Papilio vanessa, Fabricius, 1793

Vane-Wright, Richard I., 2021, Papilio vanessa Fabricius, 1793, nomen oblitum, is a synonym of Liptena septistrigata (Bethune-Baker, 1903), nomen protectum (Papilionoidea: Lycaenidae: Poritiinae), Metamorphosis 32 (1), pp. 43-46 : 43-45

Papilio vanessa re-interpreted as an African lycaenid

Many species of Leucochimona are pale with dark fasciae running across the hindwings – and on the basis of the original Jones painting ( Fig. 1 ), this is also true of Papilio vanessa . However, in the former the fasciae generally run in an anterior-posterior direction (see https://www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/t/ Leucochimona _a.htm), whereas in P. vanessa the several hindwing fasciae (‘brown streaks’ of Turton, 1806, as above) are roughly transverse or curved parallel to the outer margin ( Fig. 1 ).

The number of errors regarding the geographical origin of new butterfly taxa committed to print by Fabricius is prodigious (see OUMNH, in press). Rather than an American butterfly, the Jones images are instantly reminiscent of the endemic African lycaenid genus Liptena – and are a very good match to the West African Liptena septistrigata ( Bethune-Baker, 1903) ( Figs 2–4 ).

This species has been illustrated by Stempffer et al. (1974), Williams (2021 – see Fig. 3 ) and, together with the related but distinct species L. ferrymani (Grose-Smith & Kirby, 1891) , L. boei Libert, 1993 , and L. undularis Hewitson, 1866 , by d’Abrera (2009). A fourth presumed close relative, Liptena priscilla Larsen , noted by d’Abrera, was described and illustrated by Larsen (1995), but subsequently treated as L. boei priscilla by Libert & Collins (2018).

Bethune-Baker (1903) described Pentila septistrigata from Sierra Leone based on at least three specimens, collected by D. Cator during February, June and July 1901 /1902, then in his own collection and that of Cator (the latter included ‘the type’). Both of these collections later passed to the Natural History Museum, London (NHMUK). The label data of the holotype, evidently collected on 15.vi.1902, ex Cator Collection, narrows the type locality to the town or region of Moyamba ( Fig. 2 ). The NHMUK also holds several other specimens of this species collected in Sierra Leone by Cator. However, as only specimens collected in 1901 or 1902 that were originally part of either the Cator or Bethune-Baker collections can be considered paratypes, and no such specimens are listed by Stempffer et al. (1974, p. 155) or are currently to be found in the NHMUK, the author has been unable to recognise any further original type material. In addition to Sierra Leone, the species has also been recorded from Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon ( Williams, 2021).

Papilio vanessa Fabricius is a nomen oblitum

Dru Drury is well known to have received large quantities of butterflies and other insects from Sierra Leone, amassed by Henry Smeathman ( Cockerell, 1922) – and from virtually nowhere else in West Africa. Based on this, the evidence of the Jones iconotype ( Fig. 1 ), and the Bethune-Baker holotype of Pentila septistrigata ( Fig. 2 ), there seems little doubt that Papilio vanessa Fabricius, 1793 , is the senior name for this butterfly. However, Papilio vanessa , ‘has not been used as a valid name after 1889’ and, as such, it is deemed to be a nomen oblitum ( ICZN, 1999, art 23.9). If the subjective synonymy proposed here is accepted, then Papilio vanessa should not supplant Liptena septistrigata ( Bethune-Baker, 1903) . In these circumstances the latter should be regarded as a nomen protectum, thus giving priority to the junior name over the senior. The name Papilio vanessa Fabricius remains available, however, and can be resurrected if it is later considered to represent an otherwise unnamed species separate from Liptena septistrigata ( ICZN, 1999, art. 23.9.2).

Figures

Figure 1 – Jones volume 6 plate 35 fig. [4] – Papilio vanessa Fabricius, iconotype.

Figure 2 - Liptena septistrigata (Bethune-Baker), holotype (female) in NHMUK (upper side above; underside below), with labels and dissected leg; ‘1970–129 S[usan]. J. M[ay].’ refers to a genitalia preparation. D. Cator B.M. 1931-298. Specimen register number NHMUK 014172684. Forewing length: 15.9 mm.

Figure 3 – Liptena septistrigata (Bethune-Baker), male (upper side above; underside below), Aburi Botanical Gardens, Ghana, 28.xii.2011, leg. J. Dobson (Williams 2021, p. 34).

Figure 4 – Liptena septistrigata photographed by Adrian Hoskins at Aburi Botanical Gardens, Ghana, 5.v.2017 © www.learnaboutbutterflies.com