The butterflies and skippers (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of angola: An updated checklist

Abstract

Presently, 792 species/subspecies of butterflies and skippers (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) are known from Angola, a country with a rich diversity of habitats, but where extensive areas remain unsurveyed and where systematic collecting programmes have not been undertaken. Only three species were known from Angola in 1820. From the beginning of the twenty-first century, many new species have been described and more than 220 faunistic novelties have been assigned. As a whole, of the 792 taxa now listed for Angola, 57 species/subspecies are endemic and almost the same number are known to be near-endemics, shared by Angola and by one or another neighbouring country. The Nymphalidae are the most diverse family. The Lycaenidae and Papilionidae have the highest levels of endemism. A revised checklist with taxonomic and ecological notes is presented and the development of knowledge of the superfamily over time in Angola is analysed.