Abstract:
The revision of the genus Lycus F. from the southern African subregion resulted in the recognition of 31 valid species. Twelve species are synonymized, 9 are placed incertae sedis and 4 lectotypes are designated. The current seven Afrotropical subgenera are discussed and species groups are proposed, which can only be defined after a complete study on the whole genus is undertaken. Species characters are discussed and a key to all species, historical background, redescriptions, and diagnoses are given. The external genitalia and adults of most male species are illustrated. Distribution maps based on locality information recorded from the labels of more or less 5000 specimens examined from 13 institutions, are presented. A complete external morphological study with special reference to the mouthparts and feeding mechanism was done and is reported on here. A chapter on the biology of this widely mimicked species with their aposematic colouration is added. This revision serves as a basis for future studies, highlighting the useful species characters and problems that might occur as a result of all the variation existing in elytral colour and form.
