Micandra aegides (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865)

Prieto, Carlos, 2011, The genus Micandra Staudinger (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) in Colombia, with the description of a new species from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Zootaxa 3040, pp. 55-68 : 60-61

Micandra aegides (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865)

Pseudolycaena aegides C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865: 246 , pl. 31: figs. 3, 4. Thecla aegides (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865) ; Draudt 1919: 753, pl. 148h. Thecla (Micandra) aegides (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865) ; D’Abrera 1995: 1130. Egides aegides (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865) ; Johnson et al. 1997: 16. Thecla amplitudo Druce, 1907 .

Egides amplitudo (Druce, 1907) ; Johnson et al. 1997: 17.

Thecla aegides f. amplitudo Druce ; Draudt 1919: 753.

Micandra aegides (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865) ; Robbins 2004: 120.

Taxonomic history and remarks. The species Thecla amplitudo (Druce) has was considered a form of M. aegides by Draudt (1919) and as a valid species by Johnson et al. (1997). I was unable to examine the holotype of T. amplitudo , thus I follow Robbins (2004). Clench (1971) suggested that T. aegides may be a member of Micandra based on its external appearance; Robbins (1986) confirmed this hypothesis based on the examination of genitalia and wing venation.

Diagnosis. Males and females of this species may be confused with those of M. stephanieae described below (see diagnosis and description of that species).

Distribution. This is the most widespread and common Micandra species in Colombia, recorded from the three Andean cordilleras at elevations between 2000 m and 3200 m.

Material examined. BOYACÁ: 1 Ƥ JFLC: Villa de Leyva, 2000m, 28/iii/1994, Leg. J. F. Le Crom.

CAUCA: 1 3 CP: Colombia, Cauca, Totoró, Cerro de La Horqueta, 2740m, 20/06/2009, Leg. C. Prieto, m1229; 2 3 CP*: Colombia, Cauca, Totoró, Cerro de La Horqueta, 2740m, 23/05/2009, Leg. C. Prieto, m1213, m1212; 2 3 CP: Colombia, Cauca, Totoró, Cerro de La Horqueta, 2740m, 02/06/2008, Leg. C. Prieto, m1181, m1179.

1 Ƥ CP: Colombia, Cauca, Totoró, Cerro de La Horqueta, 2740m, 02/06/2008, Leg. C. Prieto, m1180; 1 Ƥ CP*: Colombia, Cauca, Argelia, Naranjal, 2900m, 23/07/06, Leg. C. Prieto, m815; 1 Ƥ CP: Colombia, Cauca, PNN Munchique, La Romelia, 2640m, 11/06/2001, Leg. C. Prieto, m017; 1 Ƥ CP: Colombia, Cauca, PNN Munchique, La Romelia, 2640 m, 17/09/2005, Leg. C. Prieto, m657; 1 Ƥ CP: Colombia, Cauca, S/der de Quilichao, Reserva Munchique –Los Tigres, 2450 m, 10/06/2009, Leg. C. Prieto, m1237.

CALDAS: 1 3 JFLC: Caldas, Paramo de Letras, 2200 m, 09/xii/1990, Leg. J. Salazar.

CUNDINAMARCA: 1 3 BMNH: Bogotá, Rotchild bequest; 1 3 JFLC: Mosquera, 2800 m, 23/iv/ 1985, Leg. J. F. Le Crom.

1 Ƥ BMNH: Bogotá, (Child); 2 Ƥ CDV: Chicaque, montañas de Chicaque, 06/ marzo/ 1997, leg. D. Acosta; 1 Ƥ CDV: Bogotá, Monserrate, 04/enero/1991, Leg. D. Acosta; 1 Ƥ JFLC: Mosquera, 2/vii/ 1983, Leg. J. F. Le Crom; 1 Ƥ JFLC: Facatativa, 2800m, leg. J. F. Le Crom; 1 Ƥ JFLC: Bogotá, 19/xi/1989, leg. J. F. Le Crom; 1 Ƥ JFLC: Las Rosas, 17/xii/1989, Leg. J.F. Le Crom, 1 3 JFLC: Caldas, Paramo de Letras, 3000m, 04/viii/1993; 1 Ƥ JFLC: Páramo de Cruz Verde, 3200m, 09/xi/1998, Leg. J. F. Le Crom.

RISARALDA: 2 Ƥ ICN-MHN: Risaralda, Pereira, Parque Ucumarí, La Pastora-Cedral, 2400m, Nov/24/1989, Leg. G. Andrade.

VALLE: 2 3 CP: Colombia, Valle, PNN Farallones, Pico de Loro, 2800m, 02/05/2009, Leg. C. Prieto, m1185, m1186.

1 Ƥ CP: Colombia, Valle, Cali, Cerro San Antonio, 2000m, 30/08/03, Leg. Prieto & Dahners, m075; 1 Ƥ CP: Colombia, Valle, Cali, Cerro San Antonio, 2200m, 14/09/03, Leg. Prieto & Dahners, m074; 1 Ƥ CP: Colombia, Valle, Cali, Cerro San Antonio, 2000m, 27/09/03, Leg. Prieto & Dahners, m123.