Chetone phyleis (Druce, 1885)

Druce, H. (1885). Descriptions of new Lepidoptera Heterocera, chiefly from
South America. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1885:
518-536; p. 523 (as Pericopis phyleis).

Pericopis phyleis, sp. n.

This species is allied to P. phoeba and P. ithrana; but from both it differs in
being without the row of spots near the apex of the primaries, and in the almost
entire absence of the submarginal row of spots, one only remaining in the middle
of the wing close to the outer margin; the yellow band at the end of the cell is
smaller and paler-coloured, the base of the wing to near the middle is bright
orange-red, extending in streaks almost to the yellow band at the end of the
cell: the secondaries are dark brown, streaked with bright orange-red from the
base to the outer margin. Head and thorax black, spotted with yellow dots;
abdomen reddish brown; legs black.

Expanse 3 1/4 inches.

Hab. Ecuador, Sarayacu (Buckley).

This fine species very closely resembles Heliconius bartletti. Mr. Buckley
obtained a fine series of this insect; all the specimens are before me and do
not show any variation.

Hering, M. (1925). Pericopidae. In: Seitz, A. (ed.), The Macrolepidoptera of
the World, vol. 6, The American Bombyces and Sphinges. Alfred Kernen,
Stuttgart; p. 438, pl. 62 c (as Pericopis phyleis).

P. phyleis Drc. (62 c) varies a great deal in the different specimens. Head and
thorax similar to phaeba, but abdomen beneath chocolate-brown. Forewing
blackish-brown, at the base of a variably extensive ochreous colour. A broad
brimstone-coloured discal band rarely extends somewhat beyond the 2nd cubitus,
some yellow or white submarginal dots. Hindwing blackish-brown, with
reddish-brown or ochreous-brown internerval stripes which are often very much
reduced. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. It copies Heliconius melete Fldr.
(Vol. V, 77 b).

The phaeba paragraph referred to (same work, p. 438, pl. 62 c):

P. phaeba Bsd. (= ithrana Btlr.) (62 c). Head and thorax black, dotted white and
ochreous, abdomen above brown, beneath straw-coloured. Forewing blackish-brown,
at the base one or several longitudinal lines varying from red to
ochreous-brown, with a yellow broad discal band ending obtuse at the 2nd cubitus
or pointed behind it, 1 to 4 yellow subapical spots and a series of white
marginal spots. Hindwing with a broad black costal margin and distal margin, in
the latter a series of marginal spots varying from ochreous-yellow to red-brown,
the veins thickly black, otherwise ochreous-yellow to red-brown. Guatemala to
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Upper Amazon River. -- In the form intersecta form.
nov. (62 c) the marginal band of the hindwing is broken up into thick black
streaks which are situate to the right and left of the ends of the veins; the
basal parts of the veins are less thickly black. As this form only occurs in the
Amazon District and Eastern Peru, it is perhaps the southern race of the
species, but perhaps also a distinct species. It copies Heliconius aoede Hbn.
(Vol. V, t. 76 f).