Isuzu on Friday 24th September 1993 to prove them wrong. Off we went into a gathering storm, having a near miss when a tree flattened the bakkie just in front of us only 15km from home! There was another little moment just before Louis Trichardt when Jan had to take to the verge to avoid a truck that was coming towards us on our side of the road with only one headlight. We reached Beit Bridge where we tested our crafty stratagem to beat the dreaded school holiday queues -we arrived at 00h30 to find ourselves No.13 in the queue already! We slept in the bakkie - Jan in the cab where despite his slight stature he was a little cramped. At 06h00 Jan sprinted for the door while I parked the bakkie. We were through the South African side in 30-mins, and were through Zimbabwe immigration before the chaos had had time to develop. By 07h00 we were into terra incognita for both of us.

At first the weather was cloudless but as we went further north it began to get dull. However, once through Masvingo it cleared again and we progressed in a fairly hazardous manner, neither of us watching the road, but the surrounding bush for butterflies! Until we hit some granite koppies just before Birchenough Bridge we saw little; then some small yellow flowers by the roadside yielded a few Crudaria leroma and Aloeides damarensis mashuna. We resolved to press on to Mutare as fast as we could, because everything was looking frighteningly dry and desiccated. The veld got greener as we got into Mutare, and thanks to Martin Lunderstedt's maps we were in the Cloudlands area by 14h00, with a large thunderstorm brewing. We were both longing for a sight of something unfamiliar; but this afternoon we were presented with a bewildering array of Neptis (which at the time of writing are still to be identified) and little brown satyrids. The latter turned out to be Bicyclus campinus and condamini, firsts for both of us but not really exotic-looking. Jan then caught a Teniorhinus harona and I a T.herilus, skippers that are totally unlike anything we get

72 down south. Primary experiences, especially for myself, being deep into the law of diminishing returns on local trips, are balm to the soul.

We drove into Mutare in some trepidation, as a strong wind manifested itself and huge anvil clouds covered the sun. Just our luck, I thought, to be the heralds of a week of spring rains. We went in search of John Daffue. He has a lovely plot on which Charaxes pollux and Ch. macclounii can be trapped. He very kindly put us up for a few days and showed us around the area. He should be a member by the time this goes into print. John is also a dog enthusiast, he has a German Shepherd called Lara and Abby, a Pyrenean Mountain dog who eats butterflies (more of her later)! We awoke early in the morning to mist and cloud, and thought oh, oh, this place looks like living up to its reputation for abortive collecting trips. But John was dismissive of our worries and he was proved right when the mist cleared by 09h30. We set off for Burma Valley, home of fabled creatures! Burma Valley, when we got there, was very dry and didn't look promising at all. Things immediately perked up when an Alaena nyassae turned up, followed by a real adrenaline pumper - Sallya rosa! Contrary to what we had been told, these were NOT easy to catch, and they royally ignored our hastily-hung traps. We were reduced to sneaking about in the understory, frantically chasing them when they came into view. When I finally caught one, it was quite worn, confirming John's observation that the same individuals have been overwintering in the valley for months. The excitement and frustration of these butterflies somewhat spoilt the magic of Burma Valley for me; I spent so much time desperately trying to catch one (I finally got two, Jan four) that I know I missed many more valuable specimens. I did get a pair of Axiocerses punicea, and Teriomima puellaris was flying. Jan thought these were moths at first, with their weak, fluttering flight, but he soon found they can levitate quickly when disturbed. I actually thought they were nothing to get excited about, and took a small series. I felt a bit of a twit when it turned out that this is actually a rarity on a par with T. zuluana in Zululand, and everyone is asking me if I got any spare ones. The skippers were well out, Andronymus caesar philander being particularly common. I got an achlys, a rather worn male, and a perfectly fresh Ch. macclounii came to one of the traps. Jan was in ecstasy when he trapped a lovely male Ch. protoclea azota - I love seeing someone totally happy, with a grin plastered on his mug that threatens to split his head in two! This butterfly was not as common as we had hoped, Jan's specimen being the only one we saw. Even though John kept apologizing for the "lack" of butterflies, we had an exhausting and action-packed day, retiring early after a braai and beers (and a couple of John's lethal brandy-and-cokes - now I know what a Charaxes feels like after guzzling bait).

Monday morning saw us up with the lark and off in the mist to hang traps in the Vumba. The plan was to do this and then head off to Nyanga. This we did, but were distracted by a nice concentration of Aphysoneura pigmentaria latilimba down on the Essex road. It took half an hour to catch a nice series, but they were not as easy to catch as other satyrids. In fact this butterfly behaves much more like a nymphalid; its flight is swift and agile and many of our "chinese swipes" went astray! Eventually we reached Nyanga village where we found the water tanks easily. The grass had been partly burnt but the ground was dry and Becium, was scarce. A few very fresh Lepidochrysops violetta were recorded (behaving very like L. praeterita does at Carletonville), and Jan had a stroke of luck with an L. peculiaris male. Of the fabled hordes of ruthica and mashunae there were no sign, so we were a little apprehensive as we went to our stand-by spot of World's View. Of course, there we struck gold and got L. coxii and Issoria smaragdifera as well as ruthica. The ruthica males were patrolling the rocky slopes and defending small territories below big rocks, just like L. irvingi does in the Eastern Transvaal. Females were more sedentary and kept to the floor of the gullies, frequenting the yellow flowers of a Chrysanthemoides that was growing there. L. coxii were found along the tops of the ridges, with females on a small pinkish labiate flower. We noted that there was no Becium to be seen; perhaps these species don't use it.

Sated with these triumphs we returned to the water tanks to search harder, but all I got was a glimpse of a peculiaris as it shot away from me. The cream underside is very conspicuous when

73 the insect is at rest, but on the wing it looks like L. plebeia. We bought some trout (R8.00 each for quite big fish), took them back to John's and had a feast of them, skottel-fried in butter and washed down with some bubbly we had brought up from SA. I had some live butterflies in film cans for photography, and as I was putting them in the fridge I noticed that the L. ruthica I had incarcerated thus had some water in the can with it, a potential cause of damage. I opened the can to dry it, and took the chilled insect out, letting it sit on my finger. This was enough to warm it up, and it made a bid for freedom, still a little cold and sluggish. Before I could catch it, Abby the Pyrenean casually snapped it in mid-air! This caused hilarity all round, even though this meant we would have to revisit Nyanga to get another photographic specimen, I saw the funny side. Abby is a really blue-blooded dog with expensive tastes to match.

Tuesday saw us out with John who had taken a day off to show us around. We started off by driving up Cecil Kop, above Christmas Pass. Nothing much was doing except a couple of Stygionympha wichgrafi lannini taken by Jan. It was perhaps a little early in the day, so we pushed off to Murahwa's Hill and Meikles Jungle, where we hung traps in the hope of getting Apaturopsis cleocharis (we didn't). However, several nice Neptis were on the on the wing, including melicerta carcassoni and serena, so we were successful. We then set off into the Vumba, John showing us the marsh at Cloudlands where Martin Lunderstedt had caught an Acraea pentapolis epidica. This we didn't see (surprise, surprise!), but we were rewarded with a few Neptis swynnertoni and Mylothris sagala umtaliana, both of which caused great excitement and frenzied erection of extensions.

As an ex-European collector, I was interested at the similarity in behaviour of N. swynnertoni to the White Admiral, Limenitis camilla. The butterfly is far more nervous and agile than any other Neptis I have seen. It has a more robust body and the same chestnut-brown underside as a Limenitis. Perhaps with its central African relatives, it is more closely related to the White Admiral than even the European Neptis sappho. N.swynnertoni doesn't even fly like a typical Neptis; it only glides for short periods, beating its wings far more often and vigorously. Cloudlands really is a tantalizing spot. High up in the canopy, Cymothoe vumbui thumbed their little chitinous noses at us, we would have needed 100 foot extensions to have worried them. Eventually a couple of days later I did catch one. Typically for me, it came out of the canopy as I was answering a call of nature, and antics as I tried to adjust my dress and catch him must have been comical, but I didn't think so at the time! This marsh also produced a couple of Acraea conradtii vumbui, an uncharacteristically fast species and a big thrill to see. Cymothoe alcimeda rhodesiae were very common, swarming around blue-flowered Vernonia amygdalina bushes. This shrub is familiar to anyone who has hunted in Zululand, and it was a pleasure to see it in these exotic surroundings.

Our sojourn at Cloudlands was so fascinating that we were late for lunch at Milly Haywood's fabulous little place Cool Waters, on the Lawrenceville Road. Milly is a true original, she comes from my part of the world and dispensed her warm Yorkshire hospitality (REAL meat pie, and apple pie with cheese! thanks Milly) with cold beers whilst we lurked balefully by her famed mud patches, hoping for Aphnaeus to come down (and other things we dared not dream of such as Lipaphnaeus adema spindasoides. In this we were unlucky, the only butterflies of interest being lots of huge fresh female Neptis alta. We beat it to the top of the kopje at the Altar Site near Mutare, to find just a couple of very fresh A. erikssoni barnesi frequenting a flowering Dalbergia tree, but were disappointed to find so few. We returned to Milly's to spend more time relaxing and in intensive mud-watching, and Jan was rewarded with one specimen of barnesi. Of A. marshalli there was sadly no sign.

The next day saw us up in the Vumba again, catching more of the same species we had seen on Tuesday. The Aphnaeus were again ignoring Milly's mud patches, but I was quite happy with lazing in the sun and watching hopefully. Jan was made of sterner stuff and insisted we climb Cross Kopje - in the midday heat, nogal! So off we went. This is not a nice hill to climb, especially

74 on a boiling hot day, but it was worth it when we reached the summit. Straight away Jan got an Abantis zambesiaca, to his everlasting joy. I got my first ever Platylesches robustus, which is easily distinguished from the ubiquitous P. moritili by its large size (as big as an Abantis), and yellow spots on the upperside. We were too late in the day for Deudorix zeloides, but at approx. 13h00 the first Aphnaeus marshalli males started to appear. At first we despaired of catching these little whirling dervishes, but after a while a behavioural pattern emerged - they were settling on one or the other of two large shiny-leaved trees. All we had to do was to sit on the large rocks next to these and ambush the butterflies as they arrived. Eventually they stopped coming and the first female arrived, taken by Jan. Unfortunately no more showed up, so we set off down to inspect the Meikles Jungle traps again. Jan had caught a couple of lolaus on the kopje, but we were disappointed later to learn that they were only our old friend I. trimeni.

That evening Milly kindly took us to the Portuguese Club where we had searingly hot peri-peri chicken and prawns, washed down with lots of cold Zambesi. She had watched the mud for us and finally took one male A. marshalli and a couple of barnesi, as well as a Stygionympha wichgrafi lannini. We had a fascinating evening, as Milly has many a tale to tell! A morning 'phone call to Rob Pare produced the information that Nyanga Downs might just produce specimens of the elusive Lepidochrysops mashunae, so we packed up, said our farewells to John and (it turned out later, having forgot half of my clothes and cooking gear - my mind is like a sieve when occupied by butterflies!) set off. We reached the spot as a cold wind was blowing and high clouds were partially covering the sun, but this didn't stop the myriads of L. coxii from flying. Aloeides aranda f. rougemonti was well out, as were L. ruthica (again!), Acraea pseudatolmis and A .nohara halali. I saw only one L. mashunae, typical of sought-after Lepidochrysops it settled suddenly on a Becium flower in front of me, giving me only enough time to register that it was there before going off down the hill like a bat out of hell with me in hot pursuit. Even though I was by this point quite fit from all the walking we had been doing, it lost me with contemptuous ease. Intensive searching produced no more of these, so it looks as though we were too early to find them in numbers.

Feeling somewhat defeated we set off to Rukotso Mountain in search of the new Aloeides discovered by Ian Mullin. The spot took some time to find as it was six years since my last visit, but we eventually got there. Jan took off like a rocket after a little orange thing, but this turned out to be another aranda. No sign of the new Aloeides and the weather was getting a bit cloudy and cold so we called it a day. The original plan had been to camp at Nyanga and drive to Bindura in the early morning, but we decided to get some kilometres under our wheels and try to reach the Harare campsite before the sun went down. As it was only 15h00 we surmised that we might have a late afternoon crack at L. mashunae at Headlands. But it was not to be - the only rain of the trip was busy soaking Headlands as we drove past. We got to the Harare municipal campsite by 18h00, and found it a comfortable place with good, clean ablutions and nice soft ground for tent- pegs. After a braai and pasta-in-sauce we were exhausted, and turned in for a good night's sleep.

The morning saw Jan in a mood for a good lie-in, but unfortunately for him I was in my usual collecting-trip mode, i.e., up at the crack of dawn! Funny how this is not the case on workdays. We breakfasted quickly and set off for Bindura. We found Rob and Claire Pare's farm Uronga South easily, and soon Rob was showing us all the wonderful foodplants growing in his garden. A big thrill was handpicking a female Deudorix caerulea obscurata on the grass beneath a Julbernardia tree. This was a good omen so after another breakfast (mielie porridge Zimbabwe-style - a first for me.) we set off for Green Hills, site of Rob's well-known experiments with Charaxes chittyi. When we got there his assistant had already found some chittyi eggs, as well as a couple of Abantis pupae which Rob kindly gave me to hatch and photograph down south. We festooned the trees with traps. Rob left us to it as he had other visitors, and Jan and I split up to explore. Neptis penningtoni were fairly abundant, and suddenly I noticed some small black-and-white missiles hurtling around the hilltop. A lucky "chinese swipe" had three of them in the net at once - Abantis zambesiaca at last, and all perfect males! Glowing with success I searched for more and

75 found them to be quite numerous, together with A. paradisea and A. venosa. Every little clearing on that broad hilltop had a few Abantis in it, dogfighting in a way that reminded me of Tom Cruise in Top Gun. They are so fast, they make lycaenids like A. erikssoni look slow. I missed a female zambesiaca on a tall flowering Pterocarpus, my extensions were just not quite long enough to get at her. However, under the same tree I found a small Parinari curatellifolia tree with a little grey lycaenid playing around it. A quick swipe of the net and I had him, a perfect male D. caerulea obscurata. Another turned up a few minutes later, and then I noticed that some taller Parinari trees had lolaus playing around in them. A session of teetering around with extensions finally secured a couple of these, which turned out to be rather worn I. australis.

I went in search of Jan to see if he had found any of these. He had found a colony of the beautiful yellow satyrid Henotesia simonsii, and had had fun with the Abantis, but no lycaenids, so we went back to the Parinari trees. Jan found one that was flowering and was attracting more male D. caerulea, so we spent the next hour or so laying siege to these with our extensions. We found that the traps had attracted large numbers of tatty Ch. guderiana, but nothing else of real interest in them, including the one I had (rather optimistically) hung under a Securidaca longipedunculata in the hope of getting Ch. penricei. Surprisingly, I only got one Ch. chittyi, an old and battered male. As I was trudging back to the bakkie, laden with traps and bait buckets, I picked up the odd H. simonsii so was not too excited when a little yellow bug settled in my path. A quick inspection caused me to frantically jettison all my gear because it was a Lepidochrysops with a yellow underside! It took off with me in hot pursuit, and when I had a swing at it I realized I'd picked up an extension instead of my net. We will draw the curtain of charity over the swearing that ensued. At the time I thought it was L. gigantea as it had a blue upper side, but Rob later on thought it was more likely to be a female peculiaris. GRRRR! We got back to the farm exhausted, but a couple of cold beers revived us (I had a swim - bliss) and Rob proceeded to make us drool by showing us his collection. All those wonderful Zimbabwean butterflies (Rob hates us calling them bugs!), many of them bred. There were also lots of lovely Colotis ione fluttering about in Rob's study, because he had bred out a load of them from his recent Kenya trip.

Over supper we made plans for the morrow. This was to be the last day's collecting and it was a toss-up between Christon Bank and Arcturus. We chose the former as being easier to find and not requiring a detour. As it turned out we only set off at lunchtime because I was determined to take up Rob's offer of a spin in his plane. Whilst we waited for him to return from picking up his son Jonathan from school, we messed about in the riverine bush by the Mazoe River, not finding much apart from more N. penningtoni. I don't think poor Jan shared my enthusiasm for a flight, but up we went anyway. There is nothing like flying at low altitude over the African bush. All we needed was the theme tune from "Out of Africa" to make it complete. Rob showed us all his considerable spread from the air, including the famous cattle dips where he had imitated a dead log in the hunt for Anthene crawshayi. When we reached Christon Bank, we split up and climbed separate kopjes. There were plenty of Precis antilope in the long grass, as well as more H. simonsii and some little Ypthimas which I think are rhodesiana. Of the fabled L. gigantea, Mimacraea marshalli and Cooksonia neavei there were no sign although to be fair we were too early in the year. Climbing my kopje, I found a huge flat rock next to a big leafless Sterculia africana, and settled down to lurk. I was rewarded when Aphnaeus erikssoni mashunae males started to turn up like clockwork, all landing on the same thick twig of the Sterculia. I soon learned that sweeping the net through the twigs of this tree is a non-starter, they are like iron bars and stopped the net dead while my quarry zapped off into the blue! Eventually I worked out how to do it and spent a pleasant afternoon getting a nice series of males (alas, no females!) Occasionally a nice fresh I. australis or I. sidus would put in an appearance, and I caught a strange little Deudorix with a fugitive purple sheen on the upper side, which still has to be identified. Feeling the hour was getting a little late, with the prospect of the 600km drive to Beit Bridge ahead of us, I set off back to the bakkie to look for Jan. When I got there he wasn't there, so I walked back onto the bank, calling his name. Still no Jan. I was getting worried, what it he'd fallen off one of those huge granite boulders and was

76 languishing injured in the bush somewhere? I set off back to the bakkie to see if he'd taken another route back, but he wasn't there. Seriously worried now, as the sun was going down, I began to collect my thoughts when a little girl came up to me and pointed to the house at the end of the road. There was Jan enjoying a cold beer! Not having a very successful time with the Aphnaeus he had looked for me in vain and eventually Garry Geddes and his friend Jean, who own the house, had invited him in for a beer while they enjoyed my antics. We had a few beers more and Garry invited us to stay the night and set off in the morning. We were sorely tempted, but we really had to get going. They are a charming couple and told us they would like to see more of us butterfly collectors. I have their 'phone no. if anyone is going up there and wants somewhere to bunk at Christon Bank.

We drove back, got lost in Harare at night (the signposts to Masvingo are good at first then leave you stranded in an industrial dead end) and dodged wildlife (giraffe and impala) all the way to Beit Bridge. Zimbabwe really is still Africa! Eventually we bedded down for the night next to the border post. It was my turn to sleep in the cab and just as I had got comfy (not easy to do) a noise like a steam whistle went off in my ear followed by a honk like an old-fashioned car hooter. Gibbering with fear, I awoke and finally realized a donkey had just brayed right next to the bakkie. It turned out that Beit Bridge by night is home to a large population of itinerant asses, all of which have cowbells on their harnesses! I tried in vain to sleep, to the music of cowbells clanking and donkeys braying. Jan slept on, like a log in the (soundproofed) back of the bakkie.

In the morning we queued for longer than we had on the way up, because it transpired that some individuals were bribing their way past the head of the queue! Eventually we got through and drove off into the grey South African dawn. We had entertained ideas of collecting in the northern Transvaal on the way back to Joeys, even perhaps finding Lepidochrysops lotana at Sheba's Breasts if our Zimbabwean luck held. But it was as if the weather had said, "right, you two, you've had a week of good weather, what more do you want, now shove off home!" As we drove south the rain got heavier and heavier, only clearing at Pretoria. All in all, it was a great trip. We got nearly everything we wanted to get, quite a few things we didn't expect to get, and were exceptionally lucky with the weather. Our thanks again to all who showed us such kindness and hospitality during our visit, John, Milly, and Rob and Claire. Finally, my thanks to Jan for being such a good companion and putting up with my nonsense for a week.

METAMORPHOSIS, Vol. 4 No. 3 September 1993

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FOOTNOTE

This newsletter is compiled by Jeremy Dobson and is edited by Mark Williams, who endeavours to correct grammatical or taxonomic errors, while retaining the style and tone of the original article as submitted by the author.

This magazine relies on material from you, the members of LepSoc Africa. Please forward any news or photographs that might be of interest to [email protected].

If anyone has any ideas regarding future format or content, please feel free to make suggestions.

PDF’s of previous editions of African Butterfly News can be downloaded here:

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