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Bicyclus safitza (Westwood 1850) described in Mycalesis

the Common Savannah Bush Brown

Andrew V. Z. Brower
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Containing group: Bicyclus

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  Therefore, Larsen and Vane-Wright (unpublished) have argued for reversal of priority under ICZN Art. 23.9.1.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 (Westwood 1850) described in Mycalesis

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
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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

Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Andrew V. Z. Brower at

Page: Tree of Life Bicyclus safitza (Westwood 1850) described in Mycalesis. the Common Savannah Bush Brown. Authored by Andrew V. Z. Brower. The TEXT of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License - Version 3.0. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own license, and they may or may not be available for reuse. Click on an image or a media link to access the media data window, which provides the relevant licensing information. For the general terms and conditions of ToL material reuse and redistribution, please see the Tree of Life Copyright Policies.

Citing this page:

Brower, Andrew V. Z. 2011. Bicyclus safitza (Westwood 1850) 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/

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