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78
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society
Collections were made with the help of Dr. E. W. Jameson, Jr. and Mr. Allen Allison, both of the Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis, and Mrs. Adrienne R. Shapiro.
Arthur M. Shapiro, Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis, California 95616.
PH1LOTES RITA (LYCAENIDAE) IN A SANDSTORM
Between 0730 and 0810 MST, on an overcast day, 4 September 1970 (at 10 road mi. NE of Goblin Valley turnoff from Hwy. 24, on Hwy. 24, Green River Desert, Emery Co., Utah), Scott Ellis and I encountered Philotes rita Barnes & McDunnough spp. during a strong windstorm. We collected 19 rita clinging to stiff Ephedra plants in ca. 30-40 mph winds. The winds at first were calmer with no blowing sand but soon a gusty sandstorm from the SW hit with fine sand particles. Other plants in the area, including Eriogonum leptocladon Torr. & Gray var. leptocladon, ritas foodplant here, were not nearly as upright in the wind as the Ephedra. Most of the rita perched in a head-down position (3-4 head-up) on the uppermost parts of the Ephedra, with the primaries tucked inside the secondaries, directed away from the wind's angle, and buffeted by the wind. They clung on by their legs wrapped partway around a stem. When approached or disturbed, some flopped down into the plant or onto the ground with the wind (they were still alert). These rita have been genitalically determined and represent an unnamed subspecies to be described elsewhere.
Oakley Shields, Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, California 95616.
NOTES AND NEWS
Recent Letters Dear Dr. Sargent:
In the last issue of the "Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society" (Vol. 27, No. 3, 10 August 1973, p. 210-219), there is an interesting study about the Biology of Prepona omphale octavia Fruhstorfer, by Alberto Muyshondt, of San Salvador, C.A., presented "as this is the first time the life cycle of P. omphale octavia is fully described, . . . ." However, it is necessary to note that I published a long time ago (1933), about the same species and surely the same subspecies, because the names of E. Le Moult (1932-33), in my opinion are subject to critical study and revision, in Guatemala occidental (Department of Quezaltenango).
I am sorry I cannot send you a reprint of my work because I have only one in my library. The entire reference of this study is: Novitates Entomologicae. Paris. Fasc. 3-4, 30 dec. 1933, p. 24-26, 1 pi. couleurs. "Observations biologiques sur les differents etats de Prepona omphale guatemalensis Le Moult (Lep. Nymphalidae) par Rene Lichy." Also in: Nov. Entom., Janvier 1932, 2e. annee No. 1, ler. supplement, p. 11, pi. couleurs. About the species, subspecies and aberrations described by E. Le Moult, cf. collection of "Nov. Entom."
I send this notice to you for the next "Journal." Thank you very much. Very best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Rene Lichy
"Yavita"
Chemin des Claies
F-95320 Saint Leu-La Foret
France