AFROTROPICAL BUTTERFLIES 17th edition (2018). MARK C. WILLIAMS. http://www.lepsocafrica.org/?p=publications&s=atb Genus Neptis Fabricius, 1807 In: Illiger, K., Magazin für Insektenkunde 6: 282 (277-289). Type-species: Papilio aceris Esper, by subsequent designation (Crotch, 1872. Cistula Entomologica 1: 66 (59-71).) [extralimital]. = Neptidomima Holland, 1920. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 43: 116, 164 (109-369). Type-species: Neptis exaleuca Karsch, by original designation. Synonyms based on extralimital type-species: Philonoma Billberg; Paraneptis Moore; Kalkasia Moore; Hamadryodes Moore; Bimbisara Moore; Strabrobates Moore; Rasalia Moore; Seokia Sibatani. The genus Neptis belongs to the Family Nymphalidae Rafinesque, 1815; Subfamily Limenitidinae Behr, 1864; Tribe Neptini Newman, 1870. The other genera in the Tribe Neptini in the Afrotropical Region are Cymothoe and Harma. Neptis (Sailers) is an Old World genus of more than 160 species, 82 of which are Afrotropical. One Afrotropical species extends extralimitally. *Neptis agouale Pierre-Baltus, 1978 Common Club-dot Sailer Neptis agouale Pierre-Baltus, 1978. Lambillionea 78: 40 (33-44). Type locality: Ivory Coast: “à la Station d’Ecologie Equatorial de Lamto (Côte d’Ivoire)”. Distribution: Senegal, Guinea-Bissau (Larsen, 2005a), Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia. Habitat: Forest, including severely degraded habitat (Larsen, 2005a). In Tanzania it occurs at altitudes from 800 to 1 400 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: This is the commonest species of Neptis in the West African forest zone (Larsen, 2005a). Specimens fly around slowly, about 1.5 m above the ground, in clearings and along paths in the forest (Larsen, 2005a). It is often seen near the climbing Acacia species that are the main foodplants (Larsen, 2005a). Early stages: Pierre-Baltus, 1978 [larva]. Amiet, 2000 [larva]. Larval food: Senegalia brevispica (Harms) Seigler & Ebinger subsp. dregeana (Benth.) Kyal. & Boatwr. (Fabaceae) [Larsen, 2005a; Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Rwanda; as Acacia pennata]. 1 Acacia species (Fabaceae) [Pierre-Baltus, 1978; creeper in forest; Ivory Coast]. Baphia pubescens Hook.f (Fabaceae) [Pierre-Baltus, vide Kielland, 1990d: 126]. Grewia carpinifolia Juss. (Tiliaceae) [Pierre-Baltus, vide Kielland, 1990d: 126]. Pterocarpus santalinoides L’Hér. ex DC. (Fabaceae) [Pierre-Baltus, vide Kielland, 1990d: 126]. Sterculia tragacantha Lindl. (Sterculiaceae) [Pierre-Baltus, vide Kielland, 1990d: 126]. Ventilago species (Rhamnaceae) [Pierre-Baltus, vide Kielland, 1990d: 126]. Neptis agouale agouale Pierre-Baltus, 1978 Neptis agouale Pierre-Baltus, 1978. Lambillionea 78: 40 (33-44). Type locality: Ivory Coast: “à la Station d’Ecologie Equatorial de Lamto (Côte d’Ivoire)”. Distribution: Senegal, Guinea-Bissau (Larsen, 2005a), Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda (Davenport, 1996), Tanzania (west), Zambia. Specific localities: Senegal – Basse Casamance (Larsen, 2005a). Ivory Coast – Lamto (TL). Ghana – Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007); Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2009). Cameroon – Korup (Larsen, 2005a). Tanzania – Mukuyu Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Kemfu Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Kasye Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Mihumu Forest (Kielland, 1990d); Mugondozi (Kielland, 1990d). Zambia – Kalene Hill, Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Isombo, Ikelenge (male illustrated above). Neptis agouale parallela Collins & Larsen, 1996 Neptis agouale parallela Collins & Larsen, 1996. In: Larsen, 1996. The butterflies of Kenya and their natural history. Second edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford: 498 (i-xxii, 1-500). Neptis agouale parallela. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 38mm. Isombo, Ikelenge, Zambia. 6.III.77. A. Heath. (African Butterfly Research Institute, Nairobi). Type locality: Kenya. Diagnosis: Differs from the nominate subspecies in the much wider bands and the fused forewing spots (Congdon & Collins, 1998). 2 Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo (Kivu), Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya (west), Tanzania (north-west). Specific localities: Uganda – Semuliki N.P. (S. Forbes, pers. comm., 2017). Tanzania – Bukoba Region (Congdon & Collins, 1998). *Neptis alta Overlaet, 1955 Old Sailer Old Sailer (Neptis alta) female, Chambishi, Zambia. Image courtesy Steve Woodhall. Neptis alta Overlaet, 1955. Exploration du Parc National de l’Upemba 27: 90 (1-106). Neptis alta Overlaet, 1955. Dickson & Kroon, 1978. Neptis alta Overlaet, 1955. Pringle et al., 1994: 110. Neptis alta. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Burma Valley, Vumba, Zimbabwe. 24 September 1996. Images M.C.Williams ex J. Greyling Collection. Alternative common name: High Sailer. Type locality: [Democratic Republic of Congo]: “Katanga, Sakania”. Diagnosis: Belongs to the Neptis laeta group, which is characterized by three white spots in the forewing cell and a contiguous white discal band from space 2 to the costa (Kielland, 1990d). Similar to Neptis laeta but it is slightly larger and the forewing apex is more pointed (Pringle et al., 1994). In Neptis alta the underside white markings are better developed than in related species; the genitalia are distinctive (Kielland, 1990d). Distribution: Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, 3 Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (south), Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana (north). Specific localities: Senegal – Basse Casamance (Larsen, 2005a). Guinea – Parc National de Haut Niger (Larsen, 2005a). Ghana – Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2007); Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (Larsen et al., 2009). Gabon – Bitam (Vande weghe, 2010); Langoue (Vande weghe, 2010). Democratic Republic of Congo – Sakania (TL). Uganda – Semuliki N.P. (S. Forbes, pers. comm., 2017). Kenya – Shimba Hills (Sevastopulo, 1974); Chyulu Hills (Larsen, 1991c). Tanzania – Western, central and eastern parts (Kielland, 1990d). Zambia – Ikelenge (Heath et al., 2002); Mwinilunga (Heath et al., 2002); Solwezi (Heath et al., 2002); Mufulira (Heath et al., 2002); Victoria Falls (Heath et al., 2002); 79 km south of Kawambwa (Heath et al., 2002); Kasama (Heath et al., 2002). Mozambique – Dondo; Amatongas; Buzi River; Maronga Forest (Pringle et al., 1994); Mount Chiperone (Timberlake et al., 2007); Mt Namuli (Congdon et al., 2010); Mt Mabu (Congdon et al., 2010). Zimbabwe – Harare (Pringle et al., 1994); Bikita (Pringle et al., 1994); Mutare (Pringle et al., 1994); Rutenga (Pringle et al., 1994); Bazeley Bridge (Pringle et al., 1994); Vumba Mountains (Pringle, et al., 1994); Mana Pools (Hancock); Victoria Falls (Ficq); Lundi (male illustrated above). Botswana – Chobe River (E. Pinhey vide Larsen, 1991l). Habitat: Brachystegia woodland (Kielland, 1990d). In Tanzania it is found at altitudes from 300 to 2 000 m (Kielland, 1990d). In West Africa it is found in forests, including some that are relatively dry (Larsen, 2005a). Habits: Specimens often fly and settle high up but, especially in the morning, may be seen resting on the ground (Pringle et al., 1994). In the dry season it is known to mud-puddle (Larsen, 2005a). Flight period: August to October and April-May (Pringle et al., 1994). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Albizia gummifera (J.F. Gmel.) C.A. Sm. (Fabaceae) [Congdon & Bampton, in CRG database, 2016; Mufindi, Tanzania]. Note: Larsen (2005a) strongly suspects that West African populations ascribed to Neptis alta represent an undescribed species. *Neptis amieti Pierre-Baltus, 2007 Amiet’s Sailer Neptis amieti Pierre-Baltus, 2007. Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de France 112 (4): 525 (515-528). Type locality: Gabon: “”. Distribution: Gabon. Specific localities: Gabon – Ipassa (Vande weghe, 2010). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Nothing published. *Neptis aurivillii Schultze, 1913 Aurivillius’ Sailer Neptis incongrua var. aurivillii Schultze, 1913. Entomologische Rundschau 30: 124 (123-124). 4 Neptis aurivillii Schultze, 1913. Kielland, 1985. Neptis aurivillii aurivillii. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 45mm. Nyika N.R., Zambia. 5/ix/1978. Fisher. (Gardiner Collection). Type locality: [Tanzania]: “Usambara”. Diagnosis: Very close to Neptis incongrua but genitalia distinctive (Kielland, 1985: 74). Distribution: Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia. Habitat: Montane and submontane forest. In Tanzania the nominate subspecies flies at altitudes betweeen 800 and 2 400 m and subspecies ufipa at 2 200 m (Kielland, 1990d). Habits: Specimens are usually observed flying high up in trees (Kielland, 1990d). Early stages: Nothing published. Larval food: Macaranga species (Euphorbiaceae) [Congdon & Bampton, unpublished 2003; Mufindi, Tanzania]. Macaranga capensis var. kilimandscharica (Pax) Friis & M.G. Gilbert (Euphorbiaceae) [Congdon & Bampton, in CRG database, 2016; as M. kilimandscharica; Mufindi, Tanzania]. Urera hypselodendron (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) Wedd. (Urticaceae) [Congdon & Bampton, unpublished 2003; Magamba, Tanzania]. Neptis aurivillii aurivillii Schultze, 1913 Neptis incongrua var. aurivillii Schultze, 1913. Entomologische Rundschau 30: 124 (123-124). Neptis aurivillii Schultze, 1913. Kielland, 1985. Neptis aurivillii aurivillii. Male. Left – upperside; right – underside. Wingspan: 45mm. Nyika N.R., Zambia. 5/ix/1978. Fisher.