109 Genus Borbo Evans

AFROTROPICAL BUTTERFLIES. MARK C. WILLIAMS. http://www.lepsocafrica.org/?p=publications&s=atb Updated 17 May 2021

Genus Borbo Evans, 1949 Swifts

A catalogue of the Hesperiidae from Europe, Asia and Australia in the British Museum (Natural History): 44, 436 (502 pp.). London. Type-species: Hesperia borbonica Boisduval, by original designation.

The genus Borbo belongs to the Family Hesperiidae Latreille, 1809; Subfamily Hesperiinae Latreille, 1809; Tribe Baorini Doherty, 1886. Other genera in the Tribe Baorini are Brusa, Zenonia, Gegenes, Afrogegenes, Parnara, Larsenia and Pelopidas.

Borbo (Swifts) is a predominantly Afrotropical genus containing 20 species. There are 16 Afrotropical species, one of which (borbonica) extends extralimitally. There are a further four extralimital species.

*Borbo borbonica (Boisduval, 1833)# Olive-haired Swift

A male Olive-haired Swift (Borbo borbonica) feeding on a Lantana flower Image courtesy Raimund Schutte

Hesperia borbonica Boisduval, 1833. Nouvelles Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris 2: 213 (149-270). Pamphila borbonica Boisduval. Trimen, 1866a. Pamphila borbonica (Boisduval, 1833). Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Pelopidas borbonica (Boisduval, 1833). Evans, 1937. Pelopidas borbonica Boisduval, 1833. Swanepoel, 1953a. Borbo borbonica (Boisduval, 1833). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo borbonica (De Boisduval, 1833). Pringle et al., 1994: 335.

Borbo borbonica borbonica. Male (Wingspan 42 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Grand Baie, Mauritius. 15 April 2009. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Borbo borbonica borbonica. Female (Wingspan 44 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Umtamvuna River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 27 April 2005. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Alternative common name: Groen ratsvlieër (Afrikaans). Type locality: [Reunion]: “Bourbon”; [Mauritius]: “Maurice”. Diagnosis: There are three dark-ringed white spots on the olivaceous-yellow hindwing underside; the forewings are very elongated (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau (Bacelar, 1949), Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Gabon, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Madagascar, Reunion, Rodrigues, Mauritius, Seychelles, Cape Verde Islands. Extralimitally in the Palaearctic (Morocco, Spain, Egypt, Gibralter, Lebanon). Habitat: Dry savanna, moist woodland and coastal bush. In Madagascar in forest margins, transformed grasslands and croplands (Lees et al., 2003). Larsen (2005a) notes that it even colonizes disturbed forest. In Tanzania at altitudes from about 500 m up to 2 600 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: This is a fairly common skipper (Larsen, 2005a). The flight is fast and low down. The species is known to show migratory behaviour (Larsen, 1991c). Specimens flying over the sea from the direction of Madagascar were observed arriving on Mauritius in March, 1986 (Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 199). Specimens are occasionally seen feeding from flowers; Larsen (2005a) records them on the flowers of Tridax. Males establish territories anywhere within the species habitat. Within these territories males perch on the ground, rocks, grass stems, or shrubs. Specimens have been collected at light at night by several collectors on the Kenyan coast (Larsen, 1991c). Flight period: All year. October and April are, apparently, the months in which it is most abundant (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Cock & Congdon, 2012: 19 [ovum, larva & pupa]

Larval food: Cenchrus (= Pennisetum species) (Poaceae) [Larsen, 1991c: 435]. Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone (= Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) [Guillermet, 2011; Lawrence, 2014: 34] 2 Ehrharta species (Poaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 200]. Ehrharta erecta Lam. (Poaceae) [Kroon, 1999]. Leersia hexandra Sw. (Poaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2012; Nairobi]. Oryza sativa L. (Poaceae) [Frappa, 1937; Madagascar]. Panicum species (Poaceae) [Davis & Barnes, 1991; Mauritius]. Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs (= Panicum maximum Jacq.) (Poaceae) [Lawrence, 2014: 34]. Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae) (sugar-cane) [Williams, 1989; Mauritius]. Sorghum species (Poaceae) [Larsen, 2005a]. Stenotaphrum dimidiatum (L.) Brongn. (Poaceae) [Lawrence, 2014: 33; for ssp. morella]. Zea mays L. (Poaceae) [Hargreaves, 1932; Uganda; requires confirmation (Cock & Congdon, 2012)]. Relevant literature: Cuvelier & Rowlings, 2014 [Records for Spain].

Note: Genitalic differences between some populations indicate that there may be other taxa subsumed under borbonica (Larsen, 1991c: 435).

Borbo borbonica borbonica (Boisduval, 1833)# Olive-haired Swift

Hesperia borbonica Boisduval, 1833. Nouvelles Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris 2: 213 (149-270). Pamphila borbonica Boisduval. Trimen, 1866a. Pamphila borbonica (Boisduval, 1833). Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Pelopidas borbonica (Boisduval, 1833). Evans, 1937. Pelopidas borbonica Boisduval, 1833. Swanepoel, 1953a. Borbo borbonica borbonica (Boisduval, 1833). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo borbonica borbonica (De Boisduval, 1833). Pringle et al., 1994: 335.

Borbo borbonica borbonica. Male (Wingspan 42 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Grand Baie, Mauritius. 15 April 2009. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

3 Type locality: [Reunion]: “Bourbon”; [Mauritius]: “Maurice”. Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau (Bacelar, 1949), Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin (throughout), Nigeria (north), Gabon, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana (north), Namibia (north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province), Swaziland, Madagascar, Reunion, Rodrigues, Mauritius, Seychelles, Cape Verde Islands. Extralimitally in the Palaearctic (Morocco, Spain, Egypt, Gibralter, Lebanon). Specific localities: Cape Verde Islands – Brava Island (Tennent & Russell, 2019); Fogo Island (Tennent & Russell, 2019); Santiago Island (Tennent & Russell, 2019); Maio Island (Tennent & Russell, 2019); Sao Nicolau Island (Tennent & Russell, 2019); Sao Vicente Island (Tennent & Russell, 2019); Santo Antao Island (Tennent & Russell, 2019). Gambia – Fajara, Abuko, Bijilo, Keneba, Sanyang, Basse (Jon Baker, pers. comm., May 2020). Liberia – Wologizi (Safian et al., 2020). Ghana – Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (Larsen, 2005a). Benin – Houeyogbe Forest (Coache & Rainon, 2016); see Coache et al., 2017. Nigeria – Okwangwo (Larsen, 2005a). Gabon – Libreville (Vande weghe, 2010); Pointe Pongara (Vande weghe, 2010); Nyonie (Vande weghe, 2010); Iguela (Vande weghe, 2010); Gamba (Vande weghe, 2010); Tchimbele (Vande weghe, 2010); Moyen-Ogooue (Vande weghe, 2010); Lope (Vande weghe, 2010); Bateke Plateau (Vande weghe, 2010). Angola – Cabinda Province; Huila Province; Kwanza Sul Province; Luanda Province; Malanje Province; Namibe Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Central Forest Block (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Kenya – Chyulu Hills (van Someren, 1939); Makardara Forest (Sevastopulo, 1974); Ngong Forest (Larsen, 1991c); Muguga (Cock & Congdon, 2012). Tanzania – Widespread (Kielland, 1990d); Mkatta (Strand, 1912); Katavi National Park (Fitzherbert et al., 2006). Malawi – Nyika N.P. (J. Timberlake, pers. comm., 2019). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Miengwe (Heath et al., 2002); Mpongwe (Heath et al., 2002); Chalimbana (Heath et al., 2002); Lusaka (Heath et al., 2002); Livingstone (Heath et al., 2002); Kawambwa (Heath et al., 2002); Nyika (Heath et al., 2002). Mozambique – Njesi Plateau (Congdon et al., 2010); Mt Yao [-12.4432 36.5114] (Congdon & Bayliss, 2013). Botswana – Kasane (Larsen, 1991l); Chobe River (Larsen, 1991l); Mababe Flats (Larsen, 1991l); Maun (Larsen, 1991l); Xugana Lagoon (Larsen, 1991l); Sepupa (Larsen, 1991l); Shakawe (Larsen, 1991l); Tswapong Hills – single male (Larsen, 1991l). Namibia – Kavango River (Pringle et al., 1994); Kombat (Pringle et al., 1994); Brandberg (Pringle et al., 1994). Limpopo Province – Polokwane (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokeetsi (Swanepoel, 1953; male illustrated above); Vivo (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Lydenburg district (Swanepoel, 1953). Gauteng – Pretoria (Swanepoel, 1953). Free State Province – Bloemfontein (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Pinetown (Swanepoel, 1953); Stanger (Swanepoel, 1953); Richard’s Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); Umkomaas (Pringle et al., 1994); Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002). Eastern Cape Province – Port Elizabeth (Swanepoel, 1953). Mauritius – Widespread and common (Davis & Barnes, 1991); Grand Gaube (Lawrence, 2016). Seychelles – Mahe (Lawrence, 2014); Silhouette (Lawrence, 2014); Praslin (Lawrence, 2014).

senegalensis Klug, 1842 (as sp. of Hesperia). Doubletten-Verzeichness von Senegallensischen Insecten (ohne Titel) mit Diagnosen neuer Arten von Klug und Erichson : 13 (15 pp.), Berlin. Senegal.

zelleri Lederer, 1855 (as sp. of Hesperia). Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Vereins in Wien

4 5: 194 (177-234). Lebanon: “Bierut”. Synonymized with the nominate subspecies by Tennent, 1996 (syn. nov.).

holii Oberthür, 1910 in Oberthür, 1909-10 (as ssp. of Pamphila borbonica). Études de Lépidoptérologie Comparée 364 (3: 101-415; 4: 1-691). Algeria: “Hussein-Dey”.

continentalis Strand, 1912 (as var. of Parnara borbonica). Archiv für Naturgeschichte 78 (A.1.): 80 (67-92). [Tanzania]: “Mkatta”.

Borbo borbonica morella (de Joannis, 1893) Seychelles Olive-haired Swift

Pamphila morella de Joannis, 1893. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 62: 52 (50-53). Pelopidas borbonica morella (de Joannis, 1893). Evans, 1937.

Type locality: Seychelles: “Mahé”. Distribution: Seychelles (including Aldabra Island). Specific localities: Seychelles – Mahe (TL); St Anne (Lawrence, 2014); Silhouette (Lawrence, 2014); Cousine (Lawrence, 2014); Aldabra Atoll (Lawrence, 2014). Habitat: Forest edges above 250 m a.s.l. (Lawrence, 2014). Habits: Males are territorial (Lawrence, 2014). Flight period: Mainly from November to March .

*Borbo binga (Evans, 1937) Dark Forest Swift

Baoris binga Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 178 (212 pp.).

Borbo binga. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ekombe, north-west Democratic Republic of Congo. December 2014. LB. ABRI-2019-2666. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Ivory Coast. Distribution: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo. Specific localities: Ivory Coast – Banco (Larsen, 2005a); Lamto (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Assin Foso (Maessen, vide Larsen, 2005a); Atewa Range (Belcastro, vide Larsen, 2005a); Kakum National Park (Larsen, 2005a). Nigeria – Ojo near Lagos (Larsen, 2005a). Democratic Republic of Congo – Luali, Mayoumbe district (Ackery et al., 1995). Habitat: Forest (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: A scarce skipper (Larsen, 2005a). 5 Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Borbo chagwa (Evans, 1937) Ochre-palp Swift

Pelopidas chagwa Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 183 (212 pp.). Borbo chagwa (Evans, 1937). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo chagwa (Evans, 1937). Pringle et al., 1994: 335.

Borbo chagwa. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mount Selinda, Zimbabwe. April 1986. R.D. Pare. ABRI-2019-2664. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Borbo chagwa. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mufindi, Tanzania. February 2000. CC. Bred. ABRI-2019-2665. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: [Uganda]: “Mabira Forest, Chagwé, 3,500 ft”. Diagnosis: Similar to Borbo ferruginea, from which it differs on the hindwing underside in that the ground-colour is pale brown (not ferruginous) and the spots are more suffused. Can be differentiated from Larsenia gemella and Borbo holstii by the ochreous colouring on the underside of the palps (grey in the other two species) (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe (east). Specific localities: Uganda – Mabira Forest, Chagwe (TL). Tanzania – Chemera (Evans, 1937); Kitambi in Kilwa District (Evans, 1937); Amani (Evans, 1947); Usambara (Evans, 1947); Iboma Forest, about 10 km south of Njombe, >2 000 m (Kielland, 1990d); Lindi (McCleery, vide Kielland, 1990d); near Dar es Salaam (Cock & Congdon, 2012). Mozambique – Dondo Forest (Pennington). Zimbabwe – Vumba Mountains (Barnes and Cox). Habitat: Forest. Habits: Males defend territories from perches high up (as high as six metres) on the leaves of trees (Pringle et al., 1994).

6 Flight period: Has been caught in both the spring and autumn months (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Unidentified species of grass (Poaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2012; Mufundi, Tanzania].

kilwa Evans, 1937 (as sp. of Pelopidas). A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum : 183 (212 pp.). [Tanzania]: “Chemera and Kitambi, Kilwa district”.

guttana Evans, 1947 (as sp. of Parnara). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (11) 13: 648 (641- 648). [Tanzania]: “Amani, Usambara”.

*Borbo cottrelli Larsen, 2013 Pale Swift

Borbo cottrelli Larsen, 2013. Tropical Lepidoptera Research 23 (2): 92 (92-98).

Borbo cottrelli male (holotype). Left – upperside; right – underside. Kasama District, Zambia. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Borbo cottrelli female (paratype). Left – upperside; right – underside. Kasama District, Zambia. Images courtesy Torben Larsen.

Type locality: Zambia: “Kasama District, Lower Chambezi Valley”. Holotype (male) in the Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford University Museum. UK. Distribution: Zambia. Specific localities: Zambia – Kasama District (TL); Luwingu to mouth of Chambezi River (Larsen, 2013). Habitat: Nothing published. Habits: An apparently scarce and localized skipper (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

7 *Borbo detecta (Trimen, 1893)# Rusty Swift

Pamphila detecta Trimen, 1893. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 1893: 141 (123-143). Pelopidas detecta (Trimen, 1893). Evans, 1937. Pelopidas detecta Trimen. Swanepoel, 1953a. Borbo detecta (Trimen, 1893). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo detecta (Trimen, 1893). Pringle et al., 1994: 334.

Borbo detecta. Male (Wingspan 35 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Umtamvuna River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 27 April 2005. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Borbo detecta. Female (Wingspan 37 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Manguzi Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 22 May 2004. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Alternative common name: Koper ratsvlieër (Afrikaans). Type locality: [South Africa]: “Malvern, Natal”. Holotype male in the Natural History Museum, London. Diagnosis: Characterized on the forewing underside by the ochreous costa (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: Sao Tome & Principe (Sao Tome) (Kielland, 1990d); Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland. Recorded, in error, from Liberia by Lindsey & Miller (1965) (Larsen, 2005a). Specific localities: Angola – Bengo Province; Kuando-Kubango Province; Kwanza Norte Province; Kwanza Sul Province; Luanda Province; Malanje Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Democratic Republic of Congo – Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Mpanga Forest (Safian & Pyrcz, 2020). Kenya – Taru (Butler, 1898); Meru (Larsen, 1991c); Nakuru (Larsen, 1991c); Nairobi (Larsen, 1991c); Teita (Larsen, 1991c); Shimba (Larsen, 1991c); Kitale (Larsen, 1991c); Kakamega Forest (Larsen, 1991c); Marsabit (Larsen, 1991c); Chyulu Hills (Larsen, 1991c); Elgon (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Widespread (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Mt Mulanje (Congdon et al., 2010). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); mid-Lunga River (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Mpongwe (Heath et al., 2002); Kapiri Mposhi (Heath et al.,

8 2002); Lusaka (Heath et al., 2002); Luongo River (Heath et al., 2002); Kawambwa (Heath et al., 2002); Mbala (Heath et al., 2002). Mozambique – Dondo Forest (Pringle et al., 1994); Mt Mabu (Congdon et al., 2010). Mpumalanga – Louw’s Creek (Pringle et al., 1994). KwaZulu-Natal – Malvern (TL; Barker); Colenso (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); St Lucia Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Burman Bush (Pringle et al., 1994); Umhlanga Rocks (Pringle et al., 1994); Hluhluwe (Pringle et al., 1994); Makatini Flats (Pringle et al., 1994); Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (Pringle et al., 1994); Tembe Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002); Ndumo Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002). Swaziland – Singceni (Pringle et al., 1994; single record). Habitat: Moist woodland. In Tanzania from sea-level to 2 000 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: This is a common species (Larsen, 1991c). The flight is fast and low down. Specimens perch on the ground or on rocks. Males are avid hilltoppers, using rocks on the hilltop as perches. Flight period: Probably all year; scarcer in winter (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Ehrharta erecta Lam. (Poaceae) [Murray, 1959; South Africa ]. Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae) (sugar cane) [Box, 1953; South Africa].

fallatus Mabille; Holland, 1896 (as sp. of Pamphila). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1896: 63 (2-107). [Invalid; manuscript name introduced in synonymy.]

pyrrhobaphes Mabille, 1898 (as sp. of Pamphila). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 66: 214 (182-231). “Lac Tanganyika”.

auritinctus Butler, 1898 (as sp. of Baoris). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1898: 416 (395-444). [Kenya]: “Taru”.

*Borbo fallax (Gaede, 1916)# False Swift

Parnara fallax Gaede, 1916. Internationale Entomologische Zeitschrift 9: 126 (105-106, 109-112, 125-126). Pelopidas fallax (Gaede, 1916). Evans, 1937. Pelopidas fallax Gaede. Swanepoel, 1953a. Borbo fallax (Gaede, 1916). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo fallax (Gaede, 1916). Pringle et al., 1994: 334.

Borbo fallax. Male (Wingspan 40 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Umtamvuna River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 5 January 2004. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Borbo fallax. Female (Wingspan 42 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Umtamvuna River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 28 April 2005. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Alternative common name: Skelm ratsvlieër (Afrikaans). Type locality: Cameroon: “Jaunde-Bezirk, Camerun”. Diagnosis: Can be identified by the two clear spots in the cell of the forewing (a character it shares with Borbo fanta) and the irregular spots in spaces 2 to 5 of the hindwing underside (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin (south, north-west), Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan (south), Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana (north), Namibia (north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland. Specific localities: Ghana – Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2009). Benin – see Coache et al., 2017. Nigeria – Ikeja Airport, Lagos (Larsen, 2005a). Cameroon – Jaunde-Bezirk (TL). Angola – Bengo Province; Cabinda Province; Kwanza Sul Province; Malanje Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Democratic Republic of Congo – Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Semuliki N.P. (Davenport & Howard, 1996). Kenya – Kakamega Forest (Larsen, 1991c); Meru National Park (Larsen, 1991c); Kibwezi (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Widespread, except Northern Highlands (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Nyika N.P. (J. Timberlake, pers. comm., 2019). Zambia – Mongu (Heath et al., 2002); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Miengwe (Heath et al., 2002); Mansa (Heath et al., 2002); Kawambwa (Heath et al., 2002); Kasama (Heath et al., 2002); Nyika Plateau (Heath et al., 2002). Zimbabwe – Trelawney (Pennington). Botswana – Kasane (Pinhey); Chobe River (Larsen, 1991l); Kazungula (Larsen, 1991l); Gumare (Larsen, 1991l); Sepupa (Larsen, 1991l); Shakawe (Larsen, 1991l). Limpopo Province – Warmbaths (Swanepoel, 1953); Tubex (Swanepoel, 1953); Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”) (Swanepoel, 1953); Woodbush (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokeetsi (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Wyliespoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Saltpan (Swanepoel, 1953); Potgietersrus (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953); Lydenburg district (Swanepoel, 1953). North West Province – Kgaswane Mountain Reserve (Williams). KwaZulu-Natal – Oribi Gorge (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); St Lucia Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002); Tembe Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002); Ndumo Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002); Umkomaas (male illustrated above). Habitat: Coastal bush and moist savanna. In Tanzania from 600 to 2 000 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: An uncommon skipper (Larsen, 2005a). The flight is fast. Specimens are occasionally seen feeding from flowers or mud-puddling. Males hilltop but often establish territories in clearings in the bush where they perch on grass stems or on the ground (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year but scarcer in winter (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: p.272; plate 34 [as Borbo fallax; Durban, KwaZulu-Natal].

Larval food: Ehrharta erecta Lam. (Poaceae) [Murray, 1959; South Africa]. Grasses (Poaceae) [Van Someren, 1974; East Africa]. Saccharum sp. (Poaceae) [Larsen, 1991c: 433].

*Borbo fanta (Evans, 1937) Yellow Swift

Pelopidas fanta Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 181 (212 pp.). Borbo fanta barnesi (Evans, 1949). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. [synonym of Borbo fanta] Borbo fanta barnesi (Evans, 1949). Pringle et al., 1994: 334.

Borbo fanta. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Bomponi, Vumba, Zimbabwe. 6 May 1999. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Greyling Collection.

Borbo fanta. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Lauranceville, Vumba, Zimbabwe. 27 March 1993. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Greyling Collection.

Type locality: Ghana: “Gold Coast”. Diagnosis: Similar to Borbo fallax but on the hindwing underside the spots in areas 2 and 5 are in line (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: Gambia, Guinea-Bissau (Bivar-de-Sousa et al., 2016), Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin (south, north-west), Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya (south-west), Tanzania, Zambia (central and north), Mozambique, Zimbabwe (east), ?Botswana (north). Specific localities: Gambia – Basse, Mansa Konko, Pakali Ba (Jon Baker, pers. comm., May 2020). Guinea – Ziama (Safian et al., 2020). Ghana – Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007); Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2009).

11 Benin – Houeyogbe Forest (Coache & Rainon, 2016); see Coache et al., 2017. Angola – Huambo Province; Malanje Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018). Tanzania – West (Kielland, 1990d); Uluguru Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Uzungwa Range (Kielland, 1990d). Zambia – Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Mkushi (Heath et al., 2002); Mansa (Heath et al., 2002); Luongo River (Heath et al., 2002); Dola Hill, Ndola (male illustrated above); Mwekera Picnic Sites (female illustrated above). Mozambique – Dondo Forest (Pennington). Zimbabwe – Vumba (Evans, 1949); Witchwood Valley, below the Vumba Mountains (Barnes); Bomponi (Pennington). Habitat: Savanna, but also colonizes degraded forest (Larsen, 2005a). In Tanzania from 600 to 1 700 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: A fairly common butterfly (Larsen, 2005a). Specimens are most likely to be found in the afternoon, while perching on the leaves of trees, two to three metres above the ground (Pringle et al., 1994). Males are territorial and contests take place at high speed (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C.Wendl. (Poaceae) (exotic) [Vuattoux, 1999; Ivory Coast; nominate subspecies].

barnesi Evans, 1949 (as ssp. of Pelopidas fanta). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 2: 56 (54-56). [Zimbabwe]: “Vumba, S. Rhodesia”. Synonymized with Borbo fanta (Evans, 1937) by Larsen, 2005a: 542, syn. nov.

*Borbo fatuellus (Hopffer, 1855)# Long-horned Swift

Male specimens of the Long-horned Swift (Borbo fatuellus) Images courtesy Steve Woodhall

Pamphila fatuellus Hopffer, 1855. Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Pamphila fatuellus Hopffer, 1855. Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Baoris fatuellus (Hopffer, 1855)). Evans, 1937. Baoris fatuellus Hopffer. Swanepoel, 1953a. Borbo fatuellus (Hopffer, 1855). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo fatuellus (Hopffer, 1855). Pringle et al., 1994: 334.

Borbo fatuellus fatuellus. Male (Wingspan 38 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Black Rock, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 15 June 2002. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Borbo fatuellus fatuellus. Female (Wingspan 41 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Manguzi Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 16 June 2007. J. Dobson. Images M. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Alternative common name: Groothoring-ratsvlieër (Afrikaans). Type locality: Mozambique: “Mossambique”. Diagnosis: The underside of the hindwing usually has spots in spaces 2, 3 and 6 (Pringle et al., 1994). In the wet season form the hindwing underside is uniformly dark but in dry season specimens the central part of the hindwing underside is dusted with white scales (Kielland, 1990d). Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau (Bivar-de-Sousa & Mendes, 1999), Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Yemen, Comoro Islands, Sao Tome & Principe. Habitat: Wet forest, moist woodland, and coastal bush. Common in Brachystegia woodland (Kielland, 1990d). In Tanzania from sea-level to 2 100 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: A common and widespread skipper (Larsen, 1991c). One of the commonest hesperiids in West Africa (Larsen, 2005a). Specimens settle low down, on shrubs or grass stems, on the edge of the bush (Pringle et al., 1994). Both sexes feed from flowers and males mud-puddle. Males establish territories in open places or on the edge of the bush. Flight period: All year but commonest from June to August and in the midsummer months (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: p. 276; plates 35 and 36 [as Borbo fatuellus; Durban and Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal].

Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 193 (photograph of final instar larva).

Cock & Congdon, 2012: 22 [larva & pupa]

Borbo fatuellus early stages. Left – egg; right – 1 st instar larva. Images courtesy Steve Woodhall.

Borbo fatuellus early stages. Left – 5th instar larva; right – pupa. Images courtesy Steve Woodhall.

Larval food: Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone (= Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) (Poaceae) [Le Pelley, 1959; Uganda] Digitaria atrofusca (Hack.) A. Camus (= Digitaria seminuda Stapf) species (Poaceae) [Vuattoux, 1999; Ivory Coast]. Ehrharta erecta Lam. (Poaceae) [Murray, 1959]. Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch. (Poaceae) [Larsen, 2005a; Obudu Town, Nigeria; oviposition only]. Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs (= Panicum maximum Jacq.) (Poaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2012]. Oryza (Poaceae) [Larsen, 1991c: 433]. Panicum trichocladum Hack. Ex K. Schum. (Poaceae) [Sevastopulo, 1975]. Paspalum sp. (Poaceae) [Forsyth, 1966; Ghana]. Setaria barbata (Lam.) Kunth (Poaceae) [Vuattoux, 1999; Ivory Coast]. Setaria megaphylla (Steud.) T.Durand & Schinz (Poaceae) [Vuattoux, 1999; Ivory Coast]. Setaria sulcata Raddi (Poaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 199]. Zea mays L. (Poaceae) [Forsyth, 1966; Ghana].

Borbo fatuellus fatuellus (Hopffer, 1855)# Long-horned Swift

Pamphila fatuellus Hopffer, 1855. Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Pamphila fatuellus Hopffer, 1855. Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Baoris fatuellus Hopffer. Swanepoel, 1953a. Borbo fatuellus fatuellus (Hopffer, 1855). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo fatuellus fatuellus (Hopffer, 1855). Pringle et al., 1994: 334.

Type locality: Mozambique: “Mossambique”. Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau (Bivar-de-Sousa & Mendes, 1999), Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin (throughout), Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko), Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana (north), Namibia (north), South Africa (Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Province), Swaziland, Yemen. Specific localities: Senegal – Basse Casamance (Larsen, 2005a). Gambia – Fajara, Basse, Walikunda, Janjanbureh Island (Jon Baker, pers. comm., May 2020). Guinea – Ziama (Safian et al., 2020). Liberia – Wologizi (Safian et al., 2020). Ghana – Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007); Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2009). Benin – Houeyogbe Forest (Coache & Rainon, 2016); see Coache et al., 2017. Cameroon – Korup (Larsen, 2005a). Angola – Cabinda Province; Huambo Province; Kwanza Norte Province; Huila Province; Malanje Province; Moxico Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Kenya – Chyulu Hills (van Someren, 1939); Makardara Forest (Sevastopulo, 1974). Tanzania – Throughout (Kielland, 1990d); Katavi National Park (Fitzherbert et al., 2006). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Chingola (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Miengwe (Heath et al., 2002); Mpongwe (Heath et al., 2002); Chisamba (Heath et al., 2002); Lusaka (Heath et al., 2002); Victoria Falls (Heath et al., 2002); Mkushi River (Heath et al., 2002); Kanona (Heath et al., 2002); Chibembe (Heath et al., 2002); Kawambwa (Heath et al., 2002); Kasaba Bay (Heath et al., 2002); Mbala (Heath et al., 2002). Mozambique – Amatongas; Mt Namuli (Congdon et al., 2010); Mt Mabu (Congdon et al., 2010); Mt Mecula [-12.0772 37.6297] (Congdon & Bayliss, 2013); Mt Yao [-12.4432 36.5114] (Congdon

15 & Bayliss, 2013). Botswana – Kasane (E. Pinhey, 1968-74). Limpopo Province – Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (“Malta Forest”) (Swanepoel, 1953); Woodbush (Swanepoel, 1953); Mokeetsi (Swanepoel, 1953); Sibasa (Swanepoel, 1953); Louis Trichardt (Swanepoel, 1953); Wyliespoort (Swanepoel, 1953); Saltpan (Swanepoel, 1953). Mpumalanga – Barberton (Swanepoel, 1953). KwaZulu-Natal – Oribi Gorge (Swanepoel, 1953); Umkomaas (Swanepoel, 1953); Isipingo (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Swanepoel, 1953); Estcourt (Swanepoel, 1953); Eshowe (Swanepoel, 1953); St Lucia Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Umhlanga Rocks (Dickson & Kroon, 1978); Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002); Tembe Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002). Eastern Cape Province – East London (Swanepoel, 1953); Bashee River (Swanepoel, 1953); Port St Johns (Swanepoel, 1953). Swaziland – Malolotja N. R. (www.sntc.org.sz).

caffraria Plötz, 1883 (as sp. of Hesperia). Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung 44: 43 (26-64, 195-233). [South Africa]: “Cafferland”.

cinerea Mabille; Holland, 1896 (as sp. of Pamphila). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1896: 66 (2-107). [Invalid; manuscript name introduced in synonymy.]

Borbo fatuellus dolens (Mabille, 1898) Comoro Long-horned Swift

Pamphila dolens Mabille, 1898. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 66: 214 (182-231). Baoris fatuellus dolens (Mabille, 1898). Evans, 1937.

Type locality: Comoro Islands: “Comores”. Distribution: Comoro Islands (widespread).

Note: This taxon differs little from the nominate subspecies and may not deserve subspecific status (Larsen, 2005a).

Borbo fatuellus thomea (Evans, 1937) Sao Tome Long-horned Swift

Baoris fatuellus thomea Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 177 (212 pp.).

Type locality: Sao Tome & Principe: “Sao Thomé”. Distribution: Sao Tome & Principe (both islands).

Note: This taxon differs little from the nominate subspecies and may not deserve subspecific status (Larsen, 2005a).

*Borbo ferruginea (Aurivillius, [1925])# Ferrous Swift

Parnara ferruginea Aurivillius, [1925] in Seitz, [1908-25]. Die Gross-Schmetterlinge der Erde, Stuttgart (2) 13 Die Afrikanischen Tagfalter: 536 (614 pp.). Pelopidas ferruginea (Aurivillius, 1925). Evans, 1937. Borbo ferruginea (Aurivillius, 1925). Pringle et al., 1994: 334.

Borbo ferruginea ferruginea. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Shimba Hills, Kenya. July 1999. SCC. ABRI-2019-2668. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Borbo ferruginea ferruginea. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Shimba Hills, Kenya. June 1995. SCC. ABRI-2019-2669. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Alternative common name: Roes ratsvlieër (Afrikaans). Type locality: [Tanzania]: “Eastern Africa: Daressalaam”. Distribution: Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa. Recorded, in error, from Zimbabwe? Habitat: Coastal forest. In Tanzania from sea-level to 600 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: A rather rare species (Larsen, 1991c). Probably spends most of the day in the forest canopy from which it descends in the early morning or late afternoon (Pringle et al., 1994). Both sexes frequently feed from flowers. Males establish territories in forest glades and defend them vigorously from perches low down (Larsen, 1991c; Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: Probably all year but commonest from October to May (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Grasses (Poaceae) [Sevastopulo, 1974]..

Borbo ferruginea ferruginea (Aurivillius, [1925]) Ferrous Swift

Borbo ferruginea ferruginea. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Shimba Hills, Kenya. July 1999. SCC. ABRI-2019-2668. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Borbo ferruginea ferruginea. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Shimba Hills, Kenya. June 1995. SCC. ABRI-2019-2669. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: [Tanzania]: “Eastern Africa: Daressalaam”. Distribution: Kenya (coast), Tanzania (north-east). Specific localities: Kenya – Shimba Hills (Larsen, 1991c); Tana River mouth (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Dar-es-Salaam (TL); Dendene Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Gonja Forest at foot of South Pare Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Mwuha Forest, Uluguru Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Kimboza Forest, Uluguru Mountains (Kielland, 1990d).

Borbo ferruginea dondo Evans, 1956# Ferrous Swift

Borbo ferruginea dondo Evans, 1956. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (12) 8: 885 (881-885). Borbo ferruginea dondo Evans, 1955. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. [date of authorship erroneous] Borbo ferruginea dondo Evans, 1955. Pringle et al., 1994: 334. [date of authorship erroneous]

Borbo ferruginea dondo. Male (Wingspan 38 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Manguzi Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 22 May 2004. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Borbo ferruginea dondo. Female (Wingspan 43 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Manguzi Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 22 May 2004. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex J. Dobson Collection.

Type locality: [Mozambique]: “Dondo Forest, 20 miles from Beira, Portugese East Africa”. Holotype male in the Natural History Museum, London. Distribution: Tanzania (south-east), Mozambique, South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal – north). Specific localities: Tanzania – Rondo Plateau, inland from Lindi (Kielland, 1990d; single male). Mozambique – Dondo Forest (TL; Pennington and the Cooksons); Amatongas Forest (Pinhey). KwaZulu-Natal – Enseleni Forest, near Richards Bay (Swanepoel); Dukuduku Forest (N. Duke); Cape Vidal (E. Pringle); Emanguzi Forest (Pringle et al., 1994); Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002).

*Borbo havei (Boisduval, 1833) Malagasy Swift

Hesperia havei Boisduval, 1833. Nouvelles Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris 2: 212 (149-270). Pelopidas havei (Boisduval, 1833). Evans, 1937.

Borbo havei. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ranamofana, Madagascar. October 2018. ABRI Team. ABRI-2019-2670. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Borbo havei. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Andasibe, Madagascar. October 2018. ABRI Team. ABRI-2019-2671. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Madagascar. Distribution: Madagascar (widespread). Erroneously recorded from South Africa by Trimen, 1866a (as Pamphila havei Boisduval) (MCW). Habitat: Transformed forest margins, grasslands, and anthropogenic environments (Lees et al., 2003). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Borbo kaka (Evans, 1938) Kakamega Swift

Baoris kaka Evans, 1938. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (11) 1: 314 (312-315).

Borbo kaka. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mpanga Forest, Uganda. 13 June 2009. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Borbo kaka. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Mpanga Forest, Uganda. 13 June 2009. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Type locality: [Kenya]: “Kakamega”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (west). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Katera (Larsen, 1991c); Kayonza (Larsen, 1991c). Kenya – Kakamega Forest (TL). Tanzania – Lumtampa Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Ntakatta Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Lukandamira Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Kasoge Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Kemfu Forest (Kielland, 1990d); 20 Kasye Forest (Kielland, 1990d). Habitat: Forest (Kielland, 1990d). In Tanzania from 900 to 1 700 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: This is a scarce species, usually met with in ones and twos (Larsen, 1991c). Most often encountered along forest roads (Larsen, 1991c). Both sexes may be seen visiting the flowers of small bushes (Kielland, 1990d). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Borbo liana (Evans, 1937) Sierra Leone Swift

Pelopidas liana Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 183 (212 pp.).

Borbo liana. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Popodara, Labe, Guinea. August 2001. ABRI Coll. ABRI-2019-2667. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Sierra Leone. Distribution: Sierra Leone. Known, with certainty, only from the unique holotype. Habitat: Nothing published. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published.

*Borbo lugens (Hopffer, 1855)# Lesser-horned Swift

A resting male of the Lesser-horned Swift (Borbo lugens) Image courtesy Steve Woodhall

Pamphila lugens Hopffer, 1855. Berichte über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss.

21 Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1855: 643 (639-643). Pamphila lugens Hoppfer, 1855. Trimen & Bowker, 1889. Baoris lugens (Hopffer, 1855), Evans, 1937. Baoris lugens Hopffer. Swanepoel, 1953a. Borbo lugens (Hopffer, 1855). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo lugens (Hopffer, 1855). Pringle et al., 1994: 333.

Borbo lugens. Male (Wingspan 33 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Kosi Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. 26 February 2010. M. Williams. Images M.C. Williams ex Williams Collection.

Borbo lugens. Female (Wingspan 37 mm). Left – upperside; right – underside. Manguzi Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 16 June 2007. J. Dobson. Images M.C. Williams ex Dobson Collection.

Alternative common name: Kleinhoring-ratsvlieër (Afrikaans). Type locality: Mozambique: “Mossambique”. Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal – north coast). Specific localities: Democratic Republic of Congo – Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018); Mt Mitumba (Ducarme, 2018). Kenya – Muthambi River, Ndya (Butler, 1900); Makardara Forest (Sevastopulo, 1974). Tanzania – Widespread (Kielland, 1990d). KwaZulu-Natal – Umhlanga Rocks (Swanepoel, 1953); St Lucia Bay (Swanepoel, 1953); Durban (Dickson & Kroon, 1978); Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002); Tembe Nature Reserve (Pringle & Kyle, 2002). Habitat: Grassy clearings in dense woodland and forest. In Tanzania from sea-level to 2 000 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: A relatively common skipper (Larsen, 1991c). Mostly seen early in the morning, on the edges of the bush or in glades, and is seldom observed after midday. It is also often found near water courses (Pringle et al., 1994). Specimens are often observed settled on low vegetation or feeding from flowers. Males establish territories on forest edges and perch on low vegetation or grass stems. Perches are often in places where there is dappled sunlight (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages:

Clark, in Dickson & Kroon, 1978: p.270; plate 33 [as Borbo lugens; Durban, KwaZulu-Natal].

22 Cock & Congdon, 2012: 24 [ovum, larva & pupa]

Larval food: Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone (= Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) [Sevastopulo, 1975]. Cenchrus trachyphyllus (Pilg.) Morrone (= Pennisetum trachyphyllum Pilg.) (Poaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2012; in captivity]. Ehrharta erecta Lam. (Poaceae) [Murray, 1959; South Africa]. Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs (= Panicum maximum Jacq.) (Poaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2012]. Panicum deustum Thunb. (Poaceae) [Henning, Henning, Joannou & Woodhall, 1997: 191]. Panicum trichocladum Hack. Ex K. Schum. (Poaceae) [Le Pelley, 1959; Uganda]. Pennisetum species (Poaceae) [Larsen, 1991c: 433]. Setaria megaphylla (Steud.) T.Durand & Schinz (=Setaria sulcata Raddi) (Poaceae) [Murray, 1959; South Africa]. Stipa sp. (Poaceae) [Dickson & Kroon, 1978: 199].

xylos Mabille, 1890 (as sp. of Pamphila). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (6) 10: 31 (17-51). No locality given.

maranga Butler, 1900 (as sp. of Baoris). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1899: 975 (962-975). [Kenya]: “Muthambi River, 4500 feet, Ndya”.

plana Swinhoe, 1915 (as sp. of Suastus). Annals and Magazine of Natural History (8) 16: 176 (170- 186). [Africa]: “Humboldt Bay, New Guinea”. [False locality.]

*Borbo micans (Holland, 1896)# Marsh Swift

Specimens of the Marsh Swift (Borbo micans) Images courtesy Steve Woodhall

Parnara micans Holland, 1896. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1896: 63 (2-107). Pelopidas micans (Holland, 1896). Evans, 1937. Pelopidas micans Holland. Swanepoel, 1953a. Borbo micans (Holland, 1896). Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Borbo micans (Holland, 1896). Pringle et al., 1994: 334.

Borbo micans. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Pungwe Bridge, Zimbabwe. 9 April 1995. J. Greyling. Images M.C. Williams ex Greyling Collection.

Borbo micans. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Pungwe Bridge, Zimbabwe. 8 April 1994. J. Greyling. Images M.C. Williams ex Greyling Collection.

Alternative common name: Moeras-ratsvlieër (Afrikaans). Type locality: Gabon: “Valley of the Ogové”. Diagnosis: Characterized by its orange-brown colour and ochreous spots (Pringle et al., 1994). Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin (south, central), Nigeria, Gabon, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe (eastern border), Botswana (north), South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal – north). Specific localities: Gambia – Walikunda, Niani (Jon Baker, pers. comm., May 2020). Ghana – Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2009). Benin – see Coache et al., 2017. Nigeria – Agege (Larsen, 2005a). Gabon – Ogove Valley (TL). Angola – Bengo Province; Huila Province; Kwanza Norte Province; Malanje Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Democratic Republic of Congo – Ituri Forest (Ducarme, 2018); Semuliki Valley (Ducarme, 2018). Uganda – Mpanga Forest (Safian & Pyrcz, 2020). Kenya – Nairobi (Larsen, 1991c); Meru (Larsen, 1991c); Suna (Larsen, 1991c); Mombasa (Larsen, 1991c); Shimba Hills (Larsen, 1991c); Mumias (Larsen, 1991c); Kitale (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Mpanda (Kielland, 1990d); Kigoma (Kielland, 1990d); Tukuyu (Kielland, 1990d); Rondo Plateau (Kielland, 1990d); Masagati Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Uzungwa Range (Kielland, 1990d); Mikumi National Park (Kielland, 1990d); Kimboza Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Usambara Mountains (Kielland, 1990d); Oldeani Mountain (Kielland, 1990d); Mount Meru (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Mt Mulanje (Congdon et al., 2010); Zomba Mountain (Congdon et al., 2010); Nyika N.P. (J. Timberlake, pers. comm., 2019). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Katambora (Heath et al., 2002); Solwezi (Heath et al., 2002); Chingola (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Miengwe (Heath et al., 2002); Chalimbana (Heath et al., 2002); Kalungwishi River (Heath et al., 2002); Chambeshi River (Heath et al., 2002). Mozambique – Dondo Forest (Pennington). Zimbabwe – Vumba Mountains (Barnes); Chirinda Forest (Pinhey). Botswana – Okavango Delta (Pinhey); Shakawe (Larsen, 1991l); Kasane (Larsen, 1991l); Sepupa (Larsen, 1991l). KwaZulu-Natal – Kosi Bay Nature Reserve (Pennington); Maphelane Nature Reserve (S. Woodhall, unpublished, 2009). Habitat: Swamps and marshes in open country or near streams. Also around lakes in rainforest (Larsen, 2005a). In Tanzania from 300 to 1 700 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: Because of its specialized habitat requirements populations tend to be very localized (Larsen,

24 2005a). It may be numerous when a colony is found (Larsen, 2005a). Compared to its congeners the flight is slow. It flies just above the level of the grass, often settling on prominent blades of grass (Pringle et al., 1994). Males establish territories in the marsh, using a clump of grass as a perch (Pringle et al., 1994). Flight period: All year but commonest in autumn and winter. Larsen (2005a) states that they are on the wing when the grass is green. Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Hypolytrum heteromorphum Nelmes (Cyperaceae) [Vauttoux, 1999; Ivory Coast].

*Borbo ratek (Boisduval, 1833) Malagasy Dark Swift

Thymele ratek Boisduval, 1833. Nouvelles Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris 2: 209 (149-270). Baoris ratek (Boisduval, 1833), Evans, 1937.

Borbo ratek. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. La Mandraka, Madagascar. December 2002. ABRI Coll. Bred. ABRI-2019-2672. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Borbo ratek. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Ranamofana, Madagascar. October 2018. ABRI Team. ABRI-2019-2673. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Madagascar. Distribution: Madagascar (north and east). Specific localities: Madagascar – Nose Be (Saalmüller, 1884). Habitat: Forest (Lees et al., 2003). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Setaria sp. (Poaceae) [Cock & Congdon, 2012; La Mandraka, Madagascar].

sinnis Mabille, 1878 (as sp. of Pamphila). Petites Nouvelles Entomologiques 2: 285 (285). Madagascar.

weymeri Saalmüller, 1884 (as sp. of Hesperia). Abhandungen hrsg. Von der Senskenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft 17: 107 (1-246). Madagascar: “N.-B.”.

*Borbo sirena (Evans, 1937) Congo Swift

Pelopidas sirena Evans, 1937. A catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and nomenclature adopted in the British Museum: 181 (212 pp.).

Borbo sirena. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Isombo, Ikelenge, Zambia. October 1973. ABRI-2019-2674. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Borbo sirena. Female. Left – upperside; right – underside. Misaka, Ndola, Zambia. February 1977. A. Heath. ABRI-2019-2675. Images M.C. Williams ex ABRI Collection.

Type locality: Kenya. Distribution: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (west), Malawi, Zambia (north). Recorded, in error, from Guinea by Berger (1962) and from Sierra Leone by Belcastro (1986) (Larsen, 2005a). Recorded from north-eastern Zimbabwe by Larsen (1991: 434) but not included in Pringle et al., 1994. Specific localities: Angola – Huambo Province (Mendes et al., 2013). Kenya – Kakamega Forest (Larsen, 1991c); South Kavirondo (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Mpanda (Kielland, 1990d); Ngara District (Kielland, 1990d). Malawi – Nyika N.P. (J. Timberlake, pers. comm., 2019). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Kabompo Gorge (Heath et al., 2002); Lumwana River (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Ndola (Heath et al., 2002); Mpongwe (Heath et al., 2002); Lumangwe Falls (Heath et al., 2002); Mbala (Heath et al., 2002); Nyika (Heath et al., 2002); Mufunza (female illustrated above). Habitat: Forest clearings (Larsen, 1991c). Also in woodland (Kielland, 1990d). In Tanzania at altitudes from 1 000 to 1 800 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: This is a rare skipper (Larsen, 1991c).

26 Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Species of grass (Poaceae) [Heath et al., 2002].