Andronymus caesar Fabricius, 1793

Cock, Matthew J. W. & Congdon, Colin E., 2013, Observations on the Biology of Afrotropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera). Part 5. Hesperiinae incertae sedis: Dicotyledon Feeders, Zootaxa 3724 (1), pp. 1-85 : 33-34

Andronymus caesar Fabricius, 1793

Two subspecies are recognised: the nominate caesar from West Africa, and ssp. philander (Hopffer) from East Africa. In Evans’ (1937) treatment of this species, the original type locality of the nominate subspecies from West Africa is uncertain as Fabricius (1793) incorrectly gave the type locality as ‘Indiis’. However, a painting of Fabricius’ species in Jones’ Icones (an iconotype) make it clear that Fabricius described the West African subspecies. The central, East and southern Africa subspecies, philander was described from Mozambique (Hoppfer 1855). Subspecies caesar has the white area of the hind wing underside tinted yellow, whereas in philander this area is usually white ( Evans 1937). However, in parts of its Kenya range, ssp. philander also has the hind wing underside tinted yellow, as shown in Figure 40 of a specimen reared from Lower Meru Forest, and noted as common around Mt Kenya (T.B. Larsen pers. comm. 2012).

Ackery et al. (1995) and Larsen (2005) include food plant records for both subspecies together; however, their records are derived from other works, which can be attributed to subspecies, and the food plants of the two subspecies are treated separately below.

Figures

FIGURE 40. Adult female Andronymus caesar caesar with strong yellow markings UNH, collected as caterpillar on unidentified host, Lower Meru Forest, 1–2 Apr 1990; adult photographed 27 Apr, 90/32F. 1, wings partially open, showing upperside; 2, underside.