OCR Text |
Show 1887.] LEPIDOPTERA FROM SIKKIM. 447 double-lined bar at the end of the cell and an indistinct outer band near the edge. Hind wing with similar bands, of which the first extends in the usual broken W to the inner margin, and in addition a short band of three blackish spots within the discal bar ; at the anal angle two blue spots, of which the outer is half black. Antennse ringed black and white, with a fuscous tip to the club. Body above black, with grey hairs; pale grey beneath. Expanse 1*4 inch. Described from a single perfectly fresh female, which I took on May 27 in the same place as Chilades pontis. Though I visited the spot on several occasions, I never saw another, and the male will probably be found earlier in the season. Notwithstanding the very numerous species of this group of Lycamidae which have been described from Sikkim, I think this is so well distinguished by the pattern of the underside that it cannot be the female of any known species. SATURNIA ROYI, n. sp. Male. Above deep chocolate-brown, with a darker band running from near the apex parallel to the margin of fore and hind wings. The upper half of the hind wings grey, with an ocellus in the centre composed of a small grey pupil, a broad ring of black, a narrow ring of grey, and another narrow black ring, the whole being surrounded by a dark circle which coalesces with the band crossing the wing. In the fore wing is a round membranous but not transparent patch at the end of the cell about two lines in diameter; close to the apex is a triangular patch of grey scales, a few of which are continued in a sinuous line across the fore wing parallel to the margin. Beneath, the whole surface is chocolate-brown, with the band as above, powdered throughout with grey scales, which take the form of a downy fur towards the inner part and are longest on the discal area. The pupil only of the ocellus shows on the under surface, and the margin is free from grey powdering. Antennse broadly pectinated. Thorax covered with long chocolate hair, yellowish behind the head. Breast covered with long rusty fur ; tarsi grey outside. Expanse nearly 5 inches. Described from a fresh specimen, one of three which were taken on Tonglo near Darjeeling, at an elevation of 10,000 feet, by Babu Dewan Roy, a Nepalese in the service of the Forest Department, after whom I name this beautiful and distinct species, as a recognition of the interest he has shown in the natural history of his district, and of the great assistance he has rendered me in collecting insects there. 30* |