Two new butterfly species (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) from Mount Cameroon, Gulf of Guinea Highlands, Cameroon

Abstract

A field survey of Mount Cameroon, South-West Province, Cameroon, revealed two butterfly species new to science. Lepidochrysops liberti sp. nov. (Lycaenidae) flies in the extensive mosaic of natural clearings in sub-montane forest above 1100 m a.s.l., whereas Ceratrichia fako sp. nov. (Hesperiidae) locally inhabits the forested narrow gullies in the same vegetation zone.

Observations on the habitat and behaviour of both species are also presented.

Keywords

• Lepidochrysops liberti sp nov.
• Ceratrichia fako sp nov.
• Lycaenidae
• Hesperiidae
• sub-montane forest
• endemism