A new species, Iolaus freyaallanae sp. nov. in the subgenus Iolaphilus Stempffer & Bennett, 1958 is described from forests in north-western Zambia. Its general appearance suggests, and examination of male and female genitalia confirms, a close relationship with I. gabunica Riley, 1928 and I. liberiana Sáfián, 2017. For easier navigation between them and other Iolaus species with similar facies, the I. gabunica species group is proposed.

The author reports the first records of two non-indigenous Tineidae species which were found on St Helena: Amphixystis siccata (Meyrick, 1910) and Setomorpha rutella Zeller, 1852. Moths and habitats of both species and the male and female genitalia of A. siccata are illustrated here.

A new genus and species is described from a series of specimens collected in the broad vegetation band from Mali to the Kenyan coast. It is placed close to Metasia (Spilomelinae) because of the bilobed uncus in the male genitalia. It seems to be linked to drier habitats.

This article provides a checklist for the butterfly species of the Maputo Special Reserve (MSR) in the south of Mozambique, recorded during three expeditions organised by the African Natural History Research Trust (ANHRT), in collaboration with the Museu de História Natural, Maputo, between 2016 and 2018. A total of 163 species in 86 genera are recorded from the reserve with two new country records for Mozambique: Deloneura millari millari Trimen, 1906 and Iolaus lulua (Riley, 1944), both Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot endemics. A brief note is also included for a short reconnaissance expedition in 2018 to the north of Mozambique which yielded two further new records, Acraea nohara halali Marshall, 1896 and Gretna carmen capra Evans, 1937. The possible factors governing butterfly distribution in the MSR, including seasonality, choice of study site and habitat are discussed in further detail.  Photographs of habitus, genitalia and habitat are provided to corroborate findings and suggestions for future work included.

Resumo: Este artigo fornece uma lista de espécies de borboletas da Reserva Especial de Maputo, no sul de Moçambique, registadas durante três expedições organizadas pelo African Natural History Research Trust, em colaboração com o Museu de História Natural, Maputo, entre 2016 e 2018. Um total de 163 espécies, em 86 géneros foram registadas na reserva com dois novos registos nacionais para Moçambique: Deloneura millari millari Trimen, 1906 e Iolaus lulua (Riley, 1944), ambas são endémicas do hotspots de Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany. Esta incluida tambem uma breve nota de uma curta expedição de reconhecimento em 2018, ao norte de Moçambique que rendeu mais dois novos registros, Acraea nohara halali Marshall, 1896 e Gretna carmen capra Evans, 1937. Os possíveis fatores que padronizam a distribuição de borboletas na MSR, incluindo sazonalidade, escolha do local de estudo e habitat são discutidos em mais detalhes. Fotografias de habitus, genitália e habitat são fornecidas para corroborar as descobertas e sugestões para trabalhos futuros incluídos.

Welcome to May’s newsletter!

The 2021 – 2022 season is coming to an end in South Africa. Despite exceptional rainfall over large parts of the country, this hasn’t been a particularly good butterfly season in my opinion. While there have been a few notable sightings and discoveries, these have been few and far between.

Talking of rainfall, our thoughts go out to anyone who may have been affected by the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal.