PLATE XXV. Figs. 1 and 2.
Pap. E. A. Melibæus, _Fabr._--_Herbst. Pap._ Pl. 59, fig. 4, 5.--Pap.
Pyretus, _Cramer_, Pl. 144, fig. A, B.
This beautiful insect belongs to that division of _Erycina_ which has
opaque wings, and a short obtuse tail to the hinder pair. It is about
two inches in extent of wing. The surface is uniform dark brown, with
a bright red oblique band running across the middle of both wings, and
a large crescent of the same colour near the origin of the tail. On
the inner side of the upper wings there is the appearance of another
oblique red band, but it is obsolete except at the hinder margin. The
under side forms a striking contrast with the surface, the ground
colour being black, with two brilliant blue bands, the outer one very
broad, the interior somewhat macular, and terminating behind in a red
point. Body brown above and black beneath.
Like most of the species constituting the genus _Erycina_, it is a
native of the new world, occurring in greatest plenty in Surinam and
Brazil.