styx . Lithopsyche styx Scudder, 1889

Nymphalidae .

USA, Colorado, Teller County, Florissant; Late Priabonian, Late Eocene.

Depository: MCZH (holotype).

Published figures: Emmel et al. (1992: Fig. 1 /2); Murata (1998: Figs 51, 52); Scudder (1889: Pl. LII Figs. 11, 16, 17).

This specimen presents only an overlapping forewing and hindwing, the former without an apex. The forewing has a radial formula of radial formula 1, 2+(3+(4+5)) (forking of R4-R5 reconstructed, missing in fossil), R2 originating very close to upper corner of cell, cell closed. The hindwing cell is open. The wing pattern is obscure and irregular.

According to Scudder (1889) this fossil is closer to Jupiteria charon from the same excavation site than it is to any living species (see entry under that species). The open hindwing cell is an apomorphic character state in (part of) the Nymphalidae . The assignment also agrees with the radial vein arrangement. Any further statement about the relationship is unwarranted. Because of Scudder’s remark on its relationship to Jupiteria, Emmel et al. (1992) listed the fossil under Nymphalinae .

Lithopsyche Scudder, 1889, is a junior homonym of Lithopsyche Butler, 1889 (type-species Lithopsyche antiqua Butler, see above). Cockerell (1909) replaced it with Lithodryas .