AFROTROPICAL BUTTERFLIES 17th edition (2018). MARK C. WILLIAMS. http://www.lepsocafrica.org/?p=publications&s=atb

Genus Eresina Aurivillius, [1899]

In: Aurivillius, [1898-9]. Kungliga Svenska Vetenskapakademiens Handlingar 31 (5): 253, 282 (1- 561). Type-species: Durbania corynetes Grose-Smith & Kirby, by original designation.

The genus Eresina belongs to the Family Leach, 1815; Subfamily Poritiini Doherty, 1886; Tribe Liptenini Röber, 1892. The other genera in the Tribe Liptenini in the Afrotropical Region are Liptena, Obania, Kakumia, Tetrarhanis, Falcuna, Larinopoda, Micropentila, Pseuderesia, Eresiomera, Parasiomera, Citrinophila, Argyrocheila, Teriomima, Euthecta, Baliochila, Cnodontes, Congdonia, Eresinopsides, Toxochitona, Mimacraea and Mimeresia.

Eresina (Eresinas) is a purely Afrotropical genus containing 20 species. Colonies of species belonging to this forest-genus are usually strongly associated with specific tall forest trees containing nests of species of cocktail (Crematogaster) ants. The ant nests are often high up, in the forest canopy (Larsen, 1991c). Specimens fly high up, never much more than half a metre from the tree trunk, in the vicinity of the hanging ant nests, with a rapid fluttering flight. They spend long periods on the wing but rest on the tree trunks or on vines if the sun is obscured by clouds. Particular ant-trees may be frequented for years on end. Despite their presumed sedentary nature many species have a vast distributional range, from West Africa to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). The various species can be told apart when compared as series but single specimens require genitalic dissection in order to be identified. They appear to be associated with more open forest and some species, at least, are more active shortly after dawn (06h00 to 07h30).

*Eresina bergeri Stempffer, 1956

Eresina bergeri Stempffer, 1956. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge (8) (Sciences zoologique) 49: 12 (54 pp.). Eresina bergeri Stempffer, 1956. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Kapanga, Lualaba”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Lualaba), Congo ?, Uganda, Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Kapanga, Lualaba (TL). Tanzania – Kere Hill and Bulembe in Minziro Forest (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Kikuru Forest (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina bilinea Talbot, 1935

Eresina bilinea Talbot, 1935. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 71: 73 (69-78, 115-127, 147-153). Eresina bilinea Talbot, 1935. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

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Eresina bilinea. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 23mm. Lisombo Stream, Mwililunga, N.W. Zambia. April/May ’00. TCEC/IB/MR/PW. (African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi).

Type locality: [Kenya]: “Kavirondo, Kakamega”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (north-east), Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north- west), Zambia. Specific localities: Kenya – Kakamega Forest (TL). Tanzania – Kere Hill, Minziro Forest (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Lisombo Stream, Mwinilunga (male illustrated above). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. This appears to be a very scarce butterfly (Larsen, 1991c). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina conradti Stempffer, 1956

Eresina conradti Stempffer, 1956. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge (8) (Sciences zoologique) 49: 27 (54 pp.). Eresina conradti Stempffer, 1956. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Johann Albrechts, Hôhe Station”. Distribution: Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Cameroon – Johann Albrechts, Hôhe Station (TL). Tanzania – Kere Hill in Minziro Forest (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Kikuru Forest (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Rumanyika Game Reserve (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: Unlike most species of the genus it can be found away from tree trunks, often close to the ground in darker parts of the forest (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina cornucopiae (Holland, 1892)

Durbania cornucopiae Holland, 1892. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (6) 10: 285 (284-294). Pseuderesia cornucopiae (Holland, 1892). Aurivillius, in Seitz, 1908-1925. Eresiomera cornucopiae (Holland, 1892). Ackery et al., 1995. Eresina cornucopiae (Holland, 1892). Collins & Larsen, 2008: 48, comb. nov. Eresina cornucopiae Holland, 1892. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

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The female upperside (left) and underside (right) of the type of Eresiomera cornucopiae in the Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh. Image courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Gabon: “Upper valley of the Ogové (Ogowé)”. Distribution: Gabon. Specific localities: Gabon – upper valley of the Ogove River (TL). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina corynetes (Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890])

Durbania (?) corynetes Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890]. In Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1887-92]. Rhopalocera exotica, being illustrations of new, rare and unfigured species of butterflies 1: 47 (183 pp.). London. Eresina corynetes Grose-Smith & Kirby, 1890. d’Abrera, 2009: 641.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Barombi, Cameroons”. General remarks: Known only from two males (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). Distribution: Cameroon (west), Gabon (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Cameroon – Barombi (TL). Gabon – Ogowe (Vande weghe, 2010). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina crola Talbot, 1935

Eresina crola Talbot, 1935. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 71: 73 (69-78, 115-127, 147-153). Eresina crola Talbot, 1935. d’Abrera, 2009: 643.

Type locality: Uganda: “S.W. Uganda: Kigezi district. In forest strip near mouth of Ntungwe River, Lake Edward”. Distribution: Uganda, Kenya (west). Specific localities: Uganda – Ntungwe River mouth, Kigezi (TL). Kenya – South Kavironda (a manuscript record by Van Someren, vide Larsen, 1991c). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

3 *Eresina fontainei Stempffer, 1956 Fontaine’s Eresina

Eresina fontainei Stempffer, 1956. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge (8) (Sciences zoologique) 49: 18 (54 pp.). Eresina fontainei Stempffer, 1956. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Katako Kombe, Sankuru, Congo Belge”. Distribution: Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, ?Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (Sankuru), Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west). Larsen (2005a) states that the species may not even be West African, since material from this region has not been positively identified. Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Katako Kombe, Sankuru (TL). Tanzania – Kere Hill, in Minziro Forest (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. This is a scarce and local butterfly (Larsen, 1991c). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina fusca (Cator, 1904) Cator’s Eresina

Pseuderesia fusca Cator, 1904. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (7) 13: 75 (73-76). Eresina fusca Cator, 1904. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Type locality: Sierra Leone: “Sierra Leone”. Distribution: Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, ?Nigeria. The Nigerian record is based on Knoop but may refer to Eresina pseudofusca (Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Ivory Coast – Banco (Larsen, 2005a); Tai (Larsen, 2005a); Alepe (Larsen, 2005a). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina jacksoni Stempffer, 1961 Jackson’s Eresina

Eresina jacksoni Stempffer, 1961. Annales Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale (8) 94: 48 (73 pp.). Eresina jacksoni Stempffer, 1961. d’Abrera, 2009: 643.

Type locality: Uganda: “Toro, Mpanga Forest”. Distribution: Sierra Leone (Stempffer, 1961), Ivory Coast (Warren-Gash), Nigeria (south and east), Cameroon, Gabon, Uganda, Kenya (west). Specific localities: Ivory Coast – Banco (Warren-Gash). Cameroon – Korup (Larsen, 2005a). Gabon – Mikongo, Lope N.P. (Vande weghe, 2010). Uganda – Mpanga Forest, Toro (TL). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

4 *Eresina katangana Stempffer, 1956

Eresina katangana Stempffer, 1956. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge (8) (Sciences zoologique) 49: 15 (54 pp.). Eresina katangana Stempffer, 1956. d’Abrera, 2009: 644.

Eresina katangana. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 24mm. Zambezi Bridge, Jimbe Bridge, N.W. Zambia. May 1999. TCEC/IB/MR/PN. (African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi).

Eresina katangana. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 24mm. Zambezi Bridge, Jimbe Bridge, N.W. Zambia. May 1999. TCEC/IB/MR/PN. (African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi).

Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: “Kafakumba, Lualaba”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Lualaba), Zambia. Specific localities: Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Zambezi Bridge, Jimbe Bridge (male and female illustrated above). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina katera Stempffer, 1962

Eresina katera Stempffer, 1962. Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (A) 24: 1155 (1135-1181). Eresina katera Stempffer, 1962. d’Abrera, 2009: 643.

Type locality: Uganda: “Masaka, Katera”. Distribution: Uganda (western shores of Lake Victoria), Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Uganda – Masaka, Katera (TL). Tanzania – Kere Hill in Minziro Forest (very rare) (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Munene Forest (very rare) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). 5 Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina likouala Stempffer, 1962

Eresina likouala Stempffer, 1962. Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (A) 24: 1149 (1135-1181). Eresina likouala Stempffer, 1962. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Type locality: Congo: “Congo ex-français, Etoumbi”. Distribution: Congo. Specific localities: Congo – Etoumbi (TL). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina maesseni Stempffer, 1956 Maessen’s Eresina

Eresina maesseni Stempffer, 1956. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge (8) (Sciences zoologique) 49: 14 (54 pp.). Eresina maesseni Stempffer, 1956. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Eresina maesseni. Male, Ghana. Left – upperside; right – underside. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Eresina maesseni. Female, Ghana. Upperside. Image courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Ghana: “Ho, Togo britannique”. Distribution: Senegal, Guinea-Bissau (Larsen, 2005a), Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast (Warren- 6 Gash, pers. comm., 2002), Ghana, Nigeria (south), Cameroon. Specific localities: Guinea-Bissau – Buba (Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Fouta Djalon (Larsen, 2005a). Sierra Leone – Bumbuna (Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Man (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Ho (TL); Krokosua Hills (Larsen, 2005a); Anfoega (Larsen, 2005a); Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007). Nigeria – Gambari (Larsen, 2005a); Olle (Larsen, 2005a); near Calabar (Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Korup (Larsen, 2005a). Habitat: Dense, primary forest, including wet and drier forest (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Larsen (2005a) noted females ovipositing on the bark at the base of trees in Cameroon. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina masaka Stempffer, 1962

Eresina masaka Stempffer, 1962. Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (A) 24: 1152 (1135-1181). Eresina masaka Stempffer, 1962. d’Abrera, 2009: 644.

Type locality: [Uganda]: “Masaka, Katera”. Diagnosis: Close to Eresina rougeoti but black area on hindwing slightly more extensive and forewing orange area of female only reaching vein 5 (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Distribution: Uganda (south – western shores of Lake Victoria), Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Uganda – Masaka, Katera (TL). Kenya – Kakamega Forest (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Kere Hill, Minziro Forest (common) (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Kikuru Forest (rare) (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Munene Forest (rare) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina pseudofusca Stempffer, 1961 Warm Sienna Eresina

Eresina pseudofusca Stempffer, 1961. Annales Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale (8) 94: 47 (73 pp.). Eresina pseudofusca Stempffer, 1961. d’Abrera, 2009: 643.

Eresina pseudofusca. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Aburi Botanical Garden, Ghana. 28 November 2011. J. Dobson. Images M.C.Williams ex Dobson Collection.

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Eresina pseudofusca. Female, Ghana. Left – upperside; right – underside. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Ghana: “Ghana (ex. Togo britannique), Ho”. Distribution: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon (west), Gabon. Recorded, ?in error, from Uganda by Davenport, 1996. Specific localities: Ivory Coast – Lamto (Larsen, 2005a); Mount Peko (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Ho (TL); Bia (Larsen, 2005a); Aburi Botanical Gardens (Larsen, 2005a). Togo – Klouto (Safian et al., 2009). Benin – Houeyogbe Forest (Coache & Rainon, 2016). Cameroon – Korup (Larsen, 2005a). Gabon – Mboumie (Vande weghe, 2010). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. This species seems to be closely tied to ant-trees (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina rougeoti Stempffer, 1956 Rougeot’s Eresina

Eresina rougeoti Stempffer, 1956. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge (8) (Sciences zoologique) 49: 19 (54 pp.). Eresina rougeoti Stempffer, 1956. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Eresina rougeoti. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mabira Forest, Uganda. 18 June 2009. J. Dobson. Images M.C.Williams ex Dobson Collection.

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Eresina rougeoti. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Power Lines, Mabira Forest, Uganda. 14 June, 2009. J. & C. Dobson.

Type locality: Gabon: “Port Gentil, Cap Lopez”. Distribution: Sierra Leone (Stempffer, 1956), Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko), Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Uganda, Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Sierra Leone – Mabang (Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Issia (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Ibadan (Larsen, 2005a). Gabon – Port Gentil, Cap Lopez (TL). Uganda – Mabira Forest (female illustrated above). Tanzania – Kere Hill, Minziro Forest (common) (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Munene Forest (common) (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina saundersi Stempffer, 1956 Saunders’ Eresina

Eresina saundersi Stempffer, 1956. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge (8) (Sciences zoologique) 49: 17 (54 pp.). Eresina saundersi Stempffer, 1956. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Type locality: Ghana: “Kamasi, Gold Coast”. Distribution: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria (west). Specific localities: Ivory Coast – Banco Forest (Warren-Gash, vide Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Kumasi (TL). Nigeria – Bassa (Larsen, 2005a); Lagos (Larsen, 2005a); Agege (Larsen, 2005a). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina schmitti Larsen, 2005 Schmitt’s Eresina

Eresina schmitti Larsen, 2005. In Larsen, 2005. Butterflies of West Africa: 548.

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Eresina schmitti. Male (holotype; Nigeria) (x3.5). Left – upperside; right – underside. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Nigeria: “Cross River State, Oban Hills, Lower Kwa River”. Holotype (male) iii.1995 (T.B. Larsen leg., coll. African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi). Diagnosis: Belongs to the Eresina corynetes group, characterized by a small orange costal area on the upperside of the hindwing (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). Most closely allied to Eresina corynetes and Eresina bergeri. Of the West African species, Eresina schmitti most closely resembles Eresina maesseni Stempffer, 1956 (orange costal area smaller) and Eresina fontainei Stempffer, 1956 (distinguished by a fine postbasal line across the hindwing underside). The genitalia of the three species are distinctive for each (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). General remarks: Known only from the male holotype (illustrated above). The poor condition of this specimen was partly the result of the captor (Larsen) falling into the river while the specimen was still in the net. The genitalia, however, are unique and prove its specificity (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). Two females collected in Korup National Park (Chimps’ Camp), Cameroon probably belong to this species and are briefly described by Larsen (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). The locality where the females were captured is about 45 km from the type locality (in Nigeria) (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). The species is named for Dr Klaus Schmitt, then scientific adviser to the Oban Hills Division of the National Park (Collins & Larsen, in Larsen, 2005a). Distribution: Nigeria (east). Specific localities: Nigeria – Lower Kwa River, Oban Hills (TL). Known only from the type locality. Habitat: Nothing published. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Eresina theodori Stempffer, 1956 Theodor’s Eresina

Eresina theodori Stempffer, 1956. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge (8) (Sciences zoologique) 49: 21 (54 pp.). Eresina theodori Stempffer, 1956. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Type locality: Ghana: “Ho, Togo britannique”. Distribution: Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria (west). Specific localities: Ghana – Ho (TL); Aburi Botanical Gardens near Accra (Larsen, 2005a); Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Specimens often settle on the bark of the ant-trees around which they are circling (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

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*Eresina toroensis Joicey & Talbot, 1921

Eresina toroensis Joicey & Talbot, 1921. Bulletin of the Hill Museum, Witley 1: 83 (40-166). Eresina toroensis Joicey & Talbot, 1921. d’Abrera, 2009: 642.

Eresina species near toroensis. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 24mm. Zambezi Bridge, Ikelenge, Zambia. 9/III/77. A. Heath. (Gardiner Collection).

Eresina species near toroensis. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 23mm. Hillwood Farm, Mwinilunga, N.W. Zambia. April/May ‘00. TCEC/IB/MR/PW. (Gardiner Collection).

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Ituri Forest, N.W. Beni”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Ituri, North Kivu, Lualaba), Uganda, Kenya, Zambia. Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (TL). Kenya – Chepalungu (S.C. Collins, vide Larsen, 1991c). Zambia – Zambezi Bridge, Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002; male illustrated above); Hillwood Farm, Mwinilunga (female illustrated above). Habitat: Dense, primary forest. Habits: See remarks under the genus, above. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

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