Timothy Colin Congdon

African Butterfly Research Institute · N/A

Recent biological surveys of ancient inselbergs in southern Malawi and northern Mozambique have led to the discovery and description of many species new to science, and overlapping centres of endemism across multiple taxa. Combining these endemic taxa with data on geology and climate, we propose the ‘South East Africa Montane Archipelago’ (SEAMA) a...

This paper describes a new species of Afriodinia from Mount Lico in northern Mozambique, and revises the Afriodinia delicata (Lathy, 1901) group, reinstating Afriodinia zanzibarica (Collins, 1990) as a result. The new species from Mount Lico is a member of the ‘white-banded’ group of Afriodinia, which are generally found in sub-montane forest and f...

This paper describes a new species of Afriodinia from Mount Lico in northern Mozambique, and revises the Afriodinia delicata (Lathy, 1901) group, reinstating Afriodinia zanzibarica (Collins, 1990) as a result. The new species from Mount Lico is a member of the 'white-banded' group of Afriodinia, which are generally found in sub-montane forest and f...

This paper describes a new species of Afriodinia from Mount Lico in northern Mozambique, and revises the Afriodinia delicata (Lathy, 1901) group, reinstating Afriodinia zanzibarica (Collins, 1990) as a result. The new species from Mount Lico is a member of the ‘white-banded’ group of Afriodinia, which are generally found in sub-montane forest and f...

Four new Iolaus Hübner, 1819 species are described in the subgenus Philiolaus Stempffer & Bennett, 1958. They are assigned to the newly formed I. maritimus species group. Members of the group occur in the coastal forests of Kenya, submontane and montane forests in Tanzania and Mozambique, and are locally distributed in montane forests at the wester...

A new subspecies of Papilio pelodurus Butler, 1896 is described that was collected from two mountains in Zambezia Province, northern Mozambique, over the course of several years between 2007 to 2012. The specimens collected show a distinct difference from the nomenotypical species from Malawi, and provide sufficient evidence to merit a new subspeci...

Based mainly on the authors' observations, information additional to the authors' earlier papers on the biology of Afro-tropical Hesperiidae is reported, including Pyrrhochalcia iphis (Drury), Pyrrhiades aeschylus (Plötz), Coeliades chalybe chalybe (Westwood), C. ramanatek ramanatek (Boisduval), C. libeon (Druce), Tagiades insularis Mabille, Abanti...

Partial life histories from Kenya or Tanzania are presented for Metisella midas midas (Butler), M. medea medea Evans, M. orientalis orientalis Aurivillius, M. quadrisignatus nanda Evans, M. congdoni De Jong & Kielland and M. willemi Wallengren. The ovum of Metisella formosus linda Evans is also illustrated from Zambia. All feed on species of grasse...

A new species and two subspecies of Cymothoe from three forested mountains in northern Mozambique are described. It was first discovered on Mt. Namuli in November 2007, and subsequently on Mt. Mabu in 2008 and Mt. Inago in 2009. Ova were found on Rawsonia lucida Harw. & Sond. (Achariaceae), and larvae from all three mountains were successfully rear...

This paper describes a new species of Iolaus (Epamera) from two mountains in northern Mozambique - Mts Namuli and Mabu - with life history notes on its early stages, habits, and habitat. The species was collected on the forest edge at Mt. Namuli and close to the summit on Mt. Mabu over the course of several biological expeditions to survey the high...

The Afrotropical genera that have been recorded to feed on Zingiberales are documented. Partial life histories are presented for Erionota torus Evans (a South-East Asian species established in Mauritius), Semalea arela (Mabille), S. pulvina (Plötz), Xanthodisca vibius (Hewitson), X. rega (Mabille), Hypoleucis ophiusa (Hewitson), Caenides dacena (He...

The Afrotropical genera Gamia and Artitropa are only known to feed on species of Dracaena (Asparagaceae), and together with Leona lissa Evans, which may require a new genus, they are the only Afrotropical Hesperiidae that feed on this unusual host genus. We present partial life histories of two species of Gamia, 22 taxa of Artitropa (of at least 12...

Partial life histories for 17 Hesperiinae incertae sedis that feed on grasses or bamboos (Poaceae) are described and illustrated. The genera dealt with are: Astictopterus (from Evans' (1937) Astictopterus group), Prosopalpus, Kedestes (from Evans' (1937) Ampittia group), Ceratrichia, Pardaleodes, Ankola (From Evans' (1937) Ceratrichia and Acleros g...

Partial life histories for 17 Hesperiinae incertae sedis that feed on grasses or bamboos (Poaceae) are described and illustrated. The genera dealt with are: Astictopterus (from Evans’ (1937) Astictopterus group), Prosopalpus, Kedestes (from Evans’ (1937) Ampittia group), Ceratrichia, Pardaleodes, Ankola (From Evans’ (1937) Ceratrichia and Acleros g...

The Afrotropical genera Gamia and Artitropa are only known to feed on species of Dracaena (Asparagaceae), and together with Leona lissa Evans, which may require a new genus, they are the only Afrotropical Hesperiidae that feed on this unusual host genus. We present partial life histories of two species of Gamia, 22 taxa of Artitropa (of at least 12...

Partial life histories for 12 Hesperiinae incertae sedis that feed on palms (Arecaceae) are described and illustrated. The genera dealt with are: Perrotia (part), Ploetzia, Zophopetes, Gretna (part), Pteroteinon, Leona, and Caenides (part) (all from Evans' Ploetzia genera group). Although Gamia spp. have been reported to feed on palms, these record...

The montane inselbergs of northern Mozambique have been comparatively little-studied, yet recent surveys have shown they have a rich biodiversity with numerous endemic species. Here we present the main findings from a series of scientific expeditions to one of these inselbergs, Mt Mabu, and discuss the conservation implications. Comprehensive speci...

Partial life histories of 24 Hesperiinae incertae sedis that feed on Dicotyledons are described and illustrated. The genera dealt with are: Acada, Acleros, Andronymus, Fresna, Gorgyra, Melphinyet, Meza, Paronymus, Parosmodes, Platylesches, and Teniorhinus. The food plants of Gorgyra (mainly Connaraceae), Melphinyet (Euphorbiaceae) and Platylesches...

A multidisciplinary expedition visited Mt Mecula and Mt Yao in northern Mozambique from 6th to 16th May, 2012. Butterflies found on the two mountains are scheduled, and those of scientific interest are discussed. A preliminary report on the flora of Mt Yao is provided. Biogeographical inferences are drawn.

The African lycaenid butterfly, Anthene usamba, is an obligate myrmecophile of the acacia ant, Crematogaster mimosae. Female butterflies use the presence of C. mimosae as an oviposition cue. The eggs are laid on the foliage and young branches of the host plant, Acacia drepanolobium. Larvae shelter in the swollen thorns (domatia) of the host tree, w...

Partial life histories for two Afrotropical Aeromachini and seven Afrotropical Baorini (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) are described and illustrated: Ampittia capenas (Hewitson), A. kilombero Larsen & Congdon, Zenonia zeno (Trimen), Pelopidas mathias mathias (Fabricius), P. thrax (Hübner), Borbo borbonica borbonica (Boisduval), B. fatuellus fatuellus (H...

The genus Ampittia Moore, 1882 is accepted as a valid genus occurring in both Africa and Asia on the basis of a number of unusual shared characters, a somewhat surprising result since we had expected to describe a new genus. The species A. kilombero sp. nov. from Tanzania is described as the third African member of the genus. Andronymus fontainei s...

Partial life histories for 15 species and two subspecies of Afrotropical Celaenorrhinini (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae) are described and illustrated: Celaenorrhinus plagiatus Berger, C. undescribed nr. dargei Berger, C. proxima proxima (Mabille), C. proxima maesseni Berger, C. zanqua Evans, C. humbloti (Mabille), C. sanjeensis Kielland, C. galenus opalin...

Triskelionia is defined and described as a new genus for the Afrotropical skipper known as Sarangesa tricerata (Mabille, 1891) (Hesperiidae, Pyrginae, Celaenorrhinini). Its subspecies S. tricerata compacta Evans, 1937 is raised to species rank. The host plant is Dalbergia armata (Fabaceae) and it is the only known member of the African Celaenorrhin...

Partial life histories for 13 Afro-tropical Tagiadini (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae) are described and illustrated: Eagris sabadius astoria Holland, E. s. andracne (Boisduval), E. lucetia (Hewitson), E. decastigma purpura Evans, Tagiades flesus(Fabricius), Caprona pillaana Wallengren, Netrobalane canopus (Trimen), Abantis arctomarginata Lathy, A. bamptoni...

Mt Inago (Serra Inago) is a large granite inselberg situated approximately 50 km north east of the Namuli massif in northern Mozambique, near to the town of Malema (formally known as Entre Rios). As part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Darwin Initiative project ‘Monitoring and Managing Biodiversity Loss on South-East Africa's Montane Ecosystems’...

Tea has been grown in Tanzania for more than 60 years. After a period of relative stagnation, it is now set to make a positive contribution to the national income, both in the public and private sectors. This article reviews the past, present and likely future contributions of tea to the Tanzanian economy.

The 'Eastern Arc' of Kenya and Tanzania is defined in terms of its butterfly fauna. Butterflies endemic to it and neighbouring ecological zones are listed. The 'Tanzania-Malawi Highlands' are identified as an ecological zone. Distributions of the endemic butterflies within the Eastern Arc and other zones are examined. Some possible causes of endemi...