Butterflies of the Cape Verde Islands (Insecta, Lepidoptera)
Zoologia Caboverdiana 5 (2): 64-104 Available at www.scvz.org © 2015 Sociedade Caboverdiana de Zoologia Butterflies of the Cape Verde Islands (Insecta, Lepidoptera) W. John Tennent1 & Peter J.C. Russell2 Keywords: Lepidoptera, butterflies, Cape Verde Islands, distribution, new records ABSTRACT A survey of butterfly species was carried out on 12 islands of the Cape Verde archipelago (Brava, Cima, Fogo, Santiago, Maio, Boa Vista, Sal, São Nicolau, Raso, Santa Luzia, São Vicente, Santo Antão) during almost eight weeks in 2013. Results include the discovery of six species not previously recorded from the islands: Vanessa atalanta, V. vulcania, Junonia oenone, Danaus plexippus, Eurema brigitta and Azanus ubaldus. Known island distribution of some resident species is extended. Status of some long-standing (and questionable) historical records and probable misidentifications are discussed in detail. Data are presented with regard to habitat, habits and host-plants of all taxa, together with a table of species, islands, status and probable original geographical source. Entomological data from Cambridge University ornithological research on Raso between 2006 and 2014 are also included. Comment is made with regard to whether butterfly studies support inclusion of the Cape Verde Islands in ‘Macaronesia’ sensu lato. RESUMO Em 2013, foi desenvolvido durante cerca de oito semanas um levantamento de espécies de borboletas das 12 ilhas do arquipélago de Cabo Verde (Brava, Cima, Fogo, Santiago, Maio, Boa Vista, Sal, São Nicolau, Raso, Santa Luzia, São Vicente, Santo Antão). Os resultados aqui apresentados incluem a descoberta de seis espécies anteriormente não registadas: Vanessa atalanta, V. vulcania, Junonia oenone, Danaus plexippus, Eurema brigitta e Azanus ubaldus.
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