315 Genus Mimacraea Butler

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

Genus Mimacraea Butler, [1872]

In Butler, [1869-74]. Lepidoptera Exotica, or descriptions and illustrations of exotic lepidoptera 104 (190 pp.). London. Type-species: Mimacraea darwinia Butler, by original designation.

The genus Mimacraea belongs to the Family Lycaenidae 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, Eresina, Eresiomera, Parasiomera, Citrinophila, Argyrocheila, Teriomima, Euthecta, Cnodontes, Baliochila, Eresinopsides, Toxochitona, Toxochitona and Mimeresia.

Mimacraea (Acraea Mimic) is a purely Afrotropical genus containing 20 species. Generic revision by Libert, 2000c (Revision du genre Mimacraea Butler avec description de quatre nouvelles especes et deux nouvelles sous-especes: 58 (1-73).)

Classification of Mimacraea (Libert, 2000c)

M. darwinia group M. darwinia sub-group M. darwinia Butler, [1872] M. apicalis apicalis Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890] M. apicalis gabonica Libert, 2000 M. neavei Eltringham, 1909 M. maesseni Libert, 2000 M. febe Libert, 2000 M. landbecki sub-group M. landbecki Druce, 1910 M. telloides Schultze, 1923 M. abriana Libert & Collins, 2000 M. charmian group M. charmian sub-group M. charmian Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890] M. fulvaria fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895 M. fulvaria eltringhami Druce, 1912 M. paragora paragora Rebel, 1911 M. paragora angulata Libert, 2000 M. neurata sub-group M. neurata Hoalland, 1895 M. krausei group M. krausei krausei Dewitz, 1889 M. krausei karschioides Carpenter & Jackson, 1950 M. krausei camerunica Libert, 2000 M. skoptoles group M. skoptoles Druce, 1907 M. gelinia group M. gelinia sub-group M. gelina (Oberthür, 1893) M. gelinia nguru Kielland, 1986 M. gelinia georgia Libert 1& Collins, 2011 M. neokoton Druce, 1907 M. marshalli sub-group

*Mimacraea darwinia Butler, [1872] Common Acraea Mimic

Mimacraea darwinia Butler, [1872]. In Butler, [1869-74]. Lepidoptera Exotica, or descriptions and illustrations of exotic lepidoptera 104 (190 pp.). London. Mimacraea darwinia Butler, 1872. Libert, 2000c: 20. Mimacraea darwinia Butler, 1872. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: “W. Africa?”. Holotype (male) in the Natural History Museum, London. Neallotype (female): Issia, Ivory Coast, VIII 1966 (T.H.E. Jackson); in the M.N.H.N., Paris.

Distribution: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana.

Distribution: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana. A record from Kpandu, Volta Region, Ghana (Libert, 2000c) is distrusted by Larsen (2005a). Specific localities: Sierra Leone – Fula Wusu (Libert, 2000c). Liberia – Ganta (Libert, 2000c); Kpaine (Libert, 2000c); Yendamalahun (Libert, 2000c). Ivory Coast – Abengourou (Libert, 2000c); Agboville (Libert, 2000c); Banco (Libert, 2000c); Bayota (Libert, 2000c); Danane (Libert, 2000c); Issia (Libert, 2000c); Tiassale (Libert, 2000c). Ghana – Kibi (Libert, 2000c); Kpandu (Libert, 2000c); Kukurantumi (Libert, 2000c); Kakum (Larsen, 2005a). Habitat: Forest, including well-developed secondary forest (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Specimens are usually noted circling the trunks of ‘ant-trees’, occasionally perching on dry twigs (Larsen, 2005a). In Kakum Larsen (2005a) found a single tree which harboured a colony over a long period of time. The male is a mimic of Acraea epaea (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Mimacraea apicalis Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890]

2 Central Acraea Mimic

Mimacraea apicalis Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890]. In Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1887-92]. Rhopalocera exotica, being illustrations of new, rare and unfigured species of butterflies 1: 41 (183 pp.). London. Mimacraea apicalis Grose Smith & Kirby, 1890. Libert, 2000c: 21. Mimacraea apicalis Grose-Smith & Kirby, 1889. d’Abrera, 2009: 628. Date erroneous.

Mimacraea apicalis. Male, Cameroon. Left – upperside; right – underside. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Mimacraea apicalis. Female, Camerron. Image courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons”. Neotype (male) designated by Libert, 2000c – Mount Febe (1 000 m), Yaounde, Cameroon, 8 December 1983, M. Libert.

Distribution: Nigeria, Cameroon [ssp. apicalis – red dots]

Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo [ssp. gabonica – green dots]

3 Distribution: Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo. Habits: The male is an accurate mimic of Acraea tellus, while the female appears to be a mimic of Acraea oberthueri (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

Mimacraea apicalis apicalis Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890]

Mimacraea apicalis Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890]. In Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1887-92]. Rhopalocera exotica, being illustrations of new, rare and unfigured species of butterflies 1: 41 (183 pp.). London. Mimacraea apicalis apicalis Grose Smith & Kirby, 1890. Libert, 2000c: 21. Mimacraea apicalis Grose-Smith & Kirby, 1889. d’Abrera, 2009: 628. Date erroneous.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons”. Distribution: Nigeria, Cameroon. Specific localities: Nigeria – Lokoja (Libert, 2000c); Olle (Libert, 2000c); ; Ubiaga (Libert, 2000c); Umuhaia (Libert, 2000c); Oni Creek east of Lagos (Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Bitje (Libert, 2000c).

Mimacraea apicalis gabonica Libert, 2000

Mimacraea apicalis gabonica Libert, 2000. Revision du genre Mimacraea Butler avec description de quatre nouvelles especes et deux nouvelles sous-especes: 22 (1-73).

Type locality: Congo: Sembe, Souanke district, March 1960 (T.H.E. Jackson). Neallotype (female) – Ketta forest, Ouesso, Congo, April 1960 (T.H.E. Jackson). Holotype (male) and Neallotype (female) in the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. Distribution: Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo. Specific localities: Equatorial Guinea – Benito (Libert, 2000c). Gabon – Kangwe (Libert, 2000c); Kuilu (Libert, 2000c); Ogowe (Libert, 2000c); Lambarene (Vande weghe, 2010); Lake Azingo (Vande weghe, 2010); Lake Evaro (Vande weghe, 2010); Tchibanga (Vande weghe, 2010); camp Nouna (Vande weghe, 2010). Congo – Sembe (TL); Ketta forest, Ouesso (Libert, 2000c); Odzala (Libert, 2000c).

Note: There is a slight possibility that subspecies gabonica may be a distinct species (Larsen, 2005a).

*Mimacraea neavei Eltringham, 1909

Mimacraea neavei Eltringham, 1909. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 45: 172 (172). Mimacraea neavei Eltringham, 1909. Libert, 2000c: 23. Mimacraea neavei Eltringham, 1909. d’Abrera, 2009: 630.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons, W. Africa”. Holotype (male) in Hope Department, Oxford. Neallotype (female) – Mount Febe (1 000 m), Yaounde, Cameroon, 2 October 1983, M. Libert; M.N.H.N., Paris.

4 Distribution: Cameroon.

Distribution: Cameroon. Specific localities: Cameroon – Djukun (Schultze, 1912); Yaounde (Libert, 2000c); Limbe (Libert, 2000c); Maan (Libert, 2000c)Yoko (Libert, 2000c); Goyoum (Libert, 2000c). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

flavofasciata Schultze, 1912 (as sp. of Mimacraea). Entomologische Rundschau 29: 50 (49-50). Cameroon: “Djukun (Urwald) Süd-Kamerun”. Synonymized with Mimacraea neavei Eltringham, 1909 by Libert, 2000: 23.

*Mimacraea maesseni Libert, 2000 Maessen’s Acraea Mimic

Mimacraea maesseni Libert, 2000. Revision du genre Mimacraea Butler avec description de quatre nouvelles especes et deux nouvelles sous-especes: 25 (1-73). Mimacraea maesseni Libert, 2000. d’Abrera, 2009: 630.

Mimacraea maesseni. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Biakpa Mountain Paradise, Ghana. 24 November, 2011. J. Dobson. Images M.C.Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Mimacraea maesseni. Female, Nigeria. Left – upperside; right – underside. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Ghana: Papase (Th. Maessen). Holotype (male) in the M.N.H.N., Paris. Allotype (female) – Anfoega, Ghana (Th. Maessen); in the M.N.H.N., Paris.

Distribution:

Ghana (Volta region), Togo, Nigeria (south).

Distribution: Ghana (Volta region), Togo, Nigeria (south). Specific localities: Ghana – Papase (TL); Anfoega (Libert, 2000c); Kpandu (Libert, 2000c); Wli Falls (Larsen, 2005a); Kyabobo (Larsen, 2005a). Togo – Kloto (Libert, 2000c); Badou (Libert, 2000c) Nigeria – Oni Creek (Libert, 2000c); Warri (Libert, 2000c); Afikpo (Libert, 2000c). Habitat: Forest. Habits: Relatively common in the Volta Region of Ghana and in Togo but apparently much scarcer in Nigeria (Larsen, 2005a). Larsen (2005a) noted specimens circling the trunks of trees with a diameter of 6-7 cm, occasionally settling on the bark of the tree trunks. They did not fly high up and were confined to the darker parts of the forest. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Mimacraea febe Libert, 2000

Mimacraea febe Libert, 2000. Revision du genre Mimacraea Butler avec description de quatre nouvelles especes et deux nouvelles sous-especes: 26 (1-73). Mimacraea febe Libert, 2000. d’Abrera, 2009: 630.

Type locality: Cameroon: Mount Febe (1 000 m), Yaounde, 16 June 1982, M. Libert. In the M.N.H.N., Paris. 6

Distribution: Cameroon.

Distribution: Cameroon. Specific localities: Cameroon – Mount Febe (TL). Known only from the type locality. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

M. landbecki sub-group

*Mimacraea landbecki Druce, 1910

Mimacraea landbecki Druce, 1910. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1910: 358 (356-378). Mimacraea landbecki Druce, 1910. Libert, 2000c: 27. Mimacraea landbecki Druce, 1910. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: Upper Kasai district, Congo Free State. Holotype (male) and allotype (female) collected by P. Landbeck and housed in the N.H.M., London. Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (Uele, Tshuapa, Equateur, Kinshasa, Sankuru, Lualaba), Uganda, Tanzania (west – Bukoba Region). Specific localities: Cameroon – Yakaduma [Yokadouma] (Schultze, 1912); Kumilla (Schultze, 1923); Ndzi (Libert, 2000c); Ebogo (Libert, 2000c); Yaounde (Libert, 2000c); Akoafim (Libert, 2000c); Bokari (Libert, 2000c); Bertoua (Libert, 2000c); Moloundou (Libert, 2000c). Gabon – Lope N.P. (Vande weghe, 2010); Langoue (Vande weghe, 2010); camp PPG (Vande weghe, 2010). Angola – Ambriz (Libert, 2000c). Congo – Brazzaville (Libert, 2000c); Etoumbi (Libert, 2000c); Kelle (Libert, 2000c); Odzala (Libert, 2000c); Ouesso (Libert, 2000c). Central African Republic – Bangui (Libert, 2000c). Democratic Republic of Congo – Upper Kasai district (TL); Kimuenza (Schultze, 1912); Kinshasha (Libert, 2000c); Shaba (Libert, 2000c); Beni (Libert, 2000c). Uganda – Bwamba (Libert, 2000c); Semuliki N.P. (S. Forbes, pers. comm., 2015). Habitat: Forest. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

graeseri Schultze, 1912 (as sp. of Mimacraea). Entomologische Rundschau 29: 50 (49-50). [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Lukaya-Galerie bei Kimuenza ca. 20 km von Kinshassa am Stanley- Pool (Belgischer Kongo)”. Synonymized with Mimacraea landbecki Druce, 1910 by Libert, 2000: 27.

pulverulentula Schultze, 1912 (as sp. of Mimacraea). Entomologische Rundschau 29: 50 (49-50). [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “bei Kimuenza ca. 20 km von Kinshassa am Stanley-Pool (Belgischer Kongo)”. Synonymized with Mimacraea landbecki Druce, 1910 by Libert, 2000: 27. Note: Libert (2000:27) spells the taxon as pulverulentula and Ackery et al. (1995) spells it as pulverulenta.

schubotzi Schultze, 1912 (as sp. of Mimacraea). Entomologische Rundschau 29: 50 (49-50). Cameroon: “Yakaduma (Süd-Kamerun)”. Synonymized with Mimacraea landbecki Druce, 1910 by Libert, 2000: 27.

pseudepaea Schultze, 1923 (as sp. of Mimacraea). In Schultze & Aurivillius, 1923. Ergebnisse der Zweiten Deutschen Zentral-Afrika Expedition 1(17): 1165 (1113-1242). Cameroon: “Süd-Kamerun: Kumilla”. Synonymized with Mimacraea landbecki Druce, 1910 by Libert, 2000: 27.

*Mimacraea telloides Schultze, 1923

Mimacraea telloides Schultze, 1923. In Schultze & Aurivillius, 1923. Ergebnisse der Zweiten Deutschen Zentral-Afrika Expedition 1 (17): 1165 (1113-1242). Mimacraea telloides Schultze, 1923. Libert, 2000c: 28. Mimacraea telloides Schultze, 1923. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Süd-Kamerun: Minyáss”. Lectotype (male) – Moloundou, sud-Cameroun; 16 XI 1912 (A. Schultze); Z.M.H.U., Berlin. Neallotype (female) – Kamituga, Zaire; 6 VIII 1940 (A. Dufrane); Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Bruxelles. Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda. Specific localities: Cameroon – Minyass (TL); Moloundou (Libert, 2000c); Dja (Libert, 2000c); Yoko (Libert, 2000c); Sanaga (Libert, 2000c). Gabon – Ipassa (Vande weghe, 2010). Congo – Etoumbi (Libert, 2000c); Kelle (Libert, 2000c); Odzala (Libert, 2000c); Sembe (Libert, 2000c). Democratic Republic of Congo – Beni (Rebel, 1914); Kamituga (Dufrane, 1945); Matadi (Libert, 2000c); Kinshasa (Libert, 2000c); Katako-Kombe (Libert, 2000c); Dingele (Libert, 2000c). Uganda – Bwamba (Libert, 2000c). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

flavescens Rebel, 1914 (as ab. of Mimacraea landbecki). Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 28: 263 (219-294). [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Beni”. Synonymized with Mimacaea telloides Schultze, 1923 by Libert, 2000: 28.

latifasciata Rebel, 1914 (as ab. of Mimacraea landbecki). Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 28: 263 (219-294). [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Beni”. Synonymized with Mimacaea telloides Schultze, 1923 by Libert, 2000: 28.

mariae Dufrane, 1945 (as sp. of Mimacraea). Bulletin et Annales de la Société Royale Entomologique de Belgique 81: 115 (90-143). [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Kamituga”. Synonymized with Mimacaea telloides Schultze, 1923 by Libert, 2000: 29.

*Mimacraea abriana Libert & Collins, 2000

Mimacraea abriana Libert & Collins, 2000. Revision du genre Mimacraea Butler avec description de quatre nouvelles especes et deux nouvelles sous-especes: 30 (1-73).

8 Mimacraea abriana Libert & Collins, 2000. d’Abrera, 2009: 630.

Type locality: Central African Republic: Bookoko. Holotype (male) collected in October 1996 by S.C. Collins and housed in A.B.R.I., Nairobi. Allotype (female) collected at Mambe, C.A.R. in October 1996 by S. C. Collins and housed in A.B.R.I., Nairobi. Distribution: Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo. Specific localities: Congo – Ouesso (Libert, 2000c). Central African Republic – Bangui district (Libert, 2000c). Democratic Republic of Congo – Beni (Libert, 2000c). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

M. charmian group

M. charmian sub-group

*Mimacraea charmian Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890] Elongata Acraea Mimic

Mimacraea charmian Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1890]. In Grose-Smith & Kirby, [1887-92]. Rhopalocera exotica, being illustrations of new, rare and unfigured species of butterflies 1: 42 (183 pp.). London. Mimacraea charmian Grose Smith & Kirby, 1889. Libert, 2000c: 32. Date erroneous. Mimacraea charmian Grose-Smith & Kirby, 1889. d’Abrera, 2009: 626. Date erroneous.

Type locality: Cameroon: “Cameroons”. Holotype (male) in the N.H.M., London. Neallotype (female) – Bipindi, sud-Cameroun, VI 1903 (A. Schultze); Z.M.H.U., Berlin.

Distribution: Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola.

Distribution: Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola. Specific localities: Nigeria – Okomu (Larsen, 2005a); Ohafia-Bende = Umuhaia (Larsen, 2005a); Oban Hills (Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Bipindi (Schultze, 1923); Mount Kala (Libert, 2000c); Yaounde (Libert, 2000c); Mamfe (Libert, 2000c); Barombi (Libert, 2000c); Victoria (Libert, 2000c); Ode Batanga (Libert, 2000c); Kribi (Libert, 2000c); Maan (Libert, 2000c). Equatorial Guinea – Benito (Libert, 2000c). Gabon – Kangwe (Libert, 2000c). 9 Angola – Cabinda Province (Libert, 2000c). Habitat: Forest. Habits: A rare species, seldom encountered (Larsen, 2005a). It is a fine mimic of Acraea elongata (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

schmidti Schultze, 1923 (as sp. of Mimacraea). In Schultze & Aurivillius, 1923. Ergebnisse der Zweiten Deutschen Zentral-Afrika Expedition 1(17): 1163 (1113-1242). Cameroon: “Bipindi (Süd- Kamerun)”. Synonymized with Mimacraea charmian Grose-Smith & Kirby, 1889 by Libert, 2000c: 32.

*Mimacraea fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895

Mimacraea fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895. Entomologisches Nachrichten. Berlin 21: 381 (379-382). Mimacraea neurata fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895. Ackery et al., 1995. Mimacraea fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895. Libert, 2000c: 34. Mimacraea fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Mimacraea fulvaria eltringhami. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Radio Hill, Mabira Forest, Uganda. 14 June, 2009. J. & C. Dobson. Images M.C.Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Uganda [ssp. fulvaria – red dots]

Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania [ssp. eltringhami – green dots]

Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania. Habitat: Dense forest.

10 Habits: Specimens fly around tree trunks in deep forest, the females ovipositing on the tree trunks. They mimic Hyalites aurivillii, with which they often fly (Congdon & Collins, 1998). Farquharson (1922) saw specimens feeding from the secretions of ant-attended coccids, but this must have been another species of Mimacraea, since fulvaria does not occur in Nigeria, where his observations were made. Early stages:

Congdon & Collins, 1998: 60.

Larval food: Algae on tree trunks [Congdon & Collins, 1998: 60]. Cyanobacteria and lichens on trees [Congdon & Bampton, in CRG database, 2016; Minziro, Tanzania; for ssp. eltringhami].

Mimacraea fulvaria fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895

Mimacraea fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895. Entomologisches Nachrichten. Berlin 21: 381 (379-382). Mimacraea neurata fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895. Ackery et al., 1995. Mimacraea fulvaria fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895. Libert, 2000c: 34. Mimacraea fulvaria fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Bangasso am oberen Ubangi (Congo)”. Holotype (female) in the M.R.A.C., Tervuren, Belgium. Neallotype (male) – Stanleyville, Zaire, 10 VIII 1922; Zoologische Staassammlung, Munich, Germany. Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (Ubangi, Shaba, Kinshasa), South Sudan, Uganda. Specific localities: Cameroon – Yaounde (Libert, 2000c); Maan (Libert, 2000c); Ebodje (Libert, 2000c); Mt Cameroon (Libert, 2000c). Gabon – Langoue (Vande weghe, 2010); camp Nouna (Vande weghe, 2010); camp PPG (Vande weghe, 2010). Central African Republic – Bangui (Libert, 2000c). Democratic Republic of Congo – Bangasso (TL); Stanley Pool (Schultze, 1923); Kinshasa (Libert, 2000c); Shaba (Libert, 2000c); Kisangani (Libert, 2000c); Beni (Libert, 2000c). South Sudan – Sakere (Libert, 2000c). Uganda – Bwamba (Libert, 2000c).

angustata Schultze, 1923 (as sp. of Mimacraea). In Schultze & Aurivillius, 1923. Ergebnisse der Zweiten Deutschen Zentral-Afrika Expedition 1 (17): 1163 (1113-1242). [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Stanleypool”. Synonymized with Mimacraea fulvaria by Libert, 2000: 34.

ertli Joicey & Talbot, 1924 (as ssp. of Mimacraea charmian). Entomologist 57: 38 (37-40). [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Belgian Congo: Stanleyville”. Synonymized with Mimacraea fulvaria fulvaria by Libert, 2000c: 34. Considered to be a synonym of Mimacraea charmian Grose- Smith & Kirby, 1889 by Larsen, 2005a: 132. Considered to be a synonym of Mimacraea fulvaria Aurivillius, 1895 by d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Mimacraea fulvaria eltringhami Druce, 1912

Mimacraea eltringhami Druce, 1912. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (8) 9: 635 (635-636). Mimacraea eltringhami Druce, 1912. Ackery et al., 1995. Mimacraea fulvaria eltringhami Druce, 1912. Libert, 2000c: 37 comb. nov. Mimacraea fulvaria eltringhami Druce, 1912. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Mimacraea fulvaria eltringhami. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Radio Hill, Mabira Forest, Uganda. 14 June, 2009. J. & C. Dobson. Images M.C.Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Type locality: [Uganda]: “Bugoma Forest, Unyoro, B.C. Africa”. Holotype (male) and allotype (female) – Bugoma Forest, Unyoro, Uganda, 3 XI 1911 (S.A. Neave); N.H.M., London. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania. Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Yebo Moto (Hawker-Smith, 1928); Watsa (Libert, 2000c). Uganda – Bugoma Forest, Unyoro (TL); Katera (Libert, 2000c); Malabigambo (Libert, 2000c); Entebbe (Libert, 2000c); Kigezi (Libert, 2000c); Bwamba (Libert, 2000c). Tanzania – Minziro (Libert, 2000c).

burgeoni Hawker-Smith, 1928 (as ssp. of Mimacraea eltringhami). Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines 16: 214 (214-216). [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Haut-Uele: Yebo Moto, Belgian Congo”. Synonymized with Mimacraea fulvaria eltringhami by Libert, 2000: 37.

*Mimacraea paragora Rebel, 1911

Mimacraea paragora Rebel, 1911. Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 24: 413 (409-414). Mimacraea paragora Rebel, 1911. Libert, 2000c: 38. Mimacraea paragora Rebel, 1911. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Distribution: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo [ssp. paragora – red dots]

Democratic Republic of Congo [ssp. angulata – green dots]

Distribution: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. 12

Mimacraea paragora paragora Rebel, 1911

Mimacraea paragora Rebel, 1911. Annalen des (K.K.) Naturhistorischen Museums. Wien 24: 413 (409-414). Mimacraea paragora paragora Rebel, 1911. Libert, 2000c: 38. Mimacraea paragora Rebel, 1911. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Tanganika-See”. Holotype (male) – Beni, Zaire, VII 1910 (Grauer); Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria. Neallotype (female) – Bookoko, Central African Republic, XI 1995 (S.C. Collins); in A.B.R.I., Nairobi. Distribution: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (north-west of Lake Tanganyika). Specific localities: Cameroon – Yakaduma (Schultze, 1912); Lomie (Schultze, 1912). Central African Republic – Bookoko (Libert, 2000c). Democratic Republic of Congo – Beni (Libert, 2000c); Irumu (Libert, 2000c); Mt Hoyo (Libert, 2000c); Ikela (Libert, 2000c).

laeta Schultze, 1912 (as sp. of Mimacraea). Entomologische Rundschau 29: 49 (49-50). Cameroon: “Yakaduma”; “Lomie (Süd-Kamerun)”. Synonymized with Mimacraea paragora paragora Rebel, 1911 by Libert, 2000: 38.

Mimacraea paragora angulata Libert, 2000

Mimacraea paragora angulata Libert, 2000. Revision du genre Mimacraea Butler avec description de quatre nouvelles especes et deux nouvelles sous-especes: 40 (1-73).

Type locality: Democratic Republic of Congo: Kafakumba, Katanga. Holotype (male) collected in October 1930 and housed in the M.R.A.C., Tervuren, Belgium. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo. Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Kafakumba (TL); Kumbu (Libert, 2000c).

M. neurata sub-group

*Mimacraea neurata Holland, 1895 Alciope Acraea Mimic

Mimacraea neurata Holland, 1895. Entomological News 6: 166 (166-168). Mimacraea neurata Holland, 1895. Libert, 2000c: 40. Mimacraea neurata Holland, 1895. d’Abrera, 2009: 626.

Mimacraea neurata. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. 13 Near San Pedro, Ivory Coast. 23 July 18 February 1996. Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: Liberia: “Liberia”. The holotype (male), collected by Good, is in the C.M.N.H., Pittsburgh, U.S.A. Neallotype (female) – Issia, Ivory Coast, VIII 1968 (T.H.E. Jackson); in the M.N.H.N., Paris.

Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria.

Distribution: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria. Specific localities: Guinea – Conakry (Libert, 2000c). Sierra Leone – Mano (Libert, 2000c); Moyamba (Libert, 2000c). Ivory Coast – Issia (Libert, 2000c). Ghana – Coomassie (Joicey & Talbot, 1924). Togo – Klouto [6°57'15.07"N 0°34'54.40"E] (Safian et al., 2009). Nigeria – Lagos (Libert, 2000c); Umuhaia (Libert, 2000c); Oban Hills (Larsen, 2005a). Habitat: Forest. Habits: A rare species usually encountered singly around specific ‘ant-trees’, circling these from three to six metres above the ground. Owen (1983) and Warren-Gash (vide Larsen, 2005a) captured males, sequentially, on such ant-trees. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

alciopina Joicey & Talbot, 1924 (as ssp. of Mimacraea fulvaria). Entomologist 57: 38 (37-40). Ghana: “Coomassie”. Placed as a synonym of Mimacraea neurata Holland, 1895 by Larsen, 2005a: 132.

incurvata Talbot, 1935 (as f. of Mimacraea neurata fulvaria). Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 71: 205 (202-209). Nigeria: “Ogruga”.

lineata Talbot, 1935 (as f. of Mimacraea neurata fulvaria). Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 71: 205 (202-209). Nigeria: “Lagos”.

M. krausei group

*Mimacraea krausei Dewitz, 1889 Krause’s Acraea Mimic

14 Mimacraea krausei Dewitz, 1889. Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin 15 (7,8): 106 (101-110). Mimacraea krausei Dewitz, 1889. Libert, 2000c: 42. Mimacraea krausei Dewitz, 1889. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Uganda [ssp. krausei – red dots]

Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania [ssp. poultoni – green dots]

Sudan, Uganda [ssp. karschoides – blue dots]

Cameroon [ssp. camerunica – mauve dots]

Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania. Habitat: Wet forest. Habits: Females oviposit on lichens on the bark of tree trunks (Van Someren, 1974). Congdon & Collins (1998) recount that females came to oviposit on the poles supporting their dining shelter in Minziro Forest, Tanzania. The species is a mimic of certain species of Acraea, such as tellus, epaea, jodutta and sotikensis (Larsen, 1991c). Early stages:

Jackson, 1937 [Busia and Budongo Forest, Uganda]. Egg. Circular, hemispherical, and dirty yellowish-white with the surface minutely ornamented with a network pattern and a small black central spot. Laid among lichen on bark. Very small for the size of the insect (0.5 mm in diameter). Larva. Dark sepia brown, almost black, with long blackish hair sparsely covering it and allowing the shiny skin and segment rings to appear. Head very small and unprotected, the whole moth-like and very like the larva of some lithosiids. Length 26 mm. Pupa. Placed flat on the bark, the larval skin enfolding the last few segments; usually among moss. Dark blackish brown with short thick hair carried transversely across each segment, the divisions being free and an occasional longer hair here and there. Capable of movement from side to side. Very broad but without irregularities. Length 17 mm, breadth 7 mm.

Larval food: Lichens and moss on tree trunks; ants not present [Jackson, 1937].

Mimacraea krausei krausei Dewitz, 1889

Mimacraea krausei Dewitz, 1889. Entomologische Nachrichten. Berlin 15: 106 (101-110). Mimacraea krausei krausei Dewitz, 1889. Libert, 2000c: 42. Mimacraea krausei krausei Dewitz, 1889. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Mukenge”. Neotype (male) – Kapanga, Democratic Republic of Congo; in the M.R.A.C., Tervuren, Belgium. Neallotype (female) – Lulua, Kapanga, Democratic Republic of Congo, II 1933 (F.G. Overlaet); in the M.R.A.C., Tervuren, Belgium. Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo 15 (Haut-Uele, Equateur, Kinshasa, Sankuru, Lualaba), Sudan, Uganda (Bwamba Valley). Specific localities: Cameroon – Sanaga (Libert, 2000c); Goyoum (Libert, 2000c); Bertoua (Libert, 2000c); Malap (Libert, 2000c); Foumban (Libert, 2000c); Ndzi (Libert, 2000c); Yaounde (Libert, 2000c). Gabon – Ipassa (Vande weghe, 2010); camp PPG (Vande weghe, 2010). Central African Republic – Dzanga (Noss, 1998); Bangui (Libert, 2000c). Democratic Republic of Congo – Mukenge (TL); Kapanga (Libert, 2000c); Lulua (Libert, 2000c); Ituri (Libert, 2000c). Sudan – Sakure (Libert, 2000c). Uganda – Bwamba (Libert, 2000c).

Mimacraea krausei poultoni Neave, 1904

Mimacraea poultoni Neave, 1904. Novitates Zoologicae 11: 337 (323-363). Mimacraea krausei poultoni Neave, 1904. Libert, 2000c: 44. Mimacraea krausei poultoni Neave, 1904. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Mimacraea krausei poultoni. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Radio Hill, Mabira Forest, Uganda. 28 December, 2008. P. Ward. Images M.C.Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Mimacraea krausei poultoni. Male (yellow form). Left – upperside; right – underside. Radio Hill, Mabira Forest, Uganda. 13 December, 2008. P. Ward. Images M.C.Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Mimacraea krausei poultoni. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Radio Hill, Mabira Forest, Uganda. 28 December, 2008. P. Ward.

Type locality: [Kenya]: “Nyangori”; [Uganda]: “Entebbe”. Holotype (female) and allotype (male) – 6 miles south of the equator, N.E. of Lake Victoria, near Kisumu, Kenya, III 1903 (Wiggins); in the Hope Department, Oxford, England. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Lake Wiro (Libert, 2000c). Uganda – Entebbe (Neave, 1904); Budongo Forest (Bethune-Baker, 1913); Siroko River, Elgon (Talbot, 1935); Bugoma Forest (Talbot, 1935); Busia Forest (Jackson, 1937); Semuliki N.P. (Davenport &Howard, 1996); Mabira Forest (specimens illustrated above). Rwanda – Akagora (Libert, 2000c). Kenya – Nyangori (TL); Kakamega (Larsen, 1991c); Mount Elgon (Larsen, 1991c); Kitale (Larsen, 1991c); Kisumu (Libert, 2000c); Gwasi Hill (Libert, 2000c). Tanzania – Minziro Forest (Congdon & Collins, 1998); Livandabe Forest in Kigoma (single specimen; may not be poultoni) (Congdon & Collins, 1998).

luteomaculata Grünberg, 1908 (as sp. of Mimacraea). Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin 1908: 57 (50-62). Uganda: “Uganda”. Synonymized with Mimacraea krausei poultoni Neave, 1904 by Libert, 2000c: 61.

masindae Bethune-Baker, 1913 (as sp. of Mimacrea [sic]). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (8) 11: 565 (562-575). [Uganda]: “Budongo Forest, Masindi, B. E. Africa”. Synonymized with Mimacraea krausei poultoni Neave, 1904 by Libert, 2000c: 44.

elgonae Talbot, 1935 (as ssp. of Mimacraea krausei). Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 71: 71 (69-78, 115-127, 147-153). Uganda: “Elgon, north-west, 3600 feet, strip about 500 yards by 50 yards, dense forest by Siroko River”. Synonymized with Mimacraea krausei poultoni Neave, 1904 by Libert, 2000c: 61.

viviana Talbot, 1935 (as f. of Mimacraea krausei). Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 71: 71 (69-78, 115-127, 147-153). Uganda: “Unyoro, Bugoma Forest, 3700 ft”.

citrifascia Talbot, 1935 (as f. of Mimacraea krausei). Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 71: 71 (69-78, 115-127, 147-153). Uganda: “Budongo Forest”.

Mimacraea krausei karschioides Carpenter & Jackson, 1950

Mimacraea krausei karschioides Carpenter & Jackson, 1950. Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London (B) 19: 106 (97-108). Mimacraea krausei karschioides Carpenter & Jackson, 1950. Libert, 2000c: 45. Mimacraea krausei karschioides Carpenter & Jackson, 1950. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: Sudan: “South Sudan: Imatong Mts., 5000 feet”. Holotype (male) – Imatong Mountains, 5000 ft, South Sudan, X 1938 (T.H.E. Jackson); in the N.H.M., London. Allotype (female) – Acholi Hills, Labuni, Uganda, X 1938 (T.H.E. Jackson); in the N.H.M., London. Distribution: Sudan (south), Uganda. Specific localities: Sudan – Imatong Mountains (TL); Lotti Forest (Libert, 2000c). Uganda – Labuni (Libert, 2000c).

Mimacraea krausei camerunica Libert, 2000

Mimacraea krausei camerunica Libert, 2000. Revision du genre Mimacraea Butler avec description de quatre nouvelles especes et deux nouvelles sous-especes: 46 (1-73). Mimacraea krausei camerunica Libert, 2000. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: Cameroon: Mount Messa (1000 m), Yaounde. Holotype (male) – collected at the type 17 locality on 31 X 1984 (M. Libert); in the M.N.H.N., Paris. Allotype (female) – Ototomo forest reserve, 8 XI 1988 (M. Libert); in the M.N.H.N., Paris. Distribution: Cameroon. Specific localities: Cameroon – Mount Messa (TL); Ototoma forest reserve (Libert, 2000c); Njore (Libert, 2000c); Ebodje (Libert, 2000c); Djoum (Libert, 2000c).

M. skoptoles group

*Mimacraea skoptoles Druce, 1907

Mimacraea skoptoles Druce, 1907. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1907: 78 (77-82). Mimacraea skoptoles Druce, 1907. Libert, 2000c: 47. Mimacraea skoptoles Druce, 1907. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Mimacraea skoptoles. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Zambezi Bridge, Zambia. 26 April 2015. Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Mimacraea skoptoles. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Kabweluma Forest, Northern Province, Zambia. 26 September 2005. Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: Nigeria: “Nigeria”. [False locality according to Carcasson (1981), Libert (2000c) and Larsen (2005a)]. Holotype (male) in the N.H.M., London. Neallotype (male) – Lubi, Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo, 26 V 1912 (F.G. Overlaet); in the M.R.A.C., Tervuren, Belgium.

18 Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia.

Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba), Tanzania (Kigoma, Mpanda), Zambia. Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Lubi (Libert, 2000c); Kafakumba (Libert, 2000c); Kapanga (Libert, 2000c); Sandoa (Libert, 2000c). Tanzania – Livandare (Libert, 2000c); Kampiza (Libert, 2000c); Katumi River (Libert, 2000c); Kefu forest (Libert, 2000c); Lubalizi (Libert, 2000c); Lungufu (Libert, 2000c); Sibweza (Libert, 2000c); Kangazi (Libert, 2000c). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Kasangezhi (Heath et al., 2002); Kalungwishi River (Heath et al., 2002); Kawambwa (Heath et al., 2002); Lisombo (male illustrated above); Sakegi School, Ikelenge (female illustrated above). Habitat: Riverine forest. In Tanzania at altitudes of 900 to 1 350 metres (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: Females have been observed laying eggs among lichens on the bark of trees (Kielland, 1990d). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

obsolescens Hawker-Smith, 1926 (as ab. of Mimacraea krausei). Revue Zoologique Africaine 14: 238 (237-241). Synonymized with Mimacraea skoptoles by Libert, 2000: 47.

M. gelinia group

M. gelinia sub-group

*Mimacraea gelinia (Oberthür, 1893)

Liptena gelinia Oberthür, 1893. Études d’Entomologie 17: 31 (17-36). Mimacraea gelinia Oberthür, 1893. Libert, 2000c: 49. Mimacraea gelinia Oberthür, 1893. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

19 Distribution: Tanzania [ssp. gelinia – red dots]

Tanzania [ssp. nguru – green dot]

Tanzania [ssp. georgia – blue dot]

Distribution: Tanzania. Habitat: Forest. Habits: In flight subspecies nguru is said to resemble day-flying geometrid moths belonging to the genus Aletis. Specimens rest on tree trunks with folded wings (Kielland, 1990d). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

Mimacraea gelinia gelinia (Oberthür, 1893)

Liptena gelinia Oberthür, 1893. Études d’Entomologie 17: 31 (17-36). Mimacraea gelinia gelinia Oberthür, 1893. Libert, 2000c: 49. Mimacraea gelinia gelinia Oberthür, 1893. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: [Tanzania]: “Usambara”. Holotype (male) – Pangani, Usambara, 1891 (L. Conradt); in the N.H.M., London. Neallotype (female) – Ambangulu, W. Usambara, 3500 m, Tanzania, III 1993, (S. Collins); in A.B.R.I., Nairobi, Kenya. Distribution: Tanzania (north-east – Usambara). Specific localities: Tanzania – Gelin in the Usambaras (Kielland, 1990d); Pangani (Libert, 2000c); Ambangulu (Libert, 2000c).

Mimacraea gelinia nguru Kielland, 1986

Mimacraea gelinia nguru Kielland, 1986. Lambillionea 86: 148 (137-154). Mimacraea gelinia nguru Kielland, 1986. Libert, 2000c: 50. Mimacraea gelinia nguru Kielland, 1986. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Type locality: Tanzania: “Morogoro, Nguru Mts., Maskati, 1600 m”. Holotype (male) – collected by J. Kielland on 21 III 1984 and is housed in the N.H.M., London. Neallotype (female) – Nguru mountains, Tanzania, III 2003; in the A.B.R.I. collection, Nairobi, Kenya. Female first described and figured by Libert & Collins, 2011. Distribution: Tanzania (Nguru mountains). Specific localities: Tanzania – Maskati Mission, Nguru Mountains (TL); Mkombola (Libert & Collins, 2011).

Mimacraea gelinia georgia Libert & Collins, 2011

Mimacraea gelinia georgia Libert & Collins, 2011. Metamorphosis 22 (1): 19 (18-21).

Image of Mimacraea gelinia georgia ex Congdon & Bampton. Udzungwa National Park.

Type locality: Tanzania: Udzungwa mountains, 1130 m. Holotype (male) collected on 12 III 2000 and housed in the A.B.R.I. collection, Nairobi, Kenya. The female is unknown (Libert & Collins, 2011). Etymology: Named for Harrison Ford’s daughter, in recognition of his support for wildlife conservation in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. Distribution: Tanzania (Udzungwa Mountains). Specific localities: Tanzania – Udzungwa Mountains, above Sanje (TL).

*Mimacraea neokoton Druce, 1907 Mount Selinda Acraea Mimic

Mimacraea neokoton Druce, 1907. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1907: 79 (77-82). Mimacraea neokoton H.H. Druce, 1907. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Mimacraea neokoton Druce, 1907. Pringle et al., 1994: 134. Mimacraea neokoton Druce, 1907. Libert, 2000c: 51. Mimacraea neokoton Druce, 1907. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Mimacraea neokoton. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mount Selinda, Zimbabwe. 18 February 1990. Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Mimacraea neokoton. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mount Selinda, Zimbabwe. 18 February 1990.

21 Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: [Zimbabwe]: “S.E. Rhodesia: Melsetter, Gazaland. Captured on Mount Chirinda, about 4000 ft”. Holotype (female) – collected by G.A.K. Marshall on 7 October 1905 and housed in the Hope Department, Oxford, England. Neallotype (male) – Mount Chirinda, Zimbabwe, 3800 ft, 12 X 1913 (C.F.M. Swynnerton); in the Hope Department, Oxford, England.

Distribution: Zimbabwe.

Distribution: Zimbabwe (south-east – Chirinda Forest, on Mount Selinda, only). Specific localities: Zimbabwe – Within the Chirinda Forest colonies have been found near the Swynnerton Memorial (Pringle et al., 1994), Old Post Office Road (Collins), Big Tree car park (Bampton) and Valley of the Giants (Bampton). Habitat: Forest. Habits: Specimens flutter around the trunks of certain trees in the forest, from 6 to 20 metres above the ground. According to Mullin the species is on the wing from 12h30 to about 15h30. Males select perches on the trunks of trees in clearings, occasionally making flights around their territory. These territories are vigorously defended against incursions by other males. Sometimes as many as four or five males may be encountered in the same clearing. Females often come to these clearings when males flutter slowly around them, attempting to mate (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: Most records are from late February to early March. There are also records for December by Stevenson (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Mullin, in Pringle et al., 1994: 134. “Mullin noted that the female lays happily in a paper-lined box and the larva is very similar to that of marshalli except that it is even more densely covered with long hair. Unfortunately, larvae he had reared to final instar died during the winter having reached a length of about 15 mm”.

Larval food: Very dark, blue-green (black) algae (Cyanophyta) [Mullin, in Pringle et al., 1994: 134].

M. marshalli sub-group

*Mimacraea marshalli Trimen, 1898 Marshall’s Acraea Mimic

Marshall’s Acraea Mimic (Mimacraea marshalli). Harare Botanical Gardens. Image courtesy Sue Christian Bell.

Mimacraea marshalli Trimen, 1898. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1898: 13 (1-16). Mimacraea marshalli Trimen, 1898. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Mimacraea marshalli Trimen, 1898. Pringle et al., 1994: 134. Mimacraea marshalli Trimen, 1898. Libert, 2000c: 52. Mimacraea marshalli Trimen, 1898. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Mimacraea marshalli. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Saffron Walden, 20 km SW of Harare, Zimbabwe. 3 April 2006. P. McDermott. Images M.C.Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Mimacraea marshalli. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Gwanda Road, Zimbabwe. 21 March 1976. Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: [Zimbabwe]: “Mazoe River, in Mashunaland”. Holotype (male) – collected in December 1894 by G.A.K. Marshall and housed in the N.H.M., London. Neallotype (female) – Christon Bank, Zimbabwe, XI 1981 (S. Collins); in the N.H.M., London.

23 Distribution: Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe.

Distribution: Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya (west), Tanzania, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo (Sankuru, Lualaba, South Kivu, Haut-Uele), Zambia (throughout), Angola, Mozambique (Cabral, 2000 [requires confirmation – MCW]), Zimbabwe (north-east and east). Specific localities: Uganda – S.E. Ankole (Libert, 2000c); Mbarara (Libert, 2000c); Kacheleba (Libert, 2000c); Soroti (Libert, 2000c). Rwanda – Akagora (Libert, 2000c); Karama (Libert, 2000c). Kenya – Mirua or Sondo River Valley (Talbot, 1937); Kitale (Talbot, 1937); South Kavirondo (Larsen, 1991c); west (Larsen, 1991c); Mara River (Libert, 2000c); Gwasi Hills (Libert, 2000c). Tanzania – Mpanda (Kielland, 1990d); Kigoma (Kielland, 1990d); Ufipa (Kielland, 1990d); slopes of Image Mountain (Congdon, vide Kielland, 1990d); near Mufindi in the Uzungwa Mountains (Congdon, vide Kielland, 1990d); Mpala (Libert, 2000c); Tukuyu (Libert, 2000c); Bukoba (Libert, 2000c); Lake Manyara (Libert, 2000c). Rare in eastern Tanzania but of the same race as in western Tanzania (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Dedza (Libert, 2000c); Lilongwe (Libert, 2000c); Nkhata Bay (Libert, 2000c). Democratic Republic of Congo – Mpemba Zeo (Libert, 2000c); Sankuru (Libert, 2000c); Numbi (Libert, 2000c). Zambia – Lusaka (Heath et al., 2002); Chalimbana (Heath et al., 2002); Kitwe (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Shiwa Ngandu (Heath et al., 2002); Chambezi Valley (Libert, 2000c). Angola – Nova Redondo (Libert, 2000c). Zimbabwe – Mazowe River (TL; Marshall); Mapembi (male A illustrated above); near Harare (Pennington); Rusape (Pennington); Odzi Valley at Mapembi (Pennington); Christon Bank (Kroon and Duke); Vumba Mountains (Pringle et al., 1994); Melsetter (Pringle et al., 1994); Mutare (Pringle et al., 1994); Selukwe (Stevenson); Saffron Walden. Habitat: Brachystegia woodland in hilly country, from 1 200 to 1 700 metres (for the nominate subspecies in Tanzania) (Kielland, 1990d). Open woodland in Kenya (Larsen, 1991c). Habits: Invariably settles on thick branches or tree trunks with closed wings (Kielland, 1990d; Larsen, 1991c). Colonies are very localized. The species is somewhat gregarious; often small groups of four to six can be seen circling a tree trunk, usually two to three metres above the ground (Larsen, 1991c). Adults have been observed feeding from the secretions of scale insects (Homoptera) on a thin branch high up in a Brachystegia species tree 20 km south-west of Harare and in a Kenyan coffee tree in a suburban garden in Harare (McDermott, 2005). The adults were noted to stroke the homopterans with their antennae while feeding from their secretions (McDermott, 2005). These observations supplement those of Farquharson (1922) on an unknown species of Mimacraea (see Mimacraea fulvaria). Females oviposit on lichens on the bark of trees (Van Someren, 1974). Flight period: October to May. Commonest in November-December and March-April (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Mullin, in Pringle et al., 1994: 134.

24 “Mullin has stated that the larvae of this species feed on the “black” algal growth on tree trunks. The eggs are laid singly and at random on the bark of trees. The larvae are brown, densely hairy and very mobile. The hair is long, up to 15 mm, and very fine. The larva probably pupates under loose bark, where Mullin has found empty pupal cases. The pupa is dark brown, lightly hairy, and the cast larval skin is retained at the posterior end.”

Larval food: Very dark, blue-green (black) algae (Cyanophyta) on tree trunks [Mullin, in Pringle et al., 1994: 134]. Relevant literature: McDermott, 2005 [Adult feeding behaviours].

media Talbot, 1937 (as ssp. of Mimacraea marshalli). Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 86: 63 (59-72). Kenya: “South Kavirondo, west boundary, Mirua or Sondo River Valley, 4500 feet”. Synonymized with Mimacaea marshalli Trimen, 1898 by Libert, 2000: 52.

nzoia Talbot, 1937 (as ssp. of Mimacraea marshalli). Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 86: 64 (59-72). Kenya: “Kitale”. Synonymized with Mimacaea marshalli Trimen, 1898 by Libert, 2000: 52.

*Mimacraea costleyi Druce, 1912

Mimacraea costleyi Druce, 1912. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (8) 9: 636 (635-636). Mimacraea costleyi Druce, 1912. Libert, 2000c: 55. Mimacraea costleyi Druce, 1912. d’Abrera, 2009: 628.

Mimacraea costleyi. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Zomba, Malawi. 30 March 1989. Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Mimacraea costleyi. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Limbe, Malawi. 13 November 1991. Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: Malawi: “Mlanje, Nyasaland, British Central Africa”. Holotype (male) collected by E. Costley-White and housed in the N.H.M., London. Neallotype (female) – Mlanje, Malawi, 3 XII 1913 (S.A. Neave); in the N.H.M., London.

25 Distribution: Malawi, Mozambique.

Distribution: Malawi, Mozambique. Specific localities: Malawi – Mlanje (TL); Cholo (Libert, 2000c); Limbe (Libert, 2000c); Zomba (Libert, 2000c); Maiwale (Libert, 2000c); Mangochi (Libert, 2000c); Dedza (Libert, 2000c). Mozambique – Ruo Valley (Libert, 2000c). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Mimacraea dohertyi Rothschild, 1901

Mimacraea dohertyi Rothschild, 1901. Novitates Zoologicae 8: 219 (218-220). Mimacraea marshalli dohertyi Rothschild, 1901. Ackery et al., 1995. Mimacraea dohertyi Rothschild, 1901. Libert, 2000c: 55. Mimacraea dohertyi Rothschild, 1901. D’Abrera, 2009: 630.

Mimacraea dohertyi. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. 26 March 1995. Images M.C.Williams ex Gardiner Collection.

Type locality: [Kenya]: “Escarpment, British East Africa.... from 6500 to 9000 ft”. Holotype (male) and allotype (female) – collected on 9 October 1900 by Doherty and hosed in the N.H.M., London.

26 Distribution: Kenya, Tanzania.

Distribution: Kenya (highlands east of the Rift Valley), Tanzania (north – Arusha district). According to Kielland, 1990d at Lake Manyara specimens intermediate between marshalli and dohertyi are found. Specific localities: Kenya – Ngong (Talbot, 1937); Nairobi (Larsen, 1991c); Mbagathi (Libert, 2000c); Gwasi Hills (Libert, 2000c); Masai Mara (Libert, 2000c). Tanzania – lower slopes of Mount Meru (Kielland, 1990d); Lake Manyara (Kielland, 1990d); Arusha (Libert, 2000c); Lake Manyara (Libert, 2000c); Kiboriani (Libert, 2000c). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

somereni Talbot, 1937 (as f. of Mimacraea marshalli dohertyi). Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 86: 63 (59-72). Kenya: “Ngong, Escarpment”.

M. marginata sub-group

*Mimacraea marginata Libert & Collins, 2000

Mimacraea marginata Libert & Collins, 2000. Revision du genre Mimacraea Butler avec description de quatre nouvelles especes et deux nouvelles sous-especes: 58 (1-73). Mimacraea marginata Libert & Collins, 2000. d’Abrera, 2009: 630.

Type locality: Tanzania: Manyara National Park, 3500 ft. Holotype (male) – collected in June 1970 by S.C. Collins and housed in the A.B.R.I., Nairobi, Kenya. The female is unknown (Libert, 2000c).

27 Distribution: Tanzania.

Distribution: Tanzania. Specific localities: Tanzania – Lake Manyara N.P. (TL). Only known from the type locality. Habitat: Nothing published. Habits: Nothing published. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.