ABERRAZIONI DI POLYGONIA C-ALBUM L. E BRENTHIS DAPHNE L. (LEP. NYMPHALIDAE) RINVENUTE IN ITALIA MERIDIONALE

Abstract

This work describes two aberrations of Lepidoptera Nymphalidae caught in Southern Italy. The first one is a male of Polygonia c-album L. hutchinsoni Robson (Pict. l) which was caught on August the 8th 1971 at Gambarie (3900 ft) in Aspromonte.

Morfologically it shows a more indented wing-margin which gives the wings a more scythed look.

Cromatically the upperside of the fore-wings presents a complete fusion of the black spots except in a basai and centrai area retaining the typical reddish colour, and in a lighter apical area with ochreous shades. The upperside of hind-wings is of an omogenous reddish brown, with darker shades in the centre and a yellowish dusting in the proximal area.

The undersides are of a uniform blackish brown with a shining surface, as in the variety carbonaria Vrty., with a black spot in the piace of the light area between the centrai distai and the subterminal systems.

The ocellar system is formed by a chain of whitish spots. Similar aberrations are

the cloqueti Clément, the su.ffusa Frohawk, the P-album Esper and the ones described by ENGRAMELLE and GIRARD.

The second aberration concerns four specimens (two males and two females) of Brenthis daphne Schifi. ;apygia Stdr., (Pict. 2) caught in different years in the Park of the Pianelle (1100-1200 ft) in the province of Taranto (Puglia).

The specimens present the aberration radiata described by VERITY and TURATI m Faunula Valderiensis (Pict. 3).