Bicyclus safitza described in Mycalesis
the Common Savannah Bush Brown
Andrew V. Z. Brower
Introduction
A common West African species that exhibits marked seasonal polyphenism. Wet season form has a full band of eyespots on the hindwing, as shown above, while in the dry season, the butterflies are lighter and the eyespots are almost completely suppressed, except for the large one in cell Cu1 (Larsen, 2005).
Nomenclature
Although Lamas (2010) pointed out the existence of a senior synonym for this taxon, Satyrus denina Godart [1824] (proposed as a replacement name for Papilio delila Fabricius 1793, a junior homonym of Papilio delila Fabricius, 1775, which is currently viewed as a subspecies of Dryas iulia (Nymphalidae: Heliconiini)), this species has been known exclusively in modern times as Bicyclus safitza [Westwood, 1850]. Therefore, Larsen and Vane-Wright (unpublished) have argued for reversal of priority under ICZN Art. 23.9.1. Their recommended usage is employed here to preserve stability.Other Names for Bicyclus safitza described in Mycalesis
- Papilio delila
- Satyrus denina
- Vernacular Names: the Common Savannah Bush Brown
References
Lamas, G. 2010. Nomenclatural notes on Sayrinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). SHILAP Revta. Lepid. 38: 197-204.
Larsen, T. B. 2005. Butterflies of West Africa. Apollo Books, Stenstrup, Denmark.
Larsen, T. B. and R. I. Vane-Wright. The name Bicyclus safitza (Westweed, 1850) should continue to be used). (manuscript received in litt. 9/20/2011 by AVZB).
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Bicyclus safitza |
|---|---|
| Location | Nigeria: Port Harcourt |
| Comments | ID corrected 1/13/10 - Motshagen had identified as B. technatis, but Brattström noted error and AVZB corroborated his ID with Larsen (2005). |
| Specimen Condition | Live Specimen |
| Identified By | Oskar Brattström |
| Life Cycle Stage | adult |
| View | ventral |
| Copyright | © 2009 Dirk Motshagen |
About This Page
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
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Bicyclus safitza described in Mycalesis. the Common Savannah Bush Brown.
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- First online 13 January 2010
- Content changed 09 December 2011
Citing this page:
Brower, Andrew V. Z. 2011. Bicyclus safitza described in Mycalesis. the Common Savannah Bush Brown. Version 09 December 2011 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Bicyclus_safitza/85377/2011.12.09 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
