Brassolini

The South American nymphalid Bia Hübner, 1819, treated for over 150 years by most lepidopterists as a member of the Satyrinae, has been shown by recent work on early stages and DNA to share characters with the Morphinae: Brassolini. Examination of the wing patterns and androconial organs of Bia, described in detail for the first time, reveals unusual features otherwise only known from brassolines. In particular, the tufted posterior androconial organ of the hindwing forming palisades is a synapomorphy for Bia and several genera of Brassolini, including Caligo. The genus Bia is formally transferred from the Satyrinae to the Morphinae: Brassolini as the sole member of the subtribe Biina Herrich-Schäffer, 1864, stat. nov., co-ordinate with Brassolina Boisduval, 1836, and Naropina Stichel, 1925.