Description of the male of Syrmoptera mixtura (Hulstaert, 1924) (Papilionoidea: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) in northern DRC Author Desloges, Thomas text Metamorphosis 2021 2021-07-03 32 1 28 29 http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/met.v32i1.5 journal article 305157 10.4314/met.v32i1.5 c267f69b-4ffc-4a37-9b90-afcab06dfd05 2307-5031 14118624 Syrmoptera mixtura ( Hulstaert, 1924 ) Specimens examined S. mixtura ( Fig. 2 : A1, A2) 2♂ , 2♀ : DRC , Bas-Uele , Ango Territory , Sasa Chiefdom , Sukadi ; 4°37′04″N , 25°50′17"E ; 650 m ; 24.vii.2019 , leg. T . Desloges in coll. ABRI , Nairobi ; 2♂ : DRC , Bas-Uele , Ango Territory , Sasa Chiefdom , Bangu ; 4°51′50″N , 25°26′30″E ; 600 m ; 01.viii.2019 , leg. T . Desloges in coll. ABRI , Nairobi . S. bonifacei ( Fig. 2 : B1, B2) 1♂ , 2♀ : CAR , Yakoli , x.1996 , leg. S. Collins in coll. ABRI , Nairobi ; 1♂ : CAR , Yakoli , v.1998 , in coll. ABRI , Nairobi ; 2♂ : CAR , Yakoli , x.1995 , leg. S. Collins in coll. ABRI , Nairobi ; 1♂ : CAR , Yakoli , ii.1997 , in coll. ABRI , Nairobi ; 2♂ : CAR , nr. Bangui , i.1997 , leg. S. Collins in coll. ABRI , Nairobi ; 3♂ : CAR , Bangui , ii.1994 , leg. S. Collins in coll. ABRI , Nairobi . Description and diagnosis The male of S. mixtura strongly resembles that of S. bonifacei . The key difference between the two is found in the ventral bands. In S. mixtura these bands are slightly wider than in S. bonifacei , are light ochre, thinly edged in black ( Fig. 2 : A1-i), and, on the hindwing, extend downwards to meet the ochre tornal area at vein 3 ( Fig. 2 : A1-ii). In S. bonifacei the ventral bands are darker and quite variable in prominence, sometimes being reduced or even non-existent. Another somewhat variable difference can be found on the dorsal surface of the hindwing. In males of S. bonifacei , the basal area of space 7, from near the root of vein 7 and inwards, is more or less covered by light blue scaling ( Fig. 2 : B3-iii). In S. mixtura , this blue scaling is comparatively reduced in extent, giving the impression that the black costal band reaches the base of the wing ( Fig. 2 : A1-iv). Further specimens of male S. mixtura would be necessary to confirm the consistency of this second characteristic.