Hesperiidae of Rondônia, Brazil: Cephise Evans (Pyrginae), with descriptions of new species from Mexico and Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The species ofCephise Evans, 1953 are divided in two groups: "cephise" group (hind wing without long tails) and "pl'ocel'us" group (hind wing with long tails). In the "cephise" group the following species are included: Cephise cephise (HerrichSchalTer, 1869) with his synonyms Thymele hydarnes Mabille, syn.n., Eudamus

Of Many Similar Species in the Neotropical GenusPorphyrogenes(Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), a New One, Repeatedly Reared in Costa Rica, is Relatively Distinct

“…The female of P. peterwegei is unique in having only one spot-an outsized one in the center of the forewing (in cell CuA 1 -CuA 2 ) . Although females of a few other species have a similar large central spot, they also have a small distal spot (in cell M 3 -CuA 1 ) (see figures in Austin and Mielke 2008). The male of P. peterwegei shares whitish wing fringes (Figs.…”

“…A recent detailed treatment of Porphyrogenes (Austin and Mielke 2008) recognizes 26 species (including the one named here), as well as three previously named but unassociated females and five unnamed unassociated females (which may or may not represent additional species). Owing, at least in part, to their late-afternoon, crepuscular, and perhaps nocturnal behavior, adults of these sizeable Neotropical skippers have always been rare in collections.…”

“…Owing, at least in part, to their late-afternoon, crepuscular, and perhaps nocturnal behavior, adults of these sizeable Neotropical skippers have always been rare in collections. Indeed, six of the nine new species of Porphyrogenes in Austin and Mielke (2008) are described from a single specimen, which is always male.…”

“…comm. ), Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, and all mainland countries to the east, plus Trinidad (Austin and Mielke 2008). About three-quarters of the species occur in South America and one-third in Central America (these figures include two species attributed to both regions and exclude one species from no one knows where).…”

“…About three-quarters of the species occur in South America and one-third in Central America (these figures include two species attributed to both regions and exclude one species from no one knows where). Although it is not surprising that 16 of the 26 species have been found in Brazil (Austin and Mielke 2008), there are, at the very least, 12 species (two undescribed) in just the limited (and ecologically less diverse) area of French Guiana (B. Hermier in litt.). What with the similarity of many species, their excessive sexual dimorphism, and a lack of material, the geographic distribution of many described species is still nebulous, and the number of undescribed species is conjectural.…”