Note 14 — Chapter III

The butterflies belonging to the genus Amauris are among the most abundant and characteristic Danaine models of Africa. Some of the black and white species such as A. niavius (Pl. VIII, fig. 6) are conspicuous insects in a cabinet. Others again, such as A. echeria (Pl. VIII, fig. 7), are relatively sombre-looking forms. Among the best known mimics of the genus is a species of Hypolimnas[14]—H. dubius. This interesting form is polymorphic and mimics different species of Amauris. The variety wahlbergi, for example, is very like A. niavius, while mima strongly resembles A. echeria (Pl. VIII, figs. 8 and 9). It was at one time supposed that these two varieties of Hypolimnas dubius were different species and the matter was only definitely settled when the two forms were bred from the eggs of the same female. Other mimics of Amauris are found among the Papilios and the Nymphaline genus Pseudacraea.