AFROTROPICAL BUTTERFLIES. MARK C. WILLIAMS. http://www.lepsocafrica.org/?p=publications&s=atb Updated 9 February 2021

Genus Abantis Hopffer, 1855 Paradise Skippers

Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Type-species: Abantis tettensis Hopffer, by monotypy.

= Sapaea Plötz, 1879. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 40: 177, 179 (175-180). Type- species: Leucochitonea bicolor Trimen, by original designation.

= Abantiades Fairmaire, 1894. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 38: 395 (386-395). [Unnecessary replacement name for Abantis Hopffer.]

The genus Abantis belongs to the Family Hesperiidae Latreille, 1809; Subfamily Tagiadinae Mabille, 1878; Tribe Tagiadini Mabille, 1878. Other genera of the Tribe Tagiadini in the Afrotropical Region are Eagris, Procampta, Calleagris, Kobelana, Tagiades, Netrobalane, Caprona, and Leucochitonea.

Abantis (Paradise Skippers) is a purely Afrotropical genus of 27 beautiful skippers, with a varied array of colourful wing patterns. Most species of paradise skippers are scarce or rare. Females are often very hard to find in comparison to the males. Some are forest species, whereas others are found in the African savannas.

*Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, 1901 Tricoloured Paradise Skipper

Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, 1901. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1901: 34 (19-36). Abantis bismarcki arctomarginata Lathy, 1901. Ackery et al., 1995: 76. Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, 1901. Collins & Larsen, 1994: 1.

Abantis arctomarginata. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mufindi, Tanzania. November 2005. TCE Congdon. ABRI-2019-2241. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

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Abantis arctomarginata. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mufindi, Tanzania. November 2005. TCEC et al. ABRI-2019-2242. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: [Malawi]: “Zomba”. Diagnosis: Similar to Abantis bamptoni but hindwing more rounded; pale areas a purer white; hindwing black marginal band narrower (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Distribution: Tanzania, (south-central), Malawi. Recorded, in error, from southern Africa by Dickson & Kroon (1978) and Pringle et al. (1994: 316), and from Mozambique and Zimbabwe by Kielland (1990d). Specific localities: Tanzania – Near Mafinga, Iringa Region (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Ndembera River, Iringa Region (single female) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Malawi – Zomba (TL); Mt. Mulanje (Congdon et al., 2010). Habits: Males defend perches from leaves about two metres above the ground (Larsen, 1991c). Males are also known to show hilltopping behaviour (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Early stages:

Cock & Congdon, 2011: 46.

Larval food: Uapaca kirkiana Müll. Arg. (Phyllanthaceae) [Congdon & Collins, 1998: 15]. Uapaca nitida Mull. Arg. (Phyllanthaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2011]. Uapaca sansibarica Pax (Phyllanthaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2011].

*Abantis bamptoni Collins & Larsen, 1994 Miombo Paradise Skipper

Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, 1901. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. [misidentification] Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, 1901. Pringle et al., 1994: 316. [misidentification] Abantis bamptoni Collins & Larsen, 1994. Entomologists' Record and Journal of Variation 106 (1-2): 3 (1-5).

Abantis bamptoni. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ikelenge, Mwinilunga district, Zambia. 4 May 2001. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

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Abantis bamptoni. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Hillwood, Nchila, Mwinilunga district, Zambia. 12 October 2000. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: Zambia: “Solwezi, N. Zambia, placed as “ssp. neavei” in the synoptic collection arranged by W.H. Evans (The Natural History Museum, London).” Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: See Abantis arctomarginata for differentiating features. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba – Mpala), Tanzania (west), Malawi, Zambia (north), Mozambique (near the Zimbabwe border), Zimbabwe (Collins & Larsen, 1994: 3). Specific localities: Tanzania – Lubalisi Valley, Kigoma District (Kielland; single record; as Abantis arctomarginata); Sitebi Mountain, Mpanda District (Bampton; larvae); Usondo Plateau near Uvinza (larva) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Malawi – Mount Mulanje (Congdon et al., 2010); Zomba Mountain (Congdon et al., 2010). Zambia – Solwezi (TL); Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Chingola (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Kasama (Heath et al., 2002); Mpika (Heath et al., 2002); Mount Swebi (Collins & Larsen, 1994). Mozambique – Moribane Forest (Carcasson; single record). Zimbabwe – Lomagundi Mine (O’Neil; single record); Chinhoyi (Lannin; single record); Witchwood Valley, Vumba (Barnes); Selukwe (Vissian); Butler South in the Chitora Hills (Pennington; single male); Bomponi Valley below the Vumba Mountains (the Cooksons); Mount Selinda (Mullin and Bampton); base and summit of the Chimanimani Mountains (Mullin and Bampton); northern suburbs of Harare (Mullin and Bampton). Habitat: Deciduous woodland, especially Brachystegia woodland. Habits: Males do not hilltop (Heath et al., 2002) but apparently select perches on the top of tall trees from which to defend territories (Pringle et al., 1994). Vissian, vide Pringle et al. (1994), noted specimens feeding on the flowers of Lantana and the Cooksons found them feeding from tall purple flowers between 12:00 and 14:00. Flight period: Presumably September to April (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Paré, in Pringle et al., 1994: 316 [as Abantis arctomarginata; larvae ex Vumba Mountains]. “The final instar larva is almost identical to that of A. venosa, but the prothoracic plate just behind the head is black instead of brown. The body is off-white with groups of six to seven yellow spots on the sides of each segment, and the head is black with dense white hairs, all curving forwards. The larval shelter is typical of this group, if a little less neatly cut, and has characteristic ‘windows’ cut out at irregular intervals round the edge. Many larvae are taken by small spiders and tachinid flies account for numbers in the wild, hence very few ever make it to adulthood.”

Collins & Larsen, 1994: 4 Bred by J.I.W. Mullin and R. Paré (from material found near Harare).

Cock & Congdon, 2011: 48.

Cock et al., 2017 [larval shelters].

Larval food: Uapaca kirkiana Müll. Arg. (Phyllanthaceae) [Bampton & Mullin, 1988: 6; for Abantis 3 arctomarginata] (Met. 1 (21): 6). Uapaca nitida Müll. Arg. (Phyllanthaceae) [Paré, in Pringle et al., 1994: 316; for Abantis arctomarginata]. Uapaca sansibarica Pax (Phyllanthaceae) [Mullin, in Pringle et al., 1994: 316; for Abantis arctomarginata]. neavei Aurivillius, 1925 in Seitz, 1908-25 (as f. of Abantis bismarcki). Die Gross-Schmetterlinge der Erde, Stuttgart (2) 13 Die Afrikanischen Tagfalter: 569 (614 pp.). “Rhodesia”. [Regarded as a synonym of bamptoni by Collins & Larsen, 1994: 2.]

*Abantis bergeri Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2009 Angola Paradise Skipper

Abantis bergeri Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2009. SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia 37 (147): 314 (313-318).

Type locality: Angola: “Moxico Province, Lumeje, 20-IV-1965, (BS-14091), det. L. Berger as Abantis b. bismarcki (CZ-5372)”. Holotype (male) in the entomological collection of the IICT/JBT – Zoology (formerly Centro de Zoologica). Described from a single male; female unknown (Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2009). Diagnosis: Similar to bismarcki, arctomarginata and bamptoni. Distribution: Angola. Specific localities: Angola – Lumeje, Moxico Province [-11.561 20.782] (TL). Habitat: Woodland (Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2009). Habits: Flight period: Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis bicolor (Trimen, 1864)# Bicoloured Paradise Skipper

A perching male of the Bicolored Paradise Skipper ( Abantis bicolor) Images courtesy Steve Woodhall

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Female Bicoloured Paradise Skipper (Abantis bicolor). Entumeni N.R., KwaZulu-Natal. Image courtesy Reinier Terblanche.

Leucochitonea bicolor Trimen, 1864. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (3) 2: 180 (175-180). Leucochitonea bicolor Trimen. Trimen, 1866a. Abantis bicolor (Trimen, 1864). Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Abantis bicolor Trimen. Swanepoel, 1953a. Abantis bicolor (Trimen, 1864). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Abantis bicolor (Trimen, 1864). Pringle et al., 1994: 316.

Abantis bicolor. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ngoye Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. April 2001. SCC. ABRI-2019-2239. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis bicolor. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Port St Johns, Eastern Cape Province, South Afirca. 1 May 1954. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

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Abantis bicolor. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ngoye Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. November 1952. H. Cookson. ABRI-2019-2240. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Alternative common name: Wegkruip-dartelaartjie (Afrikaans) Type locality: [South Africa]: “Bashee River, Kaffraria”. Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London.

Distribution: South Africa (KwaZulu- Natal, Eastern Cape Province). In South Africa its distribution covers 15 quarter degree squares (200 records) [see http://vmus.adu.org.za]. It is regarded as localized.

Specific localities: KwaZulu-Natal – Kranskop [historical], Umkomaas Hills (Swanepoel, 1953); Syndenham (Swanepoel, 1953); Pinetown (Swanepoel, 1953); Umlaas Waterworks, west of Durban (Dickson; single record) [historical]; Illovo (Schoeman); Ngoye Forest (Pennington); Mpongolwana (30 05 00.37S 30 43 23.33E) close to Hwayi, south-west of Durban (S. Woodhall, 2009e); Nkandla (Mecenero et al., 2013); Krantzkloof N.R. (S. Woodhall, in African Butterfly News, 2019 no. 3). Eastern Cape Province – Bashee River (TL; Bowker); East London (Clark) [historical]; Port St Johns (Swanepoel, 1953). Habitat: Coastal forest, scarp forest and dense bush on the east coast of South Africa. Habits: Both sexes feed from flowers, such as those of Scabious. Males are very territorial, establishing their perches on the twigs of trees two to three metres above the ground. These territories may be on hilltops or cliff edges or on the fringes of forest. The flight is rapid. When perched the wings are usually held open (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: Appears to have two main broods a year. The early summer brood is smaller than the autumn (April-May) brood (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Suspected to be Grewia lasiocarpa (Tiliaceae) [M. Williams, unpublished]. Conservation status: Classified as ‘Rare (Low Density)’. Monitoring of subpopulations is required (Mecenero et al., 2013).

*Abantis bismarcki Karsch, 1892 Northern Paradise Skipper

Abantis bismarcki Karsch, 1892. Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin. 18: 228 (228-229).

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Abantis bismarcki. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Kyabobo, northern Ghana. May 2005. RV, SY. ABRI-2019-2237. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis bismarcki. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Waak, Cameroon. May 2006. NA ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2238. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Togo: “Forschungstation Bismarckburg im Hinterlande von Togo”. Distribution: Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin (central), Nigeria (north), Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan (south), Uganda (drier parts), Kenya (west) (Collins & Larsen, 1994: 1). Specific localities: Guinea – Fouta Djalon (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Likpe (ABRI, vide Larsen, 2005a). Togo – Bismarckburg (TL). Nigeria – Kaduna area (Larsen, 2005a). Kenya – Webuye (Larsen, 1991c); Kakamega (Larsen, 1991c); Broderick Falls Ridge (Larsen, 1991c). Habitat: Apparently the transition zone between dry forest and Guinea savanna (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A scarce skipper; usually males are found when hilltopping (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published (Collins & Larsen, 1994: 4). Larval food: Nothing published (Collins & Larsen, 1994: 4).

*Abantis contigua Evans, 1937 Dusky Paradise Skipper

Abantis venosa contigua Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 55 (212 pp.). Abantis contigua Evans, 1937. Larsen, 1991c: 403.

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Abantis contigua. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Sangmelima, Cameroon. December 1997. SCC. ABRI-2019-2256. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis contigua male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Akok/Kribi, Cameroon, ex ABRI Collection. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Abantis contigua. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ebogo, Cameroon. March 2000. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2257. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis contigua female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ebogo, Cameroon, ex ABRI Collection. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Uganda: “Mabira Forest, Chagwe 3,600 ft”.

8 Distribution: Cameroon, Congo, Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya (west), Zambia (north-west to Copperbelt). Specific localities: Angola – Mendes & Bivar de Sousa (2009) report a male from Teixeira de Sousa [now Dilolo] [10 42S, 22 14E] but the illustration is of A. venosa; Kwanza Norte Province and Moxico Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Central African Republic – Dzanga (Noss, 1998). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Central Forest Block (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Mabira Forest (TL); Mpanga Forest (Safian & Pyrcz, 2020). Kenya – Kakamega (Larsen, 1991c). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002). Habitat: Moist deciduous woodland. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

Note: Larsen (2005a) suggests that contigua Evans, 1937 may be the equatorial subspecies of the West African elegantula (Mabille, 1890).

*Abantis efulensis Holland, 1896 White-banded Paradise Skipper

Abantis efulensis Holland, 1896. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1896: 21 (2-107).

Abantis efulensis. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Kasugho, North Kivu, DRC. 28 February 2017. R. Ducarme. Images courtesy T. Desloges.

Abantis efulensis. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ebogo, Cameroon. October 2001. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2263. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Efulen, Cameroons”. Distribution: Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda (south-west – Kigezi 9 district). Specific localities: Cameroon – Efulen (TL). Democratic Republic of Congo – Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis elegantula (Mabille, 1890) Elegant Paradise Skipper

Sapaea elegantula Mabille, 1890. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 10: 32 (17-51).

Abantis elegantula. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mate, eastern Ghana. July 2009. SY, RV. ABRI-2019-2258. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis elegantula. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Amedzofe, Ghana. June 2009. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2259. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Sierra Leone: “Sierra-Leona”. Distribution: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau (Mendes et al., 2007), Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon. Specific localities: Guinea – Fouta Djalon (M. Mei, vide Larsen, 2005a); Parc National du Haut Niger (M. Mei, vide Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Lipke (Miller, 1971); Atewa Range (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Kagoro Forest, south of Jos (Larsen, 2005a); Anambra Creek (Larsen, 2005a); Okwangwo (Larsen, 2005a). Habitat: Forest, including forest-savanna mosaic (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A rare skipper (Larsen, 2005a). Males mudpuddle (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

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Note: Larsen (2005a) suggests that contigua Evans, 1937 may be the equatorial subspecies of the West African elegantula (Mabille, 1890).

maesseni Miller, 1971 (as sp. of Abantis). Bulletin of the Allyn Museum (2): 3 (17 pp.). Ghana: “Lipke”. Given as a valid species by Ackery et al., 1995. Considered to be the dry-season form of Abantis elegantula (Mabille, 1890) by Larsen, 2005a: 486.

*Abantis eltringhami Jordan, 1932 Cameroon Paradise Skipper

Abantis eltringhami Jordan, 1932. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London 6: 89 (89).

Abantis eltringhami. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Maan, southern Cameroon. November 2002. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2266. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis eltringhami. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Lolodorf, southern Cameroon. July 2014. ABRI Leg. ABRI-2019-2267. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons; Bitye, Ja River, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon. Specific localities: Cameroon – Bitje, Ja River (TL). Gabon – Kinguele (camp Lonmin). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. Relevant literature: Larsen, 2009 [Mimicry with Neuroxena (Arctiidae)].

*Abantis fabiana Belcastro, 2016

Abantis fabiana Belcastro, 2016. Fragmenta entomologica 48 (1): 54 (53-59). 11

Type locality: Guinea: “Guinea, Seredou, Forêt de Ziama, 1000 m”. Holotype (male) in the collection of C. Belcastro. Female unknown (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016). Diagnosis: Facies intermediate between A. lucretius and A. bismarcki (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016). Distribution: Guinea, Ivory Coast. Specific localities: Guinea – Ziama Forest, Seredou (TL). Ivory Coast – Mount Tonkoui (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016). Habitat: Found along forest roads in hilly country (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis ja Druce, 1909 Djah Paradise Skipper

Abantis ja Druce, 1909. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909: 408 (406-413).

Abantis ja ja Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Yakoli, Central African Republic. 15 July 1997. S. Collins. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Greyling Collection.

Abantis ja ja. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ebogo, Cameroon. August 2002. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2261. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Bitje, Ja River, Cameroons, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo. Habitat: Forest (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A very rare paradise skipper, possibly spending most of the time in the forest canopy (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

12 Abantis ja ja Druce, 1909 Djah Paradise Skipper

Abantis ja Druce, 1909. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909: 408 (406-413).

Abantis ja ja Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Yakoli, Central African Republic. 15 July 1997. S. Collins. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Greyling Collection.

Abantis ja ja. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ebogo, Cameroon. August 2002. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2261. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Bitje, Ja River, Cameroons, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo. Specific localities: Cameroon – Bitje, Ja Rvier (TL). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018).

Abantis ja usheri Collins & Larsen, 2008 Western Djah Paradise Skipper

Abantis ja usheri Collins & Larsen, 2008. Metamorphosis 19 (2): 89 (42-113).

13 Abantis ja usheri male holotype upperside Abantis ja usheri female upperside

Type locality: Ghana: “Ghana, Central Region, Atewa Range, (06°16'N 00°34'W), ii.2007 (ABRI leg. et coll.). Holotype (male) in the African Butterfly Research Institute collection, Nairobi. Etymology: Named for Michael B. Usher who collected butterflies in Ghana in 1959-60, 1971-73 and 1975 (Collins & Larsen, 2008). Distribution: Ivory Coast, Ghana. Specific localities: Ivory Coast – Danane (Larsen, 2005a). This may be a record for Abantis tanobia (Collins & Larsen, 2008). Ghana – Atewa Range (TL); Bibiani (Collins & Larsen, 2008).

*Abantis leucogaster (Mabille, 1890) Streaked Paradise Skipper

Sapaea leucogaster Mabille, 1890. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 10: 32 (17-51). Abantis leucogaster (Mabille, 1890). Holland, 1896.

Abantis leucogaster leucogaster male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Yakoli, Central African Republic. 6 June 1997. S. Collins. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Greyling Collection.

Abantis leucogaster leucogaster. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Nyong River, Ebogo, Cameroon. 2005. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2249. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Sierra Leone: “Sierra-Leone”. Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia (Gardiner, 2010b). Habitat: Primary forest and well-developed secondary forest. Habits: A rare skipper that, at times, may be seen feeding from flowers. Most of the time individuals remain in the forest canopy (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. 14 Larval food: Nothing published.

Abantis leucogaster leucogaster (Mabille, 1890) Streaked Paradise Skipper

Sapaea leucogaster Mabille, 1890. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 10: 32 (17-51).

Abantis leucogaster leucogaster male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Yakoli, Central African Republic. 6 June 1997. S. Collins. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Greyling Collection.

Abantis leucogaster leucogaster. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Nyong River, Ebogo, Cameroon. 2005. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2249. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Sierra Leone: “Sierra-Leone”. Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (extreme north-west). Specific localities: Guinea – Conakry area (Larsen, 2005a); Nimbas (Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Nimba area (Larsen, 2005a); Mount Peko (Larsen, 2005a); Mount Tonkoui (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Atewa Range (Larsen, 2005a); Tano Ofin (Larsen, 2005a); Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007). Nigeria – Agege near Lagos (Larsen, 2005a); Cross River loop (Larsen, 2005a). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ubangi (Larsen & Collins, 2014).

Abantis leucogaster rotundala Larsen & Collins, 2014 Eastern Streaked Paradise Skipper

Abantis leucogaster rotundala Larsen & Collins, 2014. Metamorphosis 25: 61 (60-76).

15 Type locality: Uganda: “Katera Forest (00.28S 31.37E)”. Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania (east), Zambia. Specific localities: Uganda – Katera Forest (TL); Kibale (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Kamengo (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Sango Bay (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Entebbe (Larsen & Collins, 2014). Democratic Republic of Congo – Mamove (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Mapimbi (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Bangupa (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Balika/Basayo (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Kisangani (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Isiro (= Paulis) (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Kapanga (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Kafakumba (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Central Forest Block (Ducarme, 2018). Tanzania – Kere Hill, in Minziro Forest (two females; very rare) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Zambia – Ikelenge (Gardiner, 2010b).

*Abantis iruma Evans, 1951 Pale Paradise Skipper

Abantis leucogaster iruma Evans, 1951. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 4: 1270 (1268-1272). Abantis iruma Evans, 1951. Larsen & Collins, 2014: 62 stat. rev.

Abantis iruma. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mapimbi, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. May 2013. ABRI Leg. ABRI-2019-2264. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis iruma. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Maliva, Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. June 2014. ABRI Leg. ABRI-2019-2265. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Irumu, Ituri Forest, Belgian Congo”. Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Paler than leucogaster (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (North Kivu and Orientale Provinces). Specific localities:

16 Democratic Republic of Congo – Irumu, Ituri Forest (TL); Isiro (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Biakatu (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis ituri Larsen & Collins, 2014 Congo Paradise Skipper

Abantis ituri Larsen & Collins, 2014. Metamorphosis 25: 63 (60-76).

Abantis ituri. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mapimbi, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. June 2011. ABRI Leg. ABRI-2019-2245. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis ituri. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Lukolela, Democratic Republic of Congo. June 2013. BL. ABRI-2019-2246. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Kivu, Biakatu, 1000 m (00.50N 29.00E)”. Holotype (male) in the African Butterfly Research Institute. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Kivu and Orientale Provinces). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Biakatu (TL); Pateka (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Mamove (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Teturi (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Makele (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Mt Hoyo (Larsen & Collins, 2014), Beni (Larsen & Collins, 2014); Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Habitat: Evergreen and semi-deciduous forest, from 900 to 1300 m (Larsen & Collins, 2014). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis lucretia Druce, 1909

17 White-bodied Paradise Skipper

Abantis lucretia Druce, 1909. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909: 409 (406-413).

Abantis lucretia lucretia. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Likpe Mate, Volta, Ghana. July 1998. M. Mane. ABRI-2019-2247. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis lucretia lucretia. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Sagamase, Ghana. January 2001. R. Vorgas. ABRI-2019-2248. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Bitje, Ja River, Cameroons, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Guinea (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Zambia. Habitat: Forest in good condition (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A rare skipper (Larsen, 2005a). Males have been seen defending territories from treetop perches between 11:00 and 12:00 (Larsen, 2005a). Males also mud-puddle (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

Abantis lucretia lucretia Druce, 1909 White-bodied Paradise Skipper

Abantis lucretia Druce, 1909. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909: 409 (406-413).

18

Abantis lucretia lucretia. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Likpe Mate, Volta, Ghana. July 1998. M. Mane. ABRI-2019-2247. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis lucretia lucretia. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Sagamase, Ghana. January 2001. R. Vorgas. ABRI-2019-2248. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Bitje, Ja River, Cameroons, 2000 feet”. Distribution: Guinea (Warren-Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria (Cross River loop), Cameroon. Specific localities: Guinea – Fouta Djalon (Larsen, 2005a); Nimbas (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Atewa Range (Larsen, 2005a); Wli Falls (Banks, vide Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Bitje, Ja River (TL); Ebogo, near Mbalmayo (male illustrated above).

Abantis lucretia etoumbiensis Miller, 1971 Congo White-bodied Paradise Skipper

Abantis lucretia etoumbiensis Miller, 1971. Bulletin of the Allyn Museum (2): 15, 16 (17 pp.).

Type locality: Congo: “French Congo; Etoumbi”. Distribution: Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda (south-west). Specific localities: Congo – Etoumbi (TL). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018).

Abantis lucretia lofu Neave, 1910 Zambia White-bodied Paradise Skipper

Abantis lofu Neave, 1910. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 72 (2-86).

19 Type locality: [Zambia]: “between the Lofu [Lufubu] river and Lake Tanganyika” and “east of Lake Bangweolo [Bangweulu]”. Holotype (male) in Hope Collection, Oxford. The allotype (female), collected “east of Lake Bangweolo” is, in fact, attributable to Abantis bamptoni Collins & Larsen (Heath et al., 2002: 7). Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Zambia (north). Specific localities: Zambia – Between the Lufubu River and Lake Tanganyika. Known only from the male holotype in Zambia (Heath et al., 2002).

*Abantis meneliki Berger, 1979 Ethiopia Paradise Skipper

Abantis meneliki Berger, 1979. Lambillionea 78: 67 (67-69).

Type locality: Ethiopia: “Harrar”. Distribution: Ethiopia, Somalia (Djibouti). Specific localities: Ethiopia – Harrar (TL). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis meru Evans, 1947 Meru Paradise Skipper

Abantis paradisea meru Evans, 1947. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (11) 13: 644 (641-648). Abantis meru Evans, 1947. Larsen, 1991c: 402.

Abantis meru. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. No label. ABRI-2019-2243. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis meru. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Gatamayu Forest, Kenya. February 2007.Bred. IB. ABRI-2019-2244. 20 Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Kenya: “Meru”. Diagnosis: Similar to Abantis paradisea but its pattern is less contrasting and the veins on the hindwing upperside are not prominently blackened (Larsen, 1991c). The female has not been described; she resembles the male but is larger, with yellow instead of orange circles on the abdomen (Larsen, 1991c). Distribution: Kenya (highlands east of the Rift Valley). Specific localities: Kenya – Meru (TL); Nyambeni (Larsen, 1991c); Katamaya (Larsen, 1991c). Habitat: Open places in forest country (Larsen, 1991c). Habits: A scarce species, perhaps because it tends to stay high up and only comes down occasionally to feed from flowers at the edge of clearings and along forest roads (Larsen, 1991c). Early stages:

Cock & Congdon, 2011: 59.

Larval food: Hibiscus species (Malvaceae) [Sevastopulo, 1975; requires confirmation (Cock & Congdon, 2011)]. Macaranga sp., probably kilimandscharica (now M. capensis var. kilmandscharica (Pax) Friis & M.G. Gilbert) (Euphorbiaceae) [Bampton vide Cock & Congdon, 2011]. Vernonia hochstetteri Sch. Bip. ex Walp. var. hochstetteri (Asteraceae) [Van Someren, 1974: 325; as Vernonia jugalis Oliv. and Hierman; requires confirmation (Larsen, 1991c)].

*Abantis nigeriana Butler, 1901 Nigerian Paradise Skipper

Abantis nigeriana Butler, 1901. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 8: 59 (57-60).

Abantis nigeriana nigeriana. Male (Wet season form). Left – upperside; right – underside. Kintapo, Ghana. February 2006. SY, RV. ABRI-2019-2252. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

21 Abantis nigeriana nigeriana. Male (Dry season form). Left – upperside; right – underside. Mako, eastern Senegal. January 2002. Mane, Sane. ABRI-2019-2250. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis nigeriana nigeriana. Female (Wet season form). Left – upperside; right – underside. Waak, northern Cameroon. March 2007. NA. ABRI-2019-2253. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Nigeria: “Yelva Lake, Borgu”. Distribution: Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau (Bivar-de-Sousa et al., 2016), Guinea, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, ?Sudan (south), Gabon. Habitat: Mainly Guinea savanna and its northern fringes. Habits: Males are regular hilltoppers (Larsen, 2005a). Males are attracted to prawns laid out as bait, landing about a metre away and then making their way to the prawns in an erratic manner, with the wings held flat (N. & J. Baker, vide Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

Abantis nigeriana nigeriana Butler, 1901 Nigerian Paradise Skipper

Abantis nigeriana Butler, 1901. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 8: 59 (57-60).

Abantis nigeriana nigeriana. Male (Wet season form). Left – upperside; right – underside. Kintapo, Ghana. February 2006. SY, RV. ABRI-2019-2252. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

22

Abantis nigeriana nigeriana. Male (Dry season form). Left – upperside; right – underside. Mako, eastern Senegal. January 2002. Mane, Sane. ABRI-2019-2250. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis nigeriana nigeriana. Female (Wet season form). Left – upperside; right – underside. Waak, northern Cameroon. March 2007. NA. ABRI-2019-2253. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Nigeria: “Yelva Lake, Borgu”. Distribution: Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau (Bivar-de-Sousa et al., 2016), Guinea, Ghana, Benin (central, north), Nigeria (north), ?Sudan (south). Specific localities: Senegal – Basse Casamance (Larsen, 2005a); Niokolo-Koba (Larsen, 2005a). Burkina Faso – Satiri (Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Dingueraye (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Nakpanduri (Larsen, 2005a); Mount Afagiato (Larsen, 2005a). Benin – see Coache et al., 2017. Nigeria – Yelva Lake, Borgu (TL); Zaria (Larsen, 2005a); north of Enugu (Larsen, 2005a); the Adamawa (Larsen, 2005a); Kaduna area (N. & J. Baker, vide Larsen, 2005a).

Abantis nigeriana rougeoti Berger, 1960 Southern Nigerian Paradise Skipper

Abantis nigeriana rougeoti Berger, 1960. Lambillionea 59: 93 (90-94).

23

Abantis nigeriana rougeoti. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Botambi, Central African Republic. January 1997. SCC. ABRI-2019-2254. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Abantis nigeriana rougeoti. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Yakoli, Central African Republic. July 1996. SCC. ABRI-2019-2255. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Gabon: “Lastourville”. Distribution: Gabon. Known only from the holotype. Specific localities: Gabon – Lastourville (TL).

Note: Probably not conspecific with nigeriana and is probably a distinct species (Larsen, 2005a).

*Abantis paradisea (Butler, 1870)# African Paradise Skipper

Leucochitonea paradisea Butler, 1870. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1870: 499 (485-520). Abantis paradisea (Butler, 1870). Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Abantis paradisea Butler. Swanepoel, 1953a. Abantis paradisea (Butler, 1870). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Abantis paradisea (Butler, 1870). Pringle et al., 1994: 316.

Left: Male Paradise Skipper (Abantis paradisea). Right: Female Paradise Skipper Images courtesy Steve Woodhall

24

Abantis paradisea. Male (white form) (Wingspan 43 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. 5 January 2012. M. Williams. Images M.C. Williams ex Williams Collection.

Abantis paradisea. Male (yellow form) (Wingspan 42 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. 5 January 2012. M. Williams. Images M.C. Williams ex Williams Collection.

Abantis paradisea. Female (Wingspan 50 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Mphaphuli Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. 30 April 2006. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Type locality: [South Africa]: “Port Natal”. Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Nigeria (north-east), Somalia, Uganda, Kenya (central and north-west), Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Malawi, Zambia (central and north-east), Angola (Weymer, 1901, 1903), Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (north-east), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland. In South Africa its distribution covers 77 quarter degree squares (288 records) [see http://vmus.adu.org.za]. It is regarded as widespread. Specific localities: Nigeria – Dahshen near Mubi in the Adamawa area (A. Jorgensen, vide Larsen, 2005a; single specimen). Kenya – Makueni (Larsen, 1991c); Malindi (Larsen, 1991c); Rabai (Larsen, 1991c); Teita (Larsen, 1991c); Shimba Hills (Larsen, 1991c); Suna (Larsen, 1991c); Kacheliba (Larsen, 1991c); Kima (Larsen, 1991c); lower Ngong Hills (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Widespread (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Mount Mulanje (Congdon et al., 2010); Nyika N.P. (J. Timberlake, pers. comm., 2019). Zambia – Chingola (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Mpongwe (Heath et al., 2002); Choma (Heath et al., 2002); Chisamba (Heath et al., 2002); 25 Chalimbana (Heath et al., 2002); Mazabuka (Heath et al., 2002); Luangwa Valley (Heath et al., 2002); Mbala (Heath et al., 2002); 48 km south of Kasama (Heath et al., 2002). Angola – Onschingue [15 10S, 19 07E], near Kuito, a stream close to Cuito-Cuanavale, north of the Sobi River, Kuando-Kubango Province (Weymer, 1901, 1903). Mozambique – Mt Mecula [-12.0772 37.6297] (Congdon & Bayliss, 2013). Zimbabwe – Bomponi, Vumba (Cookson). Botswana – Shoshong just west of Mahalapye (Trimen, 1889); Mohambo (Pinhey); Shakawe (Liversidge vide Pinhey, 1968-74); Savuti Channel (Liversidge vide Pinhey, 1968-74); 50 km south of Kasane (Larsen, 1991l); 150 km north of Nata (Larsen, 1991l); Radisele (Larsen, 1991l). Namibia – Mashari (Ball). Limpopo Province – Acornhoek (Swanepoel, 1953); Gravelotte (Swanepoel, 1953); Tzaneen (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokeetsi (Swanepoel, 1953); Molimo’s Location (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Dendron (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Nylstroom (Swanepoel, 1953); Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve (Warren, 1990); Highlands Wilderness (Bode & Bode, unpublished checklist); Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (Williams, unpublished); Gundani (Coetzer’s); Soetdoring Farm [-24.561 28.233] (A. Mayer, pers comm. 2015). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg district (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Enkeldoornpoort (J. Dobson, unpublished). KwaZulu-Natal – Durban (TL); Margate (Swanepoel, 1953); Umkomaas (Swanepoel, 1953); Isipingo (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); Ngoye Forest (Swanepoel, 1953); Empangeni (Swanepoel, 1953); Hluhluwe (Swanepoel, 1953); Magut (Swanepoel, 1953); Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002); Tembe Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002). Habitat: Moist savanna (bushveld). Also in coastal bush (Pringle et al., 1994). In Tanzania from sea- level to 1 500 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: This is one of the commoner members of the genus (Larsen, 1991c). The flight is usually quite slow and skipping. Both flowers and muddy places are visited. Males are avid hilltoppers, selecting perches on the twigs of bushes or trees a few metres from the ground. They dart to and fro in their territories, often returning to rest on their chosen perch (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year but appears to be commonest from August to October (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 224; plate 10 [as Abantis paradisea; from eggs and/or larvae from Umkomaas and Durban North, KwaZulu-Natal]. “Egg: Laid singly on a leaf; watery-yellow, but covered with abdominal scales, ‘pasted’ on to the egg in regular formation and giving a symmetrical frill round the base which perfectly disguises the egg. Uncovered egg 1,0 mm diameter by 0,65 mm high. There are 20 longitudinal ribs and some 35 concentric rows of indentations, with approximately 7 indentations per row in each space between the ribs. Incubation period 8 days. Shell not eaten by larva after its emergence. Larva: 1st instar 3,5 to 5 mm in 12 days; 2nd instar 5 to 8 mm in 8 days; 3rd instar 8 to 12 mm in 8 days; 4th instar 12 to 19,5 mm in 8 days; 5th instar 19,5 to 31 mm in 23 days. Duration of instars variable. Larva bites an elliptical incision in a leaf, leaving a small portion ‘uncut’, and then draws the cut- out portion over the adjoining surface of the leaf, and secures it with silk to form a ‘purse’. The larva feeds on the surface of the leaf within this purse. When too large for this ‘hide-out’, it draws the edge of a leaf over and makes a larger shelter for itself. Later still, it draws two leaves together, and it pupates between these leaves. Pupa: 21 mm. Emergence after 21 days. Parasite: Thecocarcelia species (Diptera), ex larva. The species is multi- brooded, in warmer areas.”

Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 89 (photograph of final instar larva and pupa).

Cock & Congdon, 2011: 54.

Larval food: Afzelia quanzensis Welw. (Fabaceae) [Dollman vide Cock & Congdon, 2011; Zambia]. Annona species (Annonaceae) [Sevastopulo, 1974; Kenya]. Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) [Sevastopulo vide Cock & Congdon, 2011]. Bridelia species (Euphorbiaceae) [Larsen, 1991c: 402]. Bridelia cathartica G.Bertol. (Euphorbiaceae) [Sevastopulo, 1981; Kenya]. Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) [Pringle et al., 1994: 317].

26 Cola natalensis Oliv. (Sterculiaceae) [Platt, 1921; South Africa]. Hibiscus species (Malvaceae) [Pinhey, 1965]. Hibiscus tiliaceus L. (Malvaceae) [Platt, 1921; South Africa]. Lecaniodiscus species (Sapindaceae) [I.A.D. & S.A. Robertson, vide Larsen, 1991c: 402; Kenya coast]. Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius Baker (Sapindaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 89]. Philenoptera violacea (Klotzsch) Schrire (syn. Lonchocarpus capassa) (Fabaceae) [Henning et al., 1997]. Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia Pax (Euphorbiaceae) [Pringle et al., 1994: 317]. Pterocarpus species (Fabaceae) [I. Mullin, vide Larsen, 1991c: 402]. Xeroderris stuhlmanni (Taub.) Mendonça & E.C.Sousa (Fabaceae) [Heath et al., 2002: 7]. Xylopia nr. odoratissima Welw. Ex Oliv. (Annonaceae) [(Cock & Congdon, 2011]. Xylopia longipetala De Wild. & T. Durand (Annonaceae) [Henning et al., 1997; as Xylopia parviflora (A. Rich. Benth].

namaquana Westwood, 1874 (as sp. of Hesperia [Oxynetra]). Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis or illustrations of new, rare, and interesting insects for the most part contained in the collection presented to the University of Oxford: 183 (205 pp.). Oxford. “Africa australior”.

*Abantis pseudonigeriana Usher, 1984 Beige Paradise Skipper

Abantis pseudonigeriana Usher, 1984. Systematic Entomology 9: 352 (351-356).

Type locality: Nigeria: “Zaria, Samaru”. Distribution: Senegal (east), Guinea, Sierra Leone (north), Ghana (north), Benin (central), Nigeria. Specific localities: Senegal – Kedegou (Collins, vide Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Fouta Djalon (H. Warren-Gash, vide Larsen, 2005a); Parc National du Haut Niger (H. Warren-Gash, vide Larsen, 2005a). Sierra Leone – Outamba National Park (C. Belcastro, vide Larsen, 2005a); Bendugu (C. Belcastro, vide Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Yendi (Maessen, vide Larsen, 2005a); Kaleo (Van Dinthen, vide Larsen, 2005a); Mole National Park (J. Ciha, vide Larsen, 2005a); Kyabobo National Park (P. Chambers, vide Larsen, 2005a). Benin – see Coache et al., 2017. Nigeria – Samaru, Zaria (TL). Habitat: Dry savanna (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Apparently a rare skipper, even more so than the closely-related Abantis nigeriana (Larsen, 2005a). Males have, on odd occasions, been found feeding on dead turtles and dead fish but they also come to flowers (Larsen, 2005a). Males also hilltop (Larsen, 2005a). Most specimens known are of the dry-season form, the wet-season form being known only from three specimens (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis rubra Holland, 1920 Russet Paradise Skipper

Abantis rubra Holland, 1920. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 43: 253 (109-369).

27

Abantis rubra male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Yakoli, Central African Republic. 15 July 1997. S. Collins. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Greyling Collection.

Abantis rubra. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Sangmelima, Cameroon. November 1993. SCC. ABRI-2019-2260. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Medje”. Distribution: Nigeria (Cross River loop), Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo. Specific localities: Nigeria – Ikom (B. Watulege, vide Larsen, 2005a). Democratic Republic of Congo – Medje (TL); Central Forest Block (Ducarme, 2018). Habitat: Forest (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: An apparently rare skipper, possibly little seen because of its proclivity for the forest canopy (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis torbeni Belcastro & Oremans, 2016 Torben’s Paradise Skipper

Abantis torbeni Belcastro & Oremans, 2016. Fragmenta entomologica 48 (1): 54 (53-59).

Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Democratic Republic of Congo, North-Kivu, Mambungu”. Holotype (male) in the collection of P. Oremans. Female unknown (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016). Diagnosis: Facies most similar to that of A. contigua (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016). Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo. Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Mambungu (TL); Kanyambia (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016); Maliva (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016); Lubango (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016); Kasuo (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016); Kirima (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016). Ivory Coast – Mount Tonkoui (Belcastro & Oremans, 2016). Habitat: Nothing published. Early stages: Nothing published.

28 Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis tanobia Collins & Larsen, 2005 Ghana Paradise Skipper

Abantis tanobia Collins & Larsen, 2005. In: Larsen, 2005. Butterflies of West Africa: 558.

Abantis tanobia. Male (Holotype). Left – upperside; right – underside. Tana Ofin, Ghana. February 2006. Vorgas, Yevu. ABRI-2019-2262. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Ghana: “Tano Ofin”. Holotype (male) February, 2003 (R. Vorgas leg., coll. African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi). Described from four males; the female is unknown (Larsen, 2005a). Holotype in African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi. Diagnosis: Most similar to Abantis ja, differing as follows: smaller; hyaline markings of forewing shorter; three subapical spots (usually four in Abantis ja); spot in space 2 better developed; spot in space 3 more distad; no paler ochreous submarginal shading on upperside of both wings; underside much darker (Larsen, 2005a). There are clear differences between the genitalia of the two species (Larsen, 2005a). Etymology: The name is derived by an amalgamation of the two locality names from which the type material originated (Tano Ofin and Bia) (Larsen, 2005a). Distribution: Ghana (west). A record for Abantis ja from Danane, Ivory Coast may pertain to Abantis tanobia (Collins & Larsen, 2008). Specific localities: Ghana – Tano Ofin (TL); Bia National Park (R. Vorgas). Habitat: Forest? Flight period: Recorded in December, January and February (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis tettensis Hopffer, 1855# Spotted Velvet Paradise Skipper

29

Abantis tettensis adult ex pupa. Image courtesy I. & A. Sharp.

Abantis tettensis Hopffer, 1855. Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Abantis tettensis Hopffer, 1855. Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Abantis tettensis Hopffer. Swanepoel, 1953a. Abantis tettensis Hopffer, 1855. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Abantis tettensis Hopffer, 1855. Pringle et al., 1994: 315.

Abantis tettensis. Male (Wingspan 37 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Hennops River, Gauteng Province, South Africa. 15 January 2005. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Abantis tettensis. Female (Wingspan 40 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Twsaing Crater, Gauteng Province, South Africa. 25 October 2009. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Type locality: Mozambique. Holotype in Berlin Museum. Distribution: Cameroon (north), Sudan (south), Ethiopia, Uganda (Davenport, 1996), Kenya (north and west), Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Malawi, Zambia (central), Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia (north and central), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal – north, Northern Cape Province), Swaziland (Duke et al., 1999). In South Africa its distribution covers 56 quarter degree squares (128 records) [see http://vmus.adu.org.za]. It is regarded as widespread. Specific localities: Ethiopia – Harar (Cock & Congdon, 2011). Kenya – Ortum (Larsen, 1991c); Suk (Larsen, 1991c); Tsavo (Larsen, 1991c); Makueni (Larsen, 1991c); Emali (Larsen, 1991c); Saboti Hill (Larsen, 1991c); Trans-Nzoia (Larsen, 1991c); Kacheliba (Larsen, 1991c); Suna (Larsen, 1991c); Ngong (Larsen, 1991c); Nairobi (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Sibweza, Mpanda District (Kielland, 1990d); lower slopes of Mount Oldeani (Kielland, 1990d); Uluguru Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Madibira near Mufindi (Congdon, vide Kielland, 1990d). Zambia – Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Luanshya (Heath et al., 2002); Mpongwe (Heath et al., 2002); Chisamba (Heath et al., 2002); Lusaka (Heath et al., 2002); Kafue (Heath et al., 2002). Angola – Dalatando [Ndalatando] [-9.300, 14.910; 841 m], Kwanza Norte Province (Mendes et al.,

30 2013). Zimbabwe – Beit Bridge (Pringle et al., 1994); Mutare (Pringle et al., 1994); Christon Bank (Pringle et al., 1994); Bazely Bridge (Cookson). Botswana – Molopo River near Tshabong (Pennington); Segoditshane River in Gaborone (Larsen, 1991l); 50 km north of Palapye (Larsen, 1991l); Tswapong Hills (Larsen, 1991l); Hildavale (R. Plowes vide Larsen, 1991l); near Mahalapye (R. Plowes vide Larsen, 1991l); near Gabane (T. Waters vide Larsen, 1991l). Namibia – Namutoni (Ficq); Tsumeb (Pringle et al., 1994); Grootfontein (Pringle et al., 1994). Limpopo Province – Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Naboomspruit (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953); Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Bandolierkop (Swanepoel, 1953); Dendron (Swanepoel, 1953); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953); Wyliespoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve (Warren, 1990); Percy Fyfe Nature Reserve (Warren, 1990); Gundani. North West Province – Rustenburg (Swanepoel, 1953); Zeerust (Swanepoel, 1953); Breednek (25 52S; 27 27E) (Williams 30 Nov. 2008). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). Northern Cape Province – Griqualand West (Swanepoel, 1953); Vaal River (Swanepoel, 1953). Habitat: Moist and dry savanna (bushveld). In Tanzania it is found at altitudes from 1 000 to 1 600 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: Regarded to be generally rare to very rare (Larsen, 1991c). A fast flying species. Both flowers, and damp spots along streams, are visited. Males hilltop, choosing perches mainly on the twigs of bushes and small trees (Trimen, 1889; van Someren, 1955). They perch with the wings held flat (Pringle et al., 1994). When patrolling their territories the flight is relatively sedate. Flight period: November to April (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Paré, in Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997:85, 86. Larva greenish-white; similar to Caprona pillaana, but head-shield dark reddish. Pupa reddish brown with large forked snout-like appendage. The larva constructs a robust shelter and is long-lived (December to September). Appears to be univoltine. Pupation is in the shelter and the pupal period is 12-14 days.

Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 86 (photograph of final instar larva and pupa).

Left: Abantis tettensis final instar larva. Right: Abantis tettensis pupa. Images courtesy I. & A. Sharp.

Larval food: Grewia flava DC. (Tileaceae) [Williams, in Pringle et al., 1994: 315; Pienaars River, Limpopo Province]. Grewia flavescens Juss. (Tileaceae) [Otto et al., 2013: 72; South Africa]. Grewia hexamita Burret (Tileaceae) [Otto et al., 2013: 72; South Africa]. Grewia monticola Sond. (Malvaceae) [Henning et al., 1997; South Africa].

*Abantis venosa Trimen, 1889# Veined Paradise Skipper

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A perching male of the Veined Paradise Skipper ( Abantis venosa) Image courtesy Steve Woodhall

Abantis venosa Trimen, 1889. South-African Butterflies: a monograph of the extra-tropical species 3 Papilionidae and Hesperidae: 339 (438 pp.). London. Abantis venosa Trimen. Swanepoel, 1953a. Abantis venosa Trimen, 1889. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Abantis venosa Trimen and Bowker, 1889. Pringle et al., 1994: 317.

Abantis venosa. Male A (Wingspan 39 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Lekgalameetse N.R., Limpopo Province, South Africa. 19 December 2006. M. Williams. Images M.C. Williams ex Williams Collection.

Abantis venosa. Male B (Wingspan 38 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Borakalalo N.R., North West Province, South Africa. 20 February 2010. M. Williams. Images M.C. Williams ex Williams Collection.

Abantis venosa. Female (Wingspan 41 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Munnik, Limpopo Province, South Africa. 21 September 2003. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection. 32

Type locality: [South Africa]: “Eureka, near Barberton, Eastern Transvaal”. Holotype in the Natural History Museum, London. Original description: “Exp. al., male 1 in. 6 lin. Male. Pale dull-grey, tinged with ochrey-yellow (especially hind-wing); neuration black throughout; a common linear black hind-marginal edging; fore-wing with a few transparent spots, of which two in middle are large. Fore-wing: two small whitish spots at base, one costal, the other (black bordered) at the origin of median nervure; about middle two large, inwardly sub-acuminate, outwardly excavate- truncate transparent spots, divided only by median nervure, - the upper one in discoidal cell near its extremity rather shorter longitudinally than the lower one, which is bounded inferiorly by first median nervule; immediately beyond these large spots, between second and third median nervules, a very much smaller transparent spot; on costa, between third subcostal and upper radial nervules, a tripartite transparent marking of moderate size; all these transparent markings more or less completely blackish-edged. Hind-wing: ochrey-yellow tinge stongest on costa, but diffused over entire area; linear black hind-marginal edging becoming greatly wider and diffuse on anal-angular prominence. Cilia short and blackish, but at anal angle of hind-wing long and ochrey-yellow. Under side: very much paler; hind-wing white, with a black hind-marginal border; neuration not black, except to a limited extent in hind-wing. Fore-wing: no blackish edging to transparent markings; basi-inner-marginal area tinged with pale creamy-yellowish; a basal ochrey-yellow mark between median and submedian nervures; costal, submedian, and internal nervures, and nervules near hind-marginal border, black; border narrow and fuscous apically, but becoming broader and darker inferiorly, particularly on anal-angular prominence. Head and body much rubbed in the two specimens before me, but evidently black above with creamy-yellowish spots, and ochrey-red prothoracic collar metathoracic tufts and anal tuft; and beneath with pale ochrey-yellow palpi, propectus and legs, - side of thorax blackish spotted with white, and abdomen white edged with blackish.” Distribution: Uganda (Kielland, 1990d), Kenya (coast), Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Malawi, Zambia (north), Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, KwaZulu-Natal – north), Swaziland. In South Africa its distribution covers 38 quarter degree squares (155 records) [see http://vmus.adu.org.za]. It is regarded as moderatel widespread. Specific localities: Kenya – Arabuko-Sokoke (Larsen, 1991c); Diani (Larsen, 1991c); Rabai (Larsen, 1991c); Mrima Hill (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Widespread (Kielland, 1990d); Dar es Salaam (Karsch, 1896); Bagamoyo (Karsch, 1896). Democratic Republic of Congo – Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Malawi – Mulanje (Evans, 1937). Zambia – Lofu River (Evans, 1937); Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Kabompo River (Heath et al., 2002); Chingola (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Luongo River (Heath et al., 2002); Lumangwe Falls (Heath et al., 2002); Mbala (Heath et al., 2002); Kasama (Heath et al., 2002). Angola – Benguela Province; Kwanza Sul Province; Moxico Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Zimbabwe – Umvuli River (Sharpe, 1890); Mutare (Cookson). Limpopo Province – Bushbuckridge (Swanepoel, 1953); Mica (Swanepoel, 1953); Gravelotte (Swanepoel, 1953); Ofcolaco (Swanepoel, 1953); Tzaneen (Swanepoel, 1953); Duiwelskloof (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokeetsi (Swanepoel, 1953); Munnik (Swanepoel, 1953); Molimo’s Location (Swanepoel, 1953); Daviesville (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus – Zaaiplaats (Swanepoel, 1953); Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve (Warren, 1990); Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (Williams, Apr. 2006); Gundani (Coetzer’s). Mpumalanga – Eureka Mine, Barberton (TL; C. F. Palmer); White River (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Borakalalo Nature Reserve (J. Dobson & M. Williams, Feb. 2010, unpublished). KwaZulu-Natal – False Bay (Pringle et al., 1994); Tembe Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002). Swaziland – Mlawula N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz). Habitat: Moist savanna (bushveld), including Brachystegia woodland. Habits: Normally a scarce species but sometimes numbers may be attracted to a patch of flowers (Larsen, 1991c). The flight is leisurely and skipping. Males show strong hilltopping behaviour, selecting perches on the twigs of low trees or on bushes. Territories may also be established on the slopes of hills or on flat ground. Both sexes feed from flowers (Pringle et al., 1994) and males have been observed mud-puddling (Williams, unpublished). Flight period: All year. Apparently commonest in early spring (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

33 Paré, in Pringle et al., 1994: 317 [as Abantis venosa]. Larva very similar to Abantis arctomarginata [actually bamptoni] but the prothoracic plate behind the head is brown not black. The body is an off-white colour with clusters of yellow spots laterally on each segment. The head is black with white hairs.

Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 90 (photograph of final instar larva).

Cock & Congdon, 2011: 60.

Larval food: Pterocarpus angolensis DC. (Fabaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2011; Tanzania]. Pterocarpus brenanii Barbosa & Torre (Fabaceae) [Paré, in Pringle et al., 1994: 317]. Pterocarpus rotundifolius (Sond.) Druce (Fabaceae) [Paré, in Pringle et al., 1994: 317]. Pterocarpus tinctorius Welw. (Fabaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2011; Tanzania].

umvulensis Sharpe, 1890 (as sp. of Leucochitonea). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (6) 6: 348 (346-350). [Zimbabwe]: “Umvuli River”. [This is the dry-season form of Abantis venosa.]

plerotica Karsch, 1896 (as sp. of Abantis). Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin 22: 374 (372-378). [Tanzania]: “Dar es Salam und Bagamoyo”.

flava Evans, 1937 (as f. of Abantis venosa). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum : 54 (212 pp.). [Malawi]: “Nyasaland (Mlanje)”.

fulva Evans, 1937 (as f. of Abantis venosa). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum : 54 (212 pp.). [Zambia]: “N.E. Rhodesia (Lofu River 4,000 ft)”.

*Abantis vidua Weymer, 1901 Gold Paradise Skipper

Abantis venosa var. vidua Weymer, 1901. Entomologische Zeitschrift. Frankfurt a.M 15: 66 (61-64, 65-67, 69-70).

Abantis vidua. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Western Province (15 11 18 S, 24 32 56 E), Zambia. 29 January 2005. Images M.C. Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: Angola: “Onschingue unweit des Kuito”. Distribution: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Zambia (north-west), Botswana. Recorded from “between Kasane and Tsotsoroga Pan by Larsen, 1991l” but omitted in a later version of his manuscript on Botswana butterflies (Larsen, 2006). Specific localities: Angola – Onschingue, Kuito, Kuando-Kubango Province [15 10S, 19 07E] (TL); Kuando-Kubango Province & Moxico Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Zambia – Mwinilunga District (Heath et al., 2002); Livingstone (Eichler). Habitat: Deciduous woodland.

34 Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Abantis zambesiaca (Westwood, 1874) Zambezi Paradise Skipper

Hesperia (Oxynetra) zambesiaca Westwood, 1874. Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis or illustrations of new, rare, and interesting insects for the most part contained in the collection presented to the University of Oxford : 183 (205 pp.). Oxford. Abantis zambesiaca (Westwood, 1874). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Abantis zambesiaca (Westwood, 1874). Pringle et al., 1994: 316.

Abantis zambesiaca. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Bindura, Zimbabwe. 22 January 1981. R.D. Pare. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Abantis zambesiaca. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Eben Dam, Zimbabwe. 20 September 1970. R.D. Pare. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Type locality: “Zambesi”. Distribution: Tanzania (west and south), Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nambia (Caprivi). Specific localities: Tanzania – Ngara (Kielland, 1990d); Biharamulo (Kielland, 1990d); Mpanda (Kielland, 1990d); Kigoma (Kielland, 1990d); Tabora (Kielland, 1990d); Uluguru Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Madibira near Mufindi (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Zomba Mountain (Congdon et al., 2010); Nyika N.P. (J. Timberlake, pers. comm., 2019). Zambia – Fwambo (Butler, 1895); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Kabompo River (Heath et al., 2002); Solwezi (Heath et al., 2002); the Copperbelt (Heath et al., 2002); Kapiri Mposhi (Heath et al., 2002); Chalimbana (Heath et al., 2002); Choma (Heath et al., 2002); Mkushi River (Heath et al., 2002); Kundalila Falls (Heath et al., 2002); 50 km south of Luwingu (Heath et al., 2002); Mporokoso (Heath et al., 2002); Kasama (Heath et al., 2002). Angola – Onschingue [15 10S, 19 07E] (Weymer, 1901; 1903); Kubango, near Massaca [15 37S, 17 26E] (Weymer, 1901; 1903); Nova Lisboa (now Huambo) [12 46S, 15 44E; 1650 m] (Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2009); Lumeje [11 33S, 20 47E] (Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2009); Dilolo [10 42S, 22 14E] (Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2009); Huambo Province; Bie Province; Kuando-

35 Kubango Province; Huila Province; Moxico Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Mozambique – Garuso; Mount Mabu (Congdon et al., 2010). Zimbabwe – Bindura (Paré). Namibia – Mashari (Ball); Caprivi (S. Braine). Habitat: Savanna, including Brachystegia woodland. In Tanzania at altitudes from 800 to 1 900 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: Males are known to hilltop. Females are rarely seen and are usually found feeding from flowers (Pringle et al., 1994). Males are often found mud-puddling (Ball, vide Pringle et al., 1994; Heath et al., 2002). Flight period: August to November and January to May (Pringle et al., 1994; Mendes & Bivar de Sousa, 2009). Early stages:

Paré, in Pringle et al., 1994: 316. The final instar larva is greenish brown and the sides are heavily spotted with yellow.

Cock & Congdon, 2011: 50.

Larval food: Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Desv.) J.H. Kirkbr. & Wiersema (Fabaceae) [Mullin, in Pringle et al., 1994: 316; as Swartzia madagascariensis Desv.; Zimbabwe]. Pericopsis angolensis (Baker) Meeuwen (Fabaceae) [Paré, in Pringle et al., 1994: 316; Zimbabwe].

trimeni Butler, 1895 (as sp. of Sapaea). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1895: 264 (250-270). [Zambia]: “Fwambo”.

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