Pyrrhiades anchises jucunda (Butler)

Cock, Matthew J. W., 2010, Observations on the biology of Afro-tropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) principally from Kenya. Part 1. Introduction and Coeliadinae, Zootaxa 2547, pp. 1-63 : 23-24

Pyrrhiades anchises jucunda (Butler) ( Figure 12 )

The only confirmed food plant of ssp. jucunda is Acridocarpus orientalis , a small tree in the Malpighiaceae ( Larsen & Larsen 1980; Cock 2010a). Larsen (1983) quotes an early report that Ficus sp. (Moraceae) is a food plant of ssp. jucunda on Socotra, but he considers this likely to be an error and I agree. It has been suggested that in Arabia, it would not be difficult to confuse the two trees in the field in the absence of flowering or fruit (G. Feulner, pers. comm. 2008). The life history is described and illustrated by Cock (2010a), and pictures of the mature caterpillar are included here for comparison ( Figure 12 ).

Discussion

The body markings and colouring of ssp. jucunda are consistent, but the head markings are variable. The caterpillar comes close to Form 1 of ssp. anchises , although the dorsal line and the head spots are weaker. This provides some support for the current treatment of subspecies.

Figures

FIGURE 12. Final instar caterpillar of Pyrrhiades anchises jucunda on Acridocarpus orientalis, Oman; above left, caterpillar in open shelter, dorsal view; above right and below left, two forms of head; below right, lateral view (from Cock 2010a).